LES experience amazing

[Bykfixer]

I was reading a bit about the LFA offspring the Lexus Electrified Sport just now. 

Holy cow, 0-60 in under 3 seconds…430 mile range? What's not to like about that? 

And later down the road (pun intended) Direct4 AWD technology. 

Experience Amazing. 

[RX400h]

Solid state batteries? What is the estimated cost? Perhaps it will be similar to an electric LC500E.

[Bykfixer]

No idea the sticker price but I'd say "if ya gotta ask ya probably can't afford it"……

I typically wait for cars to become old enough to fall into my price range but I doubt I'll live long enough for one of the LES cars 💀

[Les Lex 2018]

But then again, the RZ 450e with a 0-60 of 5.2 sec. would be great for mountain climbing, but the rumored range of only 225 miles and an out-the-door loaded price north of 70K would qualify it as a novelty.  But, then, there’s a lot of money floating around California, where Lexus would be pushing / sending expensive electrics anyway.

 

[RX400h]

The size of the battery packs/acceleration ability/range are all tradeoffs. American EV companies are currently in competition for all of these things, resulting in 9000 lb vehicles with 1000 HP and 0-60 MPH in 3 seconds.

Obviously and historically, Lexus does not feel it needs to compete for bragging rights.  0-60 MPH in 5.2 seconds is more than 99% of owners will ever need. But remember, solid state batteries may make lithium batteries look like the old carburetors of ancient times. I'm hoping to wait 2-3 years to see what bubbles up to the top of reliable and non-self-igniting EVs.

[Les Lex 2018]

Exactly, Dave!  The technology and geo-politics are changing so fast that you really want to slow down and ask the what-ifs.

And with all the extra weight in the various plug-ins, tires will wear faster and generate more heat. Can't forget the Ford Exploder that kept blowing out tires because Ford and Firestone could not settle on a reasonable weight limit for the specified tire (depending on which side you talk to, of course).

Engineers are only human...

[RX400h]

Les, I think Mr. Toyoda is correct in that everyone is assuming EVs are the future, yet so many countries are oil rich and financially poor. They have no infrastructure for charging stations, solar and windmills.

And then there are the cold weather areas where range would currently be very limited.