2018 Lexus LS 500h Hybrid to Debut Next Month at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show [VIDEO]
A lot of motoring fans were thrilled when Lexus unveiled their latest LS sedan, the 2018 Lexus LS 500, at the recently held 2017 Detroit Auto Show. However, the company has now confirmed that the hybrid version of the brand new flagship luxury sedan, the 2018 Lexus LS 500h hybrid, will be making its debut next month at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.
According to a report from AutoCar, the 2018 Lexus LS 500h will still retain the same look, design, interior, and exterior of its fully gas-powered sibling. The only main different however will be the addition of an electric motor that will be working with the 3.5-liter V6 engine to generate 354 horsepower.
Lexus has yet to fully unveil all the details about the upcoming 2018 Lexus LS 500h hybrid, but based on what was already revealed for its non-hybrid counterpart, everything should still remain the same, as per a report from Auto Blog. The hybrid will still be based on Lexus' new Global Architecture Luxury (GAL) platform, the same platform used in the company's LC line of vehicles.
The brand new platform is much lower and longer than the platform used on the outgoing models, but more importantly, it has reduced the weight of the new LS by 200 pounds. It isn't yet clear if the hybrid version will be getting the same 10-speed automatic transmission as the petrol version. However, it could also be possible that it might get its own variable transmission (CVT) gearbox to further improve its performance and economy.
The 2018 Lexus LS 500 models are expected to go against the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class Luxury line-up, and as such it is expected to come with all the creature comforts that are being offered by the German brand. Among the features that were revealed at the Detroit Auto Show were the 24-inch heads-up display (HUD), the full LCD instrument panels, 28-way adjustable seats, and other high-end interior technologies.