Hybrid as a viable option for fun car?
Discussion
I did test drive Lexus RC300h and i did like it a lot. It wasn't fast, but it did have a good throttle response and linear powercurve with decent ooomph in mid range. (When using sports-mode) Chassis and suspension were more than good and turn in was sharp, so overall it was a great car. Surprisingly fun in the twisties, not old skool sports car fun but fun in a modern GT way: great grip, composure and nice amount of feedback. Cheap to run too, should be a reliable and and get a good mpg. I think this is a proper tool for long distance trips.
It did make me wonder.. I have driven several hybrids (and owned one) and they are generally very meh. Volvo's twin engines are lard ass cars which don't handle well. I think same goes for other marques plug in hybrids, they are too heavy and disconnected for a enjoyable driving moments. And their mpg drops badly when going for longer trips, so i don't see any reason to buy one.
This lexus thing was different… It really feels like it is modern day GT with all the good things from the new world wrapped in a beautiful package. Why is that? Was that car just so good that it didn't matter if it is a hybrid or not? It was so good that i'm thinking to sell my two cars and buy this. Never happened before…
What is your take? Can you imagine a hybrid for a fun car?
It did make me wonder.. I have driven several hybrids (and owned one) and they are generally very meh. Volvo's twin engines are lard ass cars which don't handle well. I think same goes for other marques plug in hybrids, they are too heavy and disconnected for a enjoyable driving moments. And their mpg drops badly when going for longer trips, so i don't see any reason to buy one.
This lexus thing was different… It really feels like it is modern day GT with all the good things from the new world wrapped in a beautiful package. Why is that? Was that car just so good that it didn't matter if it is a hybrid or not? It was so good that i'm thinking to sell my two cars and buy this. Never happened before…
What is your take? Can you imagine a hybrid for a fun car?
LasseV said:
This lexus thing was different… It really feels like it is modern day GT with all the good things from the new world wrapped in a beautiful package. Why is that? Was that car just so good that it didn't matter if it is a hybrid or not? It was so good that i'm thinking to sell my two cars and buy this. Never happened before…
Two reasons - 1) Lexus have spent a huge amount of time and effort making it drive properly, and have been developing "premium" hybrids like the LS600h, RX and RC's etc for years, something that other manufacturers haven't.
2) They managed to keep the weight sensible - despite being a hybrid it tips the scales at <1800kg, so it's competitive with a normal IC-engined car. That's why it doesn't feel leaden like most hybrids these days.
Krikkit said:
Two reasons -
1) Lexus have spent a huge amount of time and effort making it drive properly, and have been developing "premium" hybrids like the LS600h, RX and RC's etc for years, something that other manufacturers haven't.
2) They managed to keep the weight sensible - despite being a hybrid it tips the scales at <1800kg, so it's competitive with a normal IC-engined car. That's why it doesn't feel leaden like most hybrids these days.
Agreed on both counts. Toyota were one of hybrid front runners, so have years of experience in the teams to utilise and technology advances. 1) Lexus have spent a huge amount of time and effort making it drive properly, and have been developing "premium" hybrids like the LS600h, RX and RC's etc for years, something that other manufacturers haven't.
2) They managed to keep the weight sensible - despite being a hybrid it tips the scales at <1800kg, so it's competitive with a normal IC-engined car. That's why it doesn't feel leaden like most hybrids these days.
I really liked my is300h in sport as well. It wasn’t the fastest, but had that unmistakable RWD feel. I did not mind the cvt at all, reviewers seem to get fixated on it, it’s different that’s all. I’ve just changed to a auto merc Slk and at slow speeds it’s horribly jerky in comparison as the auto catches up, non of that with the cvt.
I would have been quite happy with a Lexus again, but they don’t make 2 seater convertibles.
I believe the hybrid golf is quite entertaining, so maybe hybrid can be fun
I would have been quite happy with a Lexus again, but they don’t make 2 seater convertibles.
I believe the hybrid golf is quite entertaining, so maybe hybrid can be fun
Edited by sparkyhx on Monday 25th November 18:09
I ran an i8 for a while, and it was great fun, felt much faster than its numbers suggested, and sounded great, it was also a brilliant handling car, I used to take it out on a Sunday on my favourite roads frequently, it was an event getting to it as well, with the crazy doors, and it looked fantastic, it was lovely to see, when pushing it hard, it was still returning 30 plus MPG. I only sold it as I wasn't sure how it was going to work with a new baby arrival! (Terrible rear seats and the boots non existent) which was a shame, I would happily have another one though.
