Road & Track Suggest Upcoming V12 Lexus L650h

[scionlife]

Quote: Hybrid Super Sedan for 2009

Rumor has it that Toyota has big plans for its hybrid powertrains in the upcoming years. With the Lexus GS450h and the LS600h L, the industry giant has already established itself as the world's outright leader in hybrid technology... and the company seems to have plans for taking things even further. Witness the car you see here.

We got a taste of just how formidable Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system truly is when we tested the Lexus GS450h in our July 2006 issue. The basis for the GS450h's power comes from a 3.5L V6. The upcoming LS600hL builds on that by couplin Toyota's 5.0L V8 with electric motors. Now we hear that there could be a V12-based hybrid sedan in the works called the L650h.

Reports of a Toyota V12 have been circulating for months. Sources indicate that the future V12 will be a 5.0L, with power output around 400Hp. Mated with two electric motors, the L650h will likely produce about 500Hp total, with all-wheel drive. The system wil probably be mated to Toyota's next-generation CVT.

The full-size sedan will be slightly larger than the LS, but may be built on the same basic platform as the company's current flagship. Still, there will be plenty to distinguish the super Lexus from the LS, beginning with its exterior and interior styling. Because the car's main rivals will be Mercedes-Benz's Maybach, Rolls Royce and Bentley, you can expect the price of the L650h to be at least $150,000. If the car actually does make it to production, expect to see it around 2009.

[jamessicat25]

they just killed the purpose of hybrid with that v12..

[io333]

With traction control and seriously sticky/wide tires, V12+electrics+AWD = enough torque to be the fastest 0-60 vehicle on earth, ever. Fast enough to be extremely painful.

[Boxer_Rebellion]

io333 wrote: With traction control and seriously sticky/wide tires, V12+electrics+AWD = enough torque to be the fastest 0-60 vehicle on earth, ever. Fast enough to be extremely painful.

I highly doubt that.

[thisisdudewhoru]

I bet it will be fast, with the election providing immediate and constant torque. But prolly not the fastest 0-60. Saleen s7 i believe does it in 2.7 secs if im not mistaken.

[surfcity40]

never gonna see production. just being honest.

[Djbombsquad]

will it have the same awesome features as the LSH?

[scionlife]

surfcity40 wrote: never gonna see production. just being honest.

Honest? Isn't that just an opinion? Hmmm...

"Honestly", with the LF-A super coupe in near-production mode it might not be THAT crazy that Lexus might pair it with an elite sedan. The GT500 (maybe) has been rumored to have hybrid power, and Toyota has even stated that it expects all models to have hybrid power within the decade. I HOPE, HOPE, HOPE that Toyota can actually follow through with some of these outrageous ideas... it just might bring the enthusiast community back around! (talking about non-Scions!)

[scionofPCFL]

jamessicat25 wrote: they just killed the purpose of hybrid with that v12..

Toyota is using it's synergy drive to achieve things never thought possible; better performance and better milage. At the same time, they are redefining what people think of when they here the word "hybrid". Keep in mind, people that spend $100k on a car, don't care how much gas is or where it comes from.

[surfcity40]

scionlife wrote: Honest? Isn't that just an opinion? Hmmm...

"Honestly", with the LF-A super coupe in near-production mode it might not be THAT crazy that Lexus might pair it with an elite sedan. The GT500 (maybe) has been rumored to have hybrid power, and Toyota has even stated that it expects all models to have hybrid power within the decade. I HOPE, HOPE, HOPE that Toyota can actually follow through with some of these outrageous ideas... it just might bring the enthusiast community back around! (talking about non-Scions!)
yeah, just an opinion. it would be nice to see though.

[xA_Factor]

jamessicat25 wrote: they just killed the purpose of hybrid with that v12..
There are two different directions to go in with hybrids. One is fuel economy/emissions and the other is performance.

Take the Accord and Camry hybrids for instance. Honda went in the performace direction with the hydrid Accord and it's V6 + electric power. It's got great acceleration, but in the real-world really gets no better fuel economy than a regular gas Accord.

On the other hand, Toyota took the fuel economy/emissions route with the new hybrid Camry. It's power comes from an ultra clean buring version of the 2AZ 4cyl engine + electric. It get's an honest 40+mpg in a real-world mix of city/highway driving while poluting very little.

Same basic idea.....just two different approaches.

[Kilo6_one]

scionofPCFL wrote: jamessicat25 wrote: they just killed the purpose of hybrid with that v12..

Toyota is using it's synergy drive to achieve things never thought possible; better performance and better milage. At the same time, they are redefining what people think of when they here the word "hybrid". Keep in mind, people that spend $100k on a car, don't care how much gas is or where it comes from.


i agree, at that point in the income scale gas cost is not an issue, and if toyota wants a peice of the 70k and above market they have to comete with cars like the e55, m5 and sl65 type cars. cars that produce 500 and above Hp ratings.

mid level luxury market is one thing, but the higher end luxury market is an untapped resource from japanese car makers.

[Charade_Detomasso]

If this car is a reality, I hope to God it looks nothing like this.

[R2D2]

:ponder:

Very interesting.
Personally, I think the Maybach looks like fugly.
Interior on the otherhand is an entirely different World.
I haven't seen the new LS600h in person yet so I can't and won't say anything "yet", but I will say if any car is looking like the maybach its not going to be visually pleasing. :P

Seriously Toyota, if your going to bring to us $100K+ product lines. Not only will they represent the Signature of the Toyota brand (referring to the LF~A and this car), but also must have out of the box type Thinking to back it up.

[Freudenfahrer]

The Benz S600 is less offensive to the eyes (only slightly), has more power, and costs less. Not to mention, it will have more bragging rights.

[kikcaffine]

Well the purpose of the hybrid system isnt necessarialy just to get better fuel economy. Its gets alot more power, the h from lexus is their verison of the M or the AMG

[atodak]

Is Lexus going after Bentley all of a sudden?

[lexusfanboy_canada]

If they are going after Bentley / Maybach customers. Its going to be interesting. One thing if this does go into production some how, I hope to see a Panaroma room like what they have on the Maybach. Also with mini solar panels in them, forget the reason why but I can come up with something.

Lexus, new world order :p

Seeing Maybach releasing a new version the 51. Which will be about 200". The LS460 L / LS600h L which are both about 203".

The Maybach 51 will sell for well over $225k US. So this LS650 would be a nice price reduction for a Ultra Luxury Sedan.

Wonder if the Maybach will have the same features as the 57 / 57S / 62. With all the choices, which would be nice. Also there are figuring two different engines can be used a 500hp V8 and a 600hp V12. Which will sit on the same W221 (2007 MB S550 / S600)

If these two come out the Maybach 51 vs. Lexus LS650h I hope Lexus will match the tech and luxury of the Maybach, which they already are with the LS460 L.

Time will only tell.

One more thing if I had the money, no clue which one I would choose and I am a huge Lexus fan. *crosses fingers* that Lexus will come on top.