chromedome

It's funny that Volvo have trumped Lexus in the hybrid game, specs-wise at least - the new V90 wagon has a plugin hybrid variant with 400 hp from a 2.0 turbodiesel. A cheaper hybrid wagon has more power and longer electric range than the top-of-the-line Lexus hybrid sports car

Why are Lexus and Toyota so scared of doing plugin hybrids? They've only done a Prius plugin and now they're focusing on pointless hydrogen fuel cell vehicles like the Mirai.

S2000toIS350

Chrome, and isn't funny that Volvo has no RWD platform to really compete in the luxury segment?

Ask yourself this, is there an larger supply of lithium for batteries or of accessible hydrogen to provide energy in the future? Once you get that sorted out, your point about fuel cells weakens markedly.

situman

Should this thread be merged with the other LC thread?

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

merged. thx.

JessePS

It will be nice to see the LC F up against the BMW M6, AM Vanquish and MB S63 Coupe. Until that happens, I guess we can live with the LC500 up against the BMW 650i, AM DB9 and MB S500/550 Coupe.

I was checking and the LC500 will either start at or below C$100k, if it wants to undercut BMW. After that the sky is the limit, seeing the DB9 starts at C$200k+

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

I really like the LC line, but need to play devils advocate on the LCh for a second. My issue is the the decision to use a V6 rather than a V8 mated to the innovative new multi-stage transmission.

They've had a 5.0L V8 since the IS F and LS600hL (416hp and 394hp (engine only) respectively), IS F CCSR, and most recently the RC F (and various race tunes), GS F, and LC500.

Considering the flagship positioning the LC will be bearing, shouldn't they have mated a V8 to the LCh for more allure? The likelihood of the hybrid being more than the LC500 is pretty strong as it always has been for the higher end Lexus's like the GSh and LSh. At 354hp total system horsepower, most folks buying a six digit car aren't going to care how efficient it will be. These are statement cars by both manufacturer and the people buying them. Guess I'm just a little disappointed that the rumors of the LCh having over 450hp were not true .

For what it's worth, this sounds far more engaging from a drivers pov than the current GS450h set-up, and possibly more efficient to boot. The current GSh is rated at 29/34/31 and has nowhere near the max EV speed this LCh has for highway speeds.

To date the GS450h is still my favorite Lexus, so I would be very interested in a GS500h with the multi-stage transmission. The downside to that would be the LCh would not be as unique if models furher down the Lexus food chain were receiving the same powertrain.

Also does this mean we are going to be seeing a 354hp V6 hybrid LS500h??

Personally I think the current GSh and LSh aside from the scary premium price tags they carry over their gas counterparts were not advertised well which is why they quickly fell out of the limelight, so I really hope Lexus pushes this new generation of performance hybrids.

/rant

xioix

I don't know what a LC-F price range would be, but I'd start looking at the AMG GT-S before the S63 or 65 AMG Coupe.

chromedome

The hybrid should have been the flagship instead of the LC500h. A $100k hybrid that makes 350 hp is a bit weak, no matter how lovely the exterior and interior are. A Volvo hybrid wagon makes more power than that, costs less and has plugin capability too. The LC500h's saving grace is the auto box grafted on to the planetary headset that promises better driver engagement. Hopefully that's enough to entice drivers from similarly-priced i8s or, if the stars line up right, hybrid 911s.

Lexus should have done a V8 hybrid with a big plugin battery pack putting out 450-500 hp. In an alternate reality, perhaps.

SNiiP3R

iTrader: (3)

Lexus does not seem to learn from their mistakes. As if the 2 generations of the GSh wasn't enough to convince them that a car with a high price tag and low hp numbers does not really appeal to customers? Now they are making a $100k model with 350hp? Seriously? Good luck selling that.

yardie876

I agree, the hybrid should have been a bit more dynamic, but can you imagine keeping the v8 under the hood and shoving a higher density battery into the rear of the car? It would weigh a lot more than the LC500 does already. Plug in hybrid batteries are a good deal bigger than your run of the mill hybrid battery.

doge

I would have a hard time between this and a a class coupe.

Vladi

Four-speed tells you they are really hardheaded to drop anything, they milk it like there is no tomorrow. It looks like we will never ever see a competent PHEV from Toyota until market demands it like VHS over Beta or BD over HDDVD. They made one PHEV and it's still considered the worst PHEV ever. Unfortunately they don't have the technology nor they are going in that direction which is shame in my opinion.

I agree this car could have been a PHEV but it still sounds intriguing nonetheless.

Vladi

As far as the weight difference goes its around 500lbs between a diesel and PHEV trims in Mitsubishi Outlanders case, curb weight of course. I think that's your usual hybrid stuff.

JessePS

I do agree with everyone that Lexus should have done a V8 hybrid. It would have been nice to see a LC600h with 500 hp. As a few posts above, it has to do with weight. I guess we can't get everything.

I forgot it can compete against the Maserati GranTurismo.

spwolf

I think too many people glance over performance and look only at hp numbers. It is 2016, hp numbers matter little for performance since there are many different technologies being used like diesels, hybrids, phevs, etc.

LC is going to do 0-60 in 4.5s or 4.6s. Thats way better than GS450h (over full second better).

Does it really matter if it has 200, 300 or 900hp? It is performance that matters.

LC is going to have over 200hp worth of electric motors inside, together with 295hp engine. Thats what makes 0-60 in 4.5/4.6s possible.

Auto Express had review of Porsche vs RX450h vs X90 Diesel. Porsche was a plugin, big hp numbers, lithium ion battery, etc, etc. Spec warrior dream powertrain. RX450h is missing this new 4AT gear reduction so it is significantly slower 0-60... then it also doesnt have lithium ion plugin battery so its official mpg is much worse.

What we ended up after the test?
- RX450h is significantly faster in-gear
- RX450h gets 30% better MPG in real life
- RX450h is $20k cheaper not being a plugin

As tested
HP
RX450h: 300hp
Cayenne PHEV: 510hp

0-60
RX450h: 7.8s
Cayenne PHEV: 5.5s

30-50 mph
RX450h: 2.8s
Cayenne PHEV: 3.0s

50-70 mph
RX450h: 3.8s
Cayenne PHEV: 4.6s

MPG as tested:
RX450h: 26.9 mpg (UK)
Cayenne PHEV: 22.8 mpg (UK)

Price difference as tested: $20k

If I bought Porsche based on its 510hp and claimed 83.1 MPG, I would feel scammed. Thats why nobody buys them unless they get $10k-$20k tax deduction from government, like in Norway or UK or few other european countries. Otherwise they buy their diesel which is as fast in-gear and gets mid 20's MPG all day long.

And this is why pure numbers dont work anymore in 2016. LC500h with Porsche powertrain from Cayenne would be a much, much worse vehicle despite "having" 510hp and "100 MPG".