Lexus LS 600h L
Sponsored links:
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FUEL ECONOMY:
20 / 22 MPG 11.76 / 10.69 L/100km
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BODY TYPE:
Sedan
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TECHNOLOGY:
Hybrid
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BASE MSRP:
$104,000
If solar panels on Al Gore’s 20-room mansion and Vanity Fair’s 300-page annual green issue make you feel queasy about the eco-chic spin on our sustained environmental and energy crisis, then the Lexus LS 600h L might make you feel downright nauseous.
The Top 10 list of why the Lexus LS 600h L is the most bizarre and misguided hybrid:
- A hybrid powertrain on a 5-liter V8 engine.
- 430 horsepower (equivalent of 6-liter V12).
- City/highway mileage rating in the low 20s.
- 70-percent cleaner emissions than the “cleanest” of its V8 competitors.
- Noise and vibration levels are about half of conventional cars. (“This is the kind of vehicle that travels slightly detached from the road, the local environment, and anyone else that doesn’t have a near 7-digit income,” writes Art Vatsky in AutoBlogGreen.)
- Since you can’t hear anything outside the cabin, the vehicle uses two-cameras and a radar system to detect approaching objects and humans. A third camera mounted on the steering column monitors if the driver’s head is turned to the side. If a car, object, or pedestrian gets too close, the “advanced pre-collision system” alerts the driver with a chime and a flashing light.
- Each vehicle is hand-sanded twice during the painting process.
- Lexus aims to sell 1,200 to 2,000 units in the U.S. (Is this profitable for Lexus?)
- Starts at $104,000. (At this price, you could buy four Priuses, keep one for yourself, and give three away as cute gifts).
- The Lexus LS600h L is an amazing showcase of Lexus’s creativity and technological sophistication—all applied to a vehicle that is completely out-of-step with our times.
If any of our more affluent readers are thinking about the Lexus LS600 L, by all means, have some fun. But don’t kid yourself that you are doing anything to help the world.
Lexus LS 600h L Photos
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it's sad the the self proclaimed true greenies have to spend so much time condemming there not preferred version.
Educated people who can do math know that much more gas will be save on V8 hybrids than on the whimp mobile jetsons care than you want everyone to drive.
(Yes, I know, don't respond to the trolls, but still...)
Leaving aside the fact that far fewer of the Lexus cars will be sold, so the total gas consumed by them will be vastly less than the total gas consumed by better-selling cars, what "math" are you referring to that would show a car getting about 20 miles per gallon using less gas than a car getting about 45 miles per gallon? I'd like to use "math" like that to change a $10 bill into a $20 -- and it's about as likely.
Troll, I invest a lot of money in green companies sonny. If every car had a hybrid option would that be a bad thing? NO
Not everyone, ie most don't want to drive a prius or civic. Do you propose taking away that choice. I say a hybrid hummer is better than a gasser hummer. They are going to sell hummer's either way
Rich-ard,
Yes, installing a hybrid or another more efficient drive into gas guzzling autos will indeed conserve millions of gallons of gas each year but doubling crappy gas mileage still produces crappy results. This is a good quick step by Lexus but the next very quick step (next model year)should be to employ an all electric drive similar to the Tesla Roadster (same price range). Then the rich among us can still flip the bird to the masses without having to pretend that they are being green. They will be green, at least with regard to auto fuel consumption. They would also be helping to subsidies research into green technology rather than benefiting from all the research that has gone into cars like the Prius. Thanks for investing Green.
Jeff please check the carbon footprint of electricity it is not green it's black just not as black. Another business tip for you, demand for electric is soo negligable not one real company sells them
Educated people who can do math know that much more gas will be save on V8 hybrids than on the whimp mobile jetsons care than you want everyone to drive.
There isn't a calculator in the world that can justify that statment.
That being said, The Camry and Altima are some of the best selling cars in the US and are not wimp mobiles. We just need more of the Hybrids. Unfortunately the Congress legislates that "tough" cars get tax breaks High quality Toyota cars no longer get the favorable tax breaks. Let the Lexus folks have their fun and subsidize the research cost. Remember high end cars always start out with new technolgy. It will speed up the transition to "normal" cars.
