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High End Luxury Cars

24700 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 12:24 PM

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What is this discussion about? Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ-Series, Lexus LS 460, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Volkswagen Phaeton, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, Sedan

Let's try to define this forum as being limited to luxury performance vehicles where the mainstream version in a typical configuration has an MSRP of at least $60k.

A luxury vehicle with a base price of $59k qualifies because it would typically be bought with some additional equipment, bringing the MSRP over $60k.

Vehicles like the E, 5, A6, M, or GS, even if available in certain versions over $60k, don't qualify because they are cars from companies that have higher end cars in their lineups.

#14718 of 24700 U.S. press release LS600hL by syswei Apr 12, 2006 (6:12 am)
Much more detailed than the Australian release, and you can click on the picture to access a picture gallery   press release   direct link to picture gallery Replies to this message: oac (Apr 12, 2006 7:30 am) designman (Apr 12, 2006 8:01 am) hpowders (Apr 12, 2006 12:50 pm) syswei (Apr 12, 2006 12:56 pm) hpowders (Apr 12, 2006 1:03 pm)
#14719 of 24700 LS600hL Lexus website by syswei Apr 12, 2006 (7:16 am)
here
#14720 of 24700 Re: U.S. press release LS600hL [syswei] by oac Apr 12, 2006 (7:30 am)
Replying to: syswei (Apr 12, 2006 6:12 am) The press release stated AWD as the drivetrain, yet it is almost ignored throughout, i.e., not hyped as the first LS with AWD, but first XM-factory install hyped ! Strange... Overall, the press release is scant on information... typical Toyota/Lexus. No TQ number was even speculated, which means they are still working out the final HP/TQ numbers. I suspect the HP would probably be substantially more than 430. Like DrFill said, a 50HP bump from the LS460 --> LS600h wouldn't cut it, with the added weight from the battery and AWD. A 2-stage CVT tranny is very nice, and of course finally an LS for all-terrain. How AWD and VDIM will work together should be interesting, cos there is no Lexus with such a combo setup.   I must say I was NOT overwhelmed with the info in the press release. Maybe in time as more info trickles out of Lexus I'll get real excited. For now, I'll adopt a wait-n-see attitude with this car. Of course, my interest is in the SWB LS460. 380HP is plenty for me... My current 278HP LS400 has plenty of pep, and passing power. Replies to this message: designman (Apr 12, 2006 8:01 am)
#14721 of 24700 Re: U.S. press release LS600hL [oac] by designman Apr 12, 2006 (8:01 am)
Replying to: oac (Apr 12, 2006 7:30 am) 380hp 370lb-ft Approximate. They’re just not giving the details of the engine vs electric motor. The Rx400h spec sheet just lists total system power and no torque, no RPM. That’s as vague as it gets. Is it any different in the catalog? Just asking. It’s hard to parse hybrid power and compare it with a lone engine anyway. It seems there is no convention yet for presenting hybrid performance data.   And no weight spec. I hate that. I'm guessing it will be at least 4700 lbs. I wouldn't be counting on a 5-sec 0-60.   How AWD and VDIM will work together should be interesting, cos there is no Lexus with such a combo setup.   Doesn’t the Rx400h have AWD and VDIM?
#14722 of 24700 Re: Australian press release LS600h [merc1] by ljflx Apr 12, 2006 (8:24 am)
Replying to: merc1 (Apr 12, 2006 4:32 am) Merc,   Could be different tweaked power for different countries. As well there's been this rumored lux sedan that comes in above all of the LS cars that will be even more powerful than this one in the $110-130K range. If the latter is true you have to ask the question (to all lux brands for that matter) of how much is too much. Replies to this message: merc1 (Apr 12, 2006 12:48 pm) blkhemi (Apr 12, 2006 2:35 pm) merc1 (Apr 12, 2006 8:21 pm) designman (Apr 12, 2006 3:59 pm) oac (Apr 12, 2006 4:31 pm) merc1 (Apr 12, 2006 8:26 pm) and 6 more...
#14723 of 24700 Initial impression by tagman Apr 12, 2006 (8:28 am)
Initially, I think the car is quite attractive. The long wheelbase adds a degree of "elegance" I've personally not ever seen in a Lexus. The black looks terrific, but I imagine other colors will work well.   I do not like the way the rear center "cocktail tray" is directly over many of the multi media controls . . . a little spillage might do a lot more damage than in other configurations, and I definately frown upon the pull down monitor, as it is more common in mainstream suv's. Most upper end installations use individual headrest monitors. I'll hope that by the time the vehicle is released, there will be individual color monitors in the back of the front headrests, but that may just be wishful thinking.   There are no angles from the photos that I find disturbing. As much as I absolutely love the new Mercedes S-Class, the rear trunk bugs me (just a little, though) at a 45-degree angle from the rear. Other angles are wonderful, though.   I will withhold too much comment on the powertrain, as I am not yet clear on all the vitals, but the AWD is a pleasant surprise.   To me, this vehicle is a testimony to the potential level of technological achievement that is possible in one single production car. Lexus is to be congratulated for putting forth so much effort into this incredible vehicle and, IMO, raising the bar and challenging the entire industry. This LS600hL will be an ultimate HELM, and anyone that ends up with one should drive it proudly, IMO.   TagMan Replies to this message: benzster (Apr 12, 2006 9:10 am) benzster (Apr 12, 2006 9:32 am) tagman (Apr 12, 2006 10:31 am) oac (Apr 12, 2006 10:53 am) and 14 more... stevekilburn (Apr 12, 2006 4:36 pm) and 1 more... benzster (Apr 13, 2006 10:14 am) and 15 more...
#14724 of 24700 Re: Excitement Over The Upcoming Lexus ES350? [blkhemi] by lexusguy Apr 12, 2006 (8:45 am)
Replying to: blkhemi (Apr 11, 2006 5:41 pm) Indeed the 278hp LS430 is no longer competitive, which is why its being replaced with the LS460. For whatever reason, ever since the GS400 was released in '98, its had more horses than the LS400\430.   I think you misunderstood the point of my post about the Northstar in the Lucerne. The engine is indeed very capable, but in crippled Buick form, and with just 4-cogs to work with and two tons of car to move (some 400lbs. more than the Avalon) its just not good enough. Ultimately another average GM product.
#14725 of 24700 Re: Initial impression [tagman] by benzster Apr 12, 2006 (9:10 am)
Replying to: tagman (Apr 12, 2006 8:28 am) This LS600hL will be an ultimate HELM Without exception??
#14727 of 24700 Re: Initial impression [tagman] by benzster Apr 12, 2006 (9:32 am)
Replying to: tagman (Apr 12, 2006 8:28 am) Replies to this message: tagman (Apr 12, 2006 10:31 am) oac (Apr 12, 2006 10:53 am) tagman (Apr 12, 2006 11:00 am) and 13 more... stevekilburn (Apr 12, 2006 4:36 pm) tagman (Apr 12, 2006 8:02 pm) benzster (Apr 13, 2006 10:14 am) tagman (Apr 13, 2006 11:30 am) and 3 more... syswei (Apr 13, 2006 12:02 pm) and 10 more...

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