Johnny

That's OK, when I hear MB, I think Chrysler. When I hear BMW, I think Austin Mini 850...

I'd much rather be associated with Toyota than..... Well, you know what I mean...

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

those mileage figures are probably them romping on the car, would be a ton better if you drove it normally

newr

common enigma! you can't be serious believing that the LS460 get 13 mpg on average in normal every day driving can you? If you beat the hell out of it like C&D did, then yes. I get about 8 mpg around the track on my S2000. Is it the average mpg? No way.

Forget about the EPA rating. The real world average mpg for the LS460/L can be found right here on CL. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=234405 and it's not 13mpg.

encore888

LOL I sure hope the LS 460 L's actual mileage is around 20 mpg or better!

However, you challenged my statement, "If you read the recent reviews, the mpg is significantly improved over the LS 460 in terms of average consumption."

And so I provided review references which are the basis for my stating that. In reality, we have yet to have any LS 600h L drivers report on their mileage, so we have yet to see what it will do. However, the initial narrative from Edmunds was misleading and based on 2007 vs. 2008 EPA estimates, which was an apples and oranges comparison. The C&D review indicates an improvement over the LS 460 L...yes the 13 mpg is outlandish, but if you assume that C&D drove both cars in the same manner, then it proves that the LS 600h L has significant mileage improvement.

Whether that is the case in real life, we'll see. I suspect that the LS 600h L will be on par with the LS 460 L for the most part, but with added weight, power, AWD, hybrid etc.

Anyhow, back on the main topic, I don't think Lexus deliberately stated an early launch date; it's quite possible the technological complexity of the vehicle has resulted in some unforeseen production delays.

But like others on this forum have said, the wait is acceptable if it means that the car will be more solid when released.

newr

Hey! thanks for coming down to earth.. hahah..

With the complexity of this car, it's better to hold the release and work out the bugs than releasing it with problems. Since this is going to be the first $100K + Lexus car, I am sure there will be many critics looking for just for that.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

It's not great, you're right. I don't see many other companies doing it as much as Toyota/Lexus does. But maybe it's a good thing, as Toyota/Lexus is more conservative and if it has ANY suspicions of issues near launch it delays - not so bad really.

vraa

iTrader: (2)

Things will be perfect.
They cannot afford another LS400 overheating brake lamp incident. It was a great story to tell at parties, but not something you want associated in this day of age.

Helmar

My whole career as a software developer I followed two related practices: 1. Under promise, over deliver. 2. If something changes, inform the customer immediately. These apply to delivery schedules as well as actual product.

They may be cliches, but they're essential for customer satisfaction.

It would appear that Lexus adheres to these principals as well. Perhaps other manufacturers should embrace them.....

HBH

vraa

iTrader: (2)

Then I'm sure you've also heard of this, would you say it also applies?

Pick two of the three
- Cheap
- Fast
- Reliable

TRDFantasy

Does it really matter whether it says "Toyota" or "Lexus" in the news? Lexus is still a part of Toyota, even though Toyota wants to make Lexus almost completely separate from the Toyota brand. At the end, Lexus is not it's own company ... it's still a part of Toyota, although a very indepedent part of Toyota.

As for the car's delay, likely they are tuning/optimizing the hybrid system for faster performance and better economy, and perhaps double checking every part of the car to ensure quality.

Helmar

I’ve never understood the German car fanatics that disparage Lexus because of its Toyota roots, except to understand that for some, the only way to raise one’s ego is to reduce others.

What I really don’t understand is how Toyota roots are a disparagement.

It’s as though they want to connect the Lexus to Toyota’s pedestrian and mundane aspects, but deny or downplay (or ignore) the link to Toyota’s reliability heritage.

In reality, the opposite is true, where Lexus has maintained its Toyota reliability at its roots, but has gone its own way on style, performance, and innovation.

Like all automobile manufacturers, I’m sure that Lexus has reverse engineered its share of cars, just as Mercedes and BMW have reverse engineered Lexus and each other. There’s nothing magic about engines or suspension. They’re all just easily duplicated machinery.

Their implication is that Lexus CAN’T do this, which is ridiculous. Of course they could. It’s a CHOICE then, that Lexus is not willing to sacrifice full time ride quality (noise, harshness) for some rarely tested handling benefits.

Although ostensibly not major factors for luxury cars, there are two ways to measure performance, acceleration and handling. Acceleration is close enough to be identical, and since both the German cars and Lexus perform very well in emergency situations, I for one am quite happy to enjoy the enhanced reliability and ride quality that Lexus provides.

HBH

Iceman

I inquired with my dealer about this delay, and here's what he told me:

"As of this date we have no word from Lexus that the car is delayed. I forwarded your email to My GSM on Wednesday when I was home and then called him. He knew nothing. On Thursday when I returned to work I asked our manager that communicates with Lexus regional. Lexus regional had no word of a delay. They heard about the delay the same way you did and have no official word from California.

I am asking about this the last 3 days and there is still no confirmation from Lexus. I will continue to knock on the door and let you know. Just know that this frustrates me as I sure it does you."

Is the delay for real or just an unsubstantiated internet rumor?

Luxofreak

i know why it was delayed. Wind noise!!

LexFather

The source is egmcartech so thats a good question.

Great post.

Gojirra99

No, the real source is Automotive News(subscription required), egmcartech just quoted from Automotive News(read OP again).