samsemtex (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Bluetec accounts for 20% of the sales of E-classes in the states. Far higher than any other diesel car and meeting targets. Diesel sales in the US are expected to triple by 2015. How exactly is a highly efficient diesel engine in anyway an attempt to match a hybrid car? Its clean diesel. Lexus' hybrids have shown themselves to be a complete joke and returns terrible mpg on the larger cars.Read any English magazine and the S-class is always ahead of the LS.

HondaJapanPride (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Bluetec DID fail. Or tell me, is Bluetec even as popular as Lexus hybrid? Simply, Mercedes' pathetic attempt to introduce a DIESEL in North America is pointless. Many of the Mercedes drivers in North America drive UNLEADED Mercedes, so what's the point of Bluetec? Land Cruiser and LX still look entirely different and at least, LX still has more luxurious interior than Land Cruiser. And Land Cruiser is still more reliable than any Mercedes car can ever dream of. And Toyota, IS luxury.

HondaJapanPride (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Let's see, I would like to read those magazines that you have read. The new Merc S class still gets the rating of "Worse than average" on reliability, and the last time I checked, Lexus LS still was on the top on many categories. BMW 7 series? Are you joking? BMW 7 series NEVER has come between Lexus LS and Mercedes S class. Do you honestly think that notorious iDrive alone would even make BMW 7 series come between LS and S class?

samsemtex (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

No, if BMW introduced an 8 speed it would be equally stupid. Is the automatic parking thing the only thing Lexus fans can ever point to? Thats all i ever hear from them.We have a Toyota landcruiser Amazone at home that is used as a pure workhorse. In America its badged a lexus. Wow, thats really exclusive luxury.And i have one word for you DiesOtto. Unleaded engine with the efficiency of a small diesel. No other company comes close to it.

samsemtex (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Because the LS was a good car for its time but has been resoundingly beaten everytime mercedes brings out a new S-class. Every car mag ive ever read has always said the S-Class has always been the class leader in this field. The new 7 series is supposed to be the best now but the S-class is due an update.Mercedes Bluetec has failed? News to me. Its the only diesel engine in the Wards 10 best engine awards and is by far the worlds cleanest diesel engine.

HondaJapanPride (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Lexus and other copy/paste brands? Like I said, who copied LEXUS RX? Who copied LEXUS LS? If the German automakers didn't care about Lexus LS, why did Merc and BMW themselves bought one of LS and did research? So now blaming the consumers of America. I must say that's the reason why Mercedes Bluetec failed miserably already. If the companies can not see it through, then why do they make products? It's too bad, but Merc Bluetec will never be as famous as Lexus hybrid.

mckrack (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Well, the anti diesel Noth American morons should first check out some of the emissions form BMW diesels and try to think. 5 series is cleaner then the Toyota Prius, and not to mention the Lexus and other copy/paste brands.

HondaJapanPride (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

HAHAHA so if BMW put 8 speed, you would obviously say "YES BMW! WE ALL NEED 8 SPEED!".Ever heard Mercedes' Bluetec? Mercedes' pathetic attempt to match Lexus hybrid. And yet, horribly failed. Firstly, introducing a DIESEL in such anti-diesel continent like North America? Who drives diesel SUVs other than truck drivers in North America?And BMW has one cheap car called 1 series. Lexus has no such thing, since Lexus is a luxury brand, not some luxury wannabe brand like BMW.

HondaJapanPride (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Ya ya, keep wishing, if that makes you sleep tonight. Checked Consumer Reports yet? Oh, if you don't wanna ruin your Euro fantasy, don't even look at it. This unbiased source will completely ruin your fantasies, sure, climping year by year HAHAHALexus copies? Let's see, who is now copying Lexus' automatic parking system? Audi. Who copied Lexus RX to make a luxury crossover SUV? BMW(X3). What luxury automakers got scared when Lexus LS was introduced? Mercedes and BMW.Nice try though.

samsemtex (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Mercedes introduce 7 speed gear box so Lexus make an 8 speed in a pathetic attempt to out do them. 8 speeds are not necessary. BMW have come up with plenty of innovations too but not as many as mercedes. Lexus are nowhere near either of them.