Last January, Lexus showed off its latest flagship sedan, the all-new LS500, at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). Two months after, the Japanese luxury marque now reveals the full hybrid version, the Lexus LS500h, at the ongoing Geneva Motor Show.
Sharing the same swoopy greenhouse and long wheelbase with a low and wide stance, the stunning new Lexus LS is touted to redefine the luxury sedan segment with its sleek and sophisticated looks and cutting-edge technology. And the hybrid version further reinforces this, what with new tech that isn’t just meant to raise the bar but pave the way towards the future as well.
At the heart of the Lexus LS500h is the all-new multi-stage hybrid system. The innovative piece of kit features a 3.5-liter gasoline engine, two electric motors, and the Lexus four-stage shifting device. All these make for a total system output of 354hp and take the large sedan from standstill to 100kph in just 5.4 seconds. Even more notable is how all this power is transferred to the drive wheels—in a more direct and instantaneous manner. This is due to the four-stage shifting device, mounted directly behind the gas motor’s crankshaft. The result is a more responsive and rewarding drive.
Besides being rewarded behind the tiller, the driver can now shift through the 10-speed gearbox manually, via the M mode and the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Being offered for the first time on a Lexus hybrid, it gives the driver even greater control while navigating the vehicle through various road conditions.
Also new on the Lexus LS500h is a lithium-ion battery. This one replaces the nickel-metal hydride pack of the current LS hybrid and boasts less weight while providing more power. This translates to better overall performance whether driving in electric mode or tackling mountain roads at full tilt. The car can even be driven minus the gas mill at up to speeds of 140kph.
Speaking of kit, the new LS500h comes with Lexus Safety System+. This means it gets various collision avoidance gear to help prevent accidents in al driving conditions. It also receives the world’s first Intuitive Pedestrian Detection System with Active Steering Assist. This helps avoid running into pedestrians by applying steering inputs and braking force that allows the car to steer around the person and keeping to the lane. Plus, CoDrive helps relieve driver stress by assisting during moments when the driver seems to be losing focus, among others. All these are there to help provide a truly safe drive.
Of course, the new Lexus LS500h gets Omotenashi, or the Japanese sense of hospitality, seen in its ultra-luxurious cabin. Materials are naturally first-rate while seats provide a multitude of adjustments, s well as heating, ventilation, and massage functions. It’s the best place to be pampered while on the go.
The new Lexus LS500h made its world premiere at the ongoing Geneva Motor Show
