Executive cars are among the most advanced, as they are equipped with the latest systems and assemblies. One of them is the Lexus LS 600h. Moreover, even among classmates, he stands out for technical features and targeted orientation.
General Features
Lexus LS is a Japanese executive sedan. Unlike many European counterparts, it does not have low-power simple versions. At the same time, in terms of cost, it is still more attractive in the gasoline version in comparison with similar configurations.
Story
The first generation appeared in 1989 and was produced until 1994. The second generation was on the market until 2000. Until 2006, the third generation was produced. The fourth generation is the most long-lived. It has been in production from 2006 to the present, that is, for 10 years. During this time, the car has undergone two upgrades - in 2009 and 2012. At the beginning of next year, a fifth generation presentation is expected. In the domestic market until 2006, Lexus LS was sold as Toyota Celsior.
Body
The car is traditionally presented for the segment exclusively in the sedan and has two options: regular and elongated. Their width and height are the same and are 1.875 m and 1.48 m, respectively. The length and wheelbase are different. In the regular version, they are 5.06 m and 2.97 m, respectively, and the enlarged version has a length of 5.18 m and a wheelbase of 3.09 m.
Lexus LS 600h was originally introduced in both versions, however, with the second restyling the usual version was excluded.
The mass of the simple version was originally 2.27 tons, but during the first modernization it increased to 2.365 tons. The same applies to the Lexus LS 600hL: in 2009 the weight increased from 2.32 tons to 2.475 tons, but during the second restyling it was reduced to 2.395 t
Engine
The power plant of the car is represented by a V8 and an electric motor on nickel-metal hydride batteries. Thanks to this, the Lexus LS 600h was the first production hybrid car with a V8.
The gasoline engine is a 2UR-FSE. It has the same construction as the 2UR-GSE. The volume of both engines is 5 l, the cylinder diameter is 94 mm, the piston stroke is 89.5 mm. At the same time, it is slightly deformed compared to the 2UR-GSE: power is 394 liters. sec., torque - 520 Nm.
The electric motor is represented by a synchronous AC unit. Its capacity is 224 liters. sec., torque - 300 Nm.
However, due to the fact that the electric motor does not develop full power, the total performance of the Lexus LS 600h power plant can reach 445 liters. from.
Transmission
The car is equipped with exclusively permanent all-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission, however, in the domestic market, an 8-speed automatic transmission is installed on it. The transmission includes three differentials. The motor shaft is connected to a hybrid system. The default torque distribution is 40:60, but can vary from 30:70 to 50:50. Lexus LS 600h became the first hybrid car with permanent all-wheel drive.
Chassis
Both multi-link suspensions are equipped with pneumatic damping elements with single-tube shock absorbers. Together they make up the AVS adaptive suspension. It is able to eliminate vehicle rolls in corners based on data from sensors of the body position control system.
In addition, the Lexus LS 600h is equipped with an adaptive electric power steering with a variable gear ratio. This allows you to smoothly vary the force on the steering wheel depending on the speed.
Interior
Like other models of the executive segment, the Lexus LS 600h interior is finished with high quality materials and has good sound insulation. According to the latest indicator, the car in question is considered one of the best. Many executive cars are offered in regular and extended versions, like the car in question. The 2008 Lexus LS 600h was available in both versions. However, after restyling in 2012, only an elongated version was left. The Lexus LS 600h AT Long's extra cabin space has traditionally been used to increase rear seat space. There is an option with a split center console rear seat. Moreover, the part behind the front passenger is equipped with such a rare option as adjustable support for the legs, as well as a massage system and backrest with the ability to tilt by 45 °.
In addition, the LS 600h offers an extensive list of standard and optional equipment. For example, it includes an infrared climate sensor for the rear row of seats. On the basis of the data on the body temperature of passengers provided by him, a temperature adjustment is carried out.
Driving performance
Executive cars are characterized by a high level of comfort. The most powerful versions also have good dynamic performance close to the characteristics of sports models, but this is not relevant for the Lexus LS 600h. Reviews of journalists and characteristics indicate that it is even slower than the less powerful version of the LS 460. This is because the car is tuned for comfort and efficiency. So, the electric motor allows you to silently get under way and move at a low speed. In addition, it provides better elasticity for the Lexus LS 600h. The characteristics of the dynamics are still lower than those of the LS 460: in acceleration to 100 km / h it lags by about 0.5 s (6.1 s). Manageability also worsened as a result of the increased mass, which is often noted by the owners.
Market place
Lexus LS 600h stands out for technical excellence even among analogues from the executive segment. So, he became the first hybrid executive car and the first hybrid car with all-wheel drive, as well as the first hybrid with a V8.
In addition, the Lexus LS is distinguished by a range of versions that is not traditional for most similar models. The car has only two options: this is the LS 460 with a V8 and the hybrid LS 600h. That is, there are no simple economical versions that competitors usually have V6 engines.
This is partly offset by the presence of a hybrid version, the positioning of which is also very unusual. Many manufacturers in the executive segment to date also have hybrid or electric options, but they are presented as optional. The Lexus LS 600h became not only a full version, but also took the top position in the gamut. While other manufacturers usually have the most powerful and fastest option at the top of the model line, the LS 600h, despite its power, is oriented primarily to comfort and economy.
Cost
Due to the lack of simple modifications, the Lexus LS may not seem so cheap: its cost starts from 5.453 million rubles. For example, the simplest BMW 7 Series (730i) can be bought for 4.49 million rubles.
However, if we compare the LS 460 with similar versions of competitors, the situation is different. The BMW 750d, which is close in power, costs 6.59 million rubles, and even the less powerful version of the 740Li is more expensive than the LS 460 by almost 300 thousand rubles (5.730 million). The Audi A8 4.2 TDI, similar in performance, is not presented in the local market, and the less powerful 3-liter version is 65 thousand rubles more expensive than the BMW 740Li. The price of the Mercedes Benz S400, which also has lower performance, starts at 5.94 million rubles.
The reverse situation is with the Lexus LS 600h, the price of which starts from 7.972 million rubles. Mercedes Benz has a close in parameters hybrid version of the S 500 e L, which costs 7.28 million rubles. The cost of Audi and BMW with the usual V8, which have characteristics similar to the Lexus LS 600h, starts from 6.795 and 7.24 million rubles, respectively.