Answer to a Question Nobody Asked

But is this car the answer to a question nobody asked? First of all, are customers willing to shell out an additional $20-30,000 dollars for that shiny "h" affixed to the rump? And secondly, the hybrid powertrain doesn't get all that remarkable mileage, except in city driving. 2008 EPA estimates for the sedan are 20 city and 22 highway. Granted, this is under the stricter 2008 testing protocol, which will give almost all vehicles a 10-20 percent haircut in their mileage estimates. But this isn't much better than the standard LS460. Even under the estimated 2008 guidelines, the long-wheelbase 460 gets 16 city and 24 highway mpg, making for a 19 mpg combined average, compared to a 21 mpg combined average for the high-dollar 600h. Let's see, is 2 miles per gallon worth a five-figure premium?

The difference of two miles per gallon could be easily achieved just through a change in driving habits. So what other features differentiate the mighty 600h from its lesser siblings? Well, there are those nifty LED headlights (HIDs are so five years ago!), and all-wheel drive, which, along with the obligatory hybrid battery packs, also add a whopping 717 pounds to the weight total, bringing the 600h's total porkage to over 5,000 pounds.

So we have a heavier, substantially more expensive version of a car with some geek-chic headlights and rear window curtains and reclining seats (oh yeah, I forgot to mention those oh-so-mandatory luxury frills. The fancy seats are also available on the 460) for the price of a brand-new Scion xB plus some pocket change.

If the 600h got 30+ miles per gallon, I could see it being a hit with the Blue-State bluebloods, who don't flinch at shelling out $100,000 for a Tesla Roadster. But with such minimal benefits for mucho coin, I think even Lexus' modest sales projections of 2,000 a year might be optimistic.