LS 600h
New 2010 LS 600h
Significant changes have been made to the Lexus flagship model, the LS 600h for the 2010 model year.
Unveiled for the first time at the Frankfurt motor show, the latest LS 600h model includes redesigned seating, updated equipment, a new ECO driving mode and new brakes, as well as advances in comfort and driving dynamics.
Lexus Hybrid Drive system
The full hybrid Lexus Hybrid Drive system that powers the LS 600h has a new ECO mode, which modifies the throttle action and performance of the air conditioning system to support fuel-efficient driving. When the outside temperature is 20°C or higher, the air conditioning system automatically selects its air recirculation mode to reduce power consumption.
Repackaging of the full hybrid system’s battery into two sections of six and 14 modules has reduced its overall size and freed up more luggage space in the boot.
Further development of the Lexus Hybrid Drive system has been revised to meet Euro V exhaust emissions standards, but with no change to the car’s performance: the combination of the 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine and 165kW electric motor produces a maximum 439bhp and 520Nm of torque, giving nought to 62mph acceleration in 6.3 seconds. CO2 emissions are 219g/km and combined cycle fuel economy remains 30.4mpg (figures provisional prior to UK homologation).
New brakes
The LS 600h is newly equipped with larger, 380mm ventilated front disc brakes with six-piston callipers, rotors and pads developed jointly with specialist manufacturer Brembo. The pads are designed for quieter performance with less vibration and give fade-free high-speed stopping power.
Exterior styling
The revised model is distinguished visually by a new four-bar grille and front bumper with redesigned air intakes and foglamps. Further new details include a lower bumper design with vertical fins to smooth the airflow from beneath the car. The range of exterior colours has been increased, with Mesa Red, Vanilla Mist, Richmond Green and Atlantic Blue newly available, together with the hybrid-exclusive Crystal Sapphire.
Interior features
In the cabin the instrument binnacle has been revised to include a new full colour, TFT LCD display. A new meter design features a three-ring analogue dial with a central speedometer, a tachometer and coolant temperature gauge to the left, and a fuel gauge and hybrid system indicator to the right. A display in the centre of the speedometer can be customised to display vehicle information, turn-by-turn navigation instructions and hybrid system status. The range of interior colour and trim combinations includes a new light grey semi-aniline leather upholstery.
New seating features
Both front seats are equipped with new, inflator operated active headrests. Activated by a signal from the airbag ECU in the event of a rear impact, additional support is provided, reducing the risk of whiplash injury.
The driver’s seat also has a new return/away function. Linked to a similar function that moves the steering wheel, this automatically slides the seat back by up to 50mm when the driver unbuckles the seatbelt and turns the engine off. The seat returns to its selected driving position once the car is started again.
For the new model year the LS 600h is available with the Lexus Rear Seat Relaxation Pack for the first time in conjunction with a five-seat configuration.
New Lexus Navigation System
The LS 600h now has the new hard disc drive (HDD) navigation system with the 40GB capacity, giving Europe-wide coverage with traffic information data capture in each country.
The 19-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound System fitted as standard in the LS 600h gives 7.1-channel surround sound on selected CDs and DVDs. It is now DAB ready (DAB audio will be available as a centre-fitted accessory) and provides USB and audio jack plug connection for fully controlled use of portable music players, and Bluetooth with an audio streaming function.
Automatic high beam system
The revised LS 600h features a new, automatic high beam system. A camera sensor in the rear view mirror detects oncoming traffic, street lamps and vehicles travelling ahead and automatically switches the headlamp high beam on and off according to driving conditions.