Lexus has released interesting information about the facelifted LS specifically for the Dutch market. Among other things, the hybrid powertrain of the LS 500h intended for us has been further refined. The flagship of the brand will only come to the Netherlands as this 500h, it will be at the dealer at the beginning of 2021. A price has not yet been announced.
Potential buyers of an LS on the Dutch market do not have to think too long about which motorization they want in their top limousine. Lexus only brings the 500h to our country, a choice that is mainly dictated by our tax climate. The V8, which disappeared from the price list earlier this year, will not return. Lexus tells Techzle that. The Japanese have a number of improvements in store for the already well-known hybrid powertrain of the LS 500h. The battery pack and the electric motor have become more important and must now provide more assistance. Lexus has taken into account an ‘average driving style’, in which the accelerator and brake pedal are operated only with light pressure. The acceleration should be smoother and more linear from low revs due to the adjustments. In addition, the petrol engine has to rev up less due to the greater degree of electrical assistance.
Comfort is still the main focus of Lexus, which is also evident from the adjustments made to the chassis and tires. The sidewall of the tires have been made smoother and the adaptive damping – called ‘AVS’ at Lexus – has a longer range thanks to a new electromagnetic valve. According to Lexus, the LS should be more comfortable on bad roads, but at the same time offer more stable handling. The facelift of the LS is also not an earth-shaking, as it turned out when Lexus pulled the curtain off in early July. Key features include BladeScan headlamps, a sophisticated multimedia system with smartphone integration and upgraded seats. The revised LS 500h will be in Dutch showrooms in early 2021. Lexus could not yet tell Techzle what the new price is. This follows in the run-up to the introduction.