“Opulence
comes as
standard with the latest
Lexus hybrid. In all,
it’s an automotive tour
de force and, if you
can afford it, you can
probably find 88,000
good reasons to buy
one...”
THINK LUXURY, REFINEMENT AND QUALITY and we think Lexus; think performance
and hybrid power and — well, we also think Lexus! Put the elements together
and we end up with the Lexus LS 600h range of standard and long-wheelbase
luxury premium grade executive saloons, which went on sale in October with
prices ranging from £81,400 to £88,000. The most expensive model is the 600h
L with the rear seat Relaxation Package, which to date has accounted for 60
per cent of all LS 600h orders in the UK.
So who buys these luxurious Lexus models? Heads of industry, execut-ives who
love the latest 'must-have' technology, executive 'green' crusaders, customers
who want an alternative to BMW or Mercedes luxury models, companies who want
to promote their 'green' credentials and, of course, the limousine and chauffeur
business.
So exactly what is so special about the Lexus LS 600h? Well, it's a petrol/electric
hybrid and Lexus says it is equipped with a more advan-ced powertrain and
more sophisticated array of preventative, active and passive features than
any car in its class. Unquestionably, the LS 600h sets very high standards
in luxury motoring while offering supreme comfort, convenience and on-board
entertainment. And, being a Lexus, award-winning customer satisfaction and
brand loyalty come as stan-dard.
The LS 600h features the world's first full-time all-wheel drive full-hybrid
V8 powertrain. It combines a silky-smooth 5.0-litre petrol engine with a high-output
electric motor. Lexus says the combination rivals a standard V12 petrol engine
— 0-62mph takes just 6.3 seconds — with fuel consumption and emissions
on a par with the sector's best perfor-ming and substantially lower-powered
diesel engines: 30.4mpg and 219 g/km CO2 emissions in the combined cycle.
The system also features a new, high-capacity battery pack, dual-stage electronically-controlled
continuously variable transmission and permanent all-wheel drive. The V8 engine
is the most advanced inter-nal combustion engine yet developed by Lexus, and
is derived from
the 4.6-litre unit deployed in the LS 460.
The powerplant uses the latest generation valve timing technology, with Dual
VVT-i on the intake and exhaust valves and VVT-iE (Variable Valve Timing —
intelligent Electric) on intake. This improves low- and high-end torque and
contributes to a significant reduction in exhaust emissions. It also benefits
from D-4S, a direct-injection system that uses two injectors per cylinder
to improve efficiency and torque deliv-ery throughout the engine's power range.
The result of all this is 389 bhp at 6,400rpm and a maximum torque of 384lb
ft at 4,000rpm.
The main hybrid components are a compact, high-output, water-cooled permanent
magnet electric motor, a generator, high-performance nickel metal hydride
battery, a power split device which combines and real-locates power from the
engine and generator according to the driving requirements, and a Power Control
Unit to govern the interaction of all the system's various components.
The 650-volt electric motor is compact, but produces significant power —
it delivers more than 221bhp. This contributes to a total useable power output
from the Lexus Hybrid Drive system of 439bhp.
One of the benefits of using an electric motor as a source of drive power
is that maximum torque is generated immediately on start-up — to be specific,
from zero rpm. This gives the LS 600h impressive, yet near-silent acceleration
off the line and significantly improves engine power under high throttle loads.
Over the course of any journey, Lexus Hybrid Drive operates in several different
modes to maximise efficiency. At start-up and low- to mid-range speeds, the
vehicle runs on the electric motors alone, eradic-ating both engine noise
and carbon dioxide emissions.
In normal driving conditions, the V8 engine is the main power source, with
output divided by the power split device both to drive the wheels and power
the generator, which in turn charges the high-voltage bat-tery. This power
allocation is constantly monitored and adjusted bet-ween the engine and electric
motor to maximise efficiency.
When full acceleration is required, V8 and electric motor again work
in tandem, with extra power supplied by the battery to boost accel-eration.
During deceleration, the engine switches off as the driver lifts off the throttle
and the electric motor acts as a second generator to initiate regenerative
braking, recovering energy that would normally be lost as heat as electrical
energy for storage in the battery.
