New Company Car.. what can I expect.

Ace Modder

Ace Modder

Ace Modder

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Hi

I'm getting a new company car next month. I picked a Lexus IS300H mainly because it is 225bhp, and petrol and cos it's hybrid does 64mpg stated. Realistically I can expect about 55 on motorway and 40 in town.

I haven't driven one, but they look beautiful and the power appeals, and I hate diesels.

I picked the white too :)
 
I wonder if you may not even get the fuel economy you are hoping for. I know you've given the official figures a haircut, but it may not be enough to be honest.
 
Joe T said:
I wonder if you may not even get the fuel economy you are hoping for. I know you've given the official figures a haircut, but it may not be enough to be honest.
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True. My a4 TDI (2012 model, 177 bhp), was around 35% short on the combined cycle. Shaving 10 mpg off probably wont be enough.
 
The figures were based on what people had posted on the internet so assumption of that being right.

Of course you can have a test nath.
 
This is what I would buy in the 3-Series / C-Class / A4 segment. A bit of an oddball choice but the hybrid drivetrain appeals to me.
How does it stack up with BIK against say a 320d?
 
Well that is part of the reason for my choice. My current Co. Car is actually a 320d


320d is 1250 a year in tax. The lexus is 720 a year.
 
Ace Modder said:
Hi

I'm getting a new company car next month. I picked a Lexus IS300H mainly because it is 225bhp, and petrol and cos it's hybrid does 64mpg stated. Realistically I can expect about 55 on motorway and 40 in town.

I haven't driven one, but they look beautiful and the power appeals, and I hate diesels.

I picked the white too :)
Click to expand...

I had an IS300h as a courtest car a couple of months ago. As with all Lexi, they have a very good spec as standard even if the interior isn't cutting edge.

I think with most hybrids you'll find you get better MPG in town than on the motorway (as opposed to a modern small-ish diesel engine that will cruise at 70 and get you 60MPG). If you plan ahead with your breaking and acceleration etc, you can probably get closer to 60 in town though; you're essentially just trying to keep the car in electric mode as much as possible which means not accelerating sharply etc.

That said, away from the lights these can be deceptively quick because you're not worrying about gears. There's a very slight delay when you put your foot down but you can put it in sport mode to quicken this up.
 
Ace Modder said:
The figures were based on what people had posted on the internet so assumption of that being right.

Of course you can have a test nath.
Click to expand...

Fuelly doesn't have too many of them on at the moment, but for their 6 vehicles, over 30k tracked, they seem to average around the 44 mpg figure overall, with a spread of between 40 - 50 mpg.

If fuel economy is actually a factor for you, I'd suggest an extended test drive. I recently had a ~35 hour test drive in a new Discovery just for asking for it, and it let me do enough miles, of my normal(-ish) driving, to see what it would be like.

Although in all fairness, it wasn't completely my normal driving, as I wasn't driving as economically as I find myself driving of late, lol. But the figure I got over my 300+ miles drive was comparable to what Fuelly says. (Saying that, my 530d is marginally the best UK 530d on that site too).
 
Fuel economy isn't especially important to me, as I don't pay for the fuel, but I have to be aware that I need something good, to appease my company. And if the figures I've seen online are accurate then that is fine.
I hate diesel cars in general, my BMW 320d is ok, but much prefer a petrol, and this is the perfect balance.

I suggested a Subaru BRZ to my boss (as a bit of a joke, as he mentioned my Subuaru - the boot space wouldn't be suitable anyway) but the economy wasn't a suitable choice due to the fuel costs haha.

I will be honest the interior of the Lexus looks muhc nicer than the 320d I have (MY11). Was very underwhelmed by the 3 series interior, and that is the m-sport edition too.
 
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You will find it the opposite of what you expect. It will be very economical around town but less so on the motorway where it becomes just a heavier petrol car.
 
[TW]Fox;26858033 said:
You will find it the opposite of what you expect. It will be very economical around town but less so on the motorway where it becomes just a heavier petrol car.
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Not quite just. It runs a far more efficient Atkinson combustion cycle rather Otto. This is at the expense of throttle response... But that's what the EV motor fixes. A normal car running Atkinson would be a dog.
 
Ace Modder said:
Fuel economy isn't especially important to me, as I don't pay for the fuel, but I have to be aware that I need something good, to appease my company. And if the figures I've seen online are accurate then that is fine.
I hate diesel cars in general, my BMW 320d is ok, but much prefer a petrol, and this is the perfect balance.

I suggested a Subaru BRZ to my boss (as a bit of a joke, as he mentioned my Subuaru - the boot space wouldn't be suitable anyway) but the economy wasn't a suitable choice due to the fuel costs haha.

I will be honest the interior of the Lexus looks muhc nicer than the 320d I have (MY11). Was very underwhelmed by the 3 series interior, and that is the m-sport edition too.
Click to expand...

If you really dislike diesel then you are in for a bit of a treat IMO. I had a 530d for a weekend and whilst in many areas (mainly driveability) it was vastly superior I was astounded just how much more refined the engine was in my Lexus was when I collected it. Even sat in the back of a current model 730d LWB I was aware of the engine whilst cruising at 70mph, at 70mph in mine it's something you have to really try to notice. Around town it becomes even more noticeable, especially if you are used to a Stop/Start system on a diesel.

I had a current gen GS300h as a hire car a couple of months back, I didn't think there was quite enough there in terms of performance (frankly it didn't feel like 225bhp) but in a smaller lighter car I can see it working well.
 
Lexus make the smoothest petrol engines out of everyone. The 3uzfe was insane and felt like a hybrid anyway :eek::D

You will also love the dealership experience. Bow when you collect the car :D
 
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