First Drive: Lexus LS600h L

**Tideland Prius** · 05-05-2007, 02:15 AM

Phoenix, Arizona - Arizona is a popular place for manufacturers to introduce their latest vehicles. You get smooth roads, brilliant light, exotic scenery and posh hotels - all great for showing off a new car.

The 2008 Lexus LS 600hL fits right in. It's the new flagship for the Lexus brand, with a long wheelbase, innovative hybrid powertrain, all-wheel drive (AWD), more safety features than you can imagine, and an interior that uses leather from special cows that are only found in Germany (more on that later, of course).

Priced at $132,000, or $158,700 for the Executive version, the LS 600hL is the pinnacle of Lexus manufacturing and design, and with only 120 available for Canada each year, it will be an exclusive car indeed. It is, as Lexus points out, "the world's first V8-powered, full hybrid AWD vehicle."

This is a car with so many significant features and thoughtful detail touches that an introductory article such as this is challenged to do the LS 600hL justice.

Full Article

Note the trunk space is small for a large car but looks bigger than the GSh. HOWEVER, note that all that space isn't taken up by the battery. Some of it is taken up by the A/C compressor for the rear climate control, there's the rear fridge too and the entertainment system.

**Tideland Prius** · 05-06-2007, 08:25 PM

wow, no one's excited that it's the first US car with an EV button?

V8Cobrakid · 05-06-2007, 11:45 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ May 6 2007, 05:25 PM) [snapback]436566[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

wow, no one's excited that it's the first US car with an EV button?
[/b]

I am! I am!

Too bad i won't get to see this car.

hampdenwireless · 05-07-2007, 08:40 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(V8Cobrakid @ May 6 2007, 10:45 PM) [snapback]436653[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I am! I am!

Too bad i won't get to see this car.
[/b]

Yea, its about $75,000 too expensive for me

ozyran · 05-08-2007, 08:25 AM

*lower lip quivering*

But they hid the engine! Oh wait, in about 10 years we'll see more vehicles that don't actually have an engine.

I'm proud of Toyota for making this one truly remarkable car. If you can market hybrid technology to everyone in every class of vehicle then maybe, just maybe, it will take off.

I'd like to put one in my garage. Maybe when I hit Powerball...until then, though, this one's a bit expensive for me.

aaf709 · 05-08-2007, 12:14 PM

I'm wondering what the answer they'd give if asked, "Why is the Lexus allowed to have the EV, while the Prius isn't?"

usbseawolf2000 · 05-08-2007, 12:44 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ May 8 2007, 12:14 PM) [snapback]437534[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I'm wondering what the answer they'd give if asked, "Why is the Lexus allowed to have the EV, while the Prius isn't?"
[/b]

LS600h does not have to certify AT-PZEV emission standard.

allargon · 05-08-2007, 08:32 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ May 6 2007, 07:25 PM) [snapback]436566[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

wow, no one's excited that it's the first US car with an EV button?
[/b]

I thought the new Highlander hybrid was the first mass produced car with an included EV button.

**Tideland Prius** · 05-08-2007, 10:04 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ May 8 2007, 09:14 AM) [snapback]437534[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I'm wondering what the answer they'd give if asked, "Why is the Lexus allowed to have the EV, while the Prius isn't?"
[/b]

probably the same reason why they get APGS.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(usbseawolf2000 @ May 8 2007, 09:44 AM) [snapback]437557[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

LS600h does not have to certify AT-PZEV emission standard.
[/b]

Yeah but the LS600h L is actually AT-PZEV!! It's Tier 2 Bin 3 which is the same as the Prius. Amazing!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(allargon @ May 8 2007, 05:32 PM) [snapback]437914[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I thought the new Highlander hybrid was the first mass produced car with an included EV button.

[/b]

Yeah but the new HiHy isn't out yet. I think the LSh will be out before the HiHy (June vs. July IIRC).

