The much-awaited technology flagship is now in the market here and is set to draw decision-makers with a conscience

The luxury marque from Japan is now going places with its new generation of Hybrid technology. Especially to places like Oman, where petrol costs around 30 US cents a litre and very few car owners get scared of buying a V8 engine.

The Lexus LS600 L Hybrid therefore has a more ubiquitous role to play for the brand not just in Oman but in other Gulf states as well. Potential owners of the car will be neither trying to save money nor worried about the cost of fuel. These are owners who will willingly put in the extra money that the sophisticated drivetrain and the ‘L’ badge dictate for the honour of saying “I care”.

The brand’s flagship model, the LS 600h L – the “L” signifying the long-wheelbase LS platform -- provides the highest level of performance, technology and luxury in the LS line. The LS 600h L is powered by the ultra-quiet Lexus Hybrid Drive system, which was the world’s first to combine a V8 petrol engine with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) hybrid drivetrain. The LS 600h L’s combined estimated EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg is equal to or better than the combined fuel economy ratings of some mid-sized V6 AWD luxury sedans.

The 2010 LS 600h L is distinguished by a revised front grille and bumper.  Rear styling is enhanced with distinctive blue-tinted taillights and a revised license plate surround and exhaust diffusers. New side mirrors integrate turn signals.

Thanks to improved hybrid battery packaging and placement, the trunk capacity for the 2010 LS 600h L grows by nearly two cubic feet. New Intelligent High Beams adjust their brightness in response to oncoming vehicles.

Already lauded for its comprehensive luxury, the 2010 LS 600h L gains numerous additional luxury amenities and user technology features including a driver’s seat that now features a standard slide-away feature that makes ingress/egress more comfortable; a new LCD instrument cluster; the standard Lexus Navigation system employs new casual language recognition; Bluetooth® phonebook capability and new music playing capability with USB/iPod® connectivity and Bluetooth audio streaming.

Drivetrain

The LS 600h L hybrid powertrain system uniquely combines a 5.0-liter V8 petrol engine with two powerful electric motors and a large-capacity battery pack.  The hybrid powertrain generates a peak combined output rating of 438 horsepower and can effortlessly accelerate the LS 600h L from zero-to-60 mph in just 5.5 seconds.  Mid-range acceleration is even more impressive. The system’s electric motor is capable of delivering maximum torque on demand and is most beneficial during passing maneuvers.  The LS 600h L can accelerate from 50-70 mph in just 3.5 seconds.

The innovative V8 features an electric motor-driven Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) and Electrically controlled intake cam (VVT-iE). The combination of VVT-iE and oil pressure-controlled VVT-i for the exhaust cam provides superior engine-startup operation and high-output performance.  A specially developed Hydrocarbon Absorber and Catalyst System is linked to the two-way exhaust to help prevent hydrocarbons contained in the exhaust from being released into the atmosphere during cold start up when the catalysts are not up to temperature.

The LS 600h L meets the Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle II (SULEV II) certification, emitting nearly 70-percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new car.

The super-low noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels in the LS 600h L make it one of the quietest automobiles ever built.  The LS 600h L is a full hybrid, capable of operating in electric-only mode or with a combination of the gas engine and electric motor.  Lexus hybrid technology allows electric-mode-only operation when certain conditions are met at low speeds or stop-and-go driving conditions, reducing fuel consumption and noise.

A compact 288-volt DC Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack is installed behind the rear seat. The battery’s power is directed through a boost converter that efficiently raises voltage to a maximum 650V DC.  An inverter changes this to AC, providing its elevated power to a 165-kW electric motor that turns at up to 10,240 rpm.  The trunk also contains a 12-volt auxiliary battery that powers the audio, navigation, and other systems.

The LS 600h L powertrain uses two motor generators: MG1 and MG2. Each performs specific functions and can operate as either a motor or a generator, although MG1 is used as a starter motor and provides no motive force.  The engine-driven generator, MG1, can charge the battery pack or provide additional power to the drive motor, MG2, as needed.

