AMS Drives the Lexus LS600h - Page 3

Mikael · 04-29-2007, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cawimmer430

200 kg load capacity refers to the total load capacity. That's passengers and luggage capacity combined.

Example,

Parents: Tom and Mary (85 kg and 75 kg respectively = 160 kg)

Forget the kids and forget the luggage. 40 kg of max. permissible added weight left.

But that sounds very hard to believe, a big luxury sedan that is registered to 4(?) but can only take four persons, 50 kg each. I don't think so...

Mirage77 · 04-30-2007, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cawimmer430

Very good question, James. I've asked myself that. I don't know. Here's what I can think off, and it might sound weird. I guess Lexus expects that the vast majority of buyers want this car for reasons of status: environmental consciousness or simple status.

"Wow, John Travolta has a Lexus LS600h! This guy cares sooo much about the environment!"

You know, that kind of crap.

200 kg is extremely pathetic for such a large car. When one exceeds the max. permissible weight a car is allowed to have, the results are disastrous. The handling worsens and the braking distance increases drastically. I've actually experienced critically overweight cars on the Autobahn on two occassions. One of them was in our E320 when we came back from an England roadtrip. The car was overloaded with luggage, food etc. You immediately notice the decrease in handling qualities, braking stoppage power and the suspension also feels overloaded. All in all, a safe car can feel unsafe simply because it is overloaded with extra weight.

When you look at the whole picture, the LS460 is hands-down the better deal. And if you're shopping in this class, fuel costs are the last things on your mind. Get an LS460. End of story.

Environmental consciousness and simple status it may be Christian, but remember that the LS460 also has the same load capacity problem (as far as I can remember). You posted reviews of the LS460 having the same problems.

I trust your translation and your honesty Christian... But I find this load capacity thing to be BS. Like I mentioned before, maybe it's only a problem German magazines find with the LS. I haven't seen any other article besides German articles talking about load capacity.

cawimmer430 · 04-30-2007, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmer

But that sounds very hard to believe, a big luxury sedan that is registered to 4(?) but can only take four persons, 50 kg each. I don't think so...

I can give you the number of Auto Motor und Sport and you can gladly call them.

I don't think Lexus was thinking properly here. The Hybrid GS450h partially suffers from the same problem. Reduced luggage compartment space and a considerably reduced load capacity (not sure how much though).

cawimmer430 · 04-30-2007, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirage77

Environmental consciousness and simple status it may be Christian, but remember that the LS460 also has the same load capacity problem (as far as I can remember). You posted reviews of the LS460 having the same problems.

The LS460 has a maximum load capacity of 400 kg, which is barely acceptable in this class when compared to its competitors. Even a heavier Mercedes-Benz S600 can still take onboard 480 kg of extra weight (more than a standard LS460 even!!!).

I guess the S450 also competes with the LS460, this car can take onboard 605 kg, same for the S550. The LS get's PWNED here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirage77

I trust your translation and your honesty Christian... But I find this load capacity thing to be BS. Like I mentioned before, maybe it's only a problem German magazines find with the LS. I haven't seen any other article besides German articles talking about load capacity.

Travelling or going on vacation in your luxury car is not unheard of in Europe. In America, I can't picture a family taking their Lexus LS460 or LS600h on a vacational roadtrip. In Europe, going on vacation with your S320 CDI or S350 or A8 3.0 TDI etc. is not unheard off. Load capacity is therefore important as the car has to transport the occupants and the luggage, if any. This is the reason why German or European magazines like to examine cars from a practicality standpoint - and the LS600h is pretty impractical in that regard.

I've hardly seen American reviews complain about this problem. The focus always seems to be on performance, especially 0-60 and the 1/4 mile time. I suppose it has something to do with the culture.

And hey, Lexus makes mistakes too. This seems to be a big one.

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