Lexus has launched the LS 460L and the equally impressive Lexus LS 600hL.

The Lexus LS 600hL is a V8 capable of pumping out a little less than BMW’s seven series six litre V12. How, you may ask, is this possible? The output of the electric motors combined with the 5.0 litre V8 engine’s thrust is the key to the car’s success. O.K, you’ve swallowed that one, but it is also apparent that the Lexus LS 600hL compares well with the BMW six litre V12 for gas guzzling. You will find a 30 percent improvement on the big Beemer’s fuel efficiency. This proves to be all very remarkable indeed – almost too good to be true. But all things are possible for those who believe, suggesting that the Lexus LS 600hL is quite something. Australia has the honour of marketing Lexus’ mile-munching flagship model. Certainly, on paper, the performance figures make for good reading. Under the bonnet of the Lexus LS 600hL is the silky 4969cc fuel-injected DOHC 32 valve V8 290kW engine. The maximum power is found at 6400rpm, while the 520Nm twist is found at 4000rpm. The big car’s maximum speed is limited to 255 km/h, and the 0-100 km/h dash is performed in 6.1 seconds. The combined fuel usage is an impressively low 9.3 L/100 km. The very quiet progress is sure to mask the speed of the beast. And one should be very thankful for the cruise control system which can be easily set to double digit figures.

The Lexus LS 600hL uses a Torsen four-wheel drive system that boasts a torque-split device, using a differential-type planetary gear set that is connected by one output shaft to the generator and by another to the electric motor and the wheels. The four-wheel drive set-up is controlled via a continuously variable transmission with eight steps. As a result, motorway travel will be swift and sure footed.

Toyota is claiming the Lexus LS 600hL to be the most technologically advanced motor vehicle currently offered in the world today. And while effortless cruising is evident as part of the package, cabin noise will be around half the level found in conventional cars. This could possibly make the LS600hL the quietest car on the road. Now add in-car entertainment noise to the near silent cabin ambience, and one will appreciate that the 19-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system will sound nothing short of sublime. It could, in fact, be the world’s best in-car entertainment system. Of course, luxury items like satellite navigation, drink cooling compartments, reclining rear seats that have separate entertainment controls for each rear seat passenger, and a climate control system that boasts sensors that will calculate each occupant’s body temperature in order to keep the cabin ambience perfect are just some of the bells and whistles the big luxury Lexus has on offer. The active safety features include the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRC). And also a Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) system is available.

As a bystander who casts a very critical line over all new car designs, I can assure you that the Lexus LS 600hL offers a superbly balanced design package. The very lengthy wheelbase is 120mm longer than the standard LS 460, and is tucked nicely behind the elegantly styled nose. Super smooth windshield lines slip effortlessly up and over the cabin and onto the haunches of the strikingly beautiful back end. From the front, looking at the face of the Lexus, it is typically clean and simple. But what is noticeably different from the faces of earlier big Lexuses (or should that be Lexi?) is the more aggressive and performance orientated design cues used in the strong and powerful bonnet lines and the impressively sharp, more arrow-like Xenon headlight design. The tyres are bigger and wider than what was used previously for Lexus flagship models. The 245/45 R19 98Y tyres are fitted to the beautiful seven spoked 19 8J alloy wheels to cope with the colossal performance.

The 2.3-tonne Lexus LS 600hL is breathtakingly beautiful. The muted and powerful hybrid performance, extremely well equipped cabin and advanced automotive technology will make this car a headache for all Lexus competitors.

The current model series includes the:

• Lexus LS 600hL 4-seater
• Lexus LS 600hL 5-seater

For any more information on the Lexus LS 600hL, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Lexus dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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