Lexus LS 600h car: review, specifications and reviews

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Executive class cars are among the most advanced, as they are equipped with the latest systems and units. One of them is Lexus LS 600h. Moreover, even among classmates, he stands out for his technical features and target orientation.

General Features

Lexus LS is a Japanese executive sedan. Unlike many European analogues, it does not have low-power simple versions. At the same time, the cost is still more attractive in the gasoline version compared to similar trim levels.

History

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. Presentation expected early next yearfifth generation. In the domestic market until 2006, the Lexus LS was sold as the Toyota Celsior.

Body

The car is traditionally presented for the segment exclusively in the sedan and has two options: regular and extended. Their width and height are the same and are 1.875 m and 1.48 m, respectively. At the same time, the length and wheelbase are different. In the regular version, they are 5.06 m and 2.97 m, respectively, while the enlarged version has a length of 5.18 m and a wheelbase of 3.09 m.

Lexus LS 600h was originally presented in both versions, but the usual version was excluded during the second restyling.

The weight of the simple version was originally 2.27 tons, but during the first upgrade 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, however, during the second restyling, it was reduced to 2,395 tons.

Engine

The car's power plant is represented by a V8 and an electric motor on nickel-metal hydride batteries. This made the Lexus LS 600h the first production hybrid car with a V8.

The petrol engine is 2UR-FSE. Has the same design as 2UR-GSE. The volume of both motors is 5 liters, 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: the power is 394 hp. with., torque - 520 Nm.

The electric motor is represented by a synchronous AC unit. Its power is 224 hp. with., torque - 300 Nm.

However, due to the fact that the electric motor does not develop full power, the combined performance of the Lexus LS 600h power plant can reach 445 hp. s.

Transmission

The car is equipped exclusively with permanent all-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission, but in the domestic market it is equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The transmission includes three differentials. The motor shaft is connected to the hybrid system. The default torque distribution is 40:60, but can be varied 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 adjustable suspension. It is capable of correcting vehicle roll during cornering based on body position control sensors.

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 luxury segment models, the interior of the Lexus LS 600h is finished with high-quality materials and has good sound insulation. According to the latter indicator, the car in question is considered one of the best. Many executive cars are offered in regular and extended versions, just like the car in question. The 2008 Lexus LS 600h was available in both variants. However, afterrestyling in 2012 left only an extended version. The extra cabin space of the Lexus LS 600h AT Long 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 leg support, as well as a massage system and a backrest that can be tilted by 45 °.

In addition, the LS 600h offers a wide range of standard and optional equipment. For example, it includes an infrared climate control sensor for the rear row of seats. Based on the data it provides about the body temperature of the passengers, the temperature is adjusted.

Rideability

Cars of the executive segment 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. Journalists' reviews and specifications indicate that it is even slower than the less powerful version of the LS 460. This is due to the fact that the car is tuned for comfort and economy. So, the electric motor allows you to silently move off and move at low speed. In addition, it provides better elasticity for the Lexus LS 600h. Dynamic characteristics are still lower than those of the LS 460: in acceleration to 100 km / h, it lags behind by about 0.5 s (6.1 s). Handling has also deteriorated due to the increased mass, which is oftennoted by the owners.

Marketplace

Lexus LS 600h stands out for its technical excellence even among analogues from the executive segment. So, it became the first hybrid executive car and the first hybrid car with all-wheel drive, as well as the first hybrid with V8.

Besides, the Lexus LS has an unconventional range of versions for most similar models. The car has only two variants: the LS 460 with 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 have now also had hybrid or electric options, but they are presented as optional. Lexus LS 600h became not only a full-fledged version, but also took the top position of the gamut. If other manufacturers usually have the most powerful and fastest option at the top of the model line, then the LS 600h, despite the power, is focused primarily on 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 cost of a similarly powerful BMW 750d is 6.59 millionrubles, and even the less powerful version 740Li is more expensive than the LS 460 by almost 300 thousand rubles (5.730 million). Similar in performance Audi A8 4, 2 TDI is not available on the local market, and a 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 a lower performance, starts at 5.94 million rubles.

The situation is reversed with the Lexus LS 600h, the price of which starts from 7,972 million rubles. Mercedes Benz has a similar hybrid version of the S 500 e L, which costs 7.28 million rubles. The cost of Audi and BMW with conventional V8s, which have characteristics similar to the Lexus LS 600h, starts from 6,795 and 7,24 million rubles, respectively.