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Lexus LS 600h L, a hybrid version of the LS sedan is ready for sale. (http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070406/FREE/70406006/1024/LATESTNEWS)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2008_Lexus_LS_600h_L.jpgAutoWeek - April 6, 2007

The 2008 all-wheel-drive LS 600h L hybrid luxury sedan will be the world's first vehicle to feature a full hybrid V8 powertrain. It was developed to explore the outer reaches of performance, style and safety," said Bob Carter, Lexus Division group vice president and general manager. "It is a vehicle as efficient and familiar as it is indulgent and advanced, a far-reaching concept, fully developed and fully realized. It is simply in a class by itself."

AutoWeek's sister publication, Automotive News reported this evening that a hybrid version of the Lexus LS sedan is ready for the market and base priced at $104,750. The car is slated to go on sale in June 2007.

The Lexus LS 600h L will combine a V-8 engine with a continuously variable transmission and electric motor. According to the Automotive News report, Lexus stated that the powertrain will be rated at more than 430 HP.

I don't understand. Didn't the previous lexus also have a full v8 hybrid powertrain?

Hi Tom:

___The GS 450h is equipped with a 3.5L V6.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

That thing almost costs as much Austin Martin Vantage. It's way too expensive to pay for itself in the gas money you would save.

Hi C0da:

___Hybrids are not all about saving $’s but in the case of the 600h, I have the feeling it was tuned for all out performance. Even so, it probably receives 25 - 30% higher FE then anything in that class of vehicle?

___On a different note, the darn thing cost more then my first house and I would almost be afraid to drive it!

___Good Luck

___Wayne

An appropriate tagline for this thing would be: "An aura of virtue for the self-indulgent".

Sorry. I'm in one of those moods.

xcel,

Problem is, I think most people in this price range probably don't care about FE as much as they care about prestige. It's mpg gain is very minimal for being a hybrid. I think it gets 29mpg from what I've looked up. Man, if I had that kind of cash I'd get a Tesla!

I think the car is permanently out of my price range.
And probably not what I'd like to own and drive, if I could pay the bill for it.
Even so, I'm glad to see it's being made.

My thinking is, building a good hybrid system into a vehicle gets you something like 25-35% additional motive energy from the fuel. Packaging it in a performance car doesn't change the fact that the driver will likely burn less fuel than if it was not a hybrid.

xcel,

Problem is, I think most people in this price range probably don't care about FE as much as they care about prestige. It's mpg gain is very minimal for being a hybrid. I think it gets 29mpg from what I've looked up. Man, if I had that kind of cash I'd get a Tesla!

but this lexus.. every seat has their own ac massage units!

Hi All:

___Another addition or two to the above although the price is still a bit over my head ;)
It will be mated to a newly developed dual-stage electronically controlled, continuously variable transmission … The LS 600h L will also carry a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) rating, emitting nearly 70 percent fewer emissions than the "cleanest" of its competitors.
___Good Luck

___Wayne