But power and performance are only half the story with the LS 600h
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| Imagine a car that can parallel park itself. That'd be this one. (Photo: Lexus Canada) |
L; efficiency and environmental friendliness also play a big part. Where most V12-powered competitors swill premium gasoline non-stop, the LS 600h L's full hybrid system, with full electric mode (meaning it can run on electric power independent of its gasoline engine) and idle-stop systems, allow it to have a combined city and highway fuel economy rating that's equal to an average midsize premium luxury sedan with all-wheel drive. This means that the big LS' ecological footprint is equal to something like an Acura RL or Audi A6 3.2 FSI quattro. This is not to mention that Lexus expects the LS 600h L to receive the Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) rating, making it nearly 70-percent cleaner than the cleanest of its competitors.
While
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| Adjustable rear seats have a great view of the fold-down DVD player. Rear passengers also have fold-out tables for laptops or writing, plus ottomans for stretching out after a hard day's work. (Photo: Lexus Canada) |
it's a well-known fact that Lexus cars are quiet and smooth-running machines, the Japanese luxury division claims that its new LS 600h L is one of the quietest vehicles, if not
the quietest vehicle ever made. Special attention has been paid to dampen sound and vibration of the hybrid drivetrain's transition phases, such as switching from gasoline power to electric mode, and starting and stopping the engine when at idle. The NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) levels in the new 600h L are approximately half of what can be found in the average new automobile, which more than edges out the competition for first place; it should give Rolls Royce and Bentley something to think about.
Of course, the latest generation LS comes packed with opulent
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| All this class-leading technology won't come cheap. LS is expected it to cost at least as much as rivals. (Photo: Lexus Canada) |
luxury features, such as Maybach 62-like rear-seat ottomans, and jaw-dropping technology. Features such as a four-zone digitally controlled climate control system, hard disk drive-based navigation system, 19-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, pre-collision protection system, and parallel-park assist function are sure to please owners, and send the competition running back to their respective drawing boards.
The LS 600h L will go on sale in 2007 as a 2008 model year product; pricing has yet to be announced, although, it's expected to start at upwards of $150,000 CAD. Lexus intends on offering this top of the line model in the long-wheelbase 'L' configuration only, though other markets may receive a version based on the standard wheelbase car.
