PHOTO GALLERY: 001 catches the ultimate Lexus

When the 2008 LS 600h L hybrid luxury sedan launches this summer it will provide the highest level of performance and technology, and the truest expression of luxury of any Lexus ever created. The hybrid model elevates the LS to a new level, expanding Lexus and its presence among the ever more discriminating customer.

“The LS 600h L will stand as the flagship for the Lexus brand by providing the highest level of technical advancements, ride comfort, safety and luxury of any vehicle in our lineup,” said Jim Farley, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “Its development process mixed the old and the new. The old, through a Lexus-established build process that achieves an extraordinary fit and finish only attainable by our master craftsmen, and the new with cutting-edge engineering innovations. Through this combination the LS 600h L raises our own quality expectations and may rank among the most technologically advanced automobiles in the industry.”

Lexus Hybrid Drive

The all-new LS 600h L will be powered by the ultra-quiet Lexus Hybrid Drive system, the automotive industry’s most advanced gas-electric hybrid system developed to date that features the world’s first full V8, all-wheel-drive (AWD) hybrid drivetrain.

The system combines a new 5.0-liter V8 gasoline engine with two powerful electric motors and a newly designed large-capacity battery pack that is lighter and extremely quiet. Together, this advanced combination provides the LS 600h L with an unmatched balance of environmental efficiency and performance.

2008 Lexus LS600hl

EL34 - 5/2/2007 11:43:17 PM

+2 Boost

Maybe the best Japanese car, but this is far from the best when it comes to styling.

Yawn.

LexusNumberOne4ever - 5/3/2007 12:27:33 AM

-4 Boost

Hail 001! Youda man!

Homer008 - 5/3/2007 12:42:32 AM

-4 Boost

Best car in the world, period.

Doing what the first Lexus did back in 1989. Only better.

Agent63 - 5/3/2007 6:06:45 AM

+4 Boost

homer,
"Doing what the first Lexus did back in 1989. Only better."

So you're saying a rebadged Toyota was good?

Agent666 - 5/4/2007 1:24:58 AM

-1 Boost

rubbish, LS460 hybrid is just a gimmick for the US or why not sell it globally?

The more i think of it, lexus brand name is struggling to establish itself with the premier class of luxury sedans. Its great but not there yet.

the total PR dumped here just shows it.


"Tifosi"

Agent666 - 5/4/2007 1:29:34 AM

-1 Boost

ps...do i have the honor of having my ip being blocked?
geez talk about actually getting under one's skin :)

mitchatlexusofmarin - 5/2/2007 11:13:25 PM

-2 Boost

001- was this at the Balboa Club in Newport? I was there for 3 days with the car! Were you amongst us?

Mitch

Agent001 - 5/2/2007 11:27:22 PM

-2 Boost

No...Ritz Carlton Pasadena

001

cdoke - 5/2/2007 11:42:51 PM

-3 Boost

I was going to ask. Looks nice. Reminds me of the Broadmoor a bit, although the interior isn't as nice as the Broadmoor's. Nice none the less.

EL34 - 5/2/2007 11:44:17 PM

-3 Boost

001, how did you get into my house and take all those excellent photos?

Agent004 - 5/3/2007 12:03:04 AM

-2 Boost

Your wife made us a key... ;) I kid I kid, you were very generous to let 001 and the rest of the journalists stay with you.

cdoke - 5/3/2007 1:57:05 PM

+1 Boost

My there is a lot of de-boosting going on at the beginning of this article.

Either people think it is superfluous to ask what that building is. Which is wrong, it is pertinent, as it is part of the article. When the article up I knew someone would ask it so I waited a bit before doing it myself. Anyway, anyone who thinks that all messages must be about cars only has some type of control issues and needs to seek help.

If it is about the fact that you don't belive the Broadmoor [in Colorado Springs, CO] is nicer, then I would say you are a fool. Sure the Ritz Carlton is Pasedena is a five diamond hotel. The Broadmoor is a Five-Star Five-Diamond Resort Hotel. It has been a Five-Star Hotel for the past 47 years, and it is one of only three hotels that has been a five-diamond hotel for the past 30 consecutive years. It was suggested to me by an empoyee of a certain upholserty company that the Broadmoor's designer pool furniture was covered in a fabric that cost $900 /yard. I do know that they have some furniture in the mezzxanines [writing desks notably] that is around 250 years old.

In fact the 2008 U.S. Senior Open will be at the Broadmoor.

Sedulous - 5/3/2007 12:04:19 AM

-5 Boost

First of all, Caltrans: You can find a German-centric site if you don't like Lexus. (I do agree, lots of Lexus-love here)
Second, BUCKFUSH: Lexus isn't #1. Toyota is #1 in production. Toyota isn't #1 in quality (anymore, new Camry). Toyota isn't #1 in customer service/repairs

SupraNeverBack - 5/3/2007 12:26:25 AM

+2 Boost

Non-Lexus news all over this site, are you blind or what?

If you don't like Lexus news, skip it, don't click it.

LexusNumberOne4ever - 5/3/2007 12:31:10 AM

-7 Boost

I agree. Autospies should be about Lexus in the first place.

LexusNumberOne4ever - 5/3/2007 12:34:56 AM

-2 Boost

tifosi: why won't the LS be as prestigious as others?

Because public perception is everything.

LexusNumberOne4ever - 5/3/2007 2:01:57 AM

-2 Boost

I sympathize with you.

LexusNumberOne4ever - 5/3/2007 5:12:23 AM

-3 Boost

So the hybrid powertrain is just another luxury feature on a flagship sedan.

Agent666 - 5/4/2007 1:30:59 AM

0 Boost

i;ve hit a new hit, my ip's blocked from getting to autospies, tisk bad it's not mine.

SupraNeverBack - 5/3/2007 12:30:01 AM

-1 Boost

I don't like the 18" wheels. Lexus should design a set of unique wheels for LS600h instead of using the standard LS460 wheels.

001, did you take some night shots for the LED headlights?

Agent001 - 5/3/2007 12:36:38 AM

+3 Boost

No, we weren't allowed to drive them at night as Lexus was filling the automotive press bellies with Cain Five.

For those of you non afficianado's, it's not Mobil 1 ;)

You can't drive with that in your tank!

001

Alec - 5/3/2007 12:56:30 AM

0 Boost

Very nice shots 001! And congrats to Lexus on making a fine vehicle.

Will_ - 5/3/2007 2:12:17 AM

0 Boost

Love the grayish green one. I want to see one in Truffle Mica or Black Sapphire.

david999 - 5/3/2007 3:21:01 AM

0 Boost

Beautiful. What else is there to say, but just beautiful.

MunichRob - 5/3/2007 3:25:41 AM

+1 Boost

The interior design has less wow factor & looks considerably cheaper than that of an S-Class, A8, & 7-series...I don't see how anyone can dispute that.

BTW I prefer the tumbler lights on the LS460 too the LS600's 3 light-bulb design, though it probably looks good lit up at night.

JUGNU - 5/3/2007 4:47:26 AM

-2 Boost

Beautiful,Classic,Technology and perfection = LS600hL

Absolutly Perfect.

JUGNU

Agent63 - 5/3/2007 6:11:27 AM

+2 Boost

Some great technology and interior looks of expected level of quality, but I would still prefer my S550 over my latest addition LS 460. I bought the LS because it was a comfortable car and was well suited for my daily driver. The S will be used for late night cruising and my city's most upscale fine dining restaurants. I'm a part of an exclusive club in my city and none of them own a Lexus. I figured I should be the first to own one. They said they appreciated the LS technology but the S-Class has been an innovator for years and the benchmark in this segment and in class wise it is even above it's German counterparts.

I think the LS is nice to drive and a comfortable place to be. The looks aren't as prestigious but it does what it is catered to do. It does its job well for those who want a more affordable luxury car that offers great technology while being even more understated than the Audi A8.

atomicbri - 5/3/2007 8:38:47 AM

+6 Boost

I am sure this car is excellent. But it is still to bland in its design. Seeing them here on the streets in Manhattan, they are just bland. Now the interior looks nice. However these cars like a certain feel. I drove an LS 460 and it was nice, just kind of boring. And its leather and interior "smell" like the Camry. Which is a little disappointing. Was expecting it to be rich leather, not Camry-grade. But the overall interor felt good and the seats are excellent. Quality seemed top notch of course. Not a noise to be heard anywhere and to those that know NYC pothole infested streets, that is a great thing.
However here in NYC, most people still buy an A8, S-Class, or 7 Series. I have seen SOOOO many A8s and S-Classes it is crazy. I drive a BMW and this Lexus seems the best LS so far. Maybe years from now Lexus will hold the same cachet in style and prestige. For now though, it is still too close to Toyota in a lot of its styling aspects.

Willis - 5/3/2007 12:38:18 PM

+5 Boost

Lexus is overhyped lately, I totally agree with that statement. They're excellent cars, but let's not overblow things.

The interior of the LS460 for example does not make a very high quality impression on me. There's too much flash and technology and zero elegance. The interior does not flow nicely. To me, Lexus spent perhaps 10 minutes sketching the interior.

On the A8 or the S class for example, you get a simple interior that manages to convey elegance and above all "feel good factor". I've sat in all these cars with the exception of the Jaguar XJ and I felt at home in the S class and A8 especially. In the LS460, the interior struck me as drab and uncreative and in terms of materials a notch below the A8 / S class but on par with the BMW 7er.

ICON - 5/3/2007 1:16:57 PM

-1 Boost

While the LS is a nice car, its design is generic, too similiar to an ES,IS (especially from the back)etc...this car does not provoke a drivers passion. Not getting why there is so much chatter about automobiles that are so derivative (Toyotas in better clothing)Yes they are great quality, but ultimately uninspiring....sorry fanBOYS>>>

JRobUSC - 5/3/2007 1:54:52 PM

-1 Boost

did you snap any photos of the inside of the trunk? I woould like to see how small it really is.

Agent004 - 5/3/2007 9:57:26 PM

0 Boost

Lexus LS600h Trunk

Rupert - 5/3/2007 4:45:16 PM

-1 Boost

"When the 2008 LS 600h L hybrid luxury sedan launches this summer it will provide the highest level of performance and technology,"

Except it's the slowest in its class.
BUT I do like the abundance of leather, and I think it looks particularly good in white leather with black wood without the rear seat ottoman. But I think I'd have the 460 over this. Still, I'd rather have an S class or A8.

trd1 - 5/3/2007 5:50:23 PM

+3 Boost

perfect!!!

Lexus - 5/3/2007 5:58:30 PM

+1 Boost

The Lexus LS600hl beauty is just stunning and breathless. The Audi A8 interior look cheap compare to the LS600hl. Don't even compare that old farted outdated BMW 7 Series with this Lexus. The S-class headlight look similar to the old gen Toyota Camry headlight. And the rearlight for the S-class look like they put stripe of tape on them.

Please don't not mention the boring A8, Out of dated 7 Series and the big clunky S-class. The Lexus LS460/LS600hl is going to take over this segment.

Lexus for Life.................ha...ha....ha.....ha....ha....

S4cabriofoxone - 5/3/2007 6:27:09 PM

-3 Boost

Hahah! What an idiot!

Rupert - 5/3/2007 6:31:34 PM

-3 Boost

What happened to you? You used to be reasonable...
A8 interior look cheap!?
The day the A8 looks cheap is the day I go to a Lexus dealer.
As in NEVER.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/3/2007 6:34:23 PM

-2 Boost

It's... nice. Not overwhelming at all. The design is the same as the LS460, the same as it always has been. The interior is just like any other Lexus product... dare I say the lowly Prius's overall interior design is more interesting and simply elegant? You don't have to have an abundance of curves and expensive textures to look elegant.

And wow, does that wood color look so tacky and cheap. I know how real and expensive it is, but it looks like it's off of some custom wood kit on a 1999 Cadillac Escalade.

I wish the Lexus guys could explain how or why this car stands out in this class, because I just can't see it. And not even the LS600hL- just the LS460. The interior isn't on par with the S-Class or A8, the styling isn't anything unique or special, it doesn't handle, it doesn't have any road presence, the ride quality is no better than the S-Class, and who cares that much about reliability? Maybe because it has an eight-speed transmission? Or because it's cheap? Or because it's a Lexus? Probably...

Will_ - 5/3/2007 10:18:35 PM

+3 Boost

All trivial information straight from the German fan archives.


"Or because it's a Lexus?"

Yes.

Agent666 - 5/4/2007 1:28:47 AM

0 Boost

ps...do i have the honor of having my ip being blocked?
geez talk about actually getting under one's skin :)

MurderFaceM6 - 5/8/2007 10:08:40 AM

+1 Boost

oh man thats a old ppl car. my grandma would love this.