I need help understanding the new luxury hybrid from Lexus.
The LS600hL weighs 5220 pounds. It’s propelled down the merry road by a 5-liter
V8 engine that produces 389 horses. It reaches 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. And it’s supposed to get 20 miles to the gallon—22 on the highway—thanks to its hybrid technology, which includes a 221 hp electric motor. It’s greener than an aircraft carrier. Indeed, it’s probably even greener than a Hummer. But talk about wanting it both ways. Is it a rich liberal’s guilt car? Is it a joke? If it lost 1,500 pounds and 100 ponies, its pampered occupants probably wouldn’t even notice. And its carbon footprint would be cut by one fourth.
