With obvious intentions of dominating the luxury sedan market, Lexus has infused its updated LS four-door with something that no competitor can provide - a V8 full hybrid drivetrain.
Based on a five-liter direct injection V8 engine, the Lexus Hybrid Drive adds a pair of high-power electric motors and a two-stage "electronic continuously variable transmission" to produce up to 430 HP - said to be equivalent to that of a six-liter V12 (hence the model nomenclature). To make sure that power makes it to the pavement, a standard full-time AWD system routes the power to all four wheels. Fuel economy has not yet been disclosed but is said to be similar to that of mid-sized V6 AWD sedans. The LS 600h L will be certified as a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV), giving it emissions levels approximately 70% lower than that of the competition.
Adding to the wiz-bang technology credentials is the newly-developed Lexus Advanced Pre-Collision System, or APCS. It uses two forward-facing cameras and millimeter-wave radar to detect a variety of objects in front of the big sedan, and combines this with a third camera mounted on the steering column to monitor the driver's awareness. If the potential for a collision exists and the driver is not paying attention, an audible and visual alarm is activated. If no action is taken, the system will then begin to apply the vehicle's brakes. Additionally, the variable steering ratio is automatically quickened to improve the vehicle's response to evasive maneuvers. The LS 600h L also becomes the first vehicle in the world to make use of LEDs for low-beam forward lighting.
Available only in the long wheelbase configuration in North American, the new LS hybrid will be built at the Tahara assembly plant, where each vehicle will be hand-sanded twice during the painting process.
Lexus Group VP Bob Carter was joined on-stage by Moritaka Yoshida, the Chief Engineer on the LS. The two of them seemed extremely proud of their creation, and rightfully so.
Click through for plenty more pictures.
Paris Preview: Officially Official, Honda's new hybrid is the Insight!
Mazda Kiyora city car concept, MX-5 facelift head to Paris
Leaked: Official updated Mazda MX-5 image
Reader Spy: Chevy Volt caught on set of Transformers 2
Spy Shot: Production interior of Chevy Volt (maybe)
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Jaguar XF Supercharged
By the Numbers - August 2008: New Digs Edition
In the Autoblog Garage: KITT Shelby GT500 KR
First Drive: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Nissan Murano
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
punany @ Apr 12th 2006 3:34PM
All is quiet on the German front. Toyota PWNs all.
namenotrequired @ Apr 12th 2006 3:38PM
Nice job on ripping off the 5 and the 7
Michael Karesh @ Apr 12th 2006 3:40PM
Is this a mechanical AWD system? Or as in the RX 400h and AWD Highlander Hybrid, is one set of wheels--front in this case--driven entirely by the second electric motor? I'm guessing the second, as otherwise I don't see the point of two electric motors.
MJL @ Apr 12th 2006 3:41PM
Hooray for the BMW 7-series' pervasive influence on its segment. (The new S-class, and now this.) Who'd have thought that a car whose styling and ergonomics recevied such pans and outcries -- though, of course, its sales are skyrocketing because people seem to love the feeling that they are piloting a mobile ATM -- would eventually lead the segment around? Let's hope that Jaguar and (to a lesser extent) Audi keep holding out against the Bangle-butt.
I'm heartened so see that you can save the planet while still driving a 430-hp car. Oh wait, no, that's just your image you're saving.
Gunnar Heinrich @ Apr 12th 2006 3:45PM
Hooray for the new LS. I'm happy to see that hybrid techonology is carrying over to the luxury market. I'm also glad to see a smoother, sleeker, more refined exterior for the LS - the last one was a bad interpretation of the W140 S-Class.
http://www.automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com
jigga what? @ Apr 12th 2006 3:46PM
MJL, what he fuck are you takling about? This story has nothing to do with the fugly 7 series. This car doesn't even have any form of Idrive. And if you haven't been paying atention news flash: the 7 series is a flop! Get a life loser.
mike @ Apr 12th 2006 3:47PM
A few observations...
1) Great technology, they should be commended
2) Side view is pure BMW 5 series
2a) The rest of the styling is a kluge of identity crises as well even if the final result is pretty nice
3) interior materials quality is great
4) interior button layout is an absolute disaster
5) sounds like the paint work will be excellent
6) not sure the price point will make this car fly off the shelves
Regardless, it's a good thing when companies use new technology. It makes it cheaper in the long run.
Source1 @ Apr 12th 2006 3:48PM
Frig, 7 series is all over that thing in rear. and profile. Pretty aggressive rear appearance considering Lexus' usual tame renderings in this segment.
Presto @ Apr 12th 2006 3:57PM
And that my friends, is why Lexus is #1.
Wanax @ Apr 12th 2006 4:09PM
Nice exterior.
Confusing interior. So many buttons.... want to push them all.
Gardiner Westbound @ Apr 12th 2006 4:18PM
The BMW 7-Series and new MB S-Class suddenly look very old. They are yesterday's news. Prestige, technology, quality and reliability in the same car; for less money. Lexus just killed them DEAD!
joh @ Apr 12th 2006 4:21PM
Yeah Scoure1, although I am not a Lexus fan, I agree with you totally. That darn Lexus is blatantly copying BMW! For instance, the 7er has four door, the LS has four! The bimmer has four wheels, wow what a coincident the LS has four? What about those head lamps? Total rip off from BMW!!! Man oh man; I think you need to take some art classes to be able to tell red from orange!!!
s @ Apr 12th 2006 4:22PM
I see 7 and S-classs but don't care cause I know Japanese(Honda/Toyota) can build a better anything!
Score several points for Lexus. Knocked Benz out the running and at the right time too!
Hung2 @ Apr 12th 2006 4:26PM
Blah...blah....blah...A boring design!! Lack of imagination and that muster of a cluster interior design. Where's the cappucino machine??
This barge will be overpriced when it hits the market and with EPA estimates somewhere in the "mid-six cylinder" w/AWD figures - WTF!!!????
No thanks - give me performance AND fuel economy thank you very much = BMW!!!!
jm @ Apr 12th 2006 4:27PM
I agree with Mike about the buttons, it's a absolute mess in there. While I could manage I can't feel it will be intimidating for the older folks that is the LS's primary market.
Puff Chippy @ Apr 12th 2006 4:32PM
Beautiful car. Very cool. All those buttons make it look complicated. Maybe that was the goal? From the side it's a dead ringer for the 7 series. Price? Better hang on to your defibrilator.
/.../.../////.............................
David @ Apr 12th 2006 4:37PM
LED headlights! Schweeeet! Looking forward to never having to replace a bulb again. Hopefully they'll figure out a way to do high beams and then front-end designs will get really crazy. Think of all the things you could do if you didn't need to worry about headlight placement.
Hank @ Apr 12th 2006 4:48PM
Wow. That is one pimped out Azera.
S @ Apr 12th 2006 4:50PM
I can literally count right at 99 or 100 buttons on the console, dash, and steering wheel. There is no way someone old and boring enough to buy a Lexus LS will ever use more than 3 or 4 of them.
Applebox @ Apr 12th 2006 4:53PM
Sorry to break the facts to you but according to Automotive News U.S. Light Vehicle sales, The 7 Series did 1428 units in Feburary 2006, up from 1127 February 2005. The LS did 1015 units for February down from 2028 last February. Now maybe the LS numbers are due to tappered production and public knowledge of the upgrade. Either way you cut it for top of the range machines the sales aren't too shabby. And before you all try to flame me out on the stats they can be found here on their website unfortunately they are reworking free access. So you'll have to hit a library.