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Two from Lochan na h-Achlaise Two from two visits last week. It was amazingly still. _DSC2509 by Stephen Taylor, on Flickr _DSC2548 by Stephen Taylor, on Flickr

It will. The batteries go under the floor. I’m not a fan of transversely mounting engines but for a hybrid it makes more sense as the batteries can go under the floor without a prop shaft or gearbox getting in the way. I’m imagine hybridising a transverse engined car is easier than longitudinally engined one and I suspect as a hybrid the ES will work exceedingly well. I still think there’s a “rightness” to a north south engine, manual or torque converter automatic gearbox sat behind it with rear drive. The GS should imho be offered with v8 and v6 (or even the new straight 6 from the upcoming Supra) to satisfy “drivers” and more conservative buyers. Be nice if the LS was offered without hybrid. The GS is a superbly good handling car and there’s no way a FWD transversely mounted engined car will match it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No car likes the rain. Standing water puts up resistance so more fuels needed. My non hybrid gs250 seems to average around 37mpg true. The e350cdi around 40mpg true. There’s not much in it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I like the bold new designs. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That is the big advantage but there are cons 1. Handling and drivability - less natural balance in the car. More mass upfront and more forward as the gearbox is beside the engine not behind it (Audi A4 and A6 being an odd exception) 2. Maybe not a Lexus/Toyota issue but transverse engines can mean a smaller gearbox housing which will mean a poorer and potentially less reliable transmission. A friend who works in ZF is always on about it. Again though with CVTs/hybrid it might be less of an issue as a CVT is a very simple transmission. It’s probably an ideal car to choose hybrid drive. 3. Style. Transverse mounting usually puts the front wheel closer to the A post then that big overhang you see. It’ll have the proportions of a cheap car. I wouldn’t be thrilled to hand over £40k for something that hasn’t got a north south engine but I might if the rest of the car was decent - this or a petrol S90 Volvo Personally I think there’s room in the range for the ES and GS. The GS would move a bit more upmarket, sold with non hybrid variety’s (GS350, GS460 and the F) and let the ES plug the fleet market whilst the GS plugs the affluent owner market. There’s room for both. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Here’s my car. Just a phone pic didn’t use the big camera Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Last Monday night I had a delightful time shooting reflections of this wonderful mountain at sunset. The shot is taken from a waterpool near the start of the Devils Staircase. Other than the fact it was a little hazy this was one of the best evenings out I've had in a long long time. When I arrived the light was a little disappointing but I hoped it would clear. As I had waded into the pool I disrupted the reflections so a little time for things to get calm was needed. The wind picked up but 3 forecasts said it would die off in the late evening, which it did _DSC3401 by Stephen Taylor, on Flickr Less and less of the mountain got the light but it got richer and more golden _DSC3425 by Stephen Taylor, on Flickr and finally kaboom, just a hint of red light at the top. _DSC3434 by Stephen Taylor, on Flickr Magic.

