Lexus LS 600h L Test Drive

The all-new 2008 Lexus LS 600h L is the most technologically advanced luxury sedan on the planet. In model year 2007 Lexus brought us the all-new LS460 sedan and stretched ‘L’ model that were a solid hit for Lexus with several automotive firsts, such as the first 8-speed automatic transmission, and the ability to parallel-park itself.

Lexus comes back stronger in model year 2008 with the Lexus LS600h L full hybrid luxury sedan, the first V8 powered hybrid automobile on the market. It is also the first automobile with low beam 3+1 projector LED headlights.

What makes the all-new LS600h L even more remarkable is the fact that this V8 gets enlarged to 5.0 liters, up from the 380hp 4.6 found in last year’s LS460 and L version.This new 5.0 liter V8 is rated at 389hp, and when you add to that the 49hp generated by the two electric motor generators driving the front wheels, another first in the full-size luxury segment, you get a total of 438hp, which is about the same horsepower generated from several V12 enginesWith this much power driving all four wheels, the LS600h L can rocket out to 60mph from a standstill in just 5.4sec. and give back an incredible 20mpg/city and 22mpg/highway for a 21mpg combined fuel economy, not bad for a sedan weighing 5,049lbs.Oh, I almost forgot, this new gas-hybrid motor is rated ‘Super Ultra Low Emissions’ with 70% fewer emissions than that generated by the cleanest of it’s luxury competitors. When you push the ‘Start’ button located on the dashboard, there is no noise, just a very low hum from the electric motor. If the V8 is cold it will start with the electric motor and then shut down. This is because when you give it light throttle at speeds up to 25mph, you are driving in the electric mode only, no gasoline power. when power is asked for by your foot, the V8 is instantly and seamlessly at work making the needed horsepower.
With so many new automotive innovations, who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too?
It’s not only the wonderful engine that is innovative, the 8-speed CVT continuously variable transmission is also a world’s first in a production vehicle and is smooth as silk with no notice of the shift changes as so quickly gain speed. There is also a sequential shifting gate when the right moment arrives for more spirited driving.
Augmenting the sequential shifting is the ‘power button’ that rearranges the engine mapping to increase shift ratios, quicken response time to your inputs, then tightens the electronic steering ratio for increased feel for the road and reaction to your inputs.
The fully independent suspension features aluminum control arms, air-springs and electronic dampening that you can set at ‘comfort’ or ‘sport’. When you depress the ‘sport’ button the suspension is tightened and more responsive to your speed and the road surface. When you want the all-new LS600h L to perform as a sport sedan it lets you elevate your heartbeat and quicken your pulse as you near the edge of adhesion of the 245/45R19in. all-season radial tires that are wrapped around 19X8in. aluminum alloy wheels.
Keeping you safe from going beyond the edge is Lexus’s Traction Control and Electronic Stability Systems. You can of course shut the Traction Control off.
Helping to quickly slow you down from speed are large, four-wheel disc brakes. Up front are 14in. vented discs clamped with four-piston calipers, and 13.8in. vented discs clamped with dual-piston calipers in the rear. Braking is further enhanced with ABS, electronically controlled brakes, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, and the vehicle dynamics integrated management system which is the central computer for all powertrain, suspension, steering, and braking systems.
When you want a soft and luxurious ride the Lexus LS 600h L is one of the finest, and when you want the maximum 438hp with fast reaction to your inputs and more feel for the road, the LS 600h L is also one of the finest and most enjoyable large sedans to drive, even for a stretched sedan.
All of these breakthrough technologies are only half the story about this all-new phenomenal sedan. It’s the new forward looking styling and interior comfort, luxury, convenience, quietness, and safety features that further keep the all-new LS600h L ahead of the pack.
A very, strong, rigid and torsional body structure ensures that the LS600h L performs up to its capability, and further adds to a comfortable and quiet ride. The LS600h L body structure takes advantage of high-strength steel alloy and ultra-high strength sheet metal used in the body structure. Aluminum crush boxes reduces damage from light impact and improves serviceability, the body is hand-sanded twice during the application of alternating layers of paint and coatings on critical areas. The windshield is made of acoustic glass, the side windows are made of laminated glass, and thinsulate insulation all combine for more effective sound absorption and protection.
