Presenting the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L

Toyota Motor Corporation's Lexus division releases the details of the 2008 model year of the LS 600h L hybrid luxury sedan. According to Jim Farley, Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager: "The LS 600h L stands 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. 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."

Like all other Lexus hybrid models, the LS 600h L also feature the Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain. This exclusive technology is dubbed as the "automotive industry's most advanced gas-electric hybrid system developed to date". The system combines the power of a new 5.0-liter V8 gasoline engine with two powerful electric motors and large capacity battery pack. The engine is also equipped with an electric-motor driven Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-iE) as well as Electrically controlled intake cam. This combined powertrain system develops 438 horsepower and allows the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds. In addition, the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L is a certified Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV), thanks to its advanced fuel systems to reduce harmful exhausts emissions like the hydraulically controlled two-way exhaust system and the newly developed Hydrocarbon Adsorber and Catalyst (HCAC) system. Moreover, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rated the engine to have an estimated miles per gallon (mpg) fuel efficiency rating of 20 city and 22 highway.

As a full hybrid model, the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L can operate solely on electric power or a combination of gasoline engine and electric motor. Electric power is provided by a 288-volt DC Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) compact battery pack, as well as two motor generators - MG1 and MG2. Lexus offers a dual-stage electronically controlled continuously variable transmission to completes the powertrain package for the LS 600h L.

Other technical features of the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L include full-time AWD system, unique Torsen limited-slip differential (LSD), multi-link front and rear-suspension systems, front suspension and optional active stabilizer, large front and rear ventilated disc automotive brakes, Electronic Power Steering (EPS), and Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS).

The 2008 Lexus LS 600h L also embodies the company's L-finesse design philosophy. Outside, this luxury hybrid sedan features low front grille and deep-drawn fenders, stylish projector-type headlamps with blue crystal rings, world's first night-time LED low beams, and blue accents on the front headlamps, taillamps, badging, and engine cover. The LS 600h L rides on a 19-inch seven-spoke aluminum alloy wheel design wrapped with all-season tires.

Inside, the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L offers passenger space and luxury comfort. The cabin comes with genuine semi-aniline leather with stitching. Leather trim conquers several interior components including the seats, instrument panel, upper front doors and door armrests. Other features include wood-trimmed and chrome-plated shift knob, wood-trimmed assist grip, hard disk drive (HDD) Lexus Navigation system with a backup camera and Bluetooth technology and voice activation, XM factory-installed satellite radio with real-time traffic, standard 19-speaker 450-watt Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound audio system, climate-controlled front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, power rear sunshade, one-touch open/close power trunk, power door closers, headlamp washers, SmartAccess with push-button start and card key, electronic parking brake, Intuitive Park Assist, laminated side glass, and Advanced Parking Guidance System (APGS). Active and passive safety systems include Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB) system, EPS, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Antilock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Advanced Pre-Collision System (APCS). A wide array of airbags include advanced front airbags for the driver and passenger, knee airbag for the driver, front seat mounted side airbags, and side-curtain airbags. The 2008 Lexus LS 600h L also comes with a wide range of optional packages. The Premium Package consists of climate comfort rear seats with a heat/cool knob, rear power seats with memory, rear power headrests, rear seat side airbags, and Lexus Link and APGS. Another package, called the Premium Package II offers additional features like heater control panel, four-zone climate control, rear audio controls, additional wood trim, rear air purifier, rear cool box, rear headliner and side air ducts, power rear-door sunshades, and rear seat entertainment system with power ceiling mounted nine inch screen. Lastly Lexus offers the Executive Class Seating Package II, which includes all features in the Premium Package II and adds power right rear seat with multi-function massage, rear-seat wood-trimmed table, and rear-seat entertainment system with wireless headphones.

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