To comprehend why the Lexus Performance Hybrid delivers such a thrilling drive, firstly imagine the power of the GS450h and RX400h's high performance, quad cam V6 engine equipped with VVT-i. Team that with electric energy and the total output rivals that of a much larger engine, with the emissions and economy of a much smaller one.

When decelerating and braking, a generator captures energy which would normally be wasted. This power is captured as electricity and stored in the high voltage battery.

This is the brain of the hybrid system. The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manages the power flow between the generator, battery and motor. By constantly monitoring various driving conditions, the ECU allows the transmission to get optimal power and fuel consumption from the powertrain.

While the ECU is the brain, the Planetary Gear Set is like the central nervous system, which manages the physical interaction between the petrol engine, electric-drive motor and generator. Despite its compact size, the Planetary Gear Set provides yet another important service: intelligently distributing power between the petrol engine and the electric motor.

The petrol engine delivers power through a transmission known as an Electronic Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT). Unlike a conventional transmission with a fixed number of gears, the ECVT allows virtually unlimited combinations. So speed increases seamlessly, without gear changes.

You'll never have to plug in a Lexus hybrid powered car. The petrol engine generates all the electricity a Lexus hybrid needs to keep the battery charged. This stored electrical energy is then used to supplement the petrol engine during accelerating and cruising.

The petrol engine feeds power to the driving wheels and to the generator which charges the High Output 288v Nickel-Metal-Hydride battery. When electric power is needed, a boost converter increases voltage to a maximum 650v, and the electric motor feeds extra power to the driving wheels. While the GS450h has two electric motors, the AWD RX400h has three electric motors, two up front and one in the rear.

* The links above show the GS450h model.