The 2018 Lexus LS 500h will take on the like of the BMW 7-series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and upcoming 2018 Audi A8. Deliveries will begin in April 2018.
Lexus India, the 8-month old luxury car brand has launched its 5th vehicle in India, the LS Sedan. This is their flagship Sedan and offers the best of Lexus. This is also the same car that launched the Lexus brand globally back in 1989. The design of the car looks extremely attractive and is majorly characterised by the large spindle grille upfront. The 3-eye LED projector headlights are a work of art and the length of the car exudes the luxurious appeal.
The variant that has been launched in India is the 2018 Lexus LS 500h which is as expected is a hybrid. It is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 petrol motor which works in conjunction with 2 electric motors. The combined output stands at around 350 HP. The power train combo is completed by a e-CVT gearbox. Power is needed mostly to the rear wheels but if need arises the electric motors on the front axles can also work together making it a pseudo 4-wheel drive Sedan, which is always a good thing.
On the inside the 2018 Lexus LS 500h spells luxury. The car comes with an all leather upholstery. The seats upfront can be adjusted in 28 different ways while also being heated, cooled and able to offer you a massaging function. The rear seats also promise to lower your pulse rates with a 48-degree reclinable back rest. The Sedan has a wheelbase of nearly 3.1-metres that offers you Limo-like legroom. It also gets a 22-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system and the world’s largest HUD at 24 inches in a passenger car.
Lexus India has also worked on elevating the customer experience through its customised Guest Experience Centres. So much so that they do not call them showrooms, instead they call them Lexus GECs. We were given a feel of one of these GECs located in Gurgaon in the luxurious Oberoi Hotel. The company officials want to give it’s customers a new car buying experience. And trust us, it is very unique. From the spindle shaped wood architecture to the Lexus logo inspired Chandelier look high class.
The Lexus LS 500h will be available in 3 trim levels – Luxury, Ultra Luxury and Distinct priced at Rs. 1.77 crore, Rs. 1.82 crore and Rs. 1.93 crore respectively ex-showroom India.