Lexus has unveiled the LS600h L — a performance hybrid version of its new flagship sedan — at the 2006 New York International Auto Show. Scheduled to arrive in Spring 2007, it will be the world’s first vehicle of any class or category to feature a full hybrid V8 powertrain. The LS 600h will combine an all-new five-litre V8 gas engine with combined massive, high-output electric motors and a newly designed large-capacity battery pack. It will deliver a peak, combined output of more than 430 horsepower. As a SULEV-rated (Super Low Emissions) vehicle, LS600h is estimated to produce just 20 per cent of the smog-forming emissions of a conventional five-litre V8. Power is delivered to the wheels via a 2-stange ECVT transmission. It also has the first LED front headlights of any production vehicle.
To distribute this immense power, a new full-time all-wheel-drive system is utilized for superior handling control. The LS 600h L also employs a newly developed dual-stage electronically controlled, continuously variable transmission. This combination results in impressive power and seamless acceleration.
The LS hybrid is expected to carry a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) rating. A SULEV rating means the LS 600h L has nearly 70-percent cleaner emissions than the “cleanest” of its competitors.
“It is fair to say that there is nothing on the road, or on the drawing board, that comes close to delivering such a formerly contradictory combination of jaw-dropping engine performance, fuel efficiency and clean emissions,” Carter said.
Owing to the inherent noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) improvements offered by its hybrid powertrain, the LS 600h L is designed to set a new standard for silent running in the prestige-luxury sedan class. The depth and density of cabin quietness in the LS 600h L required extensive re-engineering of accessory motors and switches.
With “quiet-ride” ranking as one of the top five reasons for purchase of prestige-luxury vehicles, especially among current LS owners, the LS 600h L is well-situated in its class and poised to please the exacting luxury-car buyer. Its NVH levels are about half that found in conventional cars, making the hybrid LS one of the quietest automobiles ever built, if not the quietest.
Coinciding with the launch of the hybrid model is a newly developed, Advanced Pre-Collision System (APCS) that is like nothing ever before offered by Lexus. One element of APCS is a new system designed to help detect pedestrians in the vehicle’s path.
Two small cameras mounted at the front of the car, in conjunction with millimeter-wave radar, are sensitive enough to detect not just large metal obstructions such as cars but also smaller nonmetallic objects, such as humans.
A third camera, mounted on the steering column, monitors the orientation of the driver’s face. If the camera sees that the driver is not looking directly ahead for a few seconds or more, and if an obstacle is detected ahead, then it alerts the driver first with a warning chime and a flashing light. As the car gets closer to the obstacle, the system can begin to gently apply the brakes on its own. To assist the driver in maneuvering around the obstacle, the system reprograms the steering ratio, amplifying the intensity and quickness of the steering response.While all of this is happening, the system automatically cinches up the passenger restraints and prepares the brake system to respond with full force when activated by the driver in anticipation of a possible impact.
04/12, 10:45 AM
posted by:
Mike
LED headlights, huh….. I sure wouldn’t mind a pair!
04/12, 11:38 AM
posted by:
Casey
AWD…cool!
04/12, 11:41 AM
posted by:
Heydn
Wow!
I think I know what Prime Minister Koizumi’s new car will be…
04/12, 12:16 PM
posted by:
Omar
Ok… not usually a fan of Lexus but the specs on this car are very impressive. Kudos to Lexus for developing a powerful and clean car. Styling? Lexus fans will enjoy, I’m sure…. *yawn* from me. They’re starting to look WAY too similar to the Toyotas… I don’t like it when car companies that are owned by one another start sharing their design cues. Ruins it for me. As for the LED’s, again, it sounds nice. My only major problem is the rear. When you look at it, especially from the side or 3/4 angle…. I’m sure I’m not the only one who automatically thinks *7 SERIES*!!!!!!!!!
04/12, 12:24 PM
posted by:
Rohit
I don’t know about the 3/4 angle, but every time I see a picture of it from the side, i think I’m about to read an article about the 7-series until I see the text.
Oh well, the LS’ styling has always been derivative - for the last 20 years, of the S-Class. Now, I guess they’ve decided to stage a mini-revolution by aping the 7-series. At least their benchmarks are high, and no one buys this car for the styling - they buy it for the reliability and the pampering…
04/12, 1:01 PM
posted by:
Joel A
Gorgeous. What’s the fuel economy?
04/12, 1:04 PM
posted by:
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04/12, 1:52 PM
posted by:
turtle
Very nice. Always been a fan of Lexus. As always, the interior is beautyful.
04/12, 3:49 PM
posted by:
Will
How can you not appreciate all that this car has to offer? I’d take this over the new Merc S-Class or BMW 7-Series anyday!
04/12, 5:35 PM
posted by:
Sean
I especially like this LS, it gives the look it really needed. It’s long, sleek, luxurios, kind of like the earlier days of luxury cars, the 1990 S-class, and 96ish 7 series-L. Now, they all look bloated and doesn’t appeal as much design-wise. (even the lastes LS looks a bit bloated).
04/12, 6:26 PM
posted by:
gsh
damn it, i only have so many pennies to save up….
04/14, 8:13 PM
posted by:
UrAPanzie
Lemme see…. Should I pay 80,000 dollars for a car so that it can help me save gas?
If you’re rich enough to pay that much for a car, I don’t think saving gas is something you should worry about, instead, worry about which country club you should be a member of..
… but i have to admit, the syling is way better and appealing to a younger age group
04/15, 9:41 AM
posted by:
Saud
Geez they put in a electric motor that gives more economy & say it’s a hybrid.Lexus needs a AMG/M style division.
04/15, 1:22 PM
posted by:
Surya
I applaud the decision to go hybrid. First off hybrids are very quite. Lexus is all about that. Its all about understated luxury and doing everything without popm and splendour. Who cares about Mercedes? They break down and they have electrical faults like no one else! Lexus is being responsible. You dont need uber powerful engines….well I mean this is a 430 hp machine after all so there is plenty of power. What more do you guys want? Screw AMG.
04/16, 9:12 AM
posted by:
Dan Carey
This car has a look of its own. I see some features from the unreliable 7. But the side, front and inside has a look of its own. One of the most reliable and safe cars on the market……I have the 430 and I am sold oh ready
04/16, 12:23 PM
posted by:
Russell
After reading all the specs on this spectacular car I am ready to trade in my ‘98 7 Series and get the LS 600h L. The gas milage of an AWD 6 cylinder and yet the horse power of a V12? WOW!!! 430 hp and probably somewhere north of 28 miles per gallon. Finally Lexus has gotten it right with this car and it looks pretty sleek too. Not crazy about the back end but overall it’s looks like a winner to me. Better get your name on the waiting list now.
04/16, 5:40 PM
posted by:
Surya
I read somewhere that 430 hp is not the final figure and in fact it was closer to 500…if that is the case WOW! Even if that is not true, it doesnt matter to me because I am in love with this car!
04/19, 2:01 AM
posted by:
James
This car is too wonderful for words. Interiors are now the best in the world. Love the body however would prefer it if it looked more like the IS250/350 front end.I do hope Lexus doesnt get carried away with its prices and turn into Maybach? So people would have no chance to buy them.I know the quality is the best in the world however and I’m saving now!
04/22, 10:17 AM
posted by:
Jesse Payette Steinberg
I havent been a fan of Lexus since 2003/2004 since my father got my mom the GX.
This is one sweet car I have to say. Too bad they didnt add the massaging features too all the seats in the car.
Bentley Continental GT has the massaging feature for the driving and front passenger. BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar and Audi supposably have it for all the passengers.
One thing the interior reminds me of a Maybach.
I have a feeling with all these features the LS600h L. Will be priced around $100k-$110k region. I saw some people post $90k on other websites.
One thing I really do enjoy from this car is the 19-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, its too die for. 450-watts *drools* One competition it has is the Audi A8 (2007-model) with the 1kW Bang & Olufsen soundsystem.
