Let’s take a look at the 4 major luxury automakers’ flagship lineups:
Audi:
A8
A8L (long wheel-base)
S8 (performance)
BMW:
730d/Ld (not available in US)
740d (not available in US)
740i/Li (not available in US)
750i/Li
750i/Li xDrive (AWD)
760i/Li (V12)
ActiveHybrid7/ActiveHybrid7L (hybrid)
Lexus:
LS460/LS460L
LS460/LS460L AWD
LS460 Sport (sports tuned suspension)
LS600hL (hybrid)
From the model listing it seems like BMW and MB offer more engine choices than Lexus, however when we take a closer look we can see that Lexus offers more variety than the other two brands. The LS460 has both standard and long wheel-base, with AWD options are available for both and the sports-tuned suspension available for the standard wheel-base version. Also there is a range toping hybrid that offers V8 gas mileage and V12-like performance to compete with the other V12 flagships in the segment.
One can really make a case for either three brands of having the most complete flagship lineup in the segment (Audi is a non-factor in this discussion…) but let’s not forget that Lexus is only 20 years old so I think it’s incredible for them just to be able to be included in this discussion with the more established brands.
According to Autoblog, BMW is coming out with a hybrid version of the X6 which features with twin electric motors and 4.4-liter V8 engine that will put out 478 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque :
According to what appear to be leaked specs from BMW, the X6 Hybrid will scoot to 60 in about 5.5 seconds while returning a 20-percent fuel mileage improvement over the standard X6 with its twin-turbo V8. To set the hybrid apart from its standard sibling, BMW will bestow the new fuel-saver with a power dome hood (musclecar elements on a hybrid – HA!) and a bespoke metallic blue hue.
Faster yet will be the upcoming 7 Series Hybrid, which will reportedly be able to cover the run to 60 in under five seconds flat via the 459 horsepower and 561 lb-ft of torque provided by its V8-based hybrid powertrain combination. BMW predicts an X6 Hybrid-matching 20-percent increase in fuel efficiency from its 7 Series Hybrid.
Well, let’s see…
The the X6 xDrive 50i has a combine FE of 15 MPG and 750Li is at 17 MPG, according to my little own calculation with 20% better that’ll put them at at 18 and 20.5 MPG, respectively. Just for comparison purpose, the LS600hL returns a combine FE of 21 mpg and the acceleration is on part with the X6 hybrid at 5.5 seconds.
So Here’s the question to the German fanboys who have been claiming the LS600hL is pointless because it doesn’t offer extreme gas saving and doesn’t perform any better than the regular LS:
What do you say now when your beloved BMW also came out with not just one but TWO pointless vehicles?
On the top it’s the new BMW 7-series and at the bottom it’s the Lexus LS460, I don’t know about you people but to me the similarities are just striking.
By the way, the similarity didn’t just end there, the new 7-series also picked up the “fake” tailpipe design that’s on the LS460. Pretty much the “real” tailpipe exhaust was hidden behind the rear bumper and the holes on the bumper are strictly for cosmetic purpose. Lexus was knocked on hard for incorporating this kind of design first on the IS F but most people failed to realize that cars that cost several times more, like the Lamborghini Murcielago and Audi R8 also have this kind of design. Now it seems like the can-do-no-wrong BMW is also picking it up… Well, if those tailpipe exhausts are so lame then what does that make the BMW? The LAME follower?
Anyways, back to the 750i and LS460, the two cars are just so similar from the rear end I personally have mistaken a few new 7-series on the street as the Lexus flagship. Some people would say that’s because the new Lexus design language was heavily influenced by the Bangle philosophy but I beg to differ. Except for the Bangle butt, which everybody was copying, the new Lexus design has nothing in common with the Bangle design. Bangle is famous for his “flame surface” however the Lexus L-finesse emphasizes in the “cleanliness” with simple lines. Try to compare the side profiles between a 3-series and IS then you’ll realize it. Same goes for the LS and 7er here, the lines on the LS are much cleaner and simpler than the Bimmer, except for the rear end which clearly BMW got its idea from Lexus there is nothing alike between the two flagships.
On the side note, Lexus has always been accused as the copy cat dated all the way back to the LS400 (which looks nothing like the MB S-class when it was unveiled) and I do have to admit that Lexus did “borrow” a few design traits from MB back then, for example the GS headlights vs. E-class headlights. However, try to compare the new E-class headlights to the current GS headlights then one will quickly realize that MB just copied something from Lexus which it was copied originally from MB…