Think Air bags, Antilock breaks the list goes on
While I understand your central point, I believe it to be shortsighted. Did you not consider the effect of the LS 600h on the luxury car industry as a whole?
Also, I'm not sure I follow the logic of your list, as most of the points seem to be in favor rather than against.
I've wrote more about this on my own site, and would be interested in your response:
http://thepassionatepursuit.com/2007/06/13/the-lexus-ls-600h-a-misguided-hybrid/
As I stated in a previous thread/blog/etc, I hope this thing dies the way the Honda Accord Hybrid did.
Again, who the f_ needs a 430HP V8 to go get a gallon of milk from the grocery store?
>>>Wanna bet Hybrid haters will factor in this car to prove their misguided logic that all hybrids aren't worth the money?
Making every car a hybrid isn't the point...it's doing as much as you can with the technology...being as efficient as possible.
IF Lexsu can build a hybrid luxury car, then WHY can't it build a quick, lower cost, everyday car that has style? WOULD THAT BE BAD RICHARD? Do people need V8s? Even if they are hybrid?
I think we've gotten to a point in global consumption and wastefulness of resources that stupid comments such as "some people prefer" crap doesn't apply anymore.
Frankly, what "some" people prefer is of no consequence anymore...it's what needs to be done. And typical self-righteous egotistical crap can be left at home thanks.
To own a vehicle IS egotistical. To own more than one is twice as bad. No matter how many cylinders. Want to save the planet? Buy a bus token, move closer to work, live in the city(not 100 mile away from the city), travle with a buddy, ride a damn bike,...blah, blah, blah. Let the wealthy----s have their limitted edition hybrid v8 toys. They help boost the image and tech of hybrids with out the status quo of giant trucks, suv, the little suv want-a-be "the crossover", or the Prius(I do like this little car by the way. If only it came in a real color). My family and I want a real transporter of families wrapped up in a hybrid van. Why on earth is the Toyota Estima stuck over seas anyway??? Top execs are to chicken---- to bank on it I guess. Unfortunately suburbanites only want the Ego-truck (suv) to boost their so called independence so they keep buying them and the wealthy get cool cars I can't justify buying. Where's my damn hybrid van?
Quasiturbine
It's one thing to drink the kool aid it's another think to demand that everyone else drink the same amount.
Go ahead and feel super good about yourself because you drive your go kart Prius and walk around organic grocery stores in your mocasins and tie dies. You people are so fricken smug it makes me sick. How can you not possibley support a fuel efficent luxury car (by luxury standards)?
I think this car is a hybrid showcase. It gives V12 power from a V8. It's an engineering marvel. It will not sell a lot but I don't think they are doing it to make a lot of money. It exposes the "moneyed" crowd to a hybrid. They'll love it and expect more of them. I think it's wonderful PR and if I was rich with a stable full of cars I would want one of these for my collection. My. $.02. Way to go Lexus!
20 mpg?? Crazy.
Armand you and your turbogreenies are right if everyone drove a go kart sized prius then less gas would be used. Why stop there, have them drive 3cy 60hp cars like some in Europe. That's all totally unrealistic you are never going to take away the V8 option. You can have your false outrage at a cheaper price than a rich person for you smug fix.
Lets build a V12 hybrid with the power of a V16. That way, the people that would normaly buy a V16 would save gas and wouldn't have to sacrifice the 630hp! This is truely the best option... because you'll never get people out of their V12 cars.
I'm a fan of high-tech automobiles (all makes and models). This innovation by a leader in the industry is awesome. And I agree that the other manufacturers (high-end) must not only pay attention but respond. Case in point, I've heard Benz & bmw are somewhat working together towards more clean vehicles. Anyone know about this?
I'm one of those folks referred to in this thread as "rich". I can buy a $100k car if i choose, without making any personal sacrifices. Before i bought my first hybrid in 2002 (civic) i had been accustomed to luxury cars. I struggled and still struggle with the difference in quality of materials, ergonomics, comfort and features. What i don't miss is luxury car "performance". For me, my civic has more than enough power.