One thing I wouldnt mind driving around in the regular LS460. If it still comes standard with the 19-speakers and similar features or as options i wouldnt mind at all.
I am guessting this model with the right side rear passenger with the massager and recliner is meant for executives who dont want to spend a fortune on a Maybach or can not stand BMW or Mercedes anymore.
04/24, 8:05 PM
posted by:
Dennis G. Bailey
This is the car I have been waiting for. We already own a 2006 SC430 and I will be putting my order in for this one. How can you not say WOW to all the advanced features of this vehicle. It is only sad that the Lexus dealers have not received information on the fantastic vehicle. A powerful hybrid with fuel effeciency and 4 wheel drive. It seems it can’t get any better.
05/18, 5:27 PM
posted by:
Perstephanie Felton
COME TO MAMA!!!!! But I still have’nt read what the miles per gallon would be. But I still say COME TO MAMA!!!!
05/21, 5:47 PM
posted by:
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05/31, 5:04 PM
posted by:
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05/31, 11:57 PM
posted by:
prima
LED for headlight?
how can that be??
06/01, 12:02 AM
posted by:
prima
LED for headlight?
how can that possibly be??
06/12, 12:24 PM
posted by:
timmy
these pictures are just photoshopped pictures of the LS460. You can clearly see this in the image of the back of the car.
06/12, 2:08 PM
posted by:
J
this is wicked sick
06/12, 2:12 PM
posted by:
J
i love this car
06/20, 12:43 AM
posted by:
me
testing, if I can post without logging in.
06/20, 12:43 AM
posted by:
me
test
07/13, 12:12 PM
posted by:
dan
I have been driving lexus for 16 years and they are just awesome. I am on the waiting list and can’t wait to drive the new 600. They have finally added some style to there top model. The 430 is looking so old and schlumpy
09/06, 12:09 AM
posted by:
nick menezes
this is the car that will change the game .perfect. i loveit. say goodbye to the throne bmw and benz thers a new killer in town and shes angry very very angry. 745 750 anit **** to the almighty 600h your so sexy
03/29, 3:31 AM
posted by:
Zarkus
I have had 5 Mercs fos S line then Porsche Cayenne and now Lexus RX 400 h . I love this car, and it works. Whe´n You sit in the car it does not matter how it looks, interior must be fine and the car silent. Its like if you buy oversize tyres, they look nice, but feeling and noise? I had made that mistake many times and then changed bag. I think new Lexus is pretty enough that I can stand it, but the car is splendid. I;m on the waiting list. What the car looks is not a big issue, if you have tens of thousands similar ones on the road. If you buy a Ferrari or Lambo then you can pay attention to that and its always guestion who is looking at. But if the car perfoms and is silent then you can enjoy it. This hybrid even sound like W 8.
04/09, 11:37 AM
posted by:
bun_a_gm
Innovation and efficiency. I’d expect nothing less from Lexus.
04/09, 12:25 PM
posted by:
gbb
Oh Yummy!!!!, a $100K version of the Camry.
04/09, 1:01 PM
posted by:
m6-500attouchofabutton
feul economy will be bellow 28mpg…my grandpa has the current GS450h and it gets about 25-28 with a V6+hybrid motor. A V8+plus hybrid will most likly get a lower economy however it will most likely surpass that of the 7 and S class. this car is 10-15years ahead of its time with the camera that monitors the drivers eyes and cameras that monitor pedestrians and can avoid them on its own. this is the future of the automobile
04/09, 5:24 PM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
ralph, good question, why does a full hybrid really need a v8, couldnt a 250hp v6 do the same. other than to just add a higher total hp rating it seems like a waste, or gimmic.
04/27, 4:30 PM
posted by:
AWDturbo
After reading motor trends comments on the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L and I was convinced its a piece of fine machinery.
1/4 - 14 sec, for a 5,500 pound car! compared to the audi A8’s and bmw 7 series, its a awesome car.
09/06, 10:53 AM
posted by:
jammed
This car has massive presence. But 7 series is the king.