Top 10 Luxury Cars That Pollute the Least - Lexus dominates

For those calculations, the EPA uses their own fuel economy estimates but no car magazine has been able to get close to the EPA mileage numbers for the Lexus hybrids.


Autoweek Review of the Lexus LS600h:

“Problem is, for a hybrid, this big Lexus turns in abominable mileage numbers. We couldn’t get close to its published EPA combined 21 mpg. In contrast, our long-term LS 460 L gets better than 27 mpg, while we only saw 21 mpg with this ‘green’ version.”

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/FREE/70626008/1006/VEHICLEREVIEWS

— TurboSpyder (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 6:04:15 PM | | Votes: 0   

And they will continute to burn clean, the most expensive cleaning car in the world which is currently the Lexus LS600h and will continue to rise with the upcoming:

Lexus LS 650h World's First 5.0 V12 Hybrid 2 Electric motors 500hp all-wheel drive..

Darn that sounds so sweet. and plus it's a "Lexus"

— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 6:48:58 PM | | Votes: 0   

"Every long term test in europe of the euro spec LS600h i've seen shows the LS600h getting the 25 mpg advertised in europe."

---

Stop lying.

AutoExpress Comparison of the Lexus LS600h vs. the Audi A8 TDI:

"After covering more than 1,000 miles, the LS600h’s average consumption was only 19.4mpg. This is highly disappointing from a car that claims to achieve 30.4mpg."


"The Audi averaged a far more frugal 31.5mpg, proving that the A8’s light weight and diesel power are a better formula for real-world economy. This means a huge 624-mile range."


"This poor result, combined with the fact the Lexus costs so much, means the Audi A8 earns an easy victory here. Not only is it £20,000 cheaper, it’s also better designed from superior materials, just as fast and around 10mpg more efficient."

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/211689/lexus_ls600h_vs_audi_a8.html


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In this AutoBild magazine comparison of the LS600h against three German diesels the Lexus got the worst mileage and had the highest CO2 output.

Audi A8 4.2 TDI : 9.5 L/100km – 252 g/km CO2

BMW 745D: 9.7 L/100km - 256 g / km CO2

Lexus LS600 hybrid: 12.1 L/100km – 285 g/km CO2

Mercedes S420 CDI: 9.7 L/100km l - 255 g / km CO2


http://www.autobild.de/artikel/hybrid-lexus-gegen-die-konkurrenz_435966.html


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Kenichi Yamamoto, engineer in charge of Subaru's diesel program says:

"In Europe we need to reduce our carbon-dioxide emissions; we cannot survive without diesel."


"Nevertheless, Hirofumi Senoo, the general manager of Subaru's European test center tells us, 'Diesel is the main focus for the U.S. market. It has more potential than hybrid gasoline engines because hybrids are only good for the city.'"

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=124553

— TurboSpyder (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 9:28:57 PM | | Votes: 1   

I too was confused with the list. Why are the Lexus's ranked 1/2/3? they actually are not the lowest?

— ATrip (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 4:48:40 PM | | Votes: 3   

You are only looking at carbon footprint scores. The EPA also looks at other tailpipe emissions when scoring vehicle green-ness.

— 1970toyotamarc (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 4:51:30 PM | | Votes: 4   

@ Xerok00l: thanks for posting the link to the original article.

this guy Omaranna always posts links to his own wannabe-blog, which is annoying because I always have to jump to at least 2 other pages to see the original source of the article

— johnsmitny (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 5:49:45 PM | | Votes: 3   

Lexus fans dont need to create validations for the superiority of Lexus. Lexus vehicles do a fine job validating themselves, much to your continued frustration. We Lexus fans often point out that Lexus vehicles dont just excel in one or two areas, but provide amazing overall packages. A list like this, from Forbes of all pubs, validates that.

— 1970toyotamarc (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 5:08:36 PM | | Votes: -2   

what are you talking about xero? who cares what cars pollute the less? Why dont we talk about the most enviromentally friendly factories in the World in the Auto industry? Everyone know that the BMW facility in the US, is number one. Actually, the plant reduces more pollutants and toxics than all the hybrid cars that are driven in the world ....

— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 5:08:39 PM | | Votes: 2   

Xero, you never see me make a list of what German cars do so well because I don't need to. The magazines all do it for me when they compare Lexuses to BMWs, Audis, and Mercedes models and the Lexuses come in last place.

— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 7:53:19 PM | | Votes: 1   

a) those "failed race car drivers with at best high school diplomas" make more money than you,
b) they are "car enthusiasts", and this is a "car enthusiast" website, so their informed opinion is certainly more valuable than, say, that of a blinded Lexus fanboy who loves Lexus regardless of the obvious shortcomings of the cars and company, and
c) Lexus is #1 in the U.S., they're nothing worldwide. Everyoone else in the world, including the Japanese, recognize Lexus for what it is -- Toyotas in tuxedos, and boring ones at that.

Listen, you love them, we all get it. They're too boring for me. I grew up with sports cars, so nothing Lexus makes is going to excite me. Lexus is the automotive equivalent of a La-Z-Boy. So you can have your softer leather and "road cocoon" drive, I'll take a car that puts a smile on my face every time I drive it over one that puts me to sleep every time I'm in it.

— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2008 8:33:03 AM | | Votes: -1   

J.D. Power expects over 1 million hybrid vehicles to be sold in the U.S. by 2012. By then, there will be more than 80 hybrid models to choose from"

Thats a lot of vegetarians and hippies. But it's all just hybrid hype. (sarcasm, natch)

— 1970toyotamarc (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 4:55:35 PM | | Votes: 2   

1970 ... this is based in the US. The new diesels have just started to arrive. BMW introduces their into the US in the fall. But hey, lexus finally wins a car comparison.

— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 5:14:13 PM | | Votes: 6   

BMW...my comment was clearly rhetorical. Obviously I know the cleaner diesels are not here in the US yet. And I certainly would not expect any of the current diesels (which are on sale in most states) to be on the list. Fact is, once the cleaner diesels show up, they will not make the list either.

— 1970toyotamarc (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 6:20:25 PM | | Votes: 1   

Nah. I think you get deboosted because you've got a habit of being an ass.

— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 5:46:17 PM | | Votes: 9   

Selective use of quotes there. Not that it adds anything to the article about Lexus's green credentials, but if you want to keep clinging to that Autralian myth, you go right ahead.

Meanwhile, the full quote from Wikipedia...
"According to Toyota, the name has no specific meaning and is just meant to be pleasing and easy to remember, although Lexus in Australia claim the original name is short for Luxury Export to United States. (LExUS)"

First off, who is speaking for Lexus in Oz, it doesnt say, which usually means that no one actually said it. ("Some Say" Journalism, you must love Fox News.) And donthca think its just a little strange that this comes from Oz, where Lexus is obviously sold, if Lexus is only meant for the US?

Like I said, keep clinging to the half quote if it makes you feel better.

— 1970toyotamarc (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 6:28:53 PM | | Votes: 2   

when someone referce a Lexus as a rebadged Toyota that is the a huge compliment for a LEXUS! thank you, again!

— Homer008 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 9:19:25 PM | | Votes: 2   

This whole article is basically pointless. It is just a way for Lexus fans to gloat. Especially, since the diesels have yet to hit the US shores. Lexus is the only luxury car maker that offers some type of hybrid technology. The Bluetech diesel with the new urea has just started to arrive from Mercedes. BMW & Audi's versions wont be here til the fall.

Instead of focusing just on cars, why not focus on the factories that produce these cars in the US or handle the painting of the cars. That is where we can make our greatest impact on the enviroment. BMW paint facility that uses landfills as its primary source for energy, has a much greater impact on the enviroment than every Hybrid car in the US combined. THe EPA has awarded BMW for 3 years in a row.

This is why I dislike autospies at times for allowing people to post such flaming one sided articles.

— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 6:12:35 PM | | Votes: 2   

BMW, why focus on the cars???? Really??? Is this a site called Autofactoryspies or Autospies?

But if you do want to obsess about green factories, any 5 second Internet search will show you how far advanced Toyota is in greening up its factories so that the company is more environmentally sustainable in both vehicles themselves AND the production of the vehicles. Reduced energy consumption, recycling, planting trees, reduced CO2 production. All of these are going on at Toyota factories.

And sorry to burst you bubble, but Bluetecs will not change these lists. To go back to the terminology of last week's ACEEE lists, cleaner diesels might no longer be considered the "meanest" vehicles. But you are deluding yourself if you think that a vehicle like the upcoming ML320 Bluetec with its 18/24 and T2B5 will ever make a "greenest" list.

