Tokyo '09: Toyota Sai Hybrid is a Budget Lexus HS 250h

We think that the title and the pictures say it all about Toyota's second dedicated hybrid model after the Prius and first in sedan form that made its world premiere at the Tokyo motorshow. Nevertheless, if you insist on learning more about the all-new Sai hybrid sedan, it is a more affordable and cosmetically reworked version of the recently launched Lexus HS 250h with most styling changes concerning the front and rear ends of the car as well as the revised dashboard.

The Japan-only Sai keeps the HS 250h's hybrid system that combines a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and a battery pack for a combined output of 190HP. Toyota says that its new hybrid model achieves a combined fuel economy in the Japanese cycle of 23km/lt which comes to around 4.3lt/100km or 54.1 mpg US.

The Sai goes on sale in Japan in early December with prices starting at 3.38 million yen ($37,200), compared with the Lexus HS250h's starting price of 3.96 million yen ($43,500).

All Photos Shot by our Tokyo Motor Show man, Phil Alex