Lexus LS600h L wins Chaffeur Car Of The Year award

The S-Klasse is also an excellent chauffeur limousine but at the same time it offers those seeking to drive a more rewarding driving experience than a traditional chauffeur limousine.

— ErichHartmann (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 9:04:52 AM | | Votes: 2   

I've driven the S550 and it is true what Erich Hartmann says. It's a very comfortable and yet at the same time great-handling car. I guess it offers the best of both worlds in one package.

How come I've never heard of this "The Chauffeur" magazine before? Were they just founded in 2008 or something?

— Wimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 9:19:55 AM | | Votes: 4   

If I was interested in this class of car, driving like a sport sedan is the last thing on my list. Beside people who own these type of car would more than likely want to be driven and not drive themselves. So firm sport performance would only hurt the comfort level of the passengers.

— Brembo (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 9:44:53 AM | | Votes: 0   

brembo:

"Beside people who own these type of car would more than likely want to be driven and not drive themselves."

what planet do you live on? nearly all the buyers of the S-class and similar cars DRIVE THEMSELVES. have you ever been to manhattan or southern california. it's a sea of S-classes and very few chaffeurs.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 10:49:37 AM | | Votes: 0   

I'm just saying. As far as long wheel base limo type. I would look toward comfort than sporty performance. I'm not thrashing any brand.

If I was looking for a sport performance sedan, I would not look at along wheel base to give that.

And if I had shameless large amount of money, which I think the people in this segment have, I would not buy one car that everything for one. But buy one car for each of my mood.

— Brembo (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 11:33:57 AM | | Votes: 3   

I'm not old enough to drive. Have to wait a couple years. But my mom has an S-Class and I have to say it is so confortable. Great handling, comfort, and performance. I wouldn't take anything else. I heard 97% of the Goverments in the world own an S-Class. Don't take it the wrong way, but I absoulutely love the car!

— Carboy (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 3:28:15 PM | | Votes: 2   

Well, damn, if you were a chaffeur, you would probably pick the Lexus or the equally prestigious Toyota Avalon too. They are both boats on wheels you can practically sleep in their boring and almost identical interiors between the long waits of driving.

Lexus is boring, boring, boring and their interior are so subpar and inferior to anything the Germans produce.

Oh, and for inspiration, Lexus copied the BMW 7 series Bangle Butt, that was so highly critizied by the automotive society including Lexus when it was first introduced.

I guess Lexus is waiting for the new BMW 7 series to come out so they can copy it's exterior design for their new LS... LMAO

I can't believe people will pay over $115,000 for a car that has almost the same exact interior materials and design as a Toyota Avalon or Camry.

I guess the word HYBRID which actually does nothing for the environment they way Lexus uses it, is what the selling point for the LSh is these days.

— bmwman1963 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 9:18:29 PM | | Votes: 3   

While the award is nice, it makes me wonder just how many are actually chaffeur driven? I mean the rear seats that warm and rub your butt are sweet, bit if I am driving I wouldn't get to enjoy that aspect.

So is the reward doing anything for me other than providing cannon fodder? Nope. Those types of cars hold as much interest to me as 4x4 monster truck. Nice in it's own right, but apply to me in no rational way.

— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 11:18:18 AM | | Votes: -3   

Ive been in it and the materials were up to par to me. Ive also been in the S class and 7 series and dont see what your getting at. Plus the Lexus interiors looks better than the others.

— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 9:39:08 AM | | Votes: -5   

Well I made a day of it, and actually went to Lexus first and sat in the LS600H L for about 20 minutes and examined every bit and piece of its enterior. Then I went and sat in the S550, not even the S600, and the LS was blown out of the water, in my honest opinion. I also sat in the CL550, and same thing. I used to have a 7 series and it was about the same quality aesthetically, in my opinion. If you perfer the inferior product, then that it is up to you...

— CLK63BlackSeries (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 12:33:01 PM | | Votes: 0   

The LS interior looks "typical Japanese". No elegance. Everything thrown together without much thought in terms of ergonomics and way too many buttons. The LS interior is confusing at best. I also find the materials to be overrated. A lot of cheap plastics that are also poorly aligned. The LS interior to me is overrated and nothing to brag about.

— Willis (View Profile)

Posted on 4/10/2008 6:24:40 AM | | Votes: 0   

Same is true for the S-Class, A8 etc. Have you ever driven an S-Class at nearly top speed on the Autobahn? I have.

When I worked for a Mercedes dealership in 2005 I had two opportunities to deliver a W220 S320 and S320 CDI to Munich. The S320 topped out at about 240 km/h (S320 CDI only reached 180 km/h due to traffic conditions) and at this speed you felt like you were being lazily being driven out in the countryside, I kid you not.

Big and heavy cars do this.

Try driving a normal Volkswagen Golf at a mere 130 km/h on the Autobahn and you feel the speeds.

— Wimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 11:30:18 AM | | Votes: 4   

"S class falls apart at those speeds."

lol, indeed.. The roads are strewn with Mercedes S-class parts...

