Lexus to stretch flagship sedan; LS 460 also will offer industry's first hybrid V-8

MARK RECHTIN | Automotive News
Posted Date: 4/18/05
LOS ANGELES -- To match luxury competitors, Lexus will offer a long-wheelbase version of its redesigned flagship, the LS 460, when it arrives in fall 2006.

Soon after, a hybrid version of the vehicle will debut. It will be the first gasoline-electric powertrain with a V-8 engine by any automaker.

The LS 460 information was revealed in filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Lexus spokesman Bill Ussery declined to confirm the product plan or reveal the hybrid's launch date.

Toyota Motor Co. executives have said they want to build a flagship Lexus hybrid but have never given specifics.

Lexus has studied developing a long-wheelbase flagship and "found the potential for a mix" of long- and standard-wheelbase versions, Ussery says.

Wheelbase typically is a strong indicator for interior roominess for occupants. The LS 460 will be available with short and long wheelbases, the filings say.

Lexus has the shortest wheelbase among luxury flagships in the United States. Mercedes-Benz sells only long-wheelbase versions of its S-Class in this country. BMW and Jaguar sell standard- and long-wheelbase versions of their flagships.

According to the filings, Lexus will call the long-wheelbase version the LS 460L.

The hybrid, to be called the LS 600hL, will have a long wheelbase.

Lexus code-names its hybrid vehicles differently than its gasoline engine vehicles, which have a direct numerical correlation to the size of its engine.

Therefore, LS 460 refers to the vehicle's 4.6-liter engine. The current flagship, the LS 430, has a 4.3-liter engine. But LS 600hL refers to the equivalent power of a 6.0-liter engine, when the V-8 gasoline engine is mated to an electric motor.



I can't wait to see this car! Sounds like it is going to kick ***...
http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102210

 

that's hat i was talking about!!!!! nice stuf!!!!

and it's right that they don't call the v8 hybrid to be ls460h, that doesn't make sense. ls600h that sounds great!!!!!

and longer wheel base, sound awesome too!!!!!! ok, money off is300, goes to saving, time to start the piggy bank

 

So now Lexus adds not just a lower-case subscript, d/h etc., and also an upper-case L. Interesting...

Of course I think our LS 430 is long enough and roomy aplenty already!

 

LS600h sounds great to me I hope this report is accurate . . .

 

Ahh...it seems that the article is saying that the hybrid LS will only come in a long-wheel base. That's too bad for those who don't need the extra bulk.

Still, this is very good news. Can't wait to see it happen!

 

Lexus is simply trying to be in line with MB's and BMW's naming systems that most people are already familiar with for years. When a trailing letter refers to something related to the engine or drivetrain, it is made lower-case ('i', 'd', 'h', 'x', etc.), but when the letter refers to something related to the exterior form or dimension, it will be in upper-case ('L', 'C', etc.). It's only consistent this way.I guess there's never long enough room back there if you're a backseat buyer.

 

Excellent! What a contender

 

I don't like that there is so many letters at the end like hL...

it should just be h and they shouldn't do a long and short wheelbase I think...it is better just to keep it one, but whatever

it's all good

 

The Mercedes S430 is available in short wheel base here in Canada & the weight difference is only 45 pounds compared to the long wheel base version, & is 4.8 in. shorter in wheel base.

 

Well, it isn't just about the added weight, but also about the overall length, which equates to decreased agility (increased angular momentum) and increased difficulty in parking. The LWB version will always appeal to people who are usually chauffeured around while the SWB will appeal to people who prefer to drive the cars themselves. Both will have their own distinct markets.

 

Or have a couple of cheerleaders along for the ride.

 

I was wondering how they came up w/ that (along w/ the 400h).

Good news!

 

well there is a 745iL, so it's nothing surprising

and personally i think getting longer wheel base LS is nice, it's all about making a class

 

so andrew, wanna buy it together?

 

At this point, LS460 short wheel base seems more likely for me, maybe in 08. I'm happy they're making a V8+hybrid, but as I' ve said before, I'm not 100 % on the Lexus hybrids yet, untiI I get to drive one. The LS600hL will probably be fully loaded & pricey too.