The new Lexus L-finesse styling design is evidence in the long, sleek cabin look and strong stance that hugs the ground. The front and rear views emphasize the elegant cabin silhouette with a one-piece chrome molding for the side window surrounds, while a strong hood design, flared fenders and chrome lower side molding give it a more aggressive look. The uniquely styled lighting features arrowhead-shaped parking lamps 3-projector LED adaptive low beam headlamps, a world’s first, and wrap-around L-shaped taillight. The rear dual exhaust tips are wonderfully integrated into the rear bumpers and further the new, bold and aggressive L-finesse styled look of Lexus.
Convenience features include headlamp washers, power door closers, one-touch open/close side windows, sunroof, and power trunk release, intuitive rear park assist, and heated/electrochromic/folding outside rearview mirrors with puddle lamps.
The spacious and sumptuous interior carries the new L-finesse design cures inside with semi-aniline leather trimmed seats, leather-trimmed instrument panel, door panel and armrests, grain-matched wood trim for the center console and door panels, wood and leather trimmed/heated/tilting/telescoping steering wheel, gray bird’s-eye maple wood trim all-around including wood-trimmed assist grips, alcantara headliner and pillars finished off the luxurious interior styling. The seats are also L-finesse inspired with 16-way power driver seat and 12-way powered front passenger seat, three-position memory system, power seatbelt should height adjusters up front and heated/cooled front and heated rear seats.
The stylish instrumentation and controls feature SmartAccess with push-button star/stop, electroluminescent gauges, gated shifter with sequential sport-shift mode, electrochromic rearview mirror, cruise-control, HomeLink programmable gate/garage door opener, steering wheel mounted buttons for the audio system, brake hold function and multi-information display controls. The TFT (thin film transistor) color multi-information display indicates: driving range, average fuel consumption, average fuel consumption since last refueling, average speed, outside temperature, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control settings (if equipped), maintenance/diagnostic messages, and Lexus Hybrid Drive Illustration illuminates at start-up. More comfort and convenience features include a 30GB hard disc drive navigation system with voice activation, Bluetooth, rear backup camera, dual-zone front climate control with smog sensor and automatic recirculation control, LED interior lighting with spot-lamp illumination in front and rear, first aid kit, power rear sunshade, individual vanity mirrors, in the rear including a pull-down center console with dual cupholders, storage bin and controls for the heated rear seats. The standard Mark Levinson Audio system is spectacular with an in-dash six-disc CD/DVD changer, HDD music server stores up to 2,000 songs, AM-FM tuner, digital sound processor, MP3/WMA compatibility, 19-speakers (7.1 channel speaker architecture), MP3/iPod audio input plug, 450-watts, all channels driven (15 discrete channels), and 20-20kHz at less than 0.1% total harmonic distortion. Wow! What a symphony of your favorite sounds cruising over the highway at speed.
The base price for all of this automotive high-technology and world-class luxury isn’t cheap, even by Lexus standards and the all-new LS600h L is priced at $104,000.00.
That is Lexus’s first $100,000.00 sedan but well worth the price if you have an unlimited budget and are looking for the ultimate in a full-size, stretched sedan.
Lexus factory options are numerous and include pre-collision system with Dynamic Radar Cruise-Control, and an active power stabilizer. Lexus Premium Package I includes rear power seats with memory and a center console controls for power slide, recline and headrest, rear heated/cooled seats, rear seat side airbags, Lexus Link, and advanced self-parking guidance system. Lexus Premium Package II includes the above plus a four-zone climate control with air purifier, additional rear air ducts and rear cool box, rear seat entertainment system with power folding 9in. color DVD screen, rear audio controls, twin power rear door sunshades, additional wood trim, and rear power seats with headrests with memory.
The incredible Executive-Class Seating Package II includes all of the above with right-rear power recliner with multifunction massager and rising leg rest, rear-seat wood-trimmed table, and a rear-seat entertainment system with wireless headphones.
Safety features include dual stage driver/front passenger airbags, front passenger twin-chamber airbag, side curtain airbags, side airbags for driver/front passenger, knee airbags for driver/front passenger, force limiters and seatbelt pretensioners, three-point seatbelts and headrests for all three rear seating positions, adaptive front headlamps, front and rear crush zones and steel beams in each door.
The all-new 2008 Lexus LS600h L is a ‘tour-de-force’ of automotive high-technology.
It is the first ‘green’ full-size stretched luxury sedan to combines hybrid power, high-performance, luxury, convenience and safety like no other sedan in the world.

ALL NEW 2008 LEXUS LS 600h L
“YOU CAN HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO”