Zero to 60: KING OF FIRSTS
It's the award-winning king of firsts: the  first vehicle to blend hybrid technology with luxury styling, powered by the world’s first combination of a V8 gasoline engine and all-wheel drive hybrid technology,  first released to the market in 2008, winner of the MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Award for Best Dream Machine, The Chauffeur's Top Pick Car of the Year, J.D. Power and Associate's IQS award, and IntelliChoice's Motorist Choice Award. It's recent addition to the trophy shelf comes from AutoClub, where in 2011 it was named one of the top 5 green cars on the market. It's the Lexus LS 600h - and simply put, it can turn many a head. Packed with accessories, it redefines luxury, and boasts many exhorbitant and wonderful features, such as the Driver Attention Monitor System, the Advanced Pre-Collision System with Lane Keep Assist, and climate-control. (see below) The standard model comes equipped with all-wheel drive, advanced parking guidance system, and an interior with HDD Navigation with Mark Levinson Audio Systems. Let's dive a little deeper...



Three60: DOWN TO THE DETAILS
A truly unique powertrain system inside the LS 600h uses a 5.0 liter V8 engine with two electric motors and a large-capacity battery pack. A 288-volt DC Nickel Metal Hydride battery pack is used to power the car, and a second 12-volt auxiliary battery powers the audio and navigation systems. This system creates a combined output of 438 hp and reaches 0 – 60 in 5.5 seconds. The electric motor does not deter the torque and power of the car, and acceleration at high speeds is easily achieved. The V8 engine contains motor-driven Variable Valve Timing with intelligence and electrically controlled intake cam. The combination of these provides advanced engine operation while still meeting the Super Low Emission Vehicle II Certification. This model is still a full hybrid and allows drivers to operate in electric-only mode. Like most hybrids, the LS 600h contains a regenerative breaking system, complete with eight-speed sequential braking mode.  All-wheel drive allows the car to adapt to road surface conditions and driver control. Drivers also have the option to toggle between driving modes, such as, Hybrid, Power, or Snow. The power mode sharpens acceleration, while the Snow mode softens acceleration.



Standard features of the car include 19 inch seven-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with large front and rear ventilated brake discs, multi-link front and rear air suspension systems, electronic power steering, variable gear ratio steering, and vehicle dynamics integrated management systems.  A standard eight airbags, with an optional eleven allow for maximum safety. Also, the world’s first low-beam LED headlamps provide exceptional road illumination. There are also several optional safety features that are worth mentioning. The Advanced Pre-Collision System is another world’s first for Lexus. This system was debuted in 2009 and was implemented to react to pedestrians in the vehicles path and comes with Lane Keep Assist. Using two cameras that work with a millimeter-wave radar, the pre-collision system is designed to detect nonmetallic objects. In conjunction with this system there is the Driver Attention Monitor System which uses a third camera mounted on the steering column which detects if a driver is not looking, or if an obstacle is in the path. This system then alerts the driver with a warning chime and flashing light, the system can even gently apply the brakes on its own. Another feature is the ability of the system to respond for the anticipation of a possible impact.

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The luxury additions to the LS 600h include a Lexus navigation system, back-up camera, Bluetooth, Voice Command, XM radio, auxiliary jacks, and theater-level audio systems. Front seats include climate controls, power adjustments, and seat memory. Some noteworthy features are the addition of heated rear seats and the heated steering wheel. For drivers in a colder environment, a Cold Weather Package is available. This package includes a windshield deicer, an upgraded battery, and a more efficient heater. Quite impressive specs, if you ask us at Clutch.



THE BOTTOM LINE
The cost on the LS 600h is well over the LS 460 even at the most indulgent package, and only has an added 3 MPG city driving - and there is almost no difference in MPG for highway driving. The extra $25,000 for a hybrid version may seem excessive for such a small difference in fuel economy. However they're doing their part to go green, and we applaud them - we just might not reach for our wallets.



By Nathan Dowdy