A regenerative-braking system further boosts efficiency.  When the vehicle is coasting or the brakes are applied, the electric motors function as generators, capturing kinetic energy that would normally be lost as heat through the brakes and transforming it into useable electricity to recharge the batteries.

A state-of-the-art, full-time all-wheel drive system adapts to road surface conditions to help provide excellent vehicle control during acceleration, high-speed driving and cornering.  The AWD system employs a compact, ultra-quiet transfer case equipped with a TORSEN® limited-slip differential (LSD) that is 30 percent lighter in size and weight than previous TORSEN systems.

The LSD provides rear biased torque distribution of 40:60 during normal straight-line driving, automatically and continually adjusting power distribution according to changing speed and road conditions.

An eight-speed sequential braking mode, activated when the shift lever is in the “S” position, allows eight different stages of response.  When up-shifting, engine speed is controlled by the selected range, offering an exhilarating boost in acceleration during each of the eight “shift” stages.  When downshifting, brake-force increases to provide powerful deceleration.

The driver can select “hybrid” (normal), “power,” or “snow” modes to change the rate of throttle opening for a given throttle-pedal angle.  The “hybrid” mode provides the smoothest operation and is ideal for city or suburban driving; “power” sharpens accelerator pedal response and “snow” mode softens accelerator pedal response, making it easier to accelerate on slippery road surfaces.  By pushing an EV switch, power reverts to full electric mode for short-distance, low-speed driving situations such as residential areas or parking garages.

Chassis

Multi-link front and rear air-suspension systems help maintain superb vehicle posture and driving performance while maintaining the ultra-comfortable ride that is synonymous with all Lexus vehicles.

The LS 600h L is equipped with large front- and rear-ventilated disc brakes and standard 19-inch, seven-spoke aluminium alloy wheels with all-season tyres.  These special wheels receive extensive buffing.

Electronic Power Steering (EPS) delivers a smooth steering feel and reduces parasitic losses. Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) optimizes the steering gear ratio according to vehicle speed, enhancing responsiveness and driver control.

Networked with the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system, VGRS can make minor adjustments to the front-wheel angle to help provide improved stability in challenging road conditions.

Safety Features

The VDIM stability system incorporates and manages all of the car’s dynamic handling sub-systems, including: Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB) system, EPS, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Antilock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and engine torque via the electronically controlled throttle. Monitoring a variety of sensors, the system anticipates the onset of a vehicle skid or slide while cornering, and helps correct the situation with a combination of braking, throttle and steering control in a way that is essentially transparent to the driver.  VSC can be turned off for particular circumstances via the Trac Off button.

In addition to the active safety features, the LS 600h L is standard-equipped with eight airbags, with a maximum of 11 airbags available through option packages.  The world’s first low-beam LED headlamps provide superior road illumination, and the standard Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) helps to illuminate a turn or curve as the driver steers into it.

The available Advanced Pre-Collision System (APCS) was the world’s first system designed to help detect pedestrians in the vehicle’s path when it debuted on the 2009 Pebble Beach® Edition LS 600h L.  This system is now available for the 2010 LS 600h L (and the LS 460 models) with Lane Keep Assist.  Using two small cameras mounted at the front of the car that work in conjunction with millimeter-wave radar, APCS is sensitive enough to detect certain nonmetallic objects.

As part of APCS, the LS also offers the Driver Monitor System, which was another world first.  A third camera, mounted on the steering column, monitors the orientation of the driver’s face.

If the camera detects that it appears the driver is not looking directly ahead for a few seconds or more, and if an obstacle is detected ahead, then it alerts the driver, first with a warning chime and a flashing light.  As the car gets closer to the obstacle, APCS can begin to gently apply the brakes on its own.

To help assist the driver in maneuvering around the obstacle, the system reprograms the steering ratio, amplifying the intensity and quickness of the steering response.  At the same time, APCS automatically retracts the front seatbelts and prepares the brake system to respond with full force when activated by the driver in anticipation of a possible impact.