Toyota
doesn't usually give much away in advance of an auto show, so it didn't surprise us that the two-graph press release
announcing that the company would launch the Lexus LS 460 luxury hybrid at the New York Auto Show left much to the
imagination. Essentially confirming what we learned at the
gasoline-powered LS' introduction in
Detroit, the luxoliner will launch for the 2007 model year, and we'll find out the rest at 9:25 a.m. when the press
conference takes place at the show on April 12. Stay tuned for Autoblog's first-hand coverage of the New York Auto
Show, or watch the unveiling live at
www.lexus.com/autoshow.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rene Curry 11:19PM (3/31/2006)
The off the line torque should be awesome. The hybrid component weight close to the ground and distributed more equally should be great for handling.
I am just disappointed with Lexus because they copy BMW styling trends so closely.
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DJ 11:24PM (3/31/2006)
The first $100,000 Lexus?
Given the premium that they have put on previous hybrids from Lexus, it may come very close. By the way, I thought the hybrid was going to be the 600h?
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guido 2:39AM (4/01/2006)
Finally Lexus announces a premium hybrid sedan!
I'm sure that this model will have strong diffusion in my country Italy; and maybe it will be considered euro 5 already.
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guido 2:41AM (4/01/2006)
I'm forgetting it: here is 9.41 AM...
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Henry Barnfield 3:19AM (4/01/2006)
You're so full of it Rene. Lexus didn't copy anybody that hasn't copy anybody.
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Rene Curry 5:40AM (4/01/2006)
Henry, take a look at the trunk, the hood, the side profile, the curves, it just screams BMW copy. The only think not copied is the hybrid drivetrain.
To AutoBloggers...Chime-in. BMW copycat or not! I will say I,m wrong if everyone slams me.
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RamSport47 6:52AM (4/01/2006)
is it just me, or do all of the Lexus cars look the same, but in different sizes? Man...if the domestics did that...you guys would be all over them for it, but in toyotaland, it an ingenious idea....LMFAO
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G 8:55AM (4/01/2006)
Im a huge Lexus fan because of their quality, and am a fan of their RWD cars. Even though I don't think they copied BMW, everyone else seems to think so, and I can see a slight resemblance in the tail section. I really wish they were more original, like with the IS, then this car would be closer to perfection.
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whoadiz 9:55AM (4/01/2006)
To Ramsport
If you look at Audi, BMW, and MB most of their cars are similar looking and differentiate by size, engine and features. Stop being biased and pick on every little thing that you find wrong with a japanese car.
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Ted K 12:09PM (4/01/2006)
Wow, here comes another flop to go with the GS Hybrid, RX400h, and Accord Hybrid.
These guys just don't get it, do they? How hard is it to look at how these vehicles have been doing in the marketplace compared to actual high MPG hybrids?
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Larry S. 12:32PM (4/01/2006)
Hey Toyota can afford to have flops you flipping moron. They're experimenting, they are the largest and most profitable auto company in the world now. Unlike the other worthless giant or soon to be bankrupted giant lmao.
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Joel A 3:36PM (4/01/2006)
Beautiful. First time I'm considering the Lexus flagship as a possible (future) vehicle.
And Ted K.: I own the Accord hyrid and average between 31.1 to 31.5 on regular mixed driving. Show me a six-cylinder vehicle with at least 240 ponies AND averages such (real world) mpg, PLUS all the near-luxo features of my Accord, and I'm more than willing to listen :)
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RamSport47 4:26PM (4/01/2006)
Like I said...let the domestics make different sized copies, and see what you people sling at them. It seems to be OK that toy and the germans do it, but not so much the cars made and designed in your own back yard. I suppose if the next gen Sebring Sedan looked like the 300, you would say...and I quote..."lame attempt to profit from a somewhat succesful car"
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Steve 4:42PM (4/01/2006)
There is no need to burn with anger. GM is making excellent effort to come back and I am sure they will succeed. Auto business is cyclic, GM is having tough time today but they will spring back tomorrow.
I dont think lexus copied anything from 7-series. This is just a frustrated argument to discredit lexus and stereotype japanese into copycats and so on.
Lexus LS 460 design is original and looks handsome. I hope the handling is as good or better than competition so the critics can be silenced.
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Jaimie B 7:13PM (4/01/2006)
# 6: "Henry, take a look at the trunk, the hood, the side profile, the curves, it just screams BMW copy. The only think not copied is the hybrid drivetrain. "
I looked at the trunk. NO it does not look like BMW's.
I looked at the hood. NO it does not look like BMW's.
I looked at the side profile. NO it does not look like BMW's.
Maybe I'm looking at it through unbiased eyes. There definitely is this misconception among mostly old folks that the Japanese still copy designs, just as they undoubtedly did in the past.
But a lot has changed since those days - the cars, the manufacturers, consumers tastes, etc. Put it this way, in your day, the "big three" were untouchables. And look where the "big three minus one" are now.
That Lexus design theme, whether you like it or not, whether you find it elegant or boring, is an entirely new design. Sure it has some similarities with BMW. Personally I think the slant on the taillamps look somewhat similar. But just about every car out there would have some sort of similarities with other vehicles. But I don't think it's enough to make me conclude that it's a copy. The only similarities it has with any other car are with its siblings ES, GS, and IS.
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Rene Curry 1:25AM (4/02/2006)
I didn't see too many comments that agreed with me that the design looks like BMW. So I guess I'm wrong and a new pair of glasses are in order.
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Steve 5:03PM (4/03/2006)
To #2, I dont think the long wheel base lexus LS hybrid will reach $85K.
Now that my statement is on record, lets see what Lexus does in the next few months.
To enter the 100K+ market lexus will have to come up with
a 500 hp+ V12 powered competitor to mercedes S600.
But lexus may not want to do it as they are content with what they have. They may not want to go any higher than LS.
They may not want to bother themselves with achieving any higher than LS. Only some sport concepts such as LF-A for the autoshows is enough.
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