Yorkregion.com - Wheels - Lexus LS600h L offers luxury without the enviro-angst
Lexus LS600h L offers luxury without the enviro-angst
The 2008 Lexus LS 600h L features the world's first V8 hybrid engine and all-wheel-drive along with such amenities as a self-parking system as standard. It offers the power of a V12 and the fuel economy of a V6.
Wheels
Dec 30, 2007 09:55 PM
2008 Lexus LS600h L
By: Jim Robinson
Premium luxury with a conscience, that's the Lexus LS600h L. With its combined V8 gasoline engine and electric motors, this top-of-the-line Lexus offers power equivalent to a V12 but with fuel consumption closer to that of a V6.
It's hard to believe a decade has passed and more that a million units sold since Toyota unveiled the first-generation Prius with Toyota's pioneering take on hybrids, which uses a gasoline engine, regenerative braking, leading-edge battery pack and electric motors to power the driving wheels. Lexus Hybrid Drive is termed a "full" hybrid, meaning it can run on battery power alone for part of the time. In addition to saving fuel, when the engine is not running, there is no combustion meaning zero emissions.
The humble little Prius may have started it all, but the LS600h L is anything but a wallflower. Firstly, it is big and secondly, it is very fast. Put your foot down and the electric motors come on like a supercharger and noticeably punch the big sedan forward.
In Lexus nomenclature, the first two letters denote the model with the LS being at the top. If there are letters after the centre numbers, an "h" means hybrid and an "L" means long or extended wheelbase. The number in the centre stand for displacement, thus a 350 is a 3.5-litre and a 460 is a 4.6-litre. The only place that varies is with the hybrids. With its 5.0-litre engine, the LS600h L should have a 6.0-litre. Lexus sees the LS600h L with its combination of V8/electric power is being equal to a 6.0-litre in terms of power.
Anyway, the Lexus Hybrid Drive system starts with a new 5.0-litre V8 that uses state-of-the-art vibration and friction lowering technologies for ultra smooth operation. At the foundry, master machinists listen to each completed engine with a stethoscope for minute and/or abnormal noises to make sure each engine is properly balanced.
As fitted, the engine and motors have a net power rating of 438 hp and 385 lb/ft of torque. In normal operation, the fuel rating is 10.6/9.1/9.9L/100 km city/highway/combined that is similar to the Toyota Avalon with the 3.5-litre V6.
When you drive the LS600h L it starts from launch like one of those high-speed trains in Europe or Japan. Acceleration has a linear feeling with no sensation of gears being shifted.
The driver has a switch that allows him/her to modify the hybrid's performance from normal (optimized) operation to power (maximum performance) or snow (maximum control) settings, depending on conditions. The engine management system and the CVT route torque to all four corners through an all-wheel-drive system designed specifically for the LS 600h L. That gives the driver the best engine/battery performance curve and an ideal degree of torque.
At this year's Canadian Car of the Year testing (CCOTY), I was in the Prestige category that included the LS600h L. Part of the testing involved normal roads and highways. Acceleration is impressive, as noted, especially on passing on the highway. Put your foot down and the LS simply vaults ahead and almost silently.
In a controlled setting it went from 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. That is quick no matter how you cut it. In the critical 80-120 km/h "passing" test, the Lexus did it in 4.7 seconds and also stopped from 100-0 km/h in 46.5 metres.
The supple handling is due to the all-new air suspension system. It was specially designed to adapt quickly to uneven road surfaces. At the same time, the newly developed stabilizer suppresses the roll angle and stabilizes the vehicle when turning.
Even the electric steering was modified to mesh with the AWD by increasing or decreasing voltage for the best feel at varying speeds.
The CCOTY is now held annually in the Niagara region and one of my tests is going to Niagara-on-the-Lake. It's always tough to find a parking space there but that's part of what I do in comparing vehicles in the same category.
I managed to do it, but with about a 15-point attempt. The Lexus Advanced Parking Guidance System (that's the one that lets the car park itself) is standard on the LS600hL but I just couldn't bring myself to use it.
Price for the 2008 LS 600h L was $132,000 with no options. Even though this is the "base" price, my tester was marvelously fitted out with wonderful leather complemented by the liberal use of what looked like genuine wood. The driver has a 16-way power seat. There are no less than 10 airbags and it is the first car in the world to use LED headlights that are, I can attest, very bright and are supposed to be maintenance free for 15 years.
In terms of passive safety, the 2008 LS 600h L offers the available Lexus Advanced Pre-Collision System, which combines millimetre-wave radar and stereo cameras to detect not only larger obstacles such as other vehicles, but also pedestrians and small animals, that are in front of the car. The Pre-Collision System is the first to employ stereo cameras, which are particularly suited to detecting and identifying potential obstacles human sized or smaller. It also includes North America's first driver surveillance system, which monitors driver attention. The radar, camera and surveillance systems work together to determine whether an accident is a possibility, then optimize with the vehicle' suspension, braking and Variable Gear Ratio Steering systems in case the driver engages in evasive actions.
That is part of the Prestige option package listed at $26,700 that also includes such over-the-top features as a Shiatsu massage rear seat with ottoman and fold out table.
In addition to ABS, traction control, the LS has Lexus' next generation Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system. This goes way beyond normal stability control systems in that VDIM system links electronically controlled brake system, electronic power steering, vehicle stability control, antilock braking system, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, and engine torque via the electronically controlled throttle.
This new VDIM system gathers information from more sources, and processes it earlier and faster than in previous iterations to start correcting any potential to get out of shape before the driver even realizes there is something amiss.
I tried very hard on a wide expanse of controlled pavement at CCOTY to get the LS to slip or slide, but no way. What I noticed was no sense of the car trying to tighten up the steering and take it out of my control like I used to experience on systems in the past.
As the world's first full hybrid with V8 engine and AWD, Lexus, along with Toyota, is the clear leader in making hybrid power an everyday reality.
A lot of carmakers are talking about hybrids, but Lexus/Toyota is building them.
And with the LS600h L, Lexus has shown luxury need not be an affront to the environment.
LEXUS LS600h L 2008 AT A GLANCE
- BODY STYLE: Premium luxury hybrid sedan.
- DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, all-wheel-drive.
- ENGINE: 5.0-litre, DOHC V8/electric motor/battery (438 net hp, 385 net lb/ft)
- FUEL ECONOMY: 10.6/9.1/9.9L/100 km city/highway/combined.
- PRICE: $132,000
- WEBSITE: lexus.ca