Review: Lexus LS600h

So we’ve covered nearly the whole array of hybrids now. The Insight representing the hybrid purist, the Fusion mid-sized family saloon and an SUV. Now we come to a hybrid segment not well known, that of the luxury flagship hybrid. It’s a strange breed this one, almost an oxymoron in of itself as one tends to think of a luxury flagship as a massive road going land yacht, overflowing at the seams with techno goodies to please their wealthy owners. Not you’re average tree huggers mode of transportation.

 

Well, that’s precisely what we have in the Lexus LS600 h. A very large, long wheelbase executive sedan armed with a large V-8, plus the worlds top technology and luxury. And what a ride, the first thing any driver will notice about a Lexus is the silky smooth ride. But there is also two electric motors hidden in with all these items of significance. Which raises the question, why would wealthy limo driving people want a hybrid? Well the answer is that large 

amounts of people with means have been found on Toyota’s showroom floor dropping cash for the Prius. With the Prius leaving showrooms as fast as they come in, Toyota thought, why not let the little guy have the much cheaper Prius, and let the wealthy keep their luxury, power hungry needs with the addition of an eco responsibility badge pasted on the back to help them sleep better at night.

 

And so you have it, the 5.0L V-8 powered, 2,290 kg techno filled, AWD beast can be had with electric assist. Now your wondering, can a little electric motor actually make this car environmentally responsible? Well no, it still uses a good amount of fuel, and therefore still emits a fair amount of pollution. However, what this hybrid system does, is take away a rather large chunk out of the possible harm this car could do, without upsetting the luxuries people come to expect with such a car. Despite being able to heave its massive weight forward at a rate of 5.5sec for 0-96 km/h, the LS600 h has the power of a very large V-8, yet gets the fuel efficiency of a mid-sized V-6, while being able to run on full electric power during low speeds.

 

Then there’s the techno goodies, something Lexus pride themselves on immensely. Personally I’m not a big fan of the tech thing, but an impressive list of self parking technology, Hard Drive based SatNav system, multi-wave radar Cruise system and collision avoidance system, and enough airbags to make a throw pillow junky jealous, puts the LS600 h at the top of its class. Then there is the rear passenger area that features heated, A/C and shiatsu massaging rear seats that recline with foot rest. A personal cooler and work table along with a LCD screen on which to play your favourite DVD’s. Seems like the back is the place to be right. Well yes it is, because the entire week that I had the car, I wasn’t able to get back there once, because a greedy friend of family member wanting a taste of the good life always occupied it.

 

The week I had the car also just happened to fall on the Christmas holidays, which meant I was a big hit at family and business parties, but the most impressive and rewarding feature this car had for me was that little hybrid logo on the rear deck. While looking for a parking spot in an IKEA parking lot, three days before Christmas, the chaos of the situation was, as you’d expect. Long lines of cars stretching out the lot and down the road, all trying to find a parking spot. I figured I’d take a chance and try my luck in front of the entrance. Long and behold, there was two open parking sports right up front with “Hybrid Only Parking” signs protecting them. SCORE! While the LS600 h isn’t exactly a Prius, it is a hybrid nonetheless.

 

 

Specs:

MSRP: $118,700

Price as tested: $142,842

Layout: Front Engine – All Wheel Drive

Engine: 5.0L V-8 with two electric assist motors

Transmission: Electronic Continuously Variable Transmission

HP: 438

Torque: 385

Brakes: Four-wheel ventilated Disc

Curb Weight: 2,290 kg

Towing Capacity: NA

0-100 km/h: 5.5 sec

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 10.6/9.1L/100km

Review: BMW 335d - The Tree Huggers M3

For those who read my test of the M3 in the September issue last year, will know that I had one of the most exciting driving experiences ever, finding the abilities of this amazing car. However, the M3’s limits are incredibly high, and the cost of exploring such performance attacks the bank account once the fuel gauge plummets to empty.

 

While the car put one of the biggest smiles on my face, environmentally and economically, the M3 is not all that friendly. And this has been a real problem for a select group of auto enthusiasts who do want to be responsible to both the planet and our wallets, but can’t stand the single mindedness of a hybrid. Lets face it, hybrids are for those hell bent on being the cleanest driver they can possibly be, likewise with the cars themselves, as any and all performance has been sacrificed for the all-mighty L/100km number. They just aren’t any fun to drive. So what do we as eco responsible motor enthusiasts do?

 

This brings us to BMW’s 335d. With a 3.0L twin turbo inline-6 being run off diesel, this engine puts out an expected 265 hp, but a mind blowing 425 lb-ft of torque. That’s 130 more than the M3. Couple this great engine with the already proven advantages of the 3-series tight body with 50/50 weight distribution, the 335d comes right in line with BMW’s “Ultimate Driving Machine” motto. Following the same route I took in the M3, this 335d had my adrenaline flowing near to the extent of the M3. It is a car that flourishes on a narrow winding mountain road, and will reward the driver for such a grand choice. While my fuel economy with the M3 was what you would expect a high revving 4.0L V-8 to be, having just as much fun in the 335d, yielded a combined 7.7L/100km, and I wasn’t going easy on her. That is absolutely remarkable seeing as I could only manage 8.1L on a hypermiling run of a medium sized Japanese sedan along the same route. While in town I was enjoying 5.9L/100km doddling around in the city.

 

So is it actually like driving an M3 without the cost? No, nothing can top the abilities of the M3, and what they do to 

the driver’s senses. Driving a diesel is much different than driving the M3. For best performance, you want to be playing around in the upper limits of the rev range. The cars ridiculous amounts of grip plus the sound that emits from flirting with 8,000rpm, all come together for a truly unique driving experience. When driving the diesel, staying in the power band means staying in the torque, which is found down low in the rev range. You do get that same kick in the chest as 425 lb-ft rockets you forward, its just much more civil and organized manner than the blurring madness of the M3.

 

The 335d also has upgrades of qualities I really don’t like in BMW’s. My dislike of Bangle design era continues on with the 3-series, although they have made it a little more attractive with a facelift, adding LED blinkers front and rear and a slight fascia redesign. The once hair-pullingly frustrating act of operating the iDrive system is now improved in its third generation, and even I am starting to come to terms with it’s increased simplicity. Finally, while the actual CO2 levels are lower than its petrol burning brother, the diesel still can’t quite match the level of tailpipe cleanliness that a full blown hybrid possess.  So if the environmental aspects concern you most, the hybrid may be the choice for you. However if you don’t want to let go of the love of the drive aspect, the 335d is an impressive drivers machine.

 

Specs:

MSRP: $49,700

Price as tested:

Layout: Front Engine – Rear Wheel Drive

Engine: 3.0L Twin turbo Inline-6 Diesel

Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic with manual shift

HP: 265

Torque: 425

Brakes: Four-wheel Disc

Curb Weight: 1,735 kg

Towing Capacity: NA

0-100 km/h: 6.0 sec

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 9.1/5.4L/100km