All New Lexus LS 500
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From: muscat
All New Lexus LS 500
The 2018 Lexus LS 500h, the full hybrid version of Lexus’ new flagship sedan, was unveiled today in Geneva.
Watch Video here:
The model, which follows the world premiere of the twin-turbo gas V6-powered LS 500 at the 2017 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, is a further manifestation of how Lexus has reimagined the luxury sedan, presenting bold design, enhanced performance and a sophisticated appeal to capture the imagination of forward-thinking customers.
The car’s design successfully brings together the virtues of a long-wheelbase four-door sedan with a low, coupe-like profile, positioning the LS perfectly across the growing sedan and coupe segments.
The cabin has benefited from an equally new approach, focusing on “progressive comfort,” interpreting Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship traditions in the context of an advanced, luxurious and innovative vehicle interior such as the unique door trim ornamentation. Notably, the LS 500 was honored at the NAIAS with the EyesOn Design Award for Design Excellence – Interior Design.
Conceived as the new global pinnacle of the Lexus brand, the LS goes beyond what the world expects from a luxury car. Chief Engineer Toshio Asahi explained: “Developing such a flagship model required a massive paradigm shift. Rather than being bound by the conventions that had defined luxury cars in the past, we aimed to create a car with innovative, emotional and sensual appeal that would draw customers’ eyes away from other luxury cars and provide entirely new values.”
The LS 500h is equipped with the new Lexus Multi Stage Hybrid System, which provides enhanced responsiveness and linear acceleration, particularly when accelerating from a full stop. The powertrain features a 3.5-liter V6 Dual VVT-i V6 gasoline engine and two electric motors, together delivering maximum system power of 354 hp.
The LS 500h is built on the new Lexus Global Architecture – Luxury (GA-L) platform, which is shared with the all-new LC. This platform ensures a low center of gravity and optimum weight distribution, contributing to the car’s essential stability and handling agility, which in turn deliver increased driver rewards. The fundamental high rigidity of the chassis allows the new multi-link suspension to be tuned to achieve enhanced handling performance and the supreme comfort for which the LS is renowned. The car’s dynamic performance also benefits from the coordination of braking, steering and stability systems through Lexus Dynamic Handling.
Advanced technologies are further used to deliver impressive safety performance. The LS 500h’s available Advanced Safety Package features the world’s first Intuitive Pedestrian Detection system with Active Steering within the lane.
Omotenashi, expressing the unique sense of Japanese hospitality, defines the LS 500h’s whisper-quiet and luxurious interior. Supreme comfort is provided by front and rear seats with multiple power adjustment, heating, cooling, and massage functions. There is also an optional rear seat arrangement that includes an extending leg ottoman and the most generous leg room of any LS generation. At 123 inches, the wheelbase of the new LS is in fact 1.3-inches longer than on the current long wheelbase LS 600h L.
Lexus Takumi craftsmanship also contributes to the special quality of the LS 500h’s cabin, in luxurious new trims, materials and detailing, including a new pleating treatment and Kiriko glasswork on the inner door panels.
Watch Video here:
The model, which follows the world premiere of the twin-turbo gas V6-powered LS 500 at the 2017 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, is a further manifestation of how Lexus has reimagined the luxury sedan, presenting bold design, enhanced performance and a sophisticated appeal to capture the imagination of forward-thinking customers.
The car’s design successfully brings together the virtues of a long-wheelbase four-door sedan with a low, coupe-like profile, positioning the LS perfectly across the growing sedan and coupe segments.
The cabin has benefited from an equally new approach, focusing on “progressive comfort,” interpreting Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship traditions in the context of an advanced, luxurious and innovative vehicle interior such as the unique door trim ornamentation. Notably, the LS 500 was honored at the NAIAS with the EyesOn Design Award for Design Excellence – Interior Design.
Conceived as the new global pinnacle of the Lexus brand, the LS goes beyond what the world expects from a luxury car. Chief Engineer Toshio Asahi explained: “Developing such a flagship model required a massive paradigm shift. Rather than being bound by the conventions that had defined luxury cars in the past, we aimed to create a car with innovative, emotional and sensual appeal that would draw customers’ eyes away from other luxury cars and provide entirely new values.”
The LS 500h is equipped with the new Lexus Multi Stage Hybrid System, which provides enhanced responsiveness and linear acceleration, particularly when accelerating from a full stop. The powertrain features a 3.5-liter V6 Dual VVT-i V6 gasoline engine and two electric motors, together delivering maximum system power of 354 hp.
