A Look at the Lexus LS 600h/L’s Driver Monitoring System

When released next month, the Lexus LS 600hL will be equipped with a group of technologies, collectively dubbed the Driver Monitoring System, that takes automotive safety to an entirely new level. From the Lexus press release: The system uses an algorithm to map the position of the driver’s facial features and monitors movement of the …
Kevin · September 8th, 2007

Car Magazine Takes a First Look at the Lexus LS 600hL

Car Magazine has posted up their initial impressions of the LS 600hL, and while they were impressed by the car overall, their verdict was hardly glowing: The LS could quite possibly convert gas-guzzlers to battery power, so impressive and addictive is the power pack’s extra boost. On paper the performance and economy stats aren’t too …
Kevin · August 7th, 2007

The Lexus Body Kit Series: LS 460/460L/600hL

The first vehicle to be featured in my new Body Kit series is the Lexus LS 460/460L/600hL. If anything can be said about the majority of the available body kits for Lexus’ latest flagship model, it would be that they exhibit a very strong subtlety. None of the kits change the vehicle’s look substantially, and …
Kevin · August 6th, 2007

The Times Reviews the Lexus LS 600hL

I’ll admit, it was somewhat disappointing that the Lexus LS 600hL review in The Times wasn’t written by Jeremy Clarkson, but Stuart Birch gives it his best shot, including some interesting stats on the customers Lexus plans to reel in, along with a rather interesting question: Lexus says that about 10 per cent of buyers …
Kevin · July 27th, 2007

Lexus Exploiting Hybrid Hype?

The NY Times article panning the LS 600h L has created quite a negative stir, with numerous claims that Toyota’s “green movement” is nothing but a farce. This is perhaps addressed most vehemently by The Auto Extremist, one of my favorite automotive opinion sites: It’s clear that the mainstream media is finally – finally – …
Kevin · July 20th, 2007

European LS 600h L Preview at Chauffeur Drive ‘07

European Chauffeurs will be getting a sneak peek of the Lexus LS 600h L at Chauffeur Drive ‘07, a new event “for Europe’s limousine and chauffeuring industry to see and drive the world’s most exclusive cars and limousines in one place”: Andy Simpson, Lexus’ Manager, National Corporate and Remarketing, commented: “We are pleased to be …
Kevin · July 17th, 2007

NY Times Unimpressed with the Lexus LS 600h L

NY Times writer Lawrence Ulrich took the LS 600h L to task in today’s paper, unable to understand what possible benefit it could have over Lexus’ own LS 460, nevermind the V12 competitors the car is aimed at: On the performance front, forget about the Lexus hanging with V-12 sedans like the Mercedes S600. Turns …
Kevin · July 15th, 2007

Lexus LS 600hL on a Norwegian Test Track

Norwegian website Dinside Motor took an LS 600h L through its paces, hitting 160mph and showing off some major bodyroll: I like to see these kind of tests, it’s so much more interesting to see the handling instead of reading about it.
Kevin · July 5th, 2007

Lexus LS 600h L Website Launches

The LS 600h L is now available for pre-order from Lexus.com. Starting at $104,000, there are three package levels ranging from $4,000 to $12,570. When will the LS 600h L actually arrive in North America? No official word yet, but my guess would be some time in September.
Kevin · June 29th, 2007

Road & Track: Lexus LS 600hL Review

Road & Track has served up a bit of a twist with their LS 600hL review by comparing it with a Gulfstream G550, the world’s foremost private jet. A strange association, and incredibly flattering to Lexus, but the justification is this: When the word “flagship” was coined, I’d bet its originator had neither $104,000 luxury …
Kevin · June 15th, 2007

The Lexus LS 600h Commercial: Fast Reimagined

The LS 600h commercial Fast Reimagined has been posted to Youtube, and it’s classic Lexus imagery: For a little background information, I found an interview with the digital effects team at Dexigner: For this spot’s end-footage of the car, Balden explained that the Lexus was shot with a Canon digital SLR on the end of …
Kevin · June 13th, 2007

Family Car Reviews the Lexus LS 600hL

The Family Car review of the ‘93 LS 400 was one of the articles I used to convince the girlfriend to buy our car, so I took a special interest in their fresh new review of the LS 600hL, knowing full well it was going to be all quality. I wasn’t disappointed, this is an …
Kevin · June 9th, 2007

The LS 600h vs. the LS 460: Is the hybrid really worth the extra money?

Bruce McCulloch over at Autosavant asked the question “Does the 600h really offer any true advantage over the lesser LS460?” and came away with a resounding “NO!” Let’s summarize his major points: The 600h costs $35,000USD more than a similarly equipped 460. People buying a car in this price range ($100,000USD +) don’t really care …
Kevin · June 5th, 2007

The LS600h is one of 2008’s Most Anticipated Luxury Cars

According to Forbes, the new Lexus LS600h is one of 2008’s most anticipated luxury cars. Hardly surprising, given that it’s the first hybrid available in the upper auto echelon. Other cars on the list: Rolls Royce Drophead Coupe Audi R8 Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren Roadster Infiniti G37 Cadillac CTS Maserati GranTurismo BMW M3 Porsche 911 …
Kevin · June 3rd, 2007