Krikkit said:
Two reasons -
1) Lexus have spent a huge amount of time and effort making it drive properly, and have been developing "premium" hybrids like the LS600h, RX and RC's etc for years, something that other manufacturers haven't.
2) They managed to keep the weight sensible - despite being a hybrid it tips the scales at <1800kg, so it's competitive with a normal IC-engined car. That's why it doesn't feel leaden like most hybrids these days.
1) I think you are right. Car itself was a beautiful piece of kit and hybrid power train made it even better -for Europe at least. Before i did test drive hybrid version i was thinking about importing 3.5 v6 version from US to europe but i'm not sure anymore. Hybrid was fun and efficient- it feels good to know that fuel bills are small even for long trips. And gearbox was surprisingly good in every way.1) Lexus have spent a huge amount of time and effort making it drive properly, and have been developing "premium" hybrids like the LS600h, RX and RC's etc for years, something that other manufacturers haven't.
2) They managed to keep the weight sensible - despite being a hybrid it tips the scales at <1800kg, so it's competitive with a normal IC-engined car. That's why it doesn't feel leaden like most hybrids these days.
2) Agree. For example I have driven Kia Stinger GT and this thing felt more nimble and better in corners/more connected than Kia- which is a good car in its own class. Lexus made a great job with this car.
Maybe next Lotus or GT86 will be a hybrid with good mpg/throttle response etc. There is definetly a lot of potential in non-plug in hybrids. It would be cool to test drive LC500h, but it is still a 100k car
jamesbilluk said:
I ran an i8 for a while, and it was great fun, felt much faster than its numbers suggested, and sounded great, it was also a brilliant handling car, I used to take it out on a Sunday on my favourite roads frequently, it was an event getting to it as well, with the crazy doors, and it looked fantastic, it was lovely to see, when pushing it hard, it was still returning 30 plus MPG. I only sold it as I wasn't sure how it was going to work with a new baby arrival! (Terrible rear seats and the boots non existent) which was a shame, I would happily have another one though.
Well, damn. Which car replaced your i8? It is an interesting car.I have owned 2+2 car for 5 years. It is hars reality that car needs to have usable rear seats and trunk. Luckily for me, both RC and my Supra offers that. i8 and Lexus LC500 are notch down for usability point of view as a daily driver.
LasseV said:
jamesbilluk said:
I ran an i8 for a while, and it was great fun, felt much faster than its numbers suggested, and sounded great, it was also a brilliant handling car, I used to take it out on a Sunday on my favourite roads frequently, it was an event getting to it as well, with the crazy doors, and it looked fantastic, it was lovely to see, when pushing it hard, it was still returning 30 plus MPG. I only sold it as I wasn't sure how it was going to work with a new baby arrival! (Terrible rear seats and the boots non existent) which was a shame, I would happily have another one though.
Well, damn. Which car replaced your i8? It is an interesting car.I have owned 2+2 car for 5 years. It is hars reality that car needs to have usable rear seats and trunk. Luckily for me, both RC and my Supra offers that. i8 and Lexus LC500 are notch down for usability point of view as a daily driver.
There are many reasons to get one of these, but I can't see that fun is one of them.
I test drove one of these and got an S4 instead.
It was very competent, and the maths were good ( pence per mile at Government rates)
Not much of a sensation of speed though mainly because they are not that fast. 0-62 is about the same as a 1.6-2.0 diesel nowadays.
I test drove one of these and got an S4 instead.
It was very competent, and the maths were good ( pence per mile at Government rates)
Not much of a sensation of speed though mainly because they are not that fast. 0-62 is about the same as a 1.6-2.0 diesel nowadays.
talksthetorque said:
There are many reasons to get one of these, but I can't see that fun is one of them.
I test drove one of these and got an S4 instead.
It was very competent, and the maths were good ( pence per mile at Government rates)
Not much of a sensation of speed though mainly because they are not that fast. 0-62 is about the same as a 1.6-2.0 diesel nowadays.
Yup, just test drive the is300h F sport last weekI test drove one of these and got an S4 instead.
It was very competent, and the maths were good ( pence per mile at Government rates)
Not much of a sensation of speed though mainly because they are not that fast. 0-62 is about the same as a 1.6-2.0 diesel nowadays.
Just to clarify, coming from a 428i GC xdrive
The is is smooth and quiet, and the steering is much better weight than the BMW, but the IS feel very front heavy, the CVT have better response than those in Jazz or Clio, but it is still slow and take a bit of time to get the power up. It is a shame, I really love the ride of the IS and their interior is way better than BMW in terms of quality, also returning low to mid 40s mpg while my BMW can only do low 30s
The IS300 could be a great car if they put a dual clutch or even ZF8 in it
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