— Kinger (View Profile)

Posted on 4/10/2008 11:32:46 AM | | Votes: 2   

it looks nothing like the camry. unless u need glasses or something...

— lexusrox123 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 1:34:22 PM | | Votes: 4   

He's still learning

— BJS470 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 2:47:26 PM | | Votes: 7   

GoObama08, don't be a popinjay :-|

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 10:24:11 PM | | Votes: -4   

Yeah, but here in autospies land everyone's morning commute is like something from a Hot Wheels race track. Every car has to be able to pull at least .9 G's and have a sub 5 second 0-60 time.

— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 12:16:16 PM | | Votes: 5   

I know a guy here in Dubai who suggested to his dad that he should get the new LS460l. The guy drives a 750Li, and after he delivered the new Lexus, I asked him which one did he prefered to drive. He simply said " The Lexus is abit nicer on the inside, but the 7 series is more engaging to drive. It's like you have total control of the car, and you know exactly where it's gonna turn." Oh, and thats not even a car enthusiast! I think that pretty much explains the "magic feel" some magizines talk about. It's pretty hard to explain, but the difference does exist.

— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 12:25:56 PM | | Votes: -2   

I too know a guy from South Africa who owns both a 7-Series and a new LS. I asked him which one he found himself driving more often. He simply responded "The BMW is great when I ride up through the twisty country roads, but for the majority of the time when I'm just driving to work or around town, I much prefer the effortless refinement of the Lexus. My passengers really get a kick out of riding in it as well." He actually is a car "enthusiast" though. He owns several Porsches which he races on weekends in the spring and summer months.

— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 12:52:26 PM | | Votes: 6   

excellent points!

people that can afford this class of car, can afford MULTIPLE vehicles, ALL of which have DIFFERENT strengths that are appreciated according to the different driving CONDITIONS anticipated.

when the sun is out and i'm in a sporting mood, i hop on my motorcycle. if it's raining, that's the LAST of my several vehicles that i'd choose.

for limo service, the PROFESSIONALS have spoken. the ls460l it THE first choice.

— ChicaneShooter (View Profile)

Posted on 4/10/2008 2:02:05 AM | | Votes: 2   

...is the first choice.

— ChicaneShooter (View Profile)

Posted on 4/10/2008 2:50:59 AM | | Votes: 2   

I think we need to stop this "____ is better than ____" talk. All cars here are good.

Clearly the LS600h had a city advantage where its hybrid engine works most of the time and this probably helped shaped opinions in its favor from an environmental POV (although the LS600h is hardly a green car).

I could make an argument that the Jaguar XJ, MB S class and Audi A8 or even the BMW 7 series are equally good chauffeur cars in their own way.

Case closed.

— Willis (View Profile)

Posted on 4/10/2008 6:27:25 AM | | Votes: 4   

No, but I do wish your comments came with an aspirin.

— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 1:13:28 PM | | Votes: 5   

the usual stupid comments by EL

— lexusrox123 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 1:36:26 PM | | Votes: 5   

I love these guy's like XeroKool and GoObama who berate BMW and lump so much praise on Lexus...

I be neither one of them have ever owned a Lexus, much less a BMW..

— FactsRule (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 7:36:02 PM | | Votes: 4   

bet no be "typo" sorry guys..

— FactsRule (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 7:36:51 PM | | Votes: 0   

Why does the LS600h receive 11 points and the LS460 6 points? It's the same car with the only real visual difference being the LED headlights of the LS600h. Pretty screwed up voting habits if you ask me.

They should simply have said:

1st Place: Lexus LS460/LS600h
2nd Place: ----------

— Willis (View Profile)

Posted on 4/10/2008 6:30:40 AM | | Votes: 2   

"FYI I drive a 2002 Lexus ES300 and am still loving every minute of my ownership experience."

I'm not usually this childish, but... can't... hold... back... from... laughing... AHHH!

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 12:29:06 AM | | Votes: 1   

ES300....can't stop laughing either.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 11:35:30 AM | | Votes: 1   

"and i know many here who sold their 750Lis and are getting LS460s."

Oh, please. Things like this are said all the time, but they're mind-numbingly stupid and aren't any indicators of popularity or customer satisfaction. I have even thrown this out there once or twice.

"and i have driven 750i some 100 times and it's not even that sporty how you r making it."

BS.

"Ok it's bit more sporty than LS but Lexus is clearly far more luxurious with rich feel meterials."

Also BS. If anything, the Lexus's materials are subpar; the dash is covered with plastic. At least BMW has a contemporary, unique design.

"The drive is great too."

LMAO.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 6:02:21 PM | | Votes: -2   

didnt anyone read the review of the 7 series of Consumer Reports? i did. it said that "it misses the mark as a competitive luxury sedan." chew on that for a while, eh? and the LS scored 99 out of 100--far more than the bmw's 70/100. btw, the 5 series got 85/100. im not making this up up either, although you probably wish i were. LOL

— lexusrox123 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 6:27:04 PM | | Votes: 1   

I never said it was sporty. It's just more interesting to drive than the LS460. It connects you to the road more than the LS460 does thats all. Yes, the LS might be quieter, more comfortable, but to claim its interior is as good as you make it seem isnt true. The 7, just because its about 7 years old, is still luxurious enough.

