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The hybrid luxury sedan is the flagship of the Japanese premium brand, while the flagship of their technological expertise.

As a hybrid ambassador and hybrid masterpiece could define the role of the LS 600h in the Lexus lineup. The flagship of the Toyota subsidiary to ensure that the issue remains current hybrid and thus is also the sales of two other hybrid models GS 450 and RX 450 h h increase. And the strategy seems to be: While two years ago just one third of all Lexus buyers have resorted to environmentally friendly alternative, there are the new RX 450h SUV now just over 80 percent.

Nevertheless, the battle for customers in the premium segment is not easy - it is still dominated by the German premium manufacturers. Consequently, the registrations of Lexus in freefall. Much more than 3,000 units is the premium brand of 2009 do not market well overall, some 100 units of which are likely to account for the LS. Much more can the supply situation to not. Up to one year waiting period, the customers of the LS 600h accepted.

Performance of a twelve-cylinder engine, a six-cylinder fuel consumption

The resounding sales arguments that the LS has 600 hours, especially among the low fuel consumption. For although afford the electric motor and the 5-liter V8 gasoline engine 327 kW/445 hp jointly significant and therefore about as much as a twelve-cylinder engine, equivalent to the combined consumption of 9.5 liters per 100 kilometers, the values ​​of a six cylinder engine. The CO2 emissions are on a vehicle in this class unmatched value of less than 220 g / km.

Priced the LS 600h and the long wheelbase version LS 600 h L with a base price of 103,900 euros and 112,250 euros are despite a price adjustment upward still well below the factory barren eye upgraded German competition: The technical performance Audi with the LS 600h comparable top model cost a minimum of 116,250 euros, the flagship Mercedes-Benz even 155,354 euros.

Infrared system detects animals

The comprehensive package of preventive active and passive safety systems in luxury hybrid model include not only a radar and an infrared system that registers even people and animals, a field monitor, which warns the driver of dangerous situations, and an emergency steering assistant. This helps the driver during sudden evasive maneuvers. The rear Pre-Crash Safety system ultimately protects the occupants in the event of a rear impact.

As the first production vehicle in the world of Lexus LS 600h has a LED low beam, which are characterized by a faster response, higher reliability and durability, and better light output than conventional headlights.

As far as comfort allows the Lexus LS 600h nothing to be desired. Especially for top managers who can drive from her chauffeur, the Japanese manufacturer has developed a second body variant with a twelve centimeters longer wheelbase and a much electrically adjustable comfort in the rear seat with reclining position, retractable footrest and massage function.

For the 2009 model year Lexus has incidentally responded to customer criticism and increases the boot capacity by design changes by 65 liters. The LS 600h is now shipping volume to 390 liters.

Lexus GS F-Sport variant. (Lexus)

The premium brand in the Toyota group wants to offer to the end in all model series "F Sport" versions. For a site visit at the ADAC test site in Grevenbroich is "automotive industry" made a personal impression of the sport-offensive.

The IS F was published in 2008 and is still in the program: five-liter, 311 kW/423 hp, 0 - 100 in 4.8 seconds, top speed 270 km / h (electronically limited). The whole daily, and packed in the normal IS-body. At most, the large wheels, the rear spoiler and the small 8-shaped dual exhaust pipes reveal the potency. And the price: 70,600 euros - twice as much as the basic model IS 250th

Romp even more, the engineers were the Lexus LFA. Without regard to series production such as the IS-F, they developed a cockpit made of carbon fiber plastic, powered by a V-ten-cylinder 4.8-liter, speeds up to 9000 rev / min and 412 kW/560 hp. It accelerates the 1500 kg vehicle predominant in 3.7 seconds from zero to 100 h and a maximum of up to 325 km / 500 copies of the LFA were built by hand and immediately sold - 50 of which amplified again with "Nürburgring performance package". Test driver Akira Iida lapped so the famous Eifel-course in 7 minutes and 14 seconds. In Germany were sold out of the 500 LFA specimens 16, for 375,000 euros each round, one with Nürburgring performance.
Competition for A6 and 5 Series

The GS Sport version has a variable suspension and sporty design elements. The nearly five-meter mid-size sedan has recently appeared in a new form, it should again be an alternative such as the Audi A6 and the BMW 5 Series. They have to be as a GS 250 with 2.5-liter V6 engine. (154 kW/209 hp) and the GS 450h with 3.5-liter petrol plus electric motor, total output 254 kW/345 hp The prices are € 45,200 for the GS 250 and 54,750 euros for the GS 450h, for F Sport will be (including a comprehensive feature set and the GS 450h, including rear-wheel steering) is called each about 15,000 euros more.




Third model with F-Sport emblem is the recently revised in some details RX. It is an SUV, much like the VW Touareg, the Volvo XC90 or the Mercedes ML to have a RX 350 with 3.5-liter petrol engine (204 kW/277 hp) and RX 450h as with the same V6 engine plus two electric motors. The second provides for the four-wheel drive at the rear axle. The system output is 220 kW/299 hp, the standard consumption is specified at 6.3 l/145 g of CO2. The F Sport trim level does not differ in the drive, but in details such as the tighter suspension with transverse dampers front and rear and an independent diamond-shaped "Diabolo" grill. The base prices be 53,150 euro for the RX 350 and 59,950 for the RX 450h, supplement F Sport: round 10,000 and 13,000 euros.

The modifications introduced in the 2011 CT 200h compact sedan at the sports model are limited to a firmer suspension with horizontal dampers front and visual changes such as the bumpers, side skirts and the grill. The system performance of the hybrid (100 kW/136 hp), the driving values ​​and the consumption (3.8 l/87 g) do not change, the price increases by 34,430 euros to 5,000 euros good.