hybrid-debate

Lexus Climate Change Debate Recap

Yesterday, the Lexus-sponsored Darker Side of Green debate was held at the Skylight West in New York City, just as the press preview for the New York Auto Show was beginning. Numerous celebrities were in attendance, including Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Zach Braff, Tyson Beckord, and Emmy Rossum, along with other interested New …

Kevin · March 31st, 2010

Sarah Silverman to Host Lexus Climate Change Debate

Sarah Silverman will be moderating a Lexus-sponsored The Darker Side of Green hybrid debate on March 30th at the New York Auto Show. The debate will be between hybrid skeptic Phelim McAleer and renewable energy advocate Amanda Little, and will be part of the Lexus CT 200h’s North American debut at the autoshow. Check Ecorazzi …

Kevin · March 24th, 2010

2010 Lexus GS 450h Photo Gallery

Along with photos and information on the 2010 GS 350/460, Lexus USA also published a set of 2010 GS 450h photos: {embed=“site/gallery” gallery_id=“1376”} The refreshed GSh is easily the best Lexus hybrid facelift—the new front grille in particular stands out as a clean, modern design, and the rear taillamps also show some nice execution. I …

Kevin · October 7th, 2009

Arthur St. Antoine on the Lexus LS 600hL

Perhaps as a way to counterbalance his incredibly glowing editorial of the Lexus LS 460 last year, Arthur St. Antoine took some time in this month’s Motor Trend to badmouth the LS 600hL: For many buyers, a hybrid car is nothing more than the four-wheeled equivalent of a yellow LiveStrong wristband-a conspicuous, self-satisfying, effort-free membership …

Kevin · February 18th, 2008

Jalopnik Reviews the Lexus LS 600hL

The minute I saw that Jalopnik Jonny Lieberman had gotten his mitts on an LS 600hL for a week, I knew we were in for a treat, and I was not disappointed in the least: Why am I laughing like such an idiot? Seriously, my cheeks hurt from grinning. Well, the reason why is that …

Kevin · December 10th, 2007

Lexus LS 600h Sales Exceed Expectations by 300%

One thing that I failed to notice when posting up the Lexus LS 600h’s sales figures is just how far the total was over the projected sales. By selling 6,093 units by October, the LS 600h has exceeded Lexus’ yearly sales estimate of 2,000 by over 300%. These numbers are nothing short of exceptional, especially …

Kevin · December 5th, 2007

Lexus LS 600h Sales Start Strong

Lexus LS 600h sales are off to an exceptionally strong start, selling 6,093 units worldwide as of October 2007. Japan is especially enamored, scooping up 4,533 of the total, though this is likely due to its earlier release. Both North American and European sales are decent, with 818 and 569 sales respectively. These numbers have …

Kevin · December 2nd, 2007

The Hybrid Debate

Sponsored by Lexus, The Hybrid Debate is a new website/weblog that will be examining the impact and importance of hybrids on society: The purpose of this debate is to look at hybrid cars in a completely new way. Rather than speculating about where the technology is going, we’re asking our contributors to imagine it has …

Kevin · November 21st, 2007

WSJ Reviews the Lexus LS 600hL

The Wall Street Journal’s review of the Lexus LS 600hL isn’t so much a condemnation of the car, but rather the hybrid technology that spawned it: The biggest con running in the auto industry right now is the notion that hybrids represent some sort of quantum leap in green transportation. Not only is this patently …

Kevin · November 16th, 2007

Lexus Exploiting Hybrid Hype?

The NY Times article panning the LS 600h L has created quite a negative stir, with numerous claims that Toyota’s “green movement” is nothing but a farce. This is perhaps addressed most vehemently by The Auto Extremist, one of my favorite automotive opinion sites: It’s clear that the mainstream media is finally – finally – …

Kevin · July 20th, 2007

NY Times Unimpressed with the Lexus LS 600h L

NY Times writer Lawrence Ulrich took the LS 600h L to task in today’s paper, unable to understand what possible benefit it could have over Lexus’ own LS 460, nevermind the V12 competitors the car is aimed at: On the performance front, forget about the Lexus hanging with V-12 sedans like the Mercedes S600. Turns …

Kevin · July 15th, 2007

The Lexus LS 600h: A Misguided Hybrid?

Hybrid Cars has taken a dim view of the LS 600h, slamming it as “bizarre and misguided”, and urging his readers to steer clear. Understandable, I suppose, when your point of comparison is the Prius. It’s true that LS 600h doesn’t get better gas mileage than its non-hybrid version, the LS 460, but why criticize …

Kevin · June 13th, 2007

The LS 600h vs. the LS 460: Is the hybrid really worth the extra money?

Bruce McCulloch over at Autosavant asked the question “Does the 600h really offer any true advantage over the lesser LS460?” and came away with a resounding “NO!” Let’s summarize his major points: The 600h costs $35,000USD more than a similarly equipped 460. People buying a car in this price range ($100,000USD +) don’t really care …

Kevin · June 5th, 2007

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