The LS 500h is built on the new Lexus Global Architecture – Luxury (GA-L) platform, which is shared with the all-new LC. This platform ensures a low center of gravity and optimum weight distribution, contributing to the car’s essential stability and handling agility, which in turn deliver increased driver rewards. The fundamental high rigidity of the chassis allows the new multi-link suspension to be tuned to achieve enhanced handling performance and the supreme comfort for which the LS is renowned. The car’s dynamic performance also benefits from the coordination of braking, steering and stability systems through Lexus Dynamic Handling.
Advanced technologies are further used to deliver impressive safety performance. The LS 500h’s available Advanced Safety Package features the world’s first Intuitive Pedestrian Detection system with Active Steering within the lane.
Omotenashi, expressing the unique sense of Japanese hospitality, defines the LS 500h’s whisper-quiet and luxurious interior. Supreme comfort is provided by front and rear seats with multiple power adjustment, heating, cooling, and massage functions. There is also an optional rear seat arrangement that includes an extending leg ottoman and the most generous leg room of any LS generation. At 123 inches, the wheelbase of the new LS is in fact 1.3-inches longer than on the current long wheelbase LS 600h L.
Lexus Takumi craftsmanship also contributes to the special quality of the LS 500h’s cabin, in luxurious new trims, materials and detailing, including a new pleating treatment and Kiriko glasswork on the inner door panels.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 233
From: Nebraska
Interesting that the overall horsepower is down from the 438 in the current LS600hL to 354 in the new LS500h... I've heard that the 0-60 times will be nearly identical, but I wonder if the overall smoothness/refinement/noise in getting from 0-60 will decline in the new model? The "rocket-ship" nearly silent torque of the LS600hL is pretty amazing, and I hope the new model doesn't lose any of that feeling.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 348
From: Tennessee
For me, the body style is little changed. It's not enough to make a jump from the current LS460. The interior, as I said before, reminds me of my mom's 2003 Lincoln Continental. The console floats. I guess Lexus figures it's core buyer is 70+ years old.
CL Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,264
Likes: 481
From: MA
Well I don't know if they are "finished", but you are right, it is disappointing. However, I will reserve judgment until we see what the acceleration is like with the electric motors.
I was thinking the same thing. Maybe the body style will look much more differently when you see it in person.
I was thinking the same thing. Maybe the body style will look much more differently when you see it in person.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 66
From: IN
Well I don't know if they are "finished", but you are right, it is disappointing. However, I will reserve judgment until we see what the acceleration is like with the electric motors.
I was thinking the same thing. Maybe the body style will look much more differently when you see it in person.
I was thinking the same thing. Maybe the body style will look much more differently when you see it in person.
The interior is beautiful though.
Regarding the numbers on the hybrid..im simply not sure what Lexus is doing. I would say if you own a 600 now, consider yourself quite fortunate, as they just may well be a collectable...a very powerful collectable at that!
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Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 299
Likes: 31
From: NJ
I think the HP numbers make sense because they are actually trying to get some decent mileage out of the thing. I mean the whole point of getting a hybrid really centers around improved fuel economy and not power. Nice they are offering front massaging seats. I absolutely love them in my Audi. At least I think that is what they are implying.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 757
Likes: 61
From: GA
Three years in LS600hl here. Tremendous power and torque even when compared to 460. That is not for someone looking to save gas... so I really don't see why would ~$100k LS500h interest the same drivers with a 354hp engine to save gas...
Last edited by hfahmy; Mar 8, 2017 at 07:48 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 233
From: Nebraska
Could it be a typo on the LS500h horsepower? It seems weird to me that the non-hybrid LS500 TT V-6 puts out 415 HP while the addition of the hybrid motors actually drops the HP rating to 358... From reading about the other similar situation with the LC500, I guess the hybrid version drops the HP by 113, but the base engine drops from a V-8 to V-6 in that scenario...
I know the LS600hL bumps the LS460 horsepower up from 359 (for the AWD model) to 438, although some of the increased horsepower may be attributable to the displacement increase from 4.6 to 5.0 L.
Guess I'm happy to stick with my LS600hL for the indefinite future!
I know the LS600hL bumps the LS460 horsepower up from 359 (for the AWD model) to 438, although some of the increased horsepower may be attributable to the displacement increase from 4.6 to 5.0 L.
Guess I'm happy to stick with my LS600hL for the indefinite future!
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,631
Likes: 4,045
From: Maryland
No thats the same HP as the LC500h...
The hybrid is not just adding electric motors to the TTV6 like it is in the LS600h, its a different engine. If you want to read more about the multi-stage hybrid system look up info on the LC500h. Won't be a huge premium over the 500 as the 600hL is to the 460.
The hybrid is not just adding electric motors to the TTV6 like it is in the LS600h, its a different engine. If you want to read more about the multi-stage hybrid system look up info on the LC500h. Won't be a huge premium over the 500 as the 600hL is to the 460.
