'Hybrid technology is key to the Lexus brand,' says Mr Osamu Sadakata, 49, the company's chief engineer for hybrid technology.

'In the future, Lexus' hybrid technology can be developed with diesel or even hydrogen,' he adds. 'Energy management forms the base to our hybrid technology and this is the principle that we base our development work on.'

By 'energy management', he is referring to how Hybrid Drive juggles the balance of putting out power and recovering what's spent in an efficient and seamless manner; and combining them for synergistic effect.

With more carmakers jumping onto the hybrid bandwagon, Toyota/Lexus is counting on its head start and continuous improvement to keep it ahead of the game.

'We made our first hybrid production on Dec 1, 1997. Energy management isn't that easy to pick up quickly,' says Mr Sadakata

With the current batch of hybrid cars, it's hard to tell if it is the engine or the electric motor that is doing the work, but the result, as seen on the RX400h and the LS600hL, is impressive.