The LS 600h has an automatic electrically-controlled eight-speed con-tinuously
variable transmission with a choice of three power settings: Hybrid, for the
best balance of power and traction; Power for quick response acceleration;
and Snow for better traction in slippery con-ditions. These can be engaged
by the driver, via a Mode Select switch on the centre console.
The top speed is electronically-limited to 155mph and Lexus claims the car
returns 30.4mpg in the combined cycle. During my test sessions, the LS 600h
L returned 26.2mpg for motorway driving at 70mph and 24.4mpg for normal driving
on A and B roads, somewhat short of their claims. However, a bonus of the
hybrid system is that the car can run for a certain distance on its electric
motor alone, cutting exhaust pollution to zero.
Other very notable technical highlights to be found in the LS 600h are the
all-wheel drive system (with a 40:60 rear axle bias which gives superb grip
and control under acceleration), adaptive variable suspen-sion with Normal,
Comfort and Sport settings (the system constantly adjusts the settings for
each damper to suit driving conditions), elec-tronic power steering, electronic-controlled
braking, an advanced pre-crash safety system which incorporates advanced obstacle
detection and emergency steering assist if an accident is likely, a rear camera
which monitors likely rear-end impacts and automatically deploys the head
restraints to prevent whiplash and also a driver monitoring system that can
tell if the driver is not looking at a potential hazard situation — in
which case a buzzer is sounded and the brakes briefly applied.
As the flagship of the Lexus range, the LS 600h exemplifies the luxury and
attention to detail that are intrinsic to the brand. Whilst the ex-terior
styling is somewhat unremarkable, the technical specification is unmatched
by its premium segment rivals. The interior quality and specification level
is also virtually unbeatable.
Highlights of the equipment specification include a 19-speaker Mark Levinson
Reference Surround Sound system, an independent DVD player for the rear of
the cabin with a nine-inch, roof-mounted VGA screen, a four-zone climate control
system with roof diffusers and independent rear left/right temperature controls,
leather upholstery, leather trimmed dashboard and door panels and air conditioned
front and rear seats.
The LS 600h is also the first Lexus to be offered with the option of a long-wheelbase
model. The LS 600h L is 120mm longer than the stan-dard model, with every
millimetre of the extra length dedicated to pro-viding additional legroom
for the rear seat passengers. Overall length
is 5,150mm.
The LS 600h L benefits from an even higher specification, designed to provide
a 'first class' travelling experience. A Rear Seat Relaxation Pack is exclusively
available for the LS 600h L — with this fitted, the on-the-road price
is £88,000. This equips the left-hand rear seat with an electric recline function,
an electrically-adjustable 'Ottoman' foot and thigh rest and an adjustable
massage function that can replicate tech-niques from Shiatsu to acupressure.
The seat is fitted with a cushion airbag and, to give a clear view, the front
passenger headrest can be electrically folded down.
In addition, the pack provides a more sophisticated climate control system
that monitors the passengers' body temperatures for more effective control
of the cabin environment! A fixed centre console is provided with a built-in
cool box, DVD and CD store and a retracting and adjustable inlaid wood tray.
Yes, there are a few things that could be improved: in my opinion the exterior
styling is, as already mentioned, unremarkable; the feedback to the driver
is unrewarding due to all the automatically-controlled electronic functions
and it takes time to work out what the huge array of switches, buttons and
controls do. But these really are just minor issues.
It's not an exaggeration to say that no car offers more in the way
of technology and refinement than the Lexus LS 600h L. Opulence and technical
wizardry are just two words that describe this stunning machine. A very fine
way to finish my 2007 motoring year. As the saying goes: "If you can afford
it, flaunt it!" — David Miles
 Lexus LS 600h L | £88,000 Maximum speed: 155mph | 0-62mph: 6.3 seconds Overall test MPG: 25.3mpg | Power: 389bhp | Torque: 384lb ft CO2 219g/km | VED Band F £205 | Insurance group 20 Visit Lexus's website  |
