Featured Lexus exploring PHEV, full EV and fuel cell versions of LS flagship

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Tideland Prius, Apr 16, 2018.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,178
    16,406
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Lexus LS flagship sedan could come in electric and hydrogen versions - Autoblog

    Guess the Germans are putting on the pressure on Lexus - they all offer a PHEV versions of their high end version which will eventually trickle down (BMW already has the 330e PHEV. Last I heard, the C350e was a half-hearted effort).

    So... about those "nobody has 4 hours to sit around and charge" ads?
     
    #1 Tideland Prius, Apr 16, 2018
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,262
    15,507
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Ah the LS:whistle:.

    Your favorite :).

    I bet you’ll be in line for one(y).
     
    #2 Raytheeagle, Apr 16, 2018
    Tideland Prius likes this.
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,178
    16,406
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    In 20 years ...

    Unless I start working more than one job and toss out work-life balance. (You guys won't mind if I disappear for a few years, eh? ;) )
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, Apr 16, 2018
    bisco and Raytheeagle like this.
  4. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,262
    15,507
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Meh, Work life balance is over rated :eek:.

    That’s at least what I am led to believe :rolleyes:.

    Don’t go, you’re about the only one we have left (y).
     
    #4 Raytheeagle, Apr 16, 2018
    bisco and Tideland Prius like this.
  5. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    28,171
    15,939
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    #5 bwilson4web, Apr 16, 2018
  6. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2011
    7,071
    3,258
    1
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    "These are not the droids you're looking for".
     
    #6 El Dobro, Apr 17, 2018
    San_Carlos_Jeff likes this.
  7. DavidA

    DavidA Prius owner since July 2009

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    2,339
    1,817
    18
    Location:
    Chicago western burbs
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Even the German Economic Minister believes the German auto manufacturers need more of a kick in the butt to get going.

    Let's hope both are true. Lexus/Toyota still think they can wait most of it out (making EV's) until ~2040.
     
    #7 DavidA, Apr 17, 2018
    Tideland Prius likes this.
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,178
    16,406
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    The thing is, even though hybrids are a transitional technology, there still needs to be hybrids for the emerging markets. It's too easy to say "well everyone should drive an EV". Well unfortunately, not everyone owns a detached house with the ability to add an EVSE, or a multi-unit complex that has charging stations. Also, developing nations will still rely on liquid fuel even if the developed world has moved on.

    So, I still think parallel development is necessary. However, yes it appears they're dragging their feet a bit. PHEVs can be a great compromise. But for now, the German offerings are quite anemic. The Volt and Clarity PHEVs are pretty solid offerings. Once Mitsu updates the Outlander's engine, it should be competitive in hybrid mpg and AER.
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, Apr 17, 2018
    bisco likes this.
  9. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    28,171
    15,939
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    The thing I see is a wonderful transfer of technology from EVs to both hybrids and even some ICE vehicles.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #9 bwilson4web, Apr 17, 2018
    Tideland Prius likes this.
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,178
    16,406
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I was at a parade and one of the semis was definitely a newer model and I recognised the "aero corners" that were implemented in the Gen 3 Prius on that semi-cab. Even aerodynamic technologies are transferring to heavy duty vehicles!

    Found it. It's the Freightliner Cascadia.

    [​IMG]

    Apparently there are two Aero packages that add 1% and 2.5% improvement to the truck compared to the standard body.

    Also, it has forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control and lane departure alert along with LED headlights!
     
    #10 Tideland Prius, Apr 17, 2018
    bwilson4web likes this.
  11. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    23,046
    12,250
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Truck aerodynamics is a long term business. The issue has been getting truckers to buy them.
     
    #11 Trollbait, Apr 18, 2018
  12. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2004
    12,793
    5,275
    57
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    What about them? Since then, investment in extremely fast DC charging has taken hold. Wasn't that the point of drawing attention to the need to wait? What harm came from having taken that chance with advertising? We certainly haven't observed any with respect to the addition of a plug for Prius.

    Keep in mind that short-sightedness of both marketing & audience. Times change and negative publicity can be a powerful motivator.
     
    #12 john1701a, Apr 18, 2018
  13. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    point me to a thread/post where John has said something negative about Toyota/Lexus....would be a sight to behold...like a unicorn or the Yeti
     
    #13 markabele, Apr 18, 2018
    Tideland Prius, El Dobro, San_Carlos_Jeff and 3 others like this.
  14. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2004
    12,793
    5,275
    57
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Point me to a thread where long-term plans are discussed without short-term noise drowning out the message.

    Notice how many are actually discussing the market beyond tax-credit dependency?

    That short-sightedness a very real problem few are willing to address.
     
    #14 john1701a, Apr 18, 2018
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2018
  15. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    23,046
    12,250
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Maybe because the market won't need tax credits to continue. We are already seeing price reductions and performance increases between generations. The Volt, Prius PHEV, and Leaf all have increased EV range and MSRPs thousands less than their predecessor.
     
    #15 Trollbait, Apr 18, 2018
    austingreen likes this.
  16. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    Dependency is a loaded word. If you really believed that you would be betting everything you own against Tesla (aka shorting the stock) since they will soon be tapered in regards to the federal tax incentive. Or do we simply talk the talk and not walk the walk? Not actually putting money where our mouth is? I, myself, am. I have a decent sized long position in Tesla.
     
    #16 markabele, Apr 18, 2018
  17. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2004
    12,793
    5,275
    57
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    That's exactly what I mean. You didn't bother addressing long-term. Avoidance is a red flag. Legacy automakers are quite different from Tesla too.

    Think about the state of 150 kW charging. How will that impact the non-Tesla market?
     
    #17 john1701a, Apr 18, 2018
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2018
  18. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    haha...ask a real question instead of throwing out vague statements that are impossible to answer.
    Try asking a real question and I will answer.
     
    #18 markabele, Apr 18, 2018
  19. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    in fact...don't bother...just going to ignore you like so many other people have on this forum....save me lots of annoyance
     
    #19 markabele, Apr 18, 2018
  20. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2004
    12,793
    5,275
    57
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    That's why I ask the hard questions.

    Toyota/Lexus has a long-term focus, which is why the games being played with tax-credits don't matter.

    They want to offer something compelling enough to compete directly with traditional vehicles.
     
    #20 john1701a, Apr 18, 2018
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 3