GlobeCLK

iTrader: (5)

I'm talking about the response of the throttle/gas pedal. I have tightened the throttle cable on my GS so that any movement on my gas pedal would immediately open up the throttle body, hence the quick response. The LS600hL is not as responsive, but compared to an ES it is much better.

I didn't get to try any strong downshifts. As for medium acceleration, I didn't feel much hesitation there. All I can say is it was smooth. Lol, everything felt so smooth, yet I was so excited about driving that I couldn't pay attention to some things.

KILLERGS4

It's too bad you pay such a Premium for almost NO performance gain (other than AWD)... The 600HL should have been 500+hp IMO. I know we are still in the early stage of Hybrid, and more power is on the way...

leemer

I have to admit the exhaust has a real strong look to match those sharp wheels - the one thing about the hybrids is you don't get the roaring feel but you look at the needle and you're just there!
In Canada, this is being priced at Cdn $53,000 (or about US $48K more than the GS450h) and that is before the GULP rear seat DVD ottoman package of about US $24,000 (lexus.ca - but I don't see pricing on lexus.com yet-btw in Canada we pay more per exchange $ for our cars so hard to truly compare)
Now the GS450h I am told is rare - only about 5,000 I think in US and Canada combined, and I think Lexus really subsidized some of this car (i.e. the cost to produce is more than they actually sell it at), to prove they could get into the performance hybrid market (skilled - they killed Honda out of the performance hybrid market re; Honda dropping hybrid accord) - I wonder when the Germans will drop their turbo quests and jump on the electric bandwagon?
I'll bet this car will be pretty rare too however the grey colour does not do it for me - seems a heck of a lot of money for luxury and not that much more performance - I will bet that you felt that car felt heavier during the test drive as those batteries add a fair bit of weightThe slang "jap scrap" is no more - most of the other manufacturers better invest in door repair equipment after getting them blown off

Johnny

Toyota is so far ahead of the pack in Hybrid technology, the others will never catch up. In Europe they are touting biodiesel as a Hybrid killer, but they are pitifully still at the drawing stage.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

if the 600hl has vsss (which seems like so), that's huge gain on performance that the 460l probably can't touch. plus, imho the high end tq is what the ls600hl will shine. just like most other v12, it's the high end pick up speed. the hybrid engine has a lot of tq to spare

osokuko

I had a chance to look at a LS600HL up close six weeks ago at one of the Lexus regional sites, I was told the LED head lights are brighter than the HID’s. Due to be released September.

encore888

Sweet pics! Thanks for sharing. The LS 600h L's I've seen did not have the Launch Edition wheels or the Truffle Mica color.

rejh

September?

Gojirra99

Probably August I think ?