Lexus HS 250h spotted in M’sia – grey import unicorn

IMG_9890

We collectively and regularly spot many unusual cars on Malaysian roads. Some are test mules in disguise, but more often than not, it’s just a rare or interesting car. Very few would be more rare than this Lexus HS 250h, snapped by company pixman Sherman Sim at the Shah Alam go kart track today.

It’s definitely not something Lexus Malaysia is looking to bring in, and is likely to be a private import, possibly by someone who worked and/or studied in Japan.

This pristine looking Harmonious Sedan is a pre-facelift model before the 2013 update that brought along a spindle grille face. Introduced in 2009, the HS 250h was the first dedicated hybrid model in the Lexus line-up; there were no other variants with a conventional powerplant. Later in 2009, Toyota came up with a T-badged version of the HS called Toyota Sai.

The front-wheel drive HS is not related to the rear-wheel drive IS, and is larger in footprint compared to the sports sedan. It is powered by a hybrid system similar to that in the old Toyota Camry Hybrid, combining a 2AZ-FXE 2.4 litre petrol engine with 147 hp/142 Nm with an electric motor for a combined output of 187 hp.

Lexus used plant-derived bioplastic materials for the HS’ interior, with materials sourced from kenaf fibers and castor seeds. As such, 85% of the car is fully recyclable, the company claims. Looking at the condition of this unit, it should be awhile more before it heads to the recycling centre.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

Certified Pre-Owned - 1 Year Warranty

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Kunta Kinte on Aug 17, 2016 at 8:02 pm

    Our pariah UMW scared to bring this Es250H into Malaysia cause it will have to be tax free. The US price is about US$40k. That means when it arrives in Port Klang, it will be tax free at lesser than RM160k

    Being country distributor, UMW will get this car even cheaper. Maybe even US$25k (RM100k)

    They will never bring in a car like this at RM100k cause it is the Government policy to screw the rakyat with high prices. A car like this can only be sold for RM400k

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 4
  • Harlem on Aug 17, 2016 at 8:14 pm

    Nice name there, the Toyota “Sai”….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • only poor cheaphai buy small A&B seg car puii on Aug 17, 2016 at 8:29 pm

    So what ? Ugly as fck puii , who will notice this zzz Sumore the name so xia shuay Toyota Saiii ( shit) HAHAHA~~

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 2
  • AhHuat on Aug 17, 2016 at 8:36 pm

    That’s an ugly looking car.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • surely the owner kembang buntutz seeing his car featured here….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
    • AutoFrenz (the original) on Aug 18, 2016 at 7:44 am

      Hahahaha…those from up north say kembang pungkok…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 0
  • AutoFrenz (the original) on Aug 17, 2016 at 10:40 pm

    Now this model does look like last generation camry…the current one is better looking…the toyota sai is also good looking in the mould of latest mark x…stunning…if you ve been to japan you know what i mean…these cars are everywhere…if umw brings in sai, mark x and crown im sure people wont buy any other brand…but of course they will be sold in the 200 – 300k price range…even recond ones are expensive…nevertheless umw should bring in the latest harrier…it looks cool especially in black…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
  • Aero (Member) on Aug 18, 2016 at 1:46 am

    I like this article, learned something new today. I don’t see why paultan.org shouldn’t consider publishing more works like this for rare or unusual cars on Malaysian roads ! After all, the spyshot articles are big time here, so rare ‘unicorn’ cars would simply be an extension of what is already being done, right ?

    From a marketing/ business perspective, local distributors/ assemblers can assess consumer preferences and gather feedback based on (some of) the comments here and how many ‘shares’ the rare car may get.

    From the Driven team’s perspective, it means more web traffic and ad revenue. As well, you guys would be doing a great public service by talking about lesser known cars here.

    From a reader’s perspective, we get to see and read more, helping broaden our knowledge and stuff. Those of us who are more passionate about cars will surely love seeing photos of rare cars in Malaysia, because in all honesty, Malaysia has a huge diversity of cars on our streets, old and new. Sadly, not many realise this.

    Anyway, this is just a fan suggestion, of course, the Driven team reserves all rights, and considering the above suggestion is entirely optional. haha

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
  • Ugly design, just spoil Lexus brand name

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required