What i would like to see is a luxury vehicle that hits 70 MPG, even if it only does so at
comedic post are alowed and encouraged as long as they are pro green extreem I guess.
V12 are less than 1% of sales, it's absurd to compare them to the giant share of the market v8 have, which by the way is many times higher than hybrids.
Sad to see all this name calling and bad blood over a small point. Few will be sold. Hybrid technology will spread to a new and influential class of people. The poor hybrid owners (like myself) will benefit because the hybrid stigma will disappear once we all drive one. Once all-electrics are introduced and purchased by the greenies (like myself), we'll likely go through this dance again. I'm glad Lexus did it. Let's hope for more.
If someone shopping in the 100K range considers a 12 cylynder but buys this instead it is savng a lot of gas, it doesn't matter that it doesn't get as good milage as a Prius or even a non-hybrid 6 cylynder the point is that this is America, and people will always have a freedom of choice for their automobiles, why not make their options better? The market will demand products, companies will make them simple as that, this is a good, forward looking move by lexus. Speaking of getting V8's off the road. I'm not sure if hybrid as a power option is a good idea, it didn't work well for the accord hybrid. I think if the accord hybrid was geared more towards milage than power it would have done better.
This is mostly absurd, however, for work vehicles a strong V8(gasoline or diesel) for hauling
materials around might be a necessity. Having a hybrid component for unloaded city/hwy driving would cut down of fuel usage.
Oops. Turns out the prius is one of the larges polluters on the planet. Check out the article by Chris Demorro at Central Connecticut State University. The issue is the pollution caused in making it, nit the gas mileage. Turns out event he Hummer is more eco friendly. I'll stick with BMW, thanks.
Remeber the veical is powered by a V8 engine for perfomance (Large car wants more power) the hybrid technology is a winner in the Limo role of the auto. Take into the acount how much a limo is parked and waiting for pasangers. Also, remeber that alot of the city limos do travel at slow speed waiting in city traffic. Do not just think about long halls and open highways when judging this car.
Steve G.
Did you read the article you refer to? If you ass-u-me all the things you must to make that statement true then the Hummer on average will last loner than any other passenger vehicle on the planet and all those Prius drivers who have rolled well passed 100,000 really do not exist. And apparently the only reason anyone would make NiMh batteries is to put them in a Prius.
The author must have taught logic to Bush Jr.
I have a problem with anyone characterizing the Prius as a "go cart."
My wife's Prius is black with leather seats, navigation and a rear-camera. It is quiet and efficient and easily seats 5 adults. The other day we got 17 folding chairs into the thing with room to spare.
All this getting 51 miles per gallon
What more could you want from a car?
"Armand you and your turbogreenies are right if everyone drove a go kart sized prius then less gas would be used. Why stop there, have them drive 3cy 60hp cars like some in Europe. That's all totally unrealistic you are never going to take away the V8 option. You can have your false outrage at a cheaper price than a rich person for you smug fix."
Why is it unrealistic? WTF do you need more than 3 cylinders to go to the movies, to go get a drink, to go to the store and shop?
It's unrealistic to YOU and people LIKE YOU because you don't want to give up a damned thing...that's why.
So don't give me any lip service about smugness and attitude. You're not even prepared to give an inch. Tell me...why do the rest of us have to deal with the crap you idiots leave behind in legacy and egotistical attitudes?
I don't know. I really can't understand this incredibly backward-ass, selfish, self-righteous mentality so many people exhibit today...especially in the US. Who died and made you God?
I bought a Prius on Nov 2nd 2007! I just took a trip to South Dakota. At seventy miles an hour I was getting 50 miles to the gallon. The whole trip gave me 42 mpg. You can take your Lexus and place it in the Museum along with the other Dinosaur that died out! The Prius travels gravel road as if it were pavement. Pavement feels like glass and it the Prius is as nimble as a sports car. I never would have believed I could be so happy with a Toyota.
My view is that people who buy the 600h, and especially the Tesla roadster (as Jeff mentions), influence significant R&D capital towards green tech. The market isn't the answer to everything, but in the Auto Industry the fruits of that research quickly become more affordable, further fueling (pun intended) the mass adoption of green tech.
Alternate views respected, unless expressed by the clearly deranged and/or rude.
