New York Times has choice words for the Lexus LS 600h L
NY Times writer Lawrence Ulrich didn't merely disparage the Lexus LS 600h L, he grabbed the car by its back tires, dragged it around back, and while the Times readership looked on, gave it a big city back alley whoopin'. Invoking Nick Nolte, John Matuzsak, Jor-El, Jared from Subway, and blasting the big hybrid's gas mileage, weight, 0-60 time, price, carbon footprint, and the very reason for being, Lexus' standard-bearer could certainly use some private time to recover.
What compliments there were in the article -- and it did garner some genuine compliments -- were little defense against Ulrich's ultimate assessment that "the hybrid may have set a new standard for automotive hyperbole." While it's possible that Lexus didn't expect such a scathing critique from the Gray Lady, it had to know that there would be questions about the paradox of a big, thirsty hybrid. However, Lexus is only making 2,000 of them, and it's a good bet that there are at least that many rich folks looking for what it calls "the progressive person's alternative." The LS 600h L is a shot across the bow. It will really get interesting when we get a glimpse of act two, and the responses from its competitors.
[Source: New York Times]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tyk 10:34AM (7/17/2007)
This is stupid.. the cars with the most to gain from Hybrid technology are ones that are heavy and thirsty to BEGIN with.. slapping a hybrid powerplant on something like a Fit or Yaris (which would make the nyt author happy) would make no sense..
Reply
Mike 10:38AM (7/17/2007)
I kind of disagree. While a bigger car would have a lot to gain from a hybrid power plant, their generally more expensive meaning that there are fewer of them on the road. Putting a hybrid setup in a compact car makes a lot of sense because IMO more people purchase compacts vs. large luxury cars.
Don 2:12PM (7/17/2007)
Yeah, we're definitely seeing those benefits in the LS460hL's 20 mpg and the Tahoe Hybrid's 15 mpg.
This tech is better for considerably smaller cars.
Drew 4:55PM (7/17/2007)
Don, that is the LS600h, not 460h. The question is how much better is the mileage versus the regular version? The GS450h and RX400h offer solid mileage and good performance, and they are quite chubby in weight. The LS hybrid...well, the EPA numbers are telling.
Hey, you have the reliability in owning a Lexus that parks itself, unlike the rather hideous BMW 7 or problem-filled Mercedes S. The LS460 averages around 23 mpg and steady driving.
Sean Flanagan 10:42AM (7/17/2007)
I agree with Tyk: the author missed the point completely. He stated it right in the beginning, but then failed to comprehend it through the rest of the piece. The point is to add power without adding consumption, and that's exactly what this does, while also adding all-wheel drive and dealing with a much higher curb weight than the 460. I can see through all the marketing sputum that this is not really an environmentally friendly car, but then neither is the Prius. And personally, I don't care. Hybrids are not environmentally friendly and I can't imagine that they will be any time soon thanks to the massive amounts of heavy metals and extra energy used in their maufacture. But what they are is relatively powerful for their consumption, and this is the perfect example of that.
Reply
Jared 10:56AM (7/17/2007)
Sean:
No, you are the one that is missing the point. In NY Times testing, the 600h was slower than the 460 AND used more fuel. And it was also far more expensive.
akatsuki 12:38PM (7/17/2007)
Yeah, this car is totally useless. It adds weight, loses mpg and 0-60 and handles worse because of the weight. It is purely a cosmetic thing for people to brag about while not helping anyone or anything.
Save your money and get a 460 which is actually quite a nice car.
hashiryu 2:48PM (7/17/2007)
@Jared
It is .1 seconds 'slower' to 60 from a standing start. In testing it has equalled it.
Guess what? the 750Li & 760Li have the same 0-60. As does the Audi S8 & A8 W12.
You, as the author are the one who has missed the point.
Now look at the consumption of the A8 W12 & 760Li vs the LS600hL ... Kinda puts things in a new light huh?
The competition of this hybrid isn't its siblings but the flagship sedans of other manufacturers. and it hit the target right on the head.
