Are people truly buying into the green movement?

Does the Yaris go naught to 60 in 5.5 seconds?

Being impartial and non-bias, I say "Yes" to Lexus's green movements with hybrid.

Ask yourselves this question: Does hybrid systems save fuel? Yes.

Does hybrid help you attain more miles per gallon? Answer is again, "Yes".

Does hybrid system completly shuts down engine, resulting in a Zero emmission while on a stand still? ie L.A. traffic or at a long stop lights? Answer is "Yes".

So therefore..isn't it true that carbon monoxide is NOT released at all during the point which the vehicle is at a stand still or moving slow around the parking lots? Answer is "Yes".

So in longivity of the vehicle w/hybrid system..Wouldn't you say...that it has done alot to the environment..in a good way?!..I mean after all..Do you not remember the time when we avoided using anything w/CFC in a spray can back in 90's to slowdown the depletion of the Ozone process..did we not? Isn't this not a fact?? YES it is.

Case closed.

Right, you don't need an hybrid system to shut down the engine at a stop as in prime example: BMW will introduce auto-stop in a broad model range, including four- and six-cylinder 1-, 3- and 5-Series models. Basically its the same features found in hybrids.

Too much common sense in that article. About everything including the Lexus.

The green movement.

Speaking of movements I've got to go!!!

No other choice?
What kind of statement is that?
They could buy smaller engined S class's, A8s or 7 series!
An S320cdi, A8 3.0tdi or 730d are far greener than the Lexus, and provide the same luxury and refinement as their bigger engine relatives, so if green is the issue, then they win.
But then people bring up performance, and suddenly the whole game changes. The LS600h does have admirably low emissions (but still higher than any of the 3.0 litre diesels I just mentioned), but on European versions of the car, MPG is matched and beaten by the S420cdi and A8 4.2tdi, both of which have better performance than the LS (in Europe the cars are configured differently resulting in 0-62 in 6.3 seconds).
The car just seems to much of a compromise to me, if you want green, buy a smaller car or buy an S320cdi. Want performance, buy an S600. Want a bit of both, buy the S420cdi. Why buy the Lexus? It's too expensive for chauffeurs (who buy the S320cdi) and too slow for petrol heads (who buy S600s) and for a mixture, too expensive (it out-prices the S420cdi in Europe by about 15000 dollars).
These "super rich people" who you think will buy the LS600h are being chauffeur around, non? Why would they bother with an 5 litre performance when they are being driven, and can spend less?
I'm not saying it's a bad car, but I think it's over hyped, and Lexus would do a lot better in Europe if it offered a small diesel (Really, a 3.0 diesel Lexus is the perfect chauffeur car). This hybrid just seems like a bad compromise, 5 mpg more than the 460, way slower and a ton more money.
In the US of course, this makes more sense, as there are no diesels or S280 petrols (which gets only 1 mpg less than the 600h). There and in other diesel-phobic countries, it will do well.

In reply to Rupert: I agree with your thought of bringing a 3.0 liter engine into the LS. It might only work in certain European and Asian countries. Lexus did bring out an alternative solution to creat 6.0 liter power with the combination of 5.0 engine and hybrid drivetrain. They were able to decrease the emission (with a heavy price tag). There's no problem with paying for the greens, especially you get the hybrid feel (please test drive at leaset an GS450h and you know what I'm talking about). Hybrid produces a different feel and I love that feeling! If I have that kind of budget and aware of greens, LS600h would be my top choice.

The idea behind a hybrid is to increase fuel economy and I do not comprehend how a figure of 22 miles per gallon qualifies as 'green'. To me packing a luxury car with luxuries will guarentee a heavier car, which will we all know requires more effort. So in short it seems counter-productive to mate the two together, luxury and economy.

I think people are not really buying into, unless you are speaking figuratively, but I feel consumers are rather falling for it. And in this case an ambitious Lexus LS 600h L. Sure Lexus slashed emissions emit but 22 highway miles isn't something to boast about.

Well look at the LS600h's sales, it answer your question.

Britney Spears sold a lot of albums but it does not mean she can sing.

I hope this car isn't allowed in the express lane with one passenger! I think Rupert sumed it up! Why bother with this as a Hybrid? I guess if you have the $$ you can aquire an additional 5 mpg in the city.I am not impressed! My suv does better than this and it is 14 years old with 31 inch tires! As far as Al Gore goes, I think he has some important statements about the enviroment and all but when he was vise president why didn't he do anything? Is this movie he made his campaine for Presidency?

Why bother with this as a Hybrid?

Because it sets the image. At this price range I don't think practicality is the biggest issue, if it were a person could just by an Avalon and put the rest towards a boat. I seriously doubt this car was made to save gas, no it was made so Lexus could say that we have a car that can do this. The Prius is for saving gas, not this one.

When considering the Lexus LS 600hl people have to understand that the person who can afford the Lexus will not buy the Yaris.

And if you read the article, that is the problem that the article adresses.

Greata article pointing out some things I have been saying all along.

1. Sacrifice. Something a lot of critics on this site are afraid of. What must one sacrifice for higher mpg, cleaner emissions, etc? I wanted an FJ, but got a Prius. I dont feel like, as a mid-sized family vehicle, the Prius is a sacrifice. But if you want a gas guzzling SUV, then going into an eco-car is a sacrifice.

2. Making these purchasing decisions is a first step, not an end result. So I got the Prius, now what? Eat less red meat, change the lightbulbs. Buy a bike. Start to make other ecologically sound choices.

3. Green consumerismon an individual level will never be enough. We need to support increasing CAFE; building high speed rail and other mass transit; develop wind, solar and other clean electricity; live closer to work in dense communities. It goes on and on.

If I were in the market for a $100,000 luxury ride, I would sure go for the Lexus, with no guilt. Because I would know that it is only one example of all that I can do to play my part in living a more sustainable life. If all I did was buy the Lexus and do nothing else, then I would be worthy of scorn. But just as the Prius is only one of my changes, so I presume the Lexus is to many of its buyers.