— 1970toyotamarc (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 6:44:22 PM | | Votes: 0   

Xero you should do some research before commenting on what you not know.


"Spartanburg, S.C. (5/5/2006) — BMW Manufacturing Co. announced today that it will use recycled methane gas generated by the Palmetto Landfill near Spartanburg to provide energy to its paint shop.

BMW is working with long-standing partner Durr Systems of Plymouth, Mich., to modify and upgrade equipment so landfill gas can be used to fuel the paint shop. Durr Systems specializes in developing and implementing energy performance projects in industrial facilities and is a partner in the Environmental Protections Agency's (EPA) Landfill Methane Outreach Program, which helps businesses lower operating cots, protect the environment and build a sustainable future.

"BMW is the first automotive paint shop to integrate the use of landfill gas in its process equipment," said Dave Ciuffoletti, Durr's vice president of sales. "BMW should be congratulated for its environmental stewardship. By taking advantage of a renewable resource, BMW has truly become the world's first green paint shop."

By utilizing previously unused energy from landfill gas, BMW Manufacturing is reducing area emissions of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, by approximately 17,000 tons and is recovering enough energy to heat 10,000 homes per year. The quantity of greenhouse gases reduced is the equivalent of driving a car around the globe 4,300 times, or more than 100 million miles"


Yes are hybrid cars good for the enviroment right now. Later down the road when the batteries have to be replaced, not so much.

1970 ... BMW's Diesel technology that is being introduced into the US, is a cleaner version. the lexus fans can gloat in their 1st victory in a comparison test in over a year. it is okay.

— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 7:52:28 PM | | Votes: 1   

so, do you loath "Jap tin cans" because in ww2 many of the same (IJN destroyers) wreaked havoc on the Dutch navy? sinking cruisers that were far heavier and more heavily armed? LOL! yeah, go ahead and resent japs. they were FAR better fighters than psuedo krauts. LMAO!

— ChicaneShooter (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2008 6:46:30 AM | | Votes: 1   

and today, they are better engineers and car BUILDERS. assembling the latter with better electronics and other components, making the whole car far more RELIABLE, lower maintenance, and DIRABLE.

— ChicaneShooter (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2008 6:54:36 AM | | Votes: 1   

...DURABLE.

— ChicaneShooter (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2008 7:04:21 AM | | Votes: 2   

If this study were done by Martians then the adkljfasl$##! with their asdkkafsasii^&%&# engines would have won hands down.

— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 7:35:18 PM | | Votes: -3   

How clever of you to make such good satire.

— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 8:09:33 PM | | Votes: 1   

I find satire serves as a good alternative to the constant double-standard "debates" the German only fanboys enjoy sharing with everyone.

— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 10:42:56 PM | | Votes: 2   

No car is kind to the environment.

— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 3/25/2008 9:19:17 PM | | Votes: 6   

stoolchecker--

actually, it takes FAR MORE skill and finesse to drive a car with high fuel efficiency AND relative speediness. i do. i not only exceed the epa ratings for my car, but those in a smaller class as well.
AND, i always get from any given pt A to pt B quicker than 99 - 100% of other traffic that starts off at the same time. the RARE occasional driver that mite get there quicker, does so at the expense of FAR MORE fuel burnt.

ANY IDIOT can mash a gas pedal. but it takes smarts to not abuse it and STILL make good speed. AND excellent MPGs.

— ChicaneShooter (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2008 7:14:16 AM | | Votes: 2   

huu, that's awesome about the LS600h. Remind me, how did it do compared to the Audi A8 4.2TDI again? Oh yeah, 50% worse fuel economy. And it was slower. And more expensive.

Hmm. Congrats though on finally hitting the revised EPA rating with the LS600h. I wonder if Audi, MB, and BMW can hit their (higher than the LS600h) EPA ratings with the diesels they're bringing out.

— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2008 12:21:52 PM | | Votes: 0   

"Seven of the top 10 most fuel-efficient luxury cars sold in the U.S. come from European manufacturers. Most are versions of models developed for Europe, where high gas prices (due to high taxes on fuel) make efficiency a higher priority than it is in the U.S., Omotoso says. Japanese luxury-car companies Acura and Lexus make the remaining three models on our list."

— TurboSpyder (View Profile)

Posted on 3/26/2008 10:54:01 AM | | Votes: 0