Lexus GS 450Hybrid

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(finman\";p=\"75791)</div>

The readers of this forum are not a representative cross-section of America. Most people are blissfully unaware of the looming catastrophe that is Peak Oil. Our elected officials are either in denial, or ignorant too. I love this quote from James Kunstler:

The time will come when a younger generation says, "Look what you a**holes did to our world -- now crawl off and die."

I imagine that those cars are FAR more profitable per unit to Toyota, just like SUVs. They might makes 10x more profit selling a GS450 than they do selling a Corolla.

 

I guess the problem I have with this POV, Lew (if I'm reading you right), is that it could be turned on its head:

Someone could be saying that anything less than a Honda Insight -- or an electric car -- or a bicycle -- isn't serious about trying to help the environment.

The Prius definitely would almost certainly use less resources, and be less harmful to the environment, than the Lexus GS 450 Hybrid -- or the Honda Acura Hybrid.

But could I be helping the environment even more through changing to one of the three vehicles above? Without a doubt. Does that mean that I'm not serious about wanting to help protect the environment, since I'm driving a Prius?

Well, to some degree, yes. Unfortunately, the three examples I've provided above don't meet the needs of my lifestyle. I could scrimp and sacrifice, and get by with all three; but it wouldn't be easy in some cases, and for other people it would be impossible.

[hr:abccebb1d3]

If we're talking "druthers", then I'm with you -- I "druther" not have a high-performance (but less efficient/higher emission) hybrid, and instead opt for the Prius.

But everyone's not me. (A fact we should all be devestatingly grateful for.)

 

Why do we look down on the hybrid Accord? in reality.. we don't... we just don't like the direction Honda is taking their system. Emissions were not really improved... so.. pollution basically stayed the same as the previous model..... What's enviromental about this? oh right.. it's promoting a form of Hybrids and provides competition... both needed for hybrids to susceed in the long run.


Danny:.. if you go to the lexus webpage.. the current GS is rated in the 20's i believe.

Quote off Lexus.com:

GS 430:

- 4.3-liter (262 cubic inch), four-cam, four valves per cylinder 90° V8 engine. Certified Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (U-LEV)
- 300 hp @ 5,600 rpm, 325 lb-ft torque @ 3,400 rpm
- Continuously Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) on intake valves
- 0 to 60 in 5.7 seconds [1]
- Top track speed: 149 mph (electronically limited) [1]
- Aerodynamic drag coefficient: 0.27
- Six-speed sequential-shift automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i)
- Rear-wheel drive with standard Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) [2]
- Estimated fuel consumption: 18/25 mpg city/highway [3]


GS 300:

- 3.0-liter (183 cubic inch), four-cam, four valves per cylinder 60° direct injection V6 engine. Certified Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (U-LEV)
- 245 hp @ 6,200 rpm, 230 lb-ft torque @ 3,600 rpm
- Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i)
- 0 to 60 in 6.8 seconds (RWD) [1], 6.9 seconds (AWD) [1]
- Top track speed: 143 mph (RWD) [1], 130 mph (AWD) [1] (electronically limited)
- Aerodynamic drag coefficient: 0.27
- Six-speed sequential-shift automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i)
- Rear-wheel drive with standard Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) [6] (GS 300 RWD)
- Full-time all-wheel drive, with standard Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) [6] (GS 300 AWD)
- Estimated fuel consumption: 22/30 mpg city/highway (RWD) [3], 21/27 mpg city/highway (AWD) [3]

So.. the hybrid will perform like the current 430.. get better gas mileage (compairable to 300)... and pollute less. Sounds like a decent introduction to the luxury market.... oh yeah.. an upgrade on an engine is probably compairable to the cost of a hybrid upgrade.... Didn't they mention all options will become standard on the hybrid?

 

It is in the news yesterday that Toyota (Lexus' parent company) is considering converting the whole brand to hybrid following the same strategy that are heading with RX400h and GS450h. They are closely watching the sales of those two vehicles to make decision.

IMHO, automakers are trying to test other markets for using hybrid technology (Honda's or Toyota's o else) to make profit (near or future). Along the way you will see mistakes and success. In fact, many of my friends, me included, are waiting for hybrid Odessey or Sienna to appear. Our 2001 Odessey performs well but at only 17mpg. It would be nice if our next minivan could do 25-30mpg.

Imagine if a MB-E430 or BMW545 owner decide to switch to Lexus GS450h. The person could save gas from 17-18mpg to 25-30mpg w/o sacrificing his enjoyment of power and handling. That would benefit the world also.

 

well i also have to say Toyota is doing the right thing with a high performance hybrid.

they are well aware of the testosterone-driven addiction we americans have towards performance. selling 50,000 of these vehicles in the next few years will yield a savings of a few hundred gallons of gas per vehicle since all those purchasers simply would have bought a similiarly equiped vehicle from someone else. so now they have fulfilled a need, a need that would be there no matter what, and have save us a million gallons of gas.

ya, million gallons of gas, thats a drop on the side of the bucket. but that is more gas than you and everyone you know will use in a lifetime.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ceric\";p=\"76069)</div>

Does Lexus even match the sport ride of BMWs suspension design or Mercedes body control?

 

If they don't do their testing before putting a $50,000+ car on the market, they will definitely have a public relations catastrophe on their hands.

 

they will do their testing.. Danny is relating to public opinion and acceptance. I'm sure toyota already knows their system will work. How will the car perform with this system though? that's the test. Shiftless acceleration could possibly be a lot better in many ways. performance and safety.

 

I just came from the Hawaiian International Autoshow and the new GS400/430 is awesome! it has the push button start like the prius, SKS, and a MFD quite similar to the prius, except that it wasnt a hybrid. i guess all they need to do is slap in the HSD and they're set!

 

Wow...looks like my next new car.

 

I own a BMW540iA V8 since 1998. Please go fetch a new copy of the Car & Drive to see if Japanese sports sedans can match BMW & MB. There is a $55K comparison test. BMW and MB are not the front runners anymore. A few years ago, you may be correct. Now, I am not so sure...