Lexus has unveiled its first dedicated hybrid - the 2010 HS 250h - at the Detroit auto show. The latest luxury sedan fits between Lexus' range of the ES luxury sedan and the IS luxury sport sedan, and is quite like the Toyota Avensis sold in Europe.

With the launch of the new model, Lexus aims at benefiting from the research which indicates almost 60 percent of buyers considering the purchase of their first luxury car would go in for a hybrid.

Equipped with a four-cylinder gas engine, the 2.4-liter Atkinson-cycle powerplant, the entire system of the new car features a total of 187 horsepower with the electric motor and engine together. In fact, the HS 250h will supposedly have the best fuel efficiency in the complete Lexus lineup - nearly 30 percent more fuel efficient than the RX 400h, the company's existing mileage champ.

In addition, the Lexus hybrid includes an exhaust heat recovery system to curtail its warm-up time for quicker and longer engine-less motoring, thereby improving its efficiency.

Complete with electric power steering system, special attention has been given to diminish noise for maximum quietness inside the car. The use of plant-based, carbon-neutral plastics has resulted in the greening of more than one-fourth of the interior panels.

Some other features of the Lexus hybrid include the new Bluetooth, moonroof, Remote Touch interface, iPod port and satellite radio. Additional options include heads-up display, wide-view front monitor, a lane keep assist system, and radar cruise control.