SL65amg

http://www.leftlanenews.com/lexus-de...ls-600h-l.html

It'll only put out 20% of the smog of a normal V-8, have a butter smooth trans, tons of luxury, and be only 104k, and supposedly extremely reliable. Any thoughts?

Do you guys think it could steal some serious sales away from the S-Class? Oh and they say it'll be AWD, which is even better. Supposedly with the CVT transmission and the electric motors, it'll be the quietest car in the world to drive.

Shai88

I really must say, I am not a big Lexus fan.
Actually I hate Lexus, that is not a real luxory car in my opinion, but one thing is sure they have good cars. I cant imagine to drive S-Class or CL and then to buy a Lexus.

This car is still Japanese and will always be, they can try whatever they like, but they will never have the same feeling as a German car.

But taste are different, I know many people they swear on Lexus(never have any problems).

Anyway I rather have small problems sometime but a much more beatyfull and speacial car than no(or less) problems and a pretty Idealess car.

Shai

nantucketsleigh

Looked one over carefully at auto show. Interior is fabulous. The more I looked at the body work, the more it looked like a blown up Avalon. Haven't driven one yet but I've tested the old LS430 and the GS. Both were disappointing.

AsianML

The interior and quietness really amazed me. But after seeing an LS460L next to an A8, the boldness of the A8 design definitely got my attention more. Same goes for S-Class.

eddietr

It's definitely a very interesting car. When I was thinking about a luxury car last fall, I seriously considered the LS460L. After I sat in it, I was almost completely sold on it because of the interior quality, fit/finish, respectable sound system, great nav.

But then I drove it and the driving feel, even though it is a major improvement over the previous LS430, is still quite different from a Mercedes/BMW/Porsche. So it just wasn't for me.

Now, the CVT and hybrid make the LS600 even more appealing. But I imagine the handling feel is not better than the LS460. In fact, it's probably worse.

But will is steal sales? I say yes. Not every Mercedes buyer is in a Mercedes for the driving feel.

jason427

I love the car, I wish they did a little better on the EXTERIOR.... leaves a little to be desired, but maybe will grow on me in time.

Jason

Untertürkheim

I would disagree that it is disappointing to drive, because the Lexus can't be driven. To me, driving a car implies that there is some sort of relationship between the driver, car, road. Lexus has done very well at eliminating it. The LS will move you from one place to another with no drama whatsoever. The experience will not disppoint from a passenger's prospective, but it will not establish a connection with or inspire the driver. That being said, over 90% of people have no idea what driving really is (they just move themselves) and the Lexus is perfect for them.

ruykava

it really goes to show people have very different tastes. the moment i sat in it i immediately knew this is not the car for me. yes, quality, fit/finish, sound system, nav - all those are great. but the design is so uninspired and derivative (looks like your typical business jet) that i knew i'd never be happy owning one.

so to me, it's not in the same league at all. but i can see how from an objective view (i.e. power, solidity, etc) it is a great car. pity i don't buy cars based purely on the tangibles.

dr.skp.ortho

its a nice car...better than s500 but not a real match for the s600 which its meant to compete with....they say its meant to have the power of a V12 but its quite a few horses of the 5.5L TT V12 in the 600....so it'll trump a s500 but not a s600 IMO

Braheem

Equal to a V12 not a V12TT

tex07

+1

Kar don

I think the LS600hL will be a great vehicle. The new one has a lot of presence... just get it with the sport pkg (large brakes).

johff

Nothing beats the cachet of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The Mercedes S-Class is still the most favored sedan among plutocrats, politicians, business people, drug lords, etc. No matter how good a Lexus is, it will never have the prestige and presence of a Mercedes S-Class. The S-Class is still the car to own

AsianML

What if Lexus came out with a bullet proof version of the LS. LOL

JRAMGV8

The Lexus is a great car indeed but for me Mercedes Benz

SL65amg

Seems all of us pretty much agree for the most part that, even though the Lexus LS 600 will be a very outstanding car in almost every way, it still lacks that special something, it's still not a Mercedes, and never will be. There's no doubt that it will get better gas mileage and be quieter and maybe even more reliable than an S-Class, but it will never be an S-Class. Only dedicated Mercedes owners/fans will ever understand this.

Doctodd33

I have never driven a Lexus except the small IS class. I agree with your statement, but i dont think any daily driver fits your description. I would agree that race cars or high performance daily drivers(which an S class is not....MAYBE and a big MAYBE an S65 is) are more "driven" and establish a relationship. But neither the LS or the S are what you describe....IMHO. My previous CLS55 and SL55 did "connect me", but not at normal speeds. Only when i tracked them or drove them hard, which is rare in a big city like where i live.

T

loeryda

Well, apparently the first year allocation of the LS600h L is all sold out.

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=6834

Says in the article it's coming June of this year. Might be a tough choice for a person looking at a S550 with the AMG pkg (MSRP around $100k) and the LS600h L (MSRP around $104k), looks wise I like the AMG S550 but the LS gets the power and interior nod. I think it's funny only the back seat behind the passenger seat reclines...

Doctodd33

what mpg does the lexus get? I searched but couldnt find.

T

blazinginder

For the same price range...I'd rather buy an S550 4-matic and burn more gas

Lexus Quality > Mercedes

Mercedes presence/exterior styling > Lexus

This coming from somone who owns two lexus'

MB Fanatic

The LS has no presence in OC, the land of 7 series, S class, A8, and other luxo barges. It looks like a Camry from the rear, an Avalon from the sides.

CharlestonN

I have yet to drive a Japanese car that feels like a luxury car, lexus are reliable from what i hear but every one i have been in rides just like a toyota and even has a lot of the same parts from the window switches to the seat belt buckles, seems like all they do is throw leather and wood vaneer along with a bigger engine into an avalon and double the price

No car drives like an S Class, the 7 series can't compete and neither can lexus, i have not driven an Audi yet but Audi's A8 definitely has BMW beat on the interior and body styling front though

I am with the guy that said Lexus is not a true lux car

Braheem

Notice any resemblence to a Mercedes? Cluster? Vents? climate controls? shifter? seats?





Being stuck on the side of the road must be the epitomy of "Luxury". unfortunatly unlike the toyota rivals the reliability on a dodge is inversly proportional to it's price.

AsianML

OMFG, they look exactly alike!!


Ownage gone wrong.

BTW, I have no idea about this "stuck on the side of the road" thing you're talking about.

Braheem

Those would be 2 angles of the same car for your reviewing pleasure in case you dont see the resmeblences.

Sorry Bro, no qowpnage gone wrong