Click the image for the full LS600h L review at AutoblogGreen
Sam Abuelsamid recently spent a week behind the wheel of the very expensive, very luxurious Lexus LS600h L. The über-Lexus has the V12 offerings from Audi, Mercedes, and BMW in its sights -- lofty targets, to be sure, but based on Sam's account, the big hybrid might well have a missile lock on its competition this time around. Follow the jump for a video review of Lexus' mega-cruiser, and head over to AutoblogGreen for Sam's detailed rundown. If you thought the "hybrid penalty" on mass-market hybrids like the Prius or Altima was a tough financial pill to swallow, you're going to need the Heimlich maneuver performed once you look at how the LS600h's numbers work out.
[Source: AutoblogGreen]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Lithous @ Feb 26th 2008 1:29PM
Absolute joy to read a link to Sam's article that states that the top of the line Lexus uses watered down Chevy hybrid technology. Watered down because the Chevy Tahoe two mode can use both electric motors to power the vehicle, the Lexus, not so much.
Soccer Mom @ Feb 26th 2008 1:33PM
Look, the first $100,000 Hyundai
Julius @ Feb 26th 2008 2:10PM
Hmm... I wonder how many people would laud this "full" hybrid, even though the combined mileage gain is ~2 mpg.
This gain is similar to what GM's much-criticized Aura/Vue GL and Malibu "mild" hybrids, yet winds up being much more expensive to buy.
psarhjinian @ Feb 26th 2008 4:46PM
Maybe they drive a lot in urban gridlock and get better mileage? Maybe they want to lower emissions without sacrificing creature comforts, in a fashion akin to making their mansion more energy efficient?
Anyone who bought this for fuel economy is a twit. If you can afford this, the price of fuel means squat. If you bought it to reduce _emissions_, then that's another thing.
hashiryu @ Feb 26th 2008 2:14PM
Maybe beause the point of this hybrid is not to achieve 4 cylinder fuel economy, but rather have V12 (here's looking at you 760i) Fuel economy with ~V8 efficiency?
hashiryu @ Feb 26th 2008 2:15PM
...V12 Power
damit...edit button autoblog, WTF?
Jared @ Feb 26th 2008 2:22PM
If that is the case, then Lexus failed. As the article points out, the ls600h is no faster than the ls460 and only gets marginally better mileage.
jgp @ Feb 27th 2008 4:11AM
Yes, that's exactly what Lexus tried to do. They tried using the Hybrid system as if it were a big turbo so they could get V12 power with the efficiency of a V8.
Notice I said "tried". They failed. The LS600hL is actually slower than the LS460L, due to the added weight of the Hybrid system. I used to like the idea of performance hybrids until I saw the real-world figures. It's not worth it.
Jared @ Feb 26th 2008 2:16PM
This is a completely pointless car. The LS460 is cheaper, lighter, just as fast, and gets just about the same mileage.
Gregg @ Feb 26th 2008 2:17PM
I remember Yoko Ono stating she could not own a hybrid because no one was making one with the amenities she requires in her ride. Wonder if anyone has told her about this car...or that Bentley may be planning to add clean diesels or hybrid systems down the road? The uber rich will buy these things to feel a little more green about their conspicuous excess, so I don't think the "miles to payback" analysis has anything to do with why anyone buys this (or a Prius for that matter).
davew @ Feb 26th 2008 2:18PM
Driving around suburban and urban Pittsburgh my 300c gets about 17.5 MPG. The normal Lexus LS460 would probably due about 18 or 19MPG due to 8 speed gearbox. The LS600L has nearly the same ratings as the non-hybrid version and the extra 700Lbs worth of hybrid equipment, given the Burgh’s hills, would limit any EV mode to virtually none. In addition the car is no faster than the LS460, it’s far more complex, and the trunk space is only slighter bigger than that of a Corvette........I don't think so.
P.S. the V12 Mercedes S600 is as quick as an f430. So the LS600 in no way matches its performance.
Charlie @ Feb 26th 2008 2:37PM
yeah but the S600 is ~$140,000
psarhjinian @ Feb 26th 2008 3:59PM
In urban environments, the LS600h will shut down it's engine and get effectively infinite MPG. That is, much better than any diesel and certainly better than an S600 or 760 that's sitting in traffic, idling away.
People seem to forget this: a hybrid does better when it's in congestion. The EPA cycle numbers are valid, but if you're (to use an example I'm familiar with) in Toronto, commuting from your law firm at Bay & King to Rosedale, Kingsway or Wychwood during rush hour, then there's a really good chance you'll hardly use the gas engine at all.
DIRETTORE @ Feb 26th 2008 7:31PM
* davew - "the V12 Mercedes S600 is as quick as an f430".
Can you explain your comment please?
0-60?
Top speed?
What?
Jared @ Feb 26th 2008 8:01PM
Sorry, but real world tests of the ls600h have shown that it gets no better mileage than the ls460. Even in mixed highway/city driving.
The car is a pointless waste of money.
Matt @ Feb 26th 2008 2:25PM
This car would be perfect if it had a "normal" V8 under the hood.
I don't need that hybrid crap.
viper3ez @ Feb 26th 2008 3:55PM
people! people! people!
its not made to save gas, its just a social statement. the whole idea of hybrids is a scam.
better economy has come from many diesels.
if i could afford it, i'll buy, not because ai care about the planet but because its nice and i can claim green.
mattydread @ Feb 26th 2008 4:25PM
Best headlights ever!
Playdrv4me @ Feb 26th 2008 4:52PM
Yes, the headlights are about the only endearing quality of that unredeemable sh*tpile of a car.
What a worthless effort at social hierarchyism.
But congrats Toyota, you sold them all out. I don't know how, but you did it... again.
RLQ @ Feb 27th 2008 1:19AM
100K for a hybrid is redundant.