Lexus GS300h F Sport

Engine: 2,494cc, four-cylinder, and 105 kW electric motor

Power: 220bhp

Performance: 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds and 119mph

Economy: 56.5mpg (combined)

CO2 emissions: 115g/km

Price: £41,745

Years on and it was Facebook and then Twitter that I saw people flocking to as I sat back insisting that it was just a fad.

Now I’d like to think that I’m reasonably clued up and embracing of new technology but Toyota/Lexus is definitely among the early adopters crowd that would put me to shame.

When Sharpe Motors would have been figuring out a faster way to shovel coal into a steam-driven engine, the Japanese firm were already forging ahead with the fusion of petrol and electric power.

Thanks to their continual development of the formula this is where we have arrived in 2014...the Lexus GS300h F Sport (£41,745).

Delivering 220bhp thanks to its 141bhp electric motor and 178bhp 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, the striking 5-Series rival will accelerate to 62mph in 9.2 seconds and reach 119mph.

Not scintillating performance on paper, perhaps, but coupled to claims of silent, zero emissions running, lowly fuel consumption of 56.5mpg and 115g/km CO2 emissions, it presents a compelling alternative to the default diesel saloons in the executive saloon segment.

That makes it slower but just as frugal and, crucially, kinder to the annual tax bill of business users than either a BMW 525d, Mercedes E250 CDI or Audi A6 3.0 TDI.

BMWs ActiveHybrid and Audis A6 TFSI Hybrid barely stand comparison on the basis of emissions and economy while Mercedes quicker, diesel-electric E350 BlueTec Hybrid stacks up better with 68.9mpg and 109g/km emissions but has suffered criticism for a lack of refinement.

From the get-go, the GS300h is majestic in the smooth progress it makes.

Though capable of running on pure electric for short periods, the petrol engine works in tandem with the battery-driven electric motors in most conditions, cutting in as more accelerator input is applied.

The CVT gearbox and smooth transition between power sources make for whispering progress at a cruise.

Refinement is impressive and, though I still dislike the power delivery of CVT-equipped cars (all that persistent revving under acceleration), the GS300hs ample sound-deadening reduces this effect.

The drivetrain’s power delivery feels pretty muscular, too.

The GS300h is no rocketship and doesn’t pile on pace with the vigour of the more powerful GS450h tested here last summer, but the less potent drivetrain somehow feels a more logical fit for a car aiming at lower emissions and fuel consumption.

Progress is generally smooth, rapid and refined and Lexus Drive Mode Select system can dumb down or warm up your progress in Eco, Normal Sport and Sport Plus settings.

Truth be told, though, the default setting offers a good enough balance to leave this alone for much of the time.

Dynamically, the GS300h will prove an unusual mix for some. That CVT box reduces the sense of connection but solid chassis control keeps things tracking true.

The GS300h goes without the agility leant to the more powerful, four-wheel-steering equipped, GS450h but exhibits impressive cornering grip, turning with minimal roll thanks to Adaptive Variable Suspension.

Even though there is an overriding sense that the F Sport is a firmly sprung car, the clever dampers do just enough to iron out the worst bumps.

Lexus current crop of interiors are very possibly the best in the executive segment at the current time and the GS makes for a fantastic place to while away a long journey.

A massive, 12.3-inch display screen dominates the upper portion of the dash, while a nicely-judged mixture of quality materials abound and the novel use of a computer mouse-like controller allows access to the sat-nav, stereo, bluetooth handsfree phone connection, various eco-driving information and even an optional internet Wifi hotspot.

Perforated leather upholstery is standard in the F Sport, along with a smattering of logos denoting the car as the ranges sporty derivative.

Outside, the GS300h is barely distinguishable from its GS450h F Sport bigger brother.

Lexus striking new grille arrangement is complimented by 19-inch alloys, a more aggressive front bumper and side skirts and possibly the whitest paint I’ve ever seen on a car to create impressive road presence.

If you thought hybrids were driven by beardy types, the GS F Sport will have you thinking again.

In terms of dynamic rewards, Lexus hybrid format will still prove a little too anodyne for many.

Beautifully well-mannered at moderate speeds, it lacks many of the sensations that most petrolheads love to hear and feel.

However, Lexus is reaping the rewards of that early adoption of hybrid technology after creating a beautifully-packaged and extremely capable executive saloon which is perfectly pitched for its target market.

For business users, the GS300h is a tax-mitigating masterclass...