**Tideland Prius** · 05-21-2007, 04:35 PM

Picture of the EV button

http://www.nihoncar.com/en/news_gallery.ph...LS600hL_041.jpg

LED headlights on:

http://www.canadiandriver.com/cgi-bin/schl...pw_011-4592.jpg

http://www.canadiandriver.com/cgi-bin/schl...pw_001-4585.jpg

http://www.canadiandriver.com/cgi-bin/schl...pw_013-4583.jpg

05-05-2007, 02:15 AM	#1
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 21,191 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 369 Thanked 527 Times in 354 Posts Friends: 26	Phoenix, Arizona - Arizona is a popular place for manufacturers to introduce their latest vehicles. You get smooth roads, brilliant light, exotic scenery and posh hotels - all great for showing off a new car. The 2008 Lexus LS 600hL fits right in. It's the new flagship for the Lexus brand, with a long wheelbase, innovative hybrid powertrain, all-wheel drive (AWD), more safety features than you can imagine, and an interior that uses leather from special cows that are only found in Germany (more on that later, of course). Priced at $132,000, or $158,700 for the Executive version, the LS 600hL is the pinnacle of Lexus manufacturing and design, and with only 120 available for Canada each year, it will be an exclusive car indeed. It is, as Lexus points out, "the world's first V8-powered, full hybrid AWD vehicle." This is a car with so many significant features and thoughtful detail touches that an introductory article such as this is challenged to do the LS 600hL justice. Full Article Note the trunk space is small for a large car but looks bigger than the GSh. HOWEVER, note that all that space isn't taken up by the battery. Some of it is taken up by the A/C compressor for the rear climate control, there's the rear fridge too and the entertainment system. __________________ 2005 Tideland Pearl Premium Package 25/10/04 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, Cargo Net, Wheel Locks, EV Mod, JDM Prius Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Kit, LED lights 2008 Deep Black smart fortwo passion coupé - sold (6.1L/100km) 2010 Blue Ribbon Metallic Technology Package 29/08/09 All-Weather Mats, Homemade Console Pads, LED lights, Illum. Scuff Plates, Cargo Net, Wheel Locks "Ask an Expert" on Facebook I am not employed by Toyota, and the opinions expressed by me as a Prius Expert are not those of Toyota.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Lexus Prototype Spotted New Lexus RX Hybrid and Other Vehicle	Tideland Prius	Prius and Hybrid News	9	04-28-2007 01:17 PM
Lexus LS600h commercial during Florida - Ohio State game	priusenvy	Other Cars	1	04-04-2007 07:22 PM
First Drive: 2007 Lexus ES350	Tideland Prius	Other Cars	10	06-02-2006 09:16 PM
Lexus Rip Off	NorCalGuy	Other Cars	1	04-08-2005 08:01 PM
Lexus 400h	DaveinOlyWA	Prius and Hybrid News	13	08-19-2004 11:51 PM

05-06-2007, 08:25 PM	#2
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 21,191 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 369 Thanked 527 Times in 354 Posts Friends: 26	wow, no one's excited that it's the first US car with an EV button?

05-08-2007, 08:25 AM	#5
ozyran Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 695 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	lower lip quivering But they hid the engine! Oh wait, in about 10 years we'll see more vehicles that don't actually have an engine. I'm proud of Toyota for making this one truly remarkable car. If you can market hybrid technology to everyone in every class of vehicle then maybe, just maybe, it will take off. I'd like to put one in my garage. Maybe when I hit Powerball...until then, though, this one's a bit expensive for me.

05-08-2007, 12:14 PM	#6
aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,840 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I'm wondering what the answer they'd give if asked, "Why is the Lexus allowed to have the EV, while the Prius isn't?"

05-21-2007, 04:35 PM	#10
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 21,191 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 369 Thanked 527 Times in 354 Posts Friends: 26	Picture of the EV button http://www.nihoncar.com/en/news_gallery.ph...LS600hL_041.jpg LED headlights on: http://www.canadiandriver.com/cgi-bin/schl...pw_011-4592.jpg http://www.canadiandriver.com/cgi-bin/schl...pw_001-4585.jpg http://www.canadiandriver.com/cgi-bin/schl...pw_013-4583.jpg