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Why Lexus shies away from plug-in hybrids

Lexus may have softened its stance a bit from the anti plug-in vehicle ads the Toyota luxury badge ran last year, but at least one executive from the company casts a pretty critical eye towards the concept as a way to cut both emissions and refueling costs. In fact, Lexus doesn't really buy the fact that buyers of plug-in hybrids are really looking to save both gas and the environment, Green Car Reports says, citing an interview at the recent New York Auto Show with Lexus executive Mark Templin. Templin also said hydrogen fuel-cell technology may be a better way to edge towards zero emissions. Templin decried plug-in hybrid technology because it adds weight to vehicles, which contributes to poor emissions figures in the process. He added that plug-in vehicle buyers are motivated more by potential tax credits and solo driving rights in high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes than cutting back on fuel use. Last summer, Lexus ran an supposedly tongue-in-cheek print ad poking fun at how long it takes to charge a plug-in vehicle and how using air conditioning can shorten a car's charging range. Last spring, Lexus had to backpedal from an anti-electric ad it ran that had serious mistakes about hydrogen infrastructure. News Source: Green Car Reports Green Lexus Toyota Hybrid PHEV

Lexus LY 650 luxury yacht is its fourth flagship

Earlier, Lexus teased a "fourth flagship" vehicle, in addition to the LS sedan, LX SUV and LC coupe. We wondered what it could be. Production version of the LF-1 Limitless? But what's that little cylinder? Lexus cologne? Well, Lexus' fourth flagship is literally more like a ship. It's the LY 650 luxury yacht. The 65.5-foot yacht has three staterooms, three heads, and it sleeps six people. It's powered by the choice of a Volvo IPS 1200 or Volvo IPS 1350 marine engine, and can hold 1,000 gallons of fuel. View 15 Photos Lexus says the LY 650's creation was inspired by positive public reception to the 42-foot Lexus Sport Yacht Concept. And it joins a crowded ocean of luxurious yachts and/or submersibles from Porsche, Bugatti, Migaloo and Aston Martin. Lexus tapped Wisconsin-based Marquis-Larson Boat Group to build, sell and service the luxurious boat. While this wasn't quite the new Lexus flagship we expected, it certainly is beautiful. We hope we get a chance to climb aboard soon. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

BMW-Toyota partnership to spawn hybrid supercar

BMW and Toyota inked a partnership some time ago to develop green technology, and while we were excited by the idea of a reborn Supra with BMW's carbon fiber reinforced plastic slashing the curb weight or an ultra-efficient, hybridized 1 Series, the joint efforts have been rather limited. That's set to change, though, according to a report from Australia.
Motoring reports that the partners have come to terms on a sports car. And not just any sports car, but a lightweight, hybridized model, with a six-figure price tag. Lending a bit of street cred to that idea is the site's claim that Toyota is currently carrying out durability testing on the BMW i8. According to the site, the new model will slot into the spot left by the Lexus LFA, although based on the language used, it's unclear if this is the Tokyo-bound vehicle we mentioned several months ago.
Details on this potential car are limited, although Motoring claims it will use a Toyota hybrid system mated up to a BMW gas engine - likely the 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V8 found in the M5 and M6. That sounds pretty amazing to us, but we'd still advise taking this with a grain of salt. What would you like to see out of a joint-venture supercar from Toyota and BMW? Let us know in Comments, and have your say on the prospects of a hybridized, twin-turbocharged V8.