Lexus LS 600hL. Savings on premium class

 

Lexus LS600hL. Price: from 4,516,500 RUB. On sale: since December 2007.

In our country, it is not customary to save on luxury cars, which undoubtedly include Lexus models. Now under the hood of these cars you can find not only traditional engines, but also hybrid powertrains. The LS is no exception in this regard.

Our attitude towards prestigious cars is simple: they are simply a must-have, because they emphasize social status and enliven dull city landscapes. Those who purchase such cars are unlikely to care about ecology or depletion of fuel reserves. However, in many countries these issues are taken seriously, and requirements for automakers are becoming stricter every year. This is what forces engineers to invent new technologies that reduce harmful emissions. The Japanese, as usual, turned out to be at the forefront: they were among the first to start installing hybrid powertrains on their cars. It is clear that such pleasure is still not cheap, so new products first appear on premium segment cars.

It is not difficult to understand that the Lexus LS600hL is a hybrid. Just press the Start/Stop button, and a clear picture appears on the central screen showing which energy source is currently in use — the electric motor or the internal combustion engine. If the batteries are charged, the car moves off on electricity. When the charge is insufficient (which happens rarely), the gasoline engine comes into play. In the first case, the start is absolutely silent. But as soon as you press the accelerator harder, the gasoline unit kicks in. During movement, this switch is almost imperceptible, but at idle a slight vibration is felt. And no wonder: under the hood hides a V8 with a displacement of 4969 cc. The total output of the gasoline and electric motors reaches 440 hp. This is enough for a two-and-a-half-ton car to accelerate to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds. Fast, but the Lexus LS600hL does it calmly and imperturbably, as befits a car of this class.

The fact that this sedan is created for transporting an important passenger is eloquently indicated by the nature of the handling. Fast driving is possible, but inertial forces make themselves felt, so it is better to prepare for maneuvers in advance. The steering wheel is light, although not without informativeness. But the brakes disappoint. Stopping a huge sedan packed with electric drives is not an easy task. Moreover, a sharp press on the brake pedal causes not only intense deceleration, but also an unpleasant nose dive. As for comfort and quality of finishing, everything is impeccable here in the Lexus LS. Everyone can settle in comfortably, especially in the long-wheelbase version. But the passenger in the rear right seat will be the luckiest: it is he who has access to multimedia control and the best view. In addition, only this seat is equipped with many adjustments, including massage.

The Lexus LS600hL is a great way to stand out from the crowd of Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Plus, do not forget about fuel economy. Of course, a few rubles are unlikely to greatly affect the budget of the owner of a car worth $200,000, but you will have to visit the gas station less often. And this is an additional convenience.

A Step into the Future

The automotive industry does not stand still. Someone develops new things, someone implements them. Lexus is just an example of the latter. This is transport of the future that can already be driven today. Under the hood is a complex aggregate scheme: a gasoline engine works in tandem with an electric motor. As a result, the LS600hL produces 440 hp, and the total torque reaches 820 Nm. Fuel consumption is pleasantly surprising — 9.3 liters in the combined cycle. And what about acceleration? Even with a mass of almost two and a half tons, the sedan reaches 100 km/h in the same 6.3 seconds. But the premium LS is not limited to the unique engine. Torque is transmitted to all wheels through a continuously variable transmission with electronic control (E-CVT). It provides smooth acceleration without jerks and contributes to fuel economy even during intense driving. To tame the power of the LS600hL, the driver is helped by the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system (VDIM), which increases the stability of the heavy car. All this is not the final, but just another stage. So soon the Japanese will surely please us with a new development.

Driving
The powerful Lexus LS600hL can quickly gain speed, but during sharp maneuvers you should be careful: due to the large mass, the body noticeably rolls, and stopping the heavy sedan is not so easy.

Interior
Inside — luxurious finishing materials that immediately catch the eye.

Comfort
In the long L version, all four passengers will be comfortably accommodated, but the best lot will go to the one who sits in the rear right.

Safety
The safety of everyone in the cabin is the main priority of Japanese engineers.

Price
The cost looks quite competitive against the background of other premium-class cars. But the hybrid version will have a hard time in our country: the manufacturer does not yet have weighty arguments to convince potential Lexus buyers to choose exactly this modification.


Advantages and Disadvantages

+ Low fuel consumption, comfortable suspension, spacious interior.
- Large mass, inefficient brakes, light steering wheel.

Specifications

Make and model - Lexus LS600hL
Dimensions - 5150/1875/1480 mm
Engine - hybrid, 4969 cc, 440 hp/ 6400 rpm
Transmission - E-CVT, continuously variable, with electronic control
Dynamics - max 250 km/h; 6.3 s to 100 km/h
Competitors - Mercedes-Benz S500L, BMW 760 Li, Audi A8 L

Our Opinion

So far, everything new and advanced is found only in the most expensive models. But time goes on, and hybrid engines are gaining popularity. The Lexus LS, having received a more economical powertrain, has not lost its status. The power has remained at the same high level. It remains only to explain to people why such hybrids are needed and why they cost more.