Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus, Legislation and Policy, UK
Lexus touts their GS 450h in response to London's Congestion Charges
Click on the image to enlarge
Lexus would like to remind drivers who frequent the city of London that the GS450h is a credible sports sedan which falls well below the maximum penalty which will be in effect as part of the upcoming Congestion Charge. Emitting 185g/km of CO2 will allow for a daily charge of £8, as compared to the £25 maximum penalty which many performance and luxury vehicles will be subject to.
We're not going to dispute the facts as presented by Lexus, but we'll also stop well short of suggesting that the GS 450h is the eco-friendly choice (there are certainly other options). Still, its comparatively low emissions, along with its 35.8mpg in the combined cycle, give a possible reason to choose it over some of its rivals, if for none other than to save some extra cash.
After the break, Lexus provides a chart comparing the power, acceleration, CO2 emissions, combined fuel economy and congestion charges of the BMW 540i, Jaguar XF and Audi A6 4.2 V8 FSI against its own GS450h. Very thoughtful of them, wouldn't you say?
Gallery: Lexus GS 450 H in London
Press Release:
PERFORMANCE WITH NO PENALTY: A CAPITAL IDEA FROM LEXUS
Is October's increase in the daily London congestion charge the end for high-performance cars in the capital?
Lexus says not, thanks to its GS 450h. The fast and stylish hybrid is currently exempt from the congestion charge and, from October, will attract a daily charge of only £8 compared to the £25 paid by its high-polluting rivals.
While the escalating cost of driving a premium sports model in the city may give potential Porsche, Jaguar and BMW owners second thoughts, the Lexus GS 450h is a more than credible alternative that delivers performance, elegance and luxury. Critically, the Lexus only emits 185g/km of CO2 – less even than many mass-market family saloons – and costs no more to drive down Bond Street than an everyday hatchback.
More than that, existing owners and those who buy a GS 450h before October, can drive charge-free until 2010. But that's only part of the story.
Not only does the GS 450h's technically brilliant hybrid power system give clean and fuel-efficient performance, it also delivers genuine sports performance. The combination of a V6 petrol engine and powerful electric motor produces 341bhp and maximum torque right from zero rpm, enabling sub-six-second acceleration from nought to 62mph. Those figures put models such as the BMW 540i, Jaguar XF and Audi A6 4.2 V8 FSI in the shade and the GS looms large in the rear view mirror of performance icon, the Porsche 911 3.6 Carrera.
And none of those models comes anywhere near achieving the Lexus's fuel economy of 35.8mpg (combined cycle), let alone its reduced CO2 levels.
Simply put, there are precious few other cars that offer such high performance and luxury without incurring the full force of the C-Charge.
|
|
LEXUS |
BMW 540i |
JAGUAR XF 4.2 V8 (auto) |
PORSCHE 911 3.6 CARRERA |
AUDI A6 4.2 FSI Quattro (auto) |
|
Max. power (bhp) |
341 |
306 |
298 |
325 |
350 |
|
0-62mph (secs) |
5.9 |
6.2 |
6.5 |
5.5 |
5.9 |
|
CO2 emissions (g/km) |
185 |
232 |
264 |
270 |
257 |
|
Fuel economy (combined cycle mpg) |
35.8 |
29.1 |
25.3 |
25.2 |
26.2 |
|
C-Charge until 2010 |
£0 |
£8 |
£8 |
£8 |
£8 |
|
C-Charge from 2010 |
£8 |
£25 |
£25 |
£25 |
£25 |
[Source: Lexus]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
eddy 11:29AM (4/06/2008)
Compare the Lexus to the Audi A6 3.0 TDI, the BMW 535d, the Mercedes E300 cdi and the Citroen C6 2.7 HDI. That would show that the Lexus hybrid system isn't better than it's European diesel competitors.
Reply
Aimless 1:03PM (4/06/2008)
Somebody who can own a Lexus or Merc or Jag, can afford to pay the congestion charge.
But if one has to (be) drive(n) in a luxury car, this one looks like a better choice than most.
Reply
Karkus 11:42AM (4/07/2008)
eddy - the diesels you mention are nice cars and have CO2 emissions similar to the 450h (some higher, some lower), but they don't have the same hp / 0-60 times etc. as the 450h. That's why they weren't in this apples-apples comparison.
Of course, I don't really know why anyone needs a 0-60 less than 10s , but if you "NEED" a luxury sedan with a 0-60 in 6s, then then the 450h is the least ecologically unfriendly choice.
Reply
steven 2:58PM (4/07/2008)
@3: Let's just TRY doing 0-60 in the middle of that London traffic. And I can't see how comparing a Lexus to a 911 is "apples to apples". As a matter of fact, I'm not sure the 911 even IS a luxury sedan. ;-)
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