LWB version of S class is less than 5 in. longer & less than 50 lb. heavier than SWB version but cost Canadian$6,000 more. Sure enough, it's more comfortable for backseats passengers, but it strikes me that amount of extra metal & interior lining is worth that much
LWB version = higher profit margins for the manufacturer

 

actually i always wonder about it, does lwb only means more metal and that's it? how about reinforcement, structural strength, turning, and handling?

i mean, 5 in is A LOT to just put on. considering the weight of the car, maybe more structural reinforcement needed, straonger body frame needed? plus, the handling of the car will get quite worse with 5in longer wb, does that mean they change something to compensate the handling?

dunno, just asking. if they do make something difference on those aspect, then the higher price tag might be sorta justified

 

I remember our old 300 SEL...purchased just one year before the debut of the LS! Now that back seat was cavernous!!! It was literally like your living room. We'd squeeze in four people (3 adults plus 1 kid) in the backseat on long trips, and still be comfortable! My little brother would play on the floor, with the adults sitting on the back seat...amazing room! Now the LS currently is great, and not all that different from current S-classes...gone are the days when the SEL was the gold standard. But a stretched LS...I'm all for it!!! Hopefully the styling will be cohesive on the LS 460 and LS460L models.

 

I sort of wonder about that too. Actually I' ve asked both MB & BMW salesmen about the big difference in price between the long & short versions of the S430 & 7 series here & the apparent small difference in weight/materials, they just shrug their shoulders & smile & say 4 inches would make a tall person much more comfortable sitting in the back to justify.
I kinda doubt about more structural reinforcement though, if that's the case the weight difference should have been significantly more than just ~50 lbs.
However, you can look at it as another expensive option, options always increase the margins for the manufacturer/dealer anyway, the more loaded with options the car, the higher profit margin for the dealer/manufacturer.

 

yeah that's very intreresting. i don't know maybe some more people can chime in

 

Hmm, hopefully this'll put pressure on MB to sell more SWB versions in the US instead of the 6cyl versions. They're pretty much the only ones not to offer SWB and LWB versions (that is, if Lexus follows through on this).

 

What I meant "worthy" is more of an image/stance aspect instead of the "more dollar for the more materials" used.

Also with that extra length, doesn't the drive shaft have to be extended also?

If you look at the long wheelbase, especially the S class, like what enigma said, it's cavernous vs the short wheelbase.

 

On the top of the cover page it says the LS600h will be released in fall '06, powered by 450ps hybrid powertrain with a 4.6L V8, along with a sketch.


On the other hand, here's another magazine page with the same sketch and horsepower rating but says it'll be a 5L V8.

 

Those wheels and the tail lights look like they might be legit ... wheels remind of the LS test mule caught in Germany, and the tails remind me of the LF-S tails.

I envision the new LS to have the same smooth lines as the LF-S, with a different grill, larger headlights, and possibly the same tails.

 

If you look at Europe, the best sellers are the compact cars, like VW Golf. People in Europe are used to smaller cars. The LWB models were designed for the US and Middle East markets in mind, where roads are bigger, less crowded, and ... most important ... where gas is cheap.
Bigger car ... means more gas.

Remember that in Europe gas is 3x the US price. Also, most 7-series, S-class, A8 in Europe are sold with state-of-the-art Diesel engines!!!

 

IMO ... the LS600h will be a HUGE bet.

Most people in top class, may want a 12-cylinder for more prestige, rather than the 'Hybrid' technology to claim that the car is more 'Green'.

Also, the introduction of new technology may 'jeopardize' the reliability of the car, at least no one knows how it will hold in 4-5 years time, causing the resell value to be a big question.

 

The Toyota hybrids had been out a few years & has proven to be one of the most reliable cars. As for the battery packs, Toyota claims it will last 180000 miles, that may not be the lifetime of a car nowadays, we'll have see if replacement batteries will be required for most & how much their prices will go down if required.
As for depreciation, do you know that the V12's depreciate much worst than the V8 versions too in other luxury brands ?

 

Gas in the UK (the most expensive in Europe I believe) is now about $6 a U.S. gallon. It's about $2.50 here in the U.S. so a bit of a way off 3x but still expensive!

 

I disagree It sounds like false advertising id rather they call it a LS460h. LS600h sounds like a 6 liter plus hybrid!

 

I'm going to have to agree with that. The number have been based on engine size since production, so I'm sure they wont call it a 600h UNLESS it has a 6.0L V8....Speaking of engines, do you think they will make a V12 version like BMW and Mercedes did? The only luxury sedan besides Lexus that doesn't have a V12 is a Jaguar (If you skip Bently and Rolls Royce).