Johnny

I owned the 460SWB for 16 months (46,000 kms) and drove a mostly regular routine, except for the occasional hop across the border, so my fuel consumption was and still is pretty stable. The fuel tank is the same volume (84 litres) for both the 460 & the 600, and I've now got 4 weeks (4,500 kms) on my new 600, and expect my fuel economy will gradually improve as it's broken in, as it did on the 460.

On the 460, I was getting about 620 kms per fill up, taking the needle down to last bar every time with about 70 kms left showing on the display. So far, I'm showing about 740 kms with the same 70 kms left in the tank. That's a 19% improvement which of course includes electric motor efficiencies. Overall, I think this is quite significant, and much more than I anticipated or read about, and of course am very pleased with the results.

This debunks what writers have been claiming that the 460 & 600 have break even MPGs. How would they know? They only get their test cars for a short period; not long enough to make the accurate determinations of a regular user. My City/Highway mix is about 50/50, so if I drove in the City more, the composite number would probably benefit from battery power more. I have found (as others have, I'm sure) that the Hybrid benefit comes mostly when idling at traffic lights or in slow moving traffic, so the Hybrid payback amounts to 5% in my opinion, but of course this discounts the extra role that the electric motor plays in acceleration and other less tangible and hard to quantify results.

encore888

Wow, that's a significant improvement. Especially given that the 600h is the LWB, larger and heavier with AWD. Glad to hear that the hybrid does demonstrate its capabilities in fuel consumption as well. Indeed, real world long-term experience is the real deal.

3alwi

WOW

very nice

but the 600h are not available here in the middle east.

they said that there were some tests in this summer to see if it can handle the heat here.. lo0ol

real driving will always show what a car can do and hold

LS600guy

I've heard that too, and it seems to be happening to me. I've put 1200 miles (2000 km) on my LS600 in the nearly 3 months I've had it, and watched the average fuel consumption drop over that time from 12.4 l/100km to 11.4 l/100km, over the same route.

Whether that's because I'm subconsciously driving to the dials, or it's a real bedding in process, I don't know. I've read that many so-called fuel saver devices only appear to work because the knowledge that it's installed causes the driver to alter their driving habits subconsciously.

The Ls600 has only done 8000 kms (4900 miles), so if my savings are caused by the car, then maybe there's more fuel savings to come.

--------------------------
2007 LS600hL, 5 seat
2000 LX470 (traded--and missed!)

Mercedes SL500 AMG (summer garage queen)
Mercedes SLK 230 (wife)
Suzuki Grand Vitara (rain & runaround)

Johnny

I must confess there is a little bit of that in my case as well. Hybridization keeps the driver aware of this technology in subtle but no uncertain terms, whether through the displays, if one chooses to see them, or just the sound of the engine shutting down when coasting or idling. I suppose that's a good thing, and frankly I thought I would be the last person to fall under that "spell". On the other hand, my highway driving habits haven't changed much, and I for one really enjoy the extra Gs when the extra "electric" boost kicks in like a turbo when taking to the open highway or passing slower traffic.

Johnny

Current MPG based on 50/50 City/Highway mix.

At 6400 kms or 3987 miles, the average fuel economy stands at 10.4 L/100 km or 22.6 MPG. My average on the 460 was 16.4 MPG, representing a 38% improvement. Phenomenal! So good, it almost feels illegal. And no, I haven't change my driving habits, they're as stupid as ever... Adding the kms used to the kms remaining yields 763 kms per tank. My 460 was about 620 kms capacity.

Dave600hL

I get marginally better fuel consumpstion on the 600 over my 430 (celsior), so that is quite good to me for such a heavy car with this much power. I hear the 460 gets worse than the 430 so would that mean with my driving style that I would get roughly the same millage with a 460 and my 600?

Johnny

It really depends on your mix (City vs Highway). If most of your kms are on the highway, then the benefit will be marginal. However, if you have a lot of stop & gos, idling or any typical city driving, then like all Hybrids out there, the payback will be significant. The 460 is supposed to enjoy better fuel economy brought about by the use of better electronics & that amazing 8-speed transmission. I thought my 460 had great fuel economy; then again the City/Highway mix also played very much into that equation.

Dave600hL

Traffic lights every 300ft and I maybe get on the highway once every two months, so I suppose you could consider the driving I do is city driving. LOL
I have put roughly 17,000 miles(27,000km) on mine now.

Johnny

What is your average consumption as indicated on your Nav screen's display, like I've posted above?

I see you're waiting for the IS-F. 12 months in Japan? Wow, most dealers have a couple on the floor here...

Dave600hL

I will check when I get home tonight.

Yeah the IS-F is a big wait here, however they have stepped up production and I am told that the wait has come down to 4-5 months, so I should be seeing mine in a little while(maybe two months time).

tommyd3

I dont really understand why everyone is so excited about the higher fuel economy of the 600. As far as I can tell the 600 costs AT LEAST $30,000 (US) more than a comparably equipped 460L. From what I have seen a lease would cost AT LEAST $500 more per month for a 600. You would have to drive somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 per month to see a savings (at $4 per gallon US). Of course if you were driving that many miles a month the lease would probably be $5,000 per month !!!

Johnny

If I had paid that much, I would agree with you. The price I did pay would make Lexus Corp blush...

Really though, in that price range, cost is a very minor consideration, what other Luxo Barge has this kind of fuel economy?

So getting excited can be just about anything, buyer's choice...