2018 Lexus LS 350 variant unveiled in China
#1
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2018 Lexus LS 350 variant unveiled in China
2018 Lexus LS 350 variant unveiled in China
Lexus officials have said that the LS is under review for India.
After introducing the 2018 Lexus LS 500 and 2018 Lexus LS 500h this year, Lexus expanded the all-new Lexus LS range with the addition of an F SPORT variant at NYIAS 2018 in April. In the latest, the company has introduced the LS 350 model in China to make the car more accessible with a lower entry price.
Unveiled at the 21st Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macao International Auto Show, the 2018 Lexus LS 350 is the new base model of the flagship sedan, and it is powered by a 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 petrol engine good for 237 kW (317.82 PS) and 380 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission. With Lexus not mentioning the availability of an all-wheel-drive system, it’s safe to assume the LS 350 is a rear-wheel-drive model.
Lexus has announced the 2018 Lexus LS 350 only in China, and it is unknown if this model will sell in other markets. It is expected to have a starting price of 1 million yuan (INR 94,69,936.74) and will compete with the Mercedes S-Class S 320 L which starts at 9,38,000 yuan (INR 88,82,800.66).
The fifth generation Lexus LS is based on the GA-L rear-wheel drive platform which debuted in the Lexus LC. The LS 500 measures 5,235 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width and 1,450 mm in height, and is powered by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine that produces 310 kW (421 PS/415 hp) and 600 Nm of torque and sends power to the wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The LS 500h gets the Lexus Multi-Stage Hybrid System consisting of a 3.5-litre Dual VVT-i V6 petrol engine and two electric motors that work together to deliver a combined output of 264 kW (354 hp). A continuously variable transmission is standard. Lexus will offer the LS 500 and LS 500h both in Rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
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#2
Good times for luxury automakers except for Audi after that distribution crisis.
Although MB, BMW, and Porsche are still the dominant market caps in China, I think Lexus can pick up some of that dissented buyers from Audi.
Although MB, BMW, and Porsche are still the dominant market caps in China, I think Lexus can pick up some of that dissented buyers from Audi.
#4
#7
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I don't think Lexus is going to take advantage of lower regulations. I imagine the car will be a fully loaded model with the lesser HP engine.
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In a way, they are taking advantage of the lower emissions regulations in China by using this old engine. No need to put some advanced engine if the Chinese have lower air pollution standards.
#12
To comment on your response - lower regulations are perceived as lower standard, which is apparently the standard as perceived by the consumers in China.
#13
Lexus Fanatic
Roughly 80% of all worldwide Buick sales are in China. According to management, they also, besides smaller engines than the American versions, use firmer suspensions in China......why, I don't know, unless the roads are smoother there and more tolerant of firmer springs.
#14
Lexus Fanatic
Perhaps one reason the LS350 is being offered in China (besides the engine-displacement tax) is that the Chinese consider the LS an executive-level car, preferring to have a chauffeur rather than do their own driving. That means the car's owner will usually be riding in the back seat, and relatively unconcerned about the size of the engine up front.
#15
Lexus Test Driver
Yeah, imported cars with engine displacement above 3000 cc have a huge import duty slapped on them, hence why cars in China tend to use smaller engines. It's the same with a lot of East Asian countries. That's why the Chinese market gets the ES200, NX200 (no turbo), RX200t, GS200t. Car specs and quality are the same as for other markets because they're all built in Japan.
It's also kinda funny that the Cadillac CT6 hybrid for the American market is built in China. More Caddies for the Chinese...
It's also kinda funny that the Cadillac CT6 hybrid for the American market is built in China. More Caddies for the Chinese...