Tyk 10:53AM (7/17/2007)
In terms of environmentally friendliness .. cars are INHERENTLY harmful to the environment.. they always will be no matter what type of powerplant you put in it. So, its a matter of harm reduction.. either:
1- dont drive (use bike, walk, etc)
2- use public transit
3- car pool
4- drive a small car or something appropriate
5- dont drive like a maniac
6- use a smaller engine if going for a larger car
7- use the most efficient engine you can get
Given that some (a lot of) people are not willing to go with 1 through 6 (ie. they want to drive a 600hp, 5000lb car as personal transportation).. you have to find a way to reduce its impact on the environment. Shunning hyrbid technology or simply ignoring thge fact that people want lots of power and big cars would not help the situation.
Reply
Rocket Punch 11:58AM (7/17/2007)
100% agree.
When you have Al Gore who provides the "crisis" to help car manufacturer sell their "lifeboats" and with celebrities help advertise them. Who needs common sense?
If you really care:
A) Walk more so you don't have to drive to the gym....
B) Get a bicycle
C) Use public transit.
D) Get a motorcycle.
EnviroBob 10:58AM (7/17/2007)
Ulrich obviously didn't get the internal memo to only bash American products.
Reply
Eric 11:37AM (7/17/2007)
I shudder to think how the article would have read if it was Friedman talking about a GM hybrid...
Baaah, Big, Too big. Mmm looks kind Goofy.
*incoherent mumbling* (screams) GM IS HITLER (/scream)
The tires are flat. *jumping up and down* Doesn't come with cookies standard
GM is the apocalypse, we will all die.
polar 10:59AM (7/17/2007)
This stood out to me:
"Excess weight takes its toll on mileage as well. The hybrid got 21 m.p.g. — amazingly, 1 m.p.g. less than the nonhybrid version that I tested on the same urban roads and highways in and around New York City."
It returned less MPG.
Reply
hashiryu 2:50PM (7/17/2007)
it also has 440hp and all wheel drive.
zach 11:01AM (7/17/2007)
I thought the Times piece was actually very well done. The author points out that the hybrid is NOT faster, did NOT get better overall fuel economy, and handled worse than the LS460. The only major difference is all wheel drive; the lack of which can be significantly compensated for with a good set of snow tires. Toyota has done a lot of good things with hybrids; the author simply stating, and I agree, that this car may not be worth the huge premium it carries.
Reply
geo.stewart 11:09AM (7/17/2007)
The thing that no one was getting is that the AWD system always decreases mileage, from a few to several mpg. This due to weight and performance inefficiencies.
that the AWD hybrid returned only 1 less mpg is where the hybrid came into play.
To the author's point, was it worth it? probably not.
Contrary to the author's point, does it do what its supposed to? probably.
I'd still rather have an AWD Audi. Lexus is kind of the luxury appliance of automobile brands.
dondonel 1:19PM (7/17/2007)
@ geo.stewart
AWD doen't penalize today with more than 1 mpg. The point of the article is very much correct. Hybrid engines add no economy or performance, because they increase the weight of the car. A Lexus 460 with AWD would have the same performance and fuel economy with 600h.
Manufacturers should spend their R&D money on lowering the weight of the vehicles instead on diesels or hybrids. They should also bring HCCI to market, an engine that combines the advantages of the gasoline engine (lightweight and performance) with those of the diesel engine (fuel efficiency).
FLR 11:07AM (7/17/2007)
You guys all missed the part about the trunk being much smaller. It's less than half the size when equipped with the rear seat A/C option.
Reply
Brian Dreggors 11:17AM (7/17/2007)
What the LS600hL is really giving you is a $30,000 Hybrid badging kit. As others have said, its slower, handles worse, weighs a whole lot more, has a smaller trunk, and DOES NOT RETURN BETTER FUEL ECONOMY!
Its a useless exercise in a segment where purchasers delude themselves into thinking they're doing Mamma Earth a favor while they drive back to their 12,000 sqft mansions.
Toyota should spend the money on redesigning that awful Corolla instead...
Reply
Noe 11:26AM (7/17/2007)
lexus got turn a new one!!! at least their stock will fall for like 2 min after this article!
Reply