Well I was suggesting that, in door-to-door town-in-town driving only, these types of short runs would not be conducive to a diesel engine giving best economy. Taxis tend to spend most of their time running once started.
The 400h has moved the case for alternative fuel cars forwards, and shown what can be done. And I have acknowledged before that speaking from a BIK tax POV, the RX is unmatched in its class. But I am not a company car driver and have to put my hand into my own pocket to cover all costs when it comes to my car. So BIK holds no relevance to me - emissions are important to me as they determine what RFL I pay. With the way the RFL bands are structured currently, other diesel SUVs cost the same to tax as the 400h and do pretty much the same (if not better) job.
As for diesel engine technology, the Germans are leading the way and Merc are licencing BMWs diesel engine technology for their uses.
Hi Ihpj,
last on on the issue of diesel engines,driving our new mini copper diesel and new 320D they both cut out in traffic when you stop and then start when press the clutch in - thus door to door stop start and still get very good m.p.g and both warm up very quickly from cold .
cheers
swager
Yep and my first car was a 1967 850 cc Austin Mini could get 45+ mpg on a good day but was not comparable in any other way! Lexus themselves promote the hybrid as a Luxury Car that reduces pollution where it is at its worst - City Centres. However Luxury and Performance come first. My Neighbour drives a 350 I have a 400H and we often debate their merits. My thoughts are this:-
You want really good economy - look elsewhere
you want really good handling - don't buy any SUV
You only need to accelerate hard when being annoyed by a kid in a Corsa - RX is great
You want to waft round in Luxurious comfort RX is the car
Only race a Cayenne off the lights not on the open road
400h or 350 i use @ 1/4 less petrol than the neighbour which will take an awful long time to break even on @£10 k price difference.
Mine is a company car - 400H is obvious (BIK) his is private 350 wins.
My next car - Probably Audi, Neighbours next car defo RX probably 400H ( he loves the Tesco car park effect in mine!)