BTW, the above post aren't my words, but a current owner of a 750, that happens to be a friend.

— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 4/10/2008 9:20:51 AM | | Votes: -2   

lexusrox, I'm not exactly a 7 Series advocate. I would only buy one if I got a great deal. But trying to downplay its performance advantage over the LS is laughable.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 4/10/2008 8:22:09 PM | | Votes: 1   

agree with many of your comments, but on this one you're totally wrong...

"I get more head turns with the S-class but that's not the point of owning any of these cars."

a big reason people own ANY car that costs upwards of $75,000 is the prestige associated with owning a beautiful car.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 11:40:46 AM | | Votes: 2   

EL34, you are very observant and I commend you.

Lexus=Lame and for chaffeurs

BMW=Fun, exciting, sporty, sexy and for drivers

End Game

— FactsRule (View Profile)

Posted on 4/9/2008 10:41:39 PM | | Votes: -4   

which is ALMOST as significant as CR awarding the "CR Recommended" tag to all of ZERO mb products, from the S-class on down. lol!

— ChicaneShooter (View Profile)

Posted on 4/10/2008 7:19:28 AM | | Votes: 2   

its a hybrid, what do you expect? where else would you put the batteries? huh?

— lexusrox123 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 7:28:49 PM | | Votes: 1   

Not to mention, the 430's dash is covered in plastic. I don't know what he's talking about, because the A8's interior is clearly superior. Finer leather, wood everywhere, aluminum, more space, more elegant design, more advanced gadgetry.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 4/10/2008 8:25:27 PM | | Votes: 0   

What are you even talking about, bimmerfan?

I don't have an A8, number one.

Number two, it has beaten the 7 Series in not one, not two but EVERY SINGLE comparison test the two have been involved in. It also always beat the W220 S-Class and both the LS430 and LS460; the only car that is consistently placing first now is the W221 Merc.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 12:30:28 AM | | Votes: 0   

It doesn't make sense. How is the big three 7 series, S, and LS?. The big three is ALL German.

The A8 deserves that position because of it's great interiors. If you haven't been inside an Audi A3-A8 then you don't know what i'm talking about. Their fit and finishing is superb!. Materials are great as well.

— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 9:54:30 AM | | Votes: 0   

There isn't, I'm afraid...

Although the 2002 7 Series probably beat the last-gen A8 when it came out.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 4/11/2008 12:31:10 AM | | Votes: 1   

What "era?"

The A8L came out in 2003. The LS430 had only been out for 2 years at that time. They were both considered to be in the same life cycle.

I honestly don't know what you're trying to prove in terms of luxury. The LS has a smoother ride, but that's about it. The A8 uses significantly better materials, finer damping on its controls, more straightforward and elegant ergonomics and an overall better design. The LS, 430 or 460, is too busy by comparison. Maybe you like being surrounded by plastic buttons and that makes you feel luxurious. I do not. I prefer the flip-up, hide-away screen, the acres of wood, the stitched leather dash (as opposed to cheap vinyl), the seamless combination of old-world elegance and new-world technology.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2008 1:31:20 PM | | Votes: 1   

Are you just going to ignore everyone else? Because, okay, in your own world the LS may have the best interior. That's fine. But let's see what the real world has to say:

"And throughout this cabin the use--and perfect fit--of wood and aluminum trim, and of knurling for various dials and switches, speaks of an attention to detail you'd expect if Rolex did car interiors." - Forbes.com

"Audi's designers have done a brilliant job of keeping the dashboard clean, clear, simple, and elegant, so you only see the simplest functions and nicest materials - beautiful industrial design rules." - The Car Connection

"Audi is renowned for its well-appointed interiors, and the A8 L furthers that reputation. High-quality wood with aluminum trim and accents are key to the sedan's luxurious ambience." - European Car

"The door closes with a solid thump and just as the outside is elegant, so is the interior. Beautiful wood trim and leather cover all the surfaces. Alcantara leather lines the inside of the armrest with a suede-like look and feel. "Plush" would be an adequate word to describe the A8 L's interior appointments. So would "cavernous."" - Road & Track

"Search every surface with your fingers; you won't find a single jagged mold partline, a gap that is thicker than a fingernail, or a trim piece that doesn't feel solidly planted, as if it had been milled right out of the background material. The switches glide to their positions on films of lubricant, the buttons click down with bolt-action precision, the knobs feel as if they were turning pocket-watch cogs. Even the rear coat hooks swing down from the roof on damped hinges." - Car & Driver

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2008 1:40:35 PM | | Votes: 1   

i presume that most privately employed chauffeurs are also responsible for the MAINTENANCE of the owners' vehicles.

no doubt the unmatched reliability of all lexi was also factored in, in the determination of this award.

— ChicaneShooter (View Profile)

Posted on 4/15/2008 2:24:00 AM | | Votes: 1