Vs Audi A6 4.2 vs Lexus GS450h vs Mercedes-Benz E420 CDI

[cawimmer430]

Here's the comparison, as promised.

The objective of this comparison was to see which engine would be most fuel efficient: a gasoline V8, a diesel V8, or a gasoline V6 coupled to an electric motor that produces the power of a V8.

1st Place: Mercedes-Benz E420 CDI (507/600)
Best all-rounder. Sporty, yet comfortable (almost as comfortable as an S-Class) and frugal with fuel. The V8 diesel engine isn't the best companion when it comes to sporty driving.

2nd Place: Audi A6 4.2 V8 Quattro (492/600)
An overall competent car. Good handling qualities coupled to a fun V8 engine. The only downside is the high fuel consumption.

3rd Place: Lexus GS450h (467/600)
The hybrid drive is convincing, but mainly in the city. The suspension is hard and uncomfortable and the luggage compartment is virtually non-existant.

This is the first AMS review I've seen where a car got a "0". In this case, the Lexus got slammed for having practically no luggage compartment, which diminishes its practicality big time.

Technical Data, Performance and Fuel Economy Results

Ratings

The little article below examines the fuel efficiency of the three cars under different situations. In the city, the Lexus wins the fuel economy test by a mile, even the diesel Mercedes can't touch it. However, out in the countryside or on the Autobahn, the Mercedes E420 CDI achieves the best fuel economy. The Audi A6 V8 was never really a contender because a gasoline V8 engine is simply thirsty.

 

[ree]

Thanks for scanning the article. In my opinion it is sad, that the trunk of the Lexus is so small. But the technology is fantastic!

 

[Bruce]

Superb Christian, i've been waiting for this test It is sad to see the Lugagge space of the Lexus so small and it's hybrid technology doesn't really give it any more advantage of petrol mileage over the E420Cdi. Regardless my personal choice is the GS450h, i really like the exterior design. Same goes for the interior, i love in the interior design, materials and ergronomics. I'm willing to give up a little bit of that smooth ride and luggage space for my favourite vehicle here.

 

[Yperion]

I guess if Audi had the diesel engine it could had won the comparison. Apart from that the comparison proves that if you have diesels then there is no need for hybrids.

BTW the 280 lt trunk space capacity of the Lexus is less than a VW Polo!

 

[klier]

BTW the 280 lt trunk space capacity of the Lexus is less than a VW Polo!

LOL.

That is sooooo sad!

 

[Mr. M]

LOL.

That is sooooo sad!

Yes. I need to see a picture of the trunk!

In places like Singapore where diesel cars are too expensive to buy (and I mean expensive, with road tax X 6), the hybrid offers the best compromise.

 

[cawimmer430]

Superb Christian, i've been waiting for this test It is sad to see the Lugagge space of the Lexus so small and it's hybrid technology doesn't really give it any more advantage of petrol mileage over the E420Cdi. Regardless my personal choice is the GS450h, i really like the exterior design. Same goes for the interior, i love in the interior design, materials and ergronomics. I'm willing to give up a little bit of that smooth ride and luggage space for my favourite vehicle here.

The lack of a proper trunk on the GS450h is the biggest problem IMO. There are buyers out there whom the city fuel economy of the GS450h appeals to but the lack of a spacious trunk is a big blow to the car's appeal. Of course, I don't think someone who will drive such a car in the city will care about the trunk space much, but still, you'd expect more from such a big car like the GS. I guess this and weight are the biggest problems for current hybrids.

My choice here? The E320 CDI, not the E420 CDI.

 

[Bruce]

I guess this and weight are the biggest problems for current hybrids.

Weight especially, most hybrids are total pigs

 

[cawimmer430]

Weight especially, most hybrids are total pigs

The technology is still in its infancy, so we can expect a weight reduction in future hybrids.

I wonder why Lexus doesn't work on diesel hybrids. The Lexus GS could easily have beaten the E420 CDI's fuel economy if it were a diesel hybrid - if Lexus manages to fix the suspension and trunk.