Junk
Hitting a homerun for Lexus would be easy with an ES350h! Since the Lexus ES and Toyota Camry share a platform, that would probably be very easy to accomplish. Then those of us who prefer a luxury car experience would not have to compromise, and the earth is saved!
So many folks (like me) need the power to navigate unmerciful road traffic. That's why I bought a Honda Accord Hybrid who's V6 runs on 3 cyl MOST of the time!
BTW, City (22-26)/ Hwy (37-41)
Shame that Honda didn't understand just how to market their auto... killed the model recently.
As a driver of an LS 460, I know for a fact that these cars deserve that price. And while you don't need a V8 to go to the grocery store, a car like this is a road warrior dream. I drive about 100 miles a day sometimes. And this vehicle is as comfortable to drive as a jet. It just glides around.
So don't complain about this vehicle just because you can't afford it. It still better that a hummers and land rovers.
You so don't get it. I used to think highly of this site until this utterly biased and opiniated article. Only the top few bullets of the "top 10" have anything to do with the hybrid topic and the rest seem to be real pluses relating to general auto build quality and safety innovations. I'm surprised you didn't list what colors it comes in.
I don't know how Richard can count himself as an "educated person" on the subject when he can't seem to proof his comments for spelling or grammar. Apparently, he can’t even find the Spell Check button on his computer. Seems to me this makes all of his opinions moot. (moot - adj): 1.Open to argument
2. Irrelevant or
unimportant
I am a Prius driver, but I am sick and tired of Prius supporters unable to do simple math. I am going to keep posting this question on every hybrid blog out there to guage the intelligence of the posters.
Q: WHAST WILL SAVE THE U.S. MORE GALLONS OF GAS PER YEAR: BOOSTING THE CHEVY SILVERADO/SIERRA (OR FORD F-150)FROM 14mpg to 15mpg, OR RAISING THE MILEAGE OF THE PRIUS FROM 50mpg to 100mpg BY ADDING LI-ION BATTTERIES? (I realize this blog is on the Lexus, but it's a V8 like the Ford,Chevy and in case anyone hasn't noticed, the Lexus, the Prius and the pickups serve different markets and buyers. Decreasing/increasing sales or price of one will not affect sales/price of the other (in economcs it's called the cross-elasticity of demand)
I think Lexus should be commended in their hybrid technology in the GS 450h and the new LS. Sure, both are nowhere near as eco-friendly as a Prius or a bicycle. But they are pushing the executive and luxury markets to respond. Mercedes-Benz will introduce a hybrid S Class in 2008, BMW are working on their Hydrogen 7, but you can buy a Lexus now. Also, whatever car you drive, be it a Prius or a Lamborghini, it is only as eco-friendly as you are. I was overtaken by two seperate Prius drivers the other day, who must have been doing over 100mph. Sort of defeats the object, no?
Assuming both vehicles are driven 12,000 miles, the Pickups would drop from 857 gallons to 800 gallons of gas in improving from 14mpg to 15mpg. The prius would drop from 240 gallons to 120 gallons in going from 50mpg to 100mpg. So, the savings would be 57 gallons for the pickups, and 120 gallons for the Prius. Now factor in sales of the Silverado (or F-150) of 800,000/year and Prius of about 160,000 year. You will see that that small 1mpg improvent will save over 3x times as much gas as putting plug-in, Li-Ion or solar, or whaterver, on a Prius.
High power vehicles, whether a V8 F-150 or Lexus 600 can be made more fuel efficient with hybrid drives. Thus, expect the big tundra to feature a hybrid drive in the future, getting better than 15 MPG, using a design that was in part proven in the Lexus 600.
Check out http://www.greenca.tv for news, discussion boards and videos on the environment.
I own a Lexus RX400h! A great car. My wife and I wanted to maintain the luxury that we had in our Mercedes, when we got our Lexus, this was the most luxurious that we could find to suit our needs and desires. What Richard and a couple of other people are stating here is very much the reality, we do not all want to drive a Prius or Civic, I enjoy my car and I think that at some point I might enjoy it if everyone drove a hybrid, it is not just about the gas, it is also, and to me more so, about the emissions. So, if someone has the money and the desire to create less emissions and use about 30 or so percent less gas, than nobody should be against that. Go get that car Richard...and enjoy it too!
