KUALA LUMPUR: Lexus Malaysia has launched its new fifth-generation LS 500 flagship sedan in three variants with prices starting at just a tickle under RM800,000.

The three variants starts with the LS 500 Luxury that's priced on-the-road with GST without insurance at RM799,000, while the LS 500 Executive costs RM999,000 and the LS 500h Executive Hybrid commands a RM1,459,000 price tag.

All vehicles sold by Lexus Malaysia are covered by a comprehensive factory warranty of five years with unlimited mileage.

The Japanese luxury carmaker has provided 11 colour options for choice including Sonic Quartz, Sonic Silver, Sonic Titanium, Manganese Luster (new), Black, Graphite Black Glass Flake Red Mica Crystal Shine, Sonic Agate (new), Sleek Ecru Metallic, Amber Crystal Shine and Deep Blue Mica.

In terms of dimensions, the new LS 500 now has a wheelbase of 3,125mm (+35mm), while measuring 5,235mm-long (+28mm), 1,900mm-wide (+25mm) and 1,450mm-tall (-15mm).

Rear-wheel power comes from the a 3.4-litre (3,445cc) twin-turbo V6 petrol engine with Auto Start-Stop function pushing out 415hp at 6,000rpm and 600Nm of torque from 1,600 to 4,800rpm, while mated to a Direct Shift 10-speed automatic transmission with

This allows the 2,250kg (kerb) Luxury and 2,290kg Executive variants with a boot capacity of 480 litres to sprint from 0-100kph in 5.0 seconds before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250kph and have a combined fuel consumption of 9.5 litres per 100km.

The 2,350kg hybrid variant with a smaller 440-litre boot, on the other hand, uses a 3.5-litre (3,456cc) naturally-aspirated V6 engine with Hybrid Eco Start-Stop instead that's rated at 295hp at 6,000rpm and 350Nm of torque at 5,100rpm.

The engine is further supplemented by a lithium-ion battery-powered electric motor providing 176hp / 300Nm for a combined output of 354hp and is mated to a multi-stage hybrid transmission - increasing its century spring time to 5.4 seconds and its combined fuel consumption to 6.67 litres per 100km.

All variants are equipped with an 82-litre fuel tank and have six drive modes of Normal, Eco, Comfort, Sport S, Sport S+ and Custom.

Furthermore, it uses a multi-link adaptive air-suspension system that can lower the vehicle down to a ride-height of 144mm while providing Access Mode Control, Auto Levelling, Vehicle Height Select, and High Speed Sensitive Function and can

Grip comes from 245/45 series run-flat tyres fitted to 20-inch wheels that obscure the four-piston (front) and two-piston (rear) opposed aluminium mono-block calipers that bite down on the disc brakes.

Externally, the front end uses a mesh-style spindle grille that's flanked by a pair of ultra compact tri-beam automatic LED projector headlamps with adaptive high-beam system and automatic levelling as well as LED L-shaped daytime running lights and cornering lamps.

It also has LED rear combination lights, shark-fin antenna, moonroof, automatic wipers, front and rear fog lamps, Electro Chromic side mirrors and a powered boot-lid with hands-free kick-open function.

Accessing the car via its keyless entry system with push-start button will reveal the cabin's suede headliner and, depending on variant, there's six Semi-Aniline leather colour combinations for choice including Black with Organic Art Wood or Noble Brown with Herringbone Art Wood trim for the Luxury variant.

The Executive variant gets Crimson and Black with Herringbone Art Wood trim, Black with Organic Art Wood trim and has the ability to replace the trim for Kiriko Glass as an optional extra.

Although the LS 500 is able to seat five, it seems four would be the more ideal seating capacity while the driver has the ability to appreciate the inclusion of a 12.3-inch Electro Multi-vision display, 24-inch colour Heads-up Display, three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel for the electric power steering system with wood trim and an Electro Chromic rear view mirror.

Front occupants get 28-way powered front ventilated seats with memory function, four-way powered lumbar support, massage function (Shiatsu-style) and Power Easy Access (driver only).

Standard fitment in the Luxury variants gets sun shades for the rear window and rear door window, four-way power adjustable lumbar support, seat ventilation,  18-way powered rear seat and a drop-down centre arm rest that provides access to rear climate, seat ventilation and entertainment controls.

The Executive and Executive Hybrid variants upgrades the rear seats to 22-way powered-adjustability and adds on Ottoman function (only for rear passenger side) as well as access to massage functions and Blu-ray playback.

Entertainment comes from the Luxury variant's standard 12-speaker Pioneer sound system with navigation that's boosted by an eight-channel Class D amplifier and provides radio, CD/DVD, MP3, WAV, FLAC, ALAC, OGG, Vorbis, WMV, AVI playback, along with Miracast, Bluetooth and Wifi connectivity, two USB ports and an AUX jack.

Both Executive and Executive Hybrid variants have been upgraded with a 23-speaker Mark Levinson QLI Reference Surround Sound System, pumped up by a 16-channel Class-D amplifier, that adds on Blu-ray playback on two 11.6-inch 720p LCD screens mounted behind the front seats, a HDMI port, a SD-card slot as well as Mircast and DLNA compatibility.

Fitted as standard for safety, all variants receive a pop-up hood impact absorbing structure for pedestrians, 12-airbags, anti-lock braking system, brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution, vehicle stability control, vehicle dynamic integrated management system, tyre-pressure warning system.

Also included are hill-start assist, blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross traffic alert, panoramic view monitor and the latest Lexus Safety System+ which includes front pre-collision system, lane departure warning and vehicle sway warning function.

Keywords