Six-Figure Price Tag for Lexus LS600h L

[YSSMAN]

Did we see this one coming? I can't recall or not...

Toyota today announced it will sell its new 2008 LS 600h L luxury hybrid sedan for $104,000 when it reaches Lexus dealers in June. The all-wheel-drive 430 hp LS 600h L will be the world's first vehicle powered by a full hybrid V8 powertrain and will be mated to a newly developed dual-stage electronically controlled, CVT transmission.

Hmmm. Well, I'm sure they won't have a hard time pushing these things off on 'Green' celebrities and other 'eco-responsible' wealthy folks, so I would suppose it won't matter much to the 'average' folks like us...

 

[3-Wheel Drive]

Well, Lexuses (Lexi?) have never been cheap, and this is a hybrid, and has a massive engine to boot...

...so I'm not exactly shocked.

 

[TsLeng]

hmm...interesting transmision there..

 

[Fangio]

Greetings Good Squire,
6 figures for a Toyota boggles the mind, what little I have left, in fact 6 figures for anything crampeth my skull!
Yours Beffudled and Bemused
Fangio

 

[Dougboy]

Well, lexus is trying to compete with companies such as BMW and MB. So if their competitors can sell cars over 100k, why not lexus? You gotta remember that Lexus is now a prestigious brand and its not what it used to be back in the 90's

Now im not saying they are in the leagues of BMW and MB but they are now one step closer

 

[JCE]

Haha! If ANYONE spends that kind of money on this electro-rust bucket they need a lobotomy. V8 and Hybrid do not go together. V6 and Hybrid are borderline in my opinion. I predict huge false claims of 30mpg from this boat...you watch.

The sad part is I bet this car will have them lose money because of what the R&D must of cost to develop an electric motor and battery to power this boat.

 

[Pupik]

It's not for the "green" crowd, unless you mean greenbacks. With a nicely-stocked LS 460L selling for over $91,000 at my dealership, this isn't much of a surprise to me. And when flagships from other luxury marques have sold $100K cars, what's the big deal?

V8 and Hybrid do not go together. V6 and Hybrid are borderline in my opinion. I predict huge false claims of 30mpg from this boat...

Lexus isn't claiming 30 mpg, but they are taking advantage of the torque you get at 0 rpm by adding an electric motor to a gasoline motor. And it's stone quiet at a rest, if the batteries are charged enough, which is what my LS owners really want.

If added torque isn't what you gearheads want in a car like this, then I smell a double standard that reeks like a foul diaper.

 

[JohnBM01]

I got that red "X" for a picture. So here's a link to the LS600h L (courtesy of Automobile Magazine):

http://www.automobilemag.com/new_car_previews/2007/0605_lexus_ls600h/

I truly admire some of the 21st Century Lexus models. The only Lexi (real word?) I don't like are any SUVs that aren't in the RX Class. This design is very lovely. I wonder if the AWD is for better control of the road or so that it doesn't oversteer unecessarily. The 430hp is pretty good for a car like this. I'm probably not expecting them to get Mercedes-Benz AMG horsepower numbers like that 604hp Mercedes-Benz Sl65 AMG, but this is still a good power number. I think Lexus is doing a great job, and I wish them all the best in really rising up and being among some of the world's finest luxury machines. Out of 100% approval, I give this 90% approval.