This Car is The Bomb. Don't Talk Crap Because you can't have one.
Look at this beauty
This thing can actually travel for a few miles on electric power! What a revolutionary idea.
Considering the lock, the auto industry has on anything approaching electric transportation, we should be happy with this Lexus. Why bother condemning it? Stupid maybe but isn't it better than its V-12 counterpart that sits idling in stop and go traffic.
Almost all the 10 points are in my opinion +s and not -s. I believe it's a great idea. Once you get used to luxury cars such as Merc, BMW, etc, than it's difficult to make a step back, so welcome Lexus. But still waiting for a version with some SERIOUS boot space for those like me who don't like SUVs. Regards from Italy
If Al Gore can have a mansion with solar panels, then I can have this car. There is a reason for ALTERNATIVE ENERGY which is to keep our lifestyle without not consuming.
OK - here's the greatest irony of this car. If you purchased a stocked out Audi A8 - you'd get an aluminum bodied car w/a V-8 that is just about as quick as this Lexus. You'd get, arguably, a nicer interior. And, thanks to the jaw-dropping 800lbs of weight you're saving thanks to a superior material choice - YOU'D GET JUST ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE.
But here's the kicker ---- Since an Audi only costs (only? -- I know....I know) $82,000 ---- you could still buy a Prius to drive around town and use you're super car for the highway. On that basis YOUR ACTUAL MILEAGE WOULD BE ENORMOUSLY BETTER.
Somebody tell tme this isn't conclusive. Hybrid drive doesn't mean eco-car. The Germans are screaming that materials and design matter just as much ---and we should be listening!
How embarrassing to have taken at face value the say so of a student reporter at Central Connecticut State University.
I'm getting 27 to 35 mpg when I light-foot this car. The lowest has been 21mpg. I didn't buy it for the mileage. It's nice to know it can get almost twice the mileage of cars in it's class while putting out only 30% of the emission.
Firstly:
JAM, the reason that people buy luxury cars is because they want to drive around in a luxury car. If they were willing to drive a Prius, they would save the money and buy one. People don't get that much money being illogical twits.
Secondly:
Unless the government is going to force us to buy small, cheap, fuel efficient cars (Which I hope no one is really in favor of), isn't this at least a step in the right direction, regardless of the success of this venture?
I also applaud lexus for developeing a hybred system for a full size luxury car. I only wish that this technology would be affordably applied to the more main stream vehicles from their stable and of the parent Toyota. This seems to be slated towards the richest 10% of society. It would most probably benefit the driving public at large with the largest possible effect on the environment.
Common people! take it easy.. whats the big deal..?
I'm not taking any sides since enough has been said from both sides..
its just a point of view with some sense of humor.. :p
I had the chance to borrow the 600h for a weekend from the lexus dealer in Czech Republic. I drove to a resort in southern Austria, about 500 km from Prague. The car was simply amazing. To get there I drove through germany, cruise control set to 180km/h. Consumption 12.5 l/100km. Return on normal roads, consumption 9.3 l/100km, without particular attentions. I liked everything but the navigation system ergonomy and the trunk space, insufficient for a family of 4.
I have created the first personal transport vehicle that gets over 100MPG running on methane collected from the human body through a soothing vibrating tube gently through uranus plans are only $14.95 and are availabe at xxxxxxxxxx.com 100% off with this flyer
eat a lot of beans do ya?
common sense with people who have no common sense
i love this car it is hot
In about six years we will have a new type of generator and forget gas. Check out http://pages.csam.montclair.edu/~kowalski/cf/217Kyiv.html Proton-21 are making this generator prototype right now. If you think hoax, not from a 100 scientists working >55 hours a week.
http://pages.csam.montclair.edu/~kowalski/cf/217kiev.html
You should learn proper grammer and spelling. If you are interested, my 5 year old could tutor you.
If only everybody hade the money to spend on that car the world would be better place but i think if you do have the money to spend like the price of this car then why not get this car:)))
This website blows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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