The future of the LS ... ?
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 7
From: TX
Excellent points, Neo. 
And I actually agree that electric (in some form) might be the ultimate answer, especially if we ever get back to building nuclear generation plants to support our other needs.
The current constraints on battery power seem to be in range, packaging, expense and lifetime. I'm certainly no expert, but the things I read suggest acceptable range figures have been achieved only in small, fairly light vehicles packed with batteries. And then there's hours of recharging before you can resume traveling.
And I think the lifespan of the batteries is still up in the air under the kinds of conditions we'd subject them to. Heck, they haven't even decided what kind of batteries might work the best.
But I think you're right - that's still probably the most promising tech we've got right now!
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And I actually agree that electric (in some form) might be the ultimate answer, especially if we ever get back to building nuclear generation plants to support our other needs.The current constraints on battery power seem to be in range, packaging, expense and lifetime. I'm certainly no expert, but the things I read suggest acceptable range figures have been achieved only in small, fairly light vehicles packed with batteries. And then there's hours of recharging before you can resume traveling.
And I think the lifespan of the batteries is still up in the air under the kinds of conditions we'd subject them to. Heck, they haven't even decided what kind of batteries might work the best.
But I think you're right - that's still probably the most promising tech we've got right now!
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Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 7
From: TX
One thing to keep in mind is that the CAFE stadards force the makers AVERAGE fuel economy accross the fleet of cars they produce... I am not sure if Lexus will get to use Toyota in that since they recently "officially" are separate now.. But since Toyota sells lots of Prius, Corrolla, Camry.. etc that get close to the 35 MPG.. they will really have to focus only on the cars that get really bad mileage... I am pretty sure that trucks and SUV's are rated seperately...
I drive a 94 LS... It's making 250HP and gets about 23MPG hwy. The new LS460 Is making 380HP and gets about the same MPG. Would it really be that much of a sacrafice to go back to the power of the original car?? I would bet that it would still be faster than my car with that 8 spd auto and get much better mileage with all the other new engine managment systems they have developed since the Ucf10 came out in 1990.
Have great day...
Ken
I drive a 94 LS... It's making 250HP and gets about 23MPG hwy. The new LS460 Is making 380HP and gets about the same MPG. Would it really be that much of a sacrafice to go back to the power of the original car?? I would bet that it would still be faster than my car with that 8 spd auto and get much better mileage with all the other new engine managment systems they have developed since the Ucf10 came out in 1990.
Have great day...
Ken
I have to point out, though, that the LS460 is getting a lot better than 23mpg on the highway. Most owners are reporting anywhere from 25 to as much as 28 or more. Unfortunately, CAFE doesn't use just highway mileage.
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Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 7
From: TX
Well, I see in the April issue of Motor Trend that Lexus will get its own version of the Prius ... to be debuted at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.
That should help them get to the CAFE standards!
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That should help them get to the CAFE standards!
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Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 557
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From: Midwest
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 775
Likes: 7
From: WA
Internal combustion engines are pre-historic technology that survives just because there's a lot of money being made in the oil industry. If someday electric energy is cheap enough to produce and to be used in cars all over the planet, I still would buy electric luxury barges. I don't like small cars.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 7
From: TX
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