[Luxury Reimagined] Discover the Harmonious Symphony of the Lexus LS 500h

Lexus Hybrid leading the way

While other brands have only recently started implementing hybrid technology in their products, Lexus and Toyota have over 25 years of experience in this field.

The Toyota Prius, the brand’s first hybrid car introduced to the world in 1997, paved the way for 33 more hybrid models launched since then. With sales of over 10 million units in more than 90 countries and regions, these hybrids have contributed to saving over 77 million tons of CO2 emissions.

In the world of luxury cars, Lexus was the first brand to introduce hybrid models to the market with the HS 250h and the groundbreaking crossover, the RX 400h. With 4 generations of hybrid technology, Lexus models have gained immense popularity due to their fuel-saving capabilities, environmental friendliness, and optimized performance that provides an exhilarating driving experience.

The highlight of the LS 500h, Lexus’s current flagship sedan, is its Multi Stage Hybrid technology, which seamlessly coordinates the V6 combustion engine and the two electric motors to deliver exceptional power and smooth performance.

Dynamic and smooth performance

One of the most remarkable features of the Lexus LS 500h is its V6 3.5L engine with the 8GR-FXS code, which is the heart that powers this flagship sedan with superior performance. Unlike conventional hybrid technology, the Multi Stage Hybrid system in the LS 500h employs two electric motors and a 4-speed mechanical gearshift system that optimizes the power delivery of the electric motors and the V6 engine, resulting in 10 virtual gear ratios that enhance the car’s performance.

The lithium-ion battery has been fully optimized to reduce weight by up to 30% while increasing capacity by 20% compared to previous technologies. As a result, each LS 500h boasts a maximum power output of 354 horsepower and an improved torque of up to 24%, allowing the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.4 seconds. The Lexus LS 500h can reach its maximum power of 6,600 rpm from a speed of 50 km/h and can operate in electric mode at speeds up to 140 km/h.

The Lexus LS 500h offers a powerful yet fuel-efficient driving experience, striking a perfect balance between performance and economy with a fuel consumption of just 6.7L/100km.

In addition to its exceptional performance, the Lexus LS 500h upholds the brand’s core value of providing a comfortable ride for passengers. The Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) continuously adjusts the air suspension system in real-time based on various parameters such as vehicle speed, accelerator pedal, brake, wheel inclination, and steering angle to ensure a smooth and stable ride.

The VDIM system offers five driving modes, each providing a distinct driving experience tailored to the preferences of the driver, ensuring the best user experience in any situation.

LS500h – bold design

With a total length of over 5.2 meters and a width of 1.9 meters, the Lexus LS 500h exudes an aura of pride and power wherever it goes. The flagship sedan’s design features sleek and striking lines that leave a lasting impression.

The flowing design is beautifully reflected in the large elongated radiator grille that extends towards the sides, making the front of the car truly stand out.

The intelligent Trio-LED headlights, combined with angular cutting lines, give the LS 500h’s eyes a lively appearance, resembling a racer squinting to focus on the road ahead.

The cabin is pushed deep towards the rear, complemented by leaf-shaped mirrors and smoked chrome wheels, creating a soft, elegant, yet youthful and sporty atmosphere for the flagship sedan.

The taillights, meticulously designed by Japanese engineers, feature parallel layers of brake lights gracefully bending to synchronize with the demi-LED strip at the front. The rear trunk lid has a raised 3D elongated figure highlighted by chrome details and a concealed exhaust design, exuding an air of luxury.

Meticulous, modern, and convenient interior

Stepping inside the Lexus LS 500h, the first thing that captures passengers’ attention is the car’s ability to automatically lower its height when the doors open, making getting in and out a breeze. The natural leather seats provide the softest and most comfortable support for passengers.

The interior of the Lexus LS 500h features L-Aniline leather with a raw and natural appearance, thanks to carefully selected high-quality materials. Premium leather, metal accents, and Shimamoku wood – a famous material crafted with extreme precision by Lexus – adorn the interior surfaces of the LS 500h, creating a luxurious ambiance.

Each piece of wood is shaved as thin as paper and undergoes a 7-day coloring process. These wood layers, each with different shades, are then stacked and pressed to create alternating veins of light and dark colors. On average, crafting a Lexus steering wheel involves 67 different processes that take 38 days to complete, ensuring precision up to 0.1mm.

In addition to the meticulously crafted details, the Lexus LS 500h boasts highly modern and functional interiors that seamlessly blend with the latest technology. The ambient lighting, for example, is designed to provide illumination without causing glare to passengers.

This premium experience is further enhanced by the state-of-the-art Mark Levinson 23-speaker entertainment sound system combined with a classic DVD player, delivering studio-quality sound. The multi-screen system is available throughout the car, catering to the needs of the owners.

Passengers sitting in the main rear seat on the passenger side can truly appreciate the value that the LS 500h brings in terms of comfort, quietness, and luxurious features. The seat offers 22-way electric adjustment with Ottoman support and a range of hot stone massages to rejuvenate during long journeys.

Excessive safety philosophy

The Lexus LS 500h is also designed to provide exceptional safety. It is equipped with the LSS 2+ active safety package, which includes advanced features such as front and rear emergency braking, lane keeping assist, intelligent cruise control, auto-leveling intelligent balancing headlights, 360-degree cameras, front and rear sensors, blind-spot monitoring assistance, and more.

Moreover, the Lexus LS 500h incorporates numerous unseen safety measures that contribute to its overall safety performance. The car’s hood, for instance, has a design that pops up in the event of an accident to act as a shield, reducing the impact force on collision victims. From the center of gravity to the front and rear parts (e.g., hood and trunk lid), the Lexus LS 500h uses lightweight materials to minimize inertia forces and reduce potential injuries in case of a collision.

Essential areas such as A-pillars, B-pillars, roof, and hat box have been reinforced to ensure sufficient strength for protecting occupants in unexpected situations.

Always with you

Lexus doesn’t just sell luxury cars to the elite; it also accompanies customers throughout their ownership journey. The brand takes pride in providing meticulously crafted products and services that surpass expectations.

In Vietnam, Lexus has two official showrooms located in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, each equipped with modern facilities spanning over 1,000 square meters. These showrooms feature functional rooms to meet all customer needs, including a bar counter, VIP lounge, private workroom, rest area, children’s room, and smoking room. Additionally, they house a well-equipped service workshop staffed by a highly trained and skilled technical team.

The Omotenashi spirit is evident in every detail at Lexus dealerships, from frames and wooden shelves bearing the cultural imprint of Lexus, Japan, and Vietnam to the caring and dedicated staff. Customers who bring their cars for maintenance receive advance notification calls to help schedule appointments and ensure a smooth process from start to finish, optimizing the customer’s time.

Moreover, Lexus Vietnam understands the concerns of customers when it comes to hybrid vehicles, a relatively new concept in the Vietnamese market. Hence, the brand offers an exclusive genuine warranty program of up to 5 years with unlimited mileage for hybrid vehicles (superior to the 3-year warranty policy for gasoline vehicles). For the Lexus ES sedan, the official warranty period is extended to 7 years for the hybrid battery. It’s safe to say that this is just the beginning, and we can expect future updates to the warranty policy for other hybrid models.

Anh Phan (Tuoitrethudo)