Got the seats disabled but not the wheel. Salesman told me it couldn’t be, worth a shot. It’s a first world problem. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Is that in the menu or a button somewhere in the dash Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How do you disable the steering wheel retracting when I turn the car (GS250 2013) off. I’ve set the position in the memory but I find it perfectly easy to get in and out the car with the steering wheel in position when I leave the engine on. I’d rather it just stay in rather than wait for it to come out and drop into position. Also how to I set the climate control so when i change the temperature it changes the other side too? It’s usually just me in the car Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Diesels are good on fuel no doubt but that saving can be quickly offset by a repair needed due to the complexity of the thing. I’ve owned six in total. 4 were totally reliable and 2 needed repairs (exclusively due to being diesels) that brought the per mile cost extremely close to a v8 petrol for the two. Both the unreliable ones were v6 OM642 Merc diesels and they’re by no means the worse. The 5 cylinder Volvo I had was the best on fuel (never did less than 48mpg on a run) and the best sounding and the one I miss the most. How did you drive your GS250 to get such low mpg. I’m averaging over 35mpg in mine and I’m no slouch. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It would offer a non hybrid in the range and could be marketed as a sportier cheaper model. A lot are wary of hybrids. Me I’m probably ready to take the plunge but would sooner take a normal petrol and gear box Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not all the GS range is hybrid - personally I’m all for choice and the Lexus non hybrid range is a bit thin in my view - hence they’re a rare site on the roads. Why drop the 200t from the IS/RC/NX range, why not include it in the GS range too. Why not also offer the IS with the 350 and 5.0 as an F model. Why not offer the GS with the 350 and 460 motor too. They do outside Europe and they’re paired with either an Aisin 6sp or 8sp auto. A manual transmission might be a step to far but maybe not in the RC/IS/NX and CT (why isn’t that offered as a non hybrid too) People would buy them here too. Plenty 540i and big engined diesel 3 series/5 series segment cars out there who’d take a petrol motor in a heart beat but are a little uneasy about a hybrid as it’s quite a different thing. Toyota have a compelling 8sp auto box and the new ten speed. Can’t say a CVT is my bag but I’d never say never but I’m a conservative person. I’d take a more traditional style drive train and pay a bit more tax to do so at the pump and in VED. Mines the older six speed and whilst it’s ok, it’s miles behind the rest of the car and it’s more than anything down to the software in the box. The changes are smooth and quick but it doesn’t like to lock up like a newer auto and that’s purely software. Take control manually and it’s as smooth and quick changing as a new Merc 9 speed. The 8 and 10sp will be better but I fear Mercedes and ZF have the software element licked. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Couldn’t believe it. A late 2012 GS250 in white was being filled up in Esso, Fort William today. Exactly the same as my car bar mine might be a few months newer on a 13 plate. Same colour, engine and spec (maybe not mines only an SE but it’s got everything bar radar cruise, blind spot warning and a sunroof I’m hardly wanting) Had a nice chat to the owner who said they’ve not seen another. Well neither have I until today. Nice meeting you. I hope you enjoy your time here in Scotland. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

These new engines. Money no object I’d have gone for the GSF or a GS350 if such a thing existed here. I don’t get why the GS got panned in the press. It’s barely less efficient out there in the real world, bags more refined than any diesel (including an S class Merc diesel I borrow occasionally). A 520d which a friend has is horrific compared to this and he’s glad when it does 55mpg. In the scheme of life if that’s £5/week I’d be amazed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bit of a thread hijack as my GS is a humble 250 without the extra 1000cc and batteries/motors of the OPs car so yes mines not as fast as a 3l diesel (not far off though and I should know I covered 70000 miles plus across two Merc v6 diesel E classes) If either of these returned this I’d have been pleased for the drive. This was Fort William upto Eilean Donan. A run which would suit a hybrid given the fact the route turns, dips and rises allowing for regeneration of the battery and assist from the motor. I kind of regret the last ten years of driving diesels as I did it to save money. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A few random images from Glencoe over the last couple of weeks. Amazing weather at the moment. Kind of makes me wish I had a drop top or at least a sunroof. _DSC2456 by Stephen Taylor, on Flickr _DSC3322 by Stephen Taylor, on Flickr _DSC3176 by Stephen Taylor, on Flickr _DSC3300 by Stephen Taylor, on Flickr

My Home city - Glasgow _DSC3129 by Stephen Taylor, on Flickr _DSC3138 by Stephen Taylor, on Flickr _DSC3139 by Stephen Taylor, on Flickr _DSC2849 by Stephen Taylor, on Flickr _DSC1967 by Stephen Taylor, on Flickr _DSC2196 - Version 2 by Stephen Taylor, on Flickr _DSC2202 by Stephen Taylor, on Flickr

I had an E350cdi. 6 new injectors were needed at £500 each, the e320cdi needed a new manifold at £2000, various other engine faults too. The refinement wasn’t great - the best one was the d5 Volvo as when you gave it the beans it made a nice sound. All had horrible odd vibrations and corse sounds. You got used to them but after trying a petrol car I knew I needed to change. Plus the scary repair bills it wasn’t like I was saving money. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’ve had several large diesels and they roughly match that. I’d say the hybrid is a mighty complex car but then so is a modern diesel with EGR, DPF, high pressure injectors, turbos and the repair costs if one of these let’s go can’t be far off the cost of a hybrid battery. I have the mk4 GS250 and it won’t do 51 but 37 will do me fine. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It can’t be much worse than the Prius. Most journeys are quite short in taxis and you’ll get paid regardless of whether the rides a bit firm or not. Get the one you want. Life’s too short Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Love the Rainbow - great car and love the colour. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That goes back. It was replaced with the Volvo S80 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That’s a cracking picture. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks - lets hope he posts on here. Most motoring forums I've been on have had a thread like this.