Major Detail about 2018 Lexus Exposed?
Official Lexus Photo Showing EV Mode All But Confirms 2018 LS Hybrid
A lot of folks were surprised when Lexus failed to bring a 2018 LS Hybrid to this year’s Detroit Auto Show. Instead, a non-electrified twin turbo V6 LS 500 stood alone as the new flagship was introduced to the world. But the clever folks over at Motor Authority noticed something interesting in Lexus’ official photos of the new LS. Namely, the presence of an EV Mode button in the center console.
The presence of the EV script is rather telling. It’s the same script Toyota uses on several of its hybrid vehicles, including the Prius. Pressing the EV Mode button places the Prius in electric only mode, which is good for one mile of range. As Motor Authority notes, this doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll see a plug-in hybrid LS, but such a model would be a smart move on Lexus’ part.
That’s because the competition already offers them. Both the BMW 740e iPerformance and Mercedes-Benz S550e Plug-In Hybrid are already up for sale. A plug-in LS hybrid would help Lexus compete in an ever evolving market, even in addition to the hydrogen fuel cell LS rumored to be in the works.
Lexus already offers hybrid versions of the ES and GS sedans, so a new electrified version of the LS seems like a no-brainer. And as Lexus has inadvertently revealed, it’s only a matter of time. An official announcement should come soon, as the all-new LS goes on sale late this year.
