High-end diesel VS hybrid, Audi A8L takes on the Lexus LS600h
When Lexus decided to take on the top dogs from Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi they took a different path. While the Germans offer the choice of either big gasoline V-12s or turbo-diesel V-8s, Lexus wanted offer the best of both worlds. Thus the LS600h was born. The big LS mates a 5.0L V-8 with the latest version of Toyota's hybrid synergy drive system to produce the most expensive hybrid yet.
So, what about performance? AutoExpress decided to pit the LS against an Audi A8L propelled by a 4.2L turbo-diesel V-8 and the Japanese luxo-hybrid came out on the short end of the stick. The Lexus offered it's usual level of silence and refinement but little in the way of character which is the Lexus way. On the fuel economy front the LS may be a hybrid but it's certainly no Prius. It averaged a mere 16.5 mpg (US) while the German competitor achieved 25 mpg (US). With comparable performance and a price difference £20,000 in the Audi's favor, it's no contest.
[Source: AutoExpress]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
CastleCharles 5:48PM (11/11/2007)
Lexus builts transportation appliances. Audi build cars with a soul. I think we all knew that.... and this proves it.
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Joseph 3:53PM (11/12/2007)
Hmm...the mpg they got for the two cars is strage.
According to the specs provided by the article, the gov't CO2 ratings are 219g/km for the Ls and 249g/km for the Audi. I'd trust the gov't ratings more since there is no room for difference there.
Maybe the testing was done mostly on the highway? There there would be a big difference in fuel economy.
But we have to remember, the Audi weighs about 800 pounds less (again, from the info provided by the website.) Also, you have to remeber that not only is the Audi a diesel, it is also turbocharged, while the hybrid isn't. Overall, I see hybrid and diesel technology pretty equal. Each with its strengths, and weaknesses.
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Shoaib 7:59PM (11/11/2007)
Mercedes and I believe also BMW will soon be offering hybrid versions of the s-class and the 7 series. In fact i belive that they are diesel hybrids, they will utterly destroy the LS600h on all fronts.
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kt 10:32PM (11/11/2007)
Is the Lexus selling well? I'm having trouble picturing who they built it for.
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Throwback 8:10AM (11/12/2007)
This is an example of why Lexus has not had the success in Europe like they have in the USA. Hybrids are the wrong answer for high end luxury cars in Europe. A diesel engine may pollute slightly more, but the overall driving experience is superior. My guess is the LS600H was designed with Americans in mind but I don't think it will sell in large numbers here either.
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Karkus 1:22PM (11/12/2007)
No car costing a hundred grand is going to sell in large numbers anywhere. Period. Having said that....
An earlier post here by Sam showed 600h sales of over 5000 through September, mostly in Japan. Since it was probably on the market longer in Japan than the US and Europe, I don't know what to make of the numbers. But since the car has only been for sale for a few months and cost so much, 5000 sounds pretty respectable.
Anyone have Audi sales numbers ?
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stubbs031 4:10PM (11/12/2007)
I personally believe diesel is the future, even with the emissions constraints. I also believe diesels and maybe even diesel hybrids will trump gas hybrids. For one diesels get so much better fuel economy than gassers, and even in this case hybrids. Also, which i think is a huge plus, diesels are fun to drive. The massive amounts of torque that diesels (usually about twice the amount of comparable sized gas engines) have comes in at usually between 1600 and 2000 rpm and continues twisting all the way to the redline. And ALL the torque comes in then and stays in. And since these are the RPMs that most drivers drive in, everyday drivers will feel like there is a lot of power just because of the torque pulling the car forward. All in all, the driver feels more power from diesels than they do from gas engines, which I think creates a more rewarding driving experience for everyday drivers.
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eddy 5:29PM (1/11/2008)
The best selling A8 is the highly efficient 3.0 TDI. 30 mpg and still extremly fast. The primary point why the A8 wins races with smaller engines is the ultr-lightweight alluminum space frame.
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