I guess it just varies for each vehicle.

For example, the EPA figures for the LS 460 are 16/24 and as mentioned above, it's not uncommon to see them getting 24 in combined driving and closer to 30mpg on the highway.

I would probably venture to say that 20/27 would be a more accurate reading for the LS judging by what I have seen from owners and real world drivers.

I have also seen that the 600hL actually gets poorer gas mileage than the 460L as I have never seen a 600hL break 25mpg even in a long distance sprint on the highway. I think city mileage is roughly the same but combined driving would also go to the 460L. This is obviously due to weight and AWD but just for the record...

 

Full well understanding I leave myself open to all the usual nonsense most often in relation to Honda/Acura, who cares how many cylinders the LS has? What we are talking about here is a 306hp LS vs a 380hp LS. I have to tell you, that is a pretty thin line. I would be very surprised if the 306hp (assuming they don't squeeze a few more ponies out of it) has significantly improved mileage (EPA or whatever rumor you would like to post) over the 380hp version. And I would also be just as surprised if the 380hp version had significantly better real world performance than the 306hp version. The new 7 is what, 400hp in the base model? If Lexus were going to stretch the power of the LS 460 it might make more sense. Just not sure on this at this time.

So what exactly does Lexus do with this thing? If we are talking about a couple of grand difference in price, how does your friendly salesman sell one over the other? If it is a bigger price differential, then the 306hp version will pull sales from the 380hp version. A year ago, I was all for an LS 350 and I still am but just like diesel, if there isn't a cost reason to go for it, I am not sure what the point is. How many spark plugs have to get gapped is trivia IMO.

 

I would be fine with a V6 LS, as long as it was only offered in certain European and Asian markets. A V6 LS in North America would be a bad idea.

 

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe benz is bringing a V-6 S-class hybrid next year no?

 

Def. a wise choice on the V6, especially since the LS is expensive, gas is expensive, people like green, and MB has a V6 S class coming. I wonder what an LS450h would be like....

 

i was unaware that the S class would get a V6 in the US. i thought they were just bringing the hybrid S400 with the V6

 

Well yeah thats what I meant.

 

Bad move for the US market, the flagship has been here since 1989 with no V6 so why now? Save the CAFE argument because mileage will increase very little and if you cut the price to within a few grand of the GS460 you not only take the LS down market you steal sales from your own V8 LS or GS460, the luxury segment is not made up of consumers concerned with a few more mpg or opting for smaller engines to save a few grand, LS means luxury with V8 power period.

 

What are you talking about? The LS460 is way more upscale than any LS before it. And Lexus wants to finally compete with the germans in europe. Audi offers a 2.8 liter V6 with 210 Horsepower in the A8 in Europe. Both BMW and MB offer 3 liter V6's in S class and 7 series. Lexus will finally have competition with them.

It looks like Lexus seriously wants to take on the germans outside of U.S. AWD LS, V6 LS, HS250h...It's brewing!

 

and that National Post article mentions nothing about the entire BMW lineup losing V8s and V12s, just the M Division (which doesn't have V12s anyway). If the M Division loses big engines, then it means it's going back to the basics of a strict diet regiment, by then the engines won't be so "NECESSARY" to get good enough performance numbers.

 

If Benz is doing that, I think that would be a bad idea.

 

Benz always had 6cly in Europe... heck 1 series has a lot of 4cly engines, as does 3 series :-).

I dont see what would be wrong with LS350... wouldnt be slower than my GS350AWD which goes like crazy.

 

The previous generation S-class in it's final year did offer the V6 S350 in the US, & the generation before that, they also offered the S320 in the US, so it won't be a surprise if they do bring the non-hybrid V6 to the US again if they want to sell a lower priced version here.

 

I enjoy my 4 banger quite a bit, but then its a boxer engine. Much cheaper than replacing spark plugs in a V8.

I think the S class is way too pricey. I come from a wealthy area and I don't see very many of these.

 

S-classes are common in affluent areas of Silicon Valley. The cars are heavily discounted now.