Is the Lexus LX600H (hybrid) a step in the right direction, or just a way to smooth a guilty conscience?

Question

This is the new hybrid from Lexus that cost £80k has a top speed of 155mph, 0-62 (mph) in 6.6 seconds and yet returns a very economically 30.4 mpg

Answer 1

As others have indicated it is probably a bit of both.

but really most 4x4s a waste of money and planetary resources, except to "restore your manhood" which was the original strap-line to this Hummer advert http://www.hummer.com/hummerjsp/tv_popup...

http://www.sierraclub.org/compass/2006/0...

If you don't need a 4wd monstrosity (and very few farmers need 155mph off-road) then what is it for, hybrid or otherwise? 4wd is a complex and inefficient transmission solution, it is not needed going to the shops or on motorways.

If you need a 5 seater SUV then see

http://phoenixmotorcars.com/, a hybrid without the noisy, polluting, complicated, high maintenancec infernal conbustion part.

Answer 2

Nice car I have one myself....

Answer 3

What fuel is used in it?  There must be E85 fueled hybrids out there, or at least close, using biomass fuel, not fossil fuel.  And it is time to start boycotting ethanol produced from corn.  There are a number of other plants that are both better for the soil and produce more fuel per acre.

30.4 for a hybrid is NOT good.  My wife's Mercury Tracer beats that driving around town and gets around 37 on the highway.

Answer 4

I once discussed this with a Toyota representative at a greentech conference. From the manufacturer's point of view, the buyers of these cars simply would not have bought a Smart Car, a Prius, or a Civic instead. If they didn't have the option of a hybrid SUV or hybrid luxury sedan, most would have just bought the normal gas-guzzling version.  So, on a rational basis it's almost certain that these cars are making at least a little bit of a difference.

On the psychological level it gets trickier. I think these cars do "smooth guilty conciences", but maybe that shouldn't be looked down upon. Yes, these buyers could have, and perhaps should have, bought something "greener", but the fact that people are even starting to think about the environment when making purchasing decisions is actually pretty remarkable.  The acceptance and popularization of "green" products in suburbia is something that in fact MUST happen in order for there to be meaningful changes made in the way we live.



With this, as with many green product, the psychological dimension is currently making inroads faster than the practical. This is why it's important to keep up the pressure, and remind consumers that this isn't enough. Activists should be aware though, that being too cynical has the potential to undermine their own efforts. If "green sheik" goes out of style before it becomes effectual, there's little hope for broader change.

Short answer: Both.

Answer 5

The problem is they can't think of any other primary power source than the internal combustion engine, which is inherently polluting.  IC engines are almost all dependent on petroleum for fuel and Big Oil loves IC engines.  Sure they have a guilty conscience, but they sell to idiots who will think they are "doing something for the environment" by buying an IC hybrid.

While there is a need for energy in amounts that cannot be entirely replaced by bio-fuels, they may replace some other fuels at least in part.  Those who push for electric vehicles think they are perfect, but they do have serious drawbacks if they are to replace regular autos.  An EV gets so expensive as its range goes up that most people could not afford one, it more than doubles the price of a Hyundai Tucson EV that has a 300 mile range, then requires 6 hours and a 220V outlet to recharge.  That makes those long trips difficult.  Using AC or heat, plus power steering and brakes reduces range.  An EV enthusiast will say that since 80% of your driving is done within 30 miles of home a cheaper EV with fewer batteries is all you need, until the time comes when you need to go farther and can't, or need to wait hours to recharge in an emergency.  They then say they would own a second IC-powered car or would rent one.  The EV enthusiasts also say they are pollution-free, when all they have done is moved the pollution to the electric generating plants, of which there would have to be twice as many built.  Nuclear, coal-fired or hydroelectric plants are all opposed by many of these same EV people. NIMBY to all those plants.

A forced-draft open flame produces less pollution than an IC engine.  The only practical way to use this heat energy is by making steam to run an engine.  It also can use anything that burns as fuel, but for autos it would be any liquid or gaseous fuel, kerosene, furnace oil, vegetable oil, ethanol, liquified coal, synthetic oil, propane, natural gas, methane or even hydrogen if they ever make it practical.  The problems with using a steam engine to drive the wheels are having to wait 30 seconds before moving, you can't accelerate suddenly [gun it] and it can freeze. Aside from those three problems, a steam-powered car, with modern materials, performs as well or better than an IC powered car and with much less pollution.

Even better would be a car that operates as a short-range EV with a multi fuel capable steam engine to power a generator.  At home it would plug in and run on electricity untill the batteries got low and then the steam engine would start and recharge them. Being a hybrid with electric drive motors it could start with no delay, putting the accellerator down suddenly would get immediate acceleration and the batteries would power heat strips to prevent freezing.  A steam-electric hybrid solves the multi-fuel need, solves the problems with both pure plug-in EVs and pure steam cars and could be made for about the same price as IC hybrids or less.  Since 80%+ of your driving is done as an electric vehicle the mpg would be great.  Also, in the case of a power failure, the car would be an emergency generator for your home.

No, the water-tube boilers do not  explode and it would not need a lot of pressure to operate a generator.  The entire steam engine, generator and boiler would be smaller and lighter than an IC engine.  Before you show your ignorance and bash the idea with false information from IC auto makers that was promulgated over 70 years ago to drive steam cars from the market, do some research.  You will find also that in 1929 - 1935 many luxury car companies were victims of the Depression, not just the steam cars.

Answer 6

It's a step in the right direction technology wise. The trouble with hybrids is that they are worse than a supermini in the city, due to the extra weight of two engines . And worse than a family car on the motorway due to the weight and too small an engine. Unless you do a fair split of both types of driving then you are easing your conscince. And for £80k you could afford both anyway.

With the lexus you are also fuelling the 'big car 'safety' race' and spending money which could be more effectively spent/invested elsewhere.

It would only smooth the conscience of the uninformed or stupid.

Answer 7

You need to ask..is this vehicle a recycle nightmare. The toyota hybrid car is sold as a planet friendly car...Na . it has economy similar to conventional french diesel cars. Around 4.5 litres per 100km. It must be easier on the environment then...No again. It is a recycle nightmare and practically all landfill material. Believe it or not a JEEP has less impact and is top of the recycle list of vehicles. It has less energy tied up in its production than most cars also. Hybrid is false advertising and in a test the hybrid came off last as being environment friendly.The Jeep was top.. makes one think huh.

Answer 8

You've got some excellent answers here.

My contribution is to provide a link which will hopefully be of interest:

http://www.the-alternative.org.uk

See: Full book: Chapter 7: Transport / Cars / The Massacre on the Roads / Pollution / The Next big thing? / USA Cars / Road Building

A hybrid is NOT a step in the right direction!

Solar powered, super-strong, lightweight IS the way to go...

Answer 9

30.4 mpg isn’t exactly brilliant!

*What is the point in a hybrid car? The environment.

*How are most hybrid cars fuelled? Petrol and electricity. *Where does your electricity come from at this moment in time? Fossil fuels.

So what is the point in spending 80k when you could but a smart car for uner 8k?