A lot of European reviews have mentioned that the GS has a very hard suspension while US reviews seem to praise the comfort. I suppose they added a sturdier suspension for the European market but forgot the fine-tuning. Have you driven the new GS, Bruce?

 

[Bruce]

A lot of European reviews have mentioned that the GS has a very hard suspension while US reviews seem to praise the comfort. I suppose they added a sturdier suspension for the European market but forgot the fine-tuning. Have you driven the new GS, Bruce?

I have not driven it personally, but i have been in one while my dad drove. I can't recall the suspension being stiff or hard, but as you said it's possible that in order to cater to the European market the suspension was stiffened.

 

[cawimmer430]

I have not driven it personally, but i have been in one while my dad drove. I can't recall the suspension being stiff or hard, but as you said it's possible that in order to cater to the European market the suspension was stiffened.

Because that is what Mercedes' does for their US-spec models. They get a softer suspension and vaguer steering to appeal to their target market.

Euro Benzes drive, handle and feel sportier than their US-spec counterparts.

 

[Bruce]

Because that is what Mercedes' does for their US-spec models. They get a softer suspension and vaguer steering to appeal to their target market.

Euro Benzes drive, handle and feel sportier than their US-spec counterparts.

I did not know that Mercedes does that, but it makes sense, thanks for information.

 

[cawimmer430]

I did not know that Mercedes does that, but it makes sense, thanks for information.

They also change the final drive ratios on some models.

USA = faster acceleration, poorer fuel economy

Europe = slower acceleration, better fuel economy

 

[klier]

Lexus seriously scares me..........

 

[cawimmer430]

Lexus seriously scares me..........

Care to be more specific?

 

[klier]

Care to be more specific?

Well, they are so far ahead of the Germans with THEIR technology.
Usually, it's the German who invent stuff and make it perfect for cars. But with this, Leus is far ahead. And with the always rising oil prices and stuff, their tech will be mighty important in the near future....

 

[bum-man]

That's why there is a big collaboration between DC, BMW AG, and GM to develope their own hybrid system. That's a huge amount of resources, so I have no doubt that they will beat Toyota at their own game.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Well, they are so far ahead of the Germans with THEIR technology.
Usually, it's the German who invent stuff and make it perfect for cars. But with this, Leus is far ahead. And with the always rising oil prices and stuff, their tech will be mighty important in the near future....

Dude, you do know that Dr. F. Porsche made a petrol + electric engine hybrid about 100 years before the Toyota Prius ?!

 

[cawimmer430]

Well, they are so far ahead of the Germans with THEIR technology.
Usually, it's the German who invent stuff and make it perfect for cars. But with this, Leus is far ahead. And with the always rising oil prices and stuff, their tech will be mighty important in the near future....

In my unbiased opinion, I think Lexus and the German car companies are pretty much head-to-head. Lexus leads in one field while the Germans lead in others. Each has their strengths and weaknesses. Lexus hasn't done much really except take an existing technology and perfect it. They took MB's Pre-Safe and added their own ideas to it and then claimed to have "invented it" (saw this in a Lexus advertisement once, pissed me off royally). I'll give credit to them for bringing out the hybrids, even though I am more of a diesel fan.

Lexus is doing well in the US because of their reputation, but let's not forget that they also have an unfair advantage over the Europeans: Price. Now the German brand practice "prestige pricing" tactics, because they have it. Lexus, as a newcomer, cannot do this, so they go for the "value for money" route, something Japanese cars have always excelled at. One major reason for the Japanese price advantage is their unfair trade practice of buying American Dollars by the shipload to keep their currency artificially weak. Thus, their products are cheaper in the US markets than the Europeans.

 

[cawimmer430]

Dude, you do know that Dr. F. Porsche made a petrol + electric engine hybrid about 100 years before the Toyota Prius ?!

Didn't Audi or VW come up with a "hybrid prototype" sometime in the late 1980s?