Hybrid Car Review

Toyota unveiled the new Lexus LS 600h L at the New York Auto Show. The Lexus LS 600h L has a full hybrid drivetrain unlike its counterpart the LS 460. Lexus newest luxury sedan has a 5-liter direct injection V8 engine coupled with a pair of high power electric motors. Its two-stage electronic continuously variable transmission delivers up 430 hp.

Although the mileage has not been revealed, yet, it is expected to rate as a Super Ultra Low Emisssions Vehicle (SULEV) when it goes on sale in April, 2007.

The long wheelbase version (the 'L') will be offered in North America.

The luxury features are off the charts for new flagship. The Lexus LS 600h hybrid will be built at the Tahara assembly plant, where each car will be hand sanded twice during the painting process. LEDs will be used for low-beam forward lighting.

An air suspension system equipped with Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) will be standard. Other luxury features include an XM real-time traffic system, an XM satellite radio as a factory-installed option, a rear seat DVD enertainment system, and a 19-speaker 450-watt Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound audio system. A voice-activated hard disk drive (HDD) navigation with Bluetooth technology and an advanced parallel park assist function will also be available.

Lexus is also making standard its proprietary next-generation Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system which integrates variable gear-ratio electronic steering, electronic vehicle stability control and electronic brake assist.

The LS 600h L has been designed for cabin quietness. The inherent noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) is being lowered to half of what can be found in conventional cars. Extensive engineering of accesory motors and switches needed to be done to gain this quiet luxury.

The eye-popping feature is the new Advanced Pre-Collision System (APCS). With three cameras, the new Lexus will automatically help drivers steer and brake in dangerous situations.

Two forward mounted cameras are sensitive enough to detect large cars and smaller nonmettalic objects, such as humans ahead. A third camera is mounted on the steering column which monitors the driver using millimeter-wave radar. If the driver is not paying attention when an object is detected in front, an alarm sounds. If no change is made, the car will start applying the brakes for you. It will also cinch up the passenger restraints and the variable steering ratio is also automatically quickened to improve the vehicle's response to evasive maneuvers.

The Lexus Hybrid Drive name is also being rolled out. It will be used globally for all Lexus hybrid models.