Lexus News: Lexus Considers More Powertrain Options for LS

[William Maley]

Lexus offers two powertains for the LS; a twin-turbo V6 producing 415 horsepower and a hybrid system featuring a 3.5L V6 that makes 354 horsepower. But Lexus is considering adding more powertains to their flagship sedan.

Toshio Asahi, chief engineer for the LS told Australian outlet GoAuto that all powertrain options including a plug-in hybrid, hydrogen, and electric were “all on the table” for the current model. The most likely reason for this is competitors such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz have plug-in hybrid models of their flagship sedans and are working on new electric models. There is also the elephant in the room known as the Tesla Model S.

Hydrogen isn't that much a surprise. Parent company Toyota has been pushing hydrogen for a number of years. But the lack of an extensive hydrogen infrastructure has limited its appeal and caused Toyota to put more focus on electrics. It should be noted that the LF-FC concept shown in 2015 was a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. On the electric front, Toyota has been working on solid-state batteries that promise more range and quicker charging. Plans are to have batteries go into production beginning in 2022.

Asahi also mentioned that engineers are looking into improving the current hybrid powertrain - possibly adding more power.

Source: GoAuto

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[Drew Dowdell]

I've only ever driven the Hybrid. I hadn't realized they had dropped the 5.0.

[oldshurst442]

I have a suggestion for the LS...

I present you the LS swap option for the LS

 

And it be true to its name...Lexus LS...no misinformation and misinterpretation open for a lawsuit. 

I mean, the first time a heard about a Lexus LS...I thought it had a LS V8 in it...

So who's with me?

Action lawsuit against Lexus for misrepresenting themselves? 

Edited April 12, 2018 by oldshurst442

[smk4565]

354 hp and 415 hp is a whole lot of yawn for a full size sedan.  They need more power.

[G. David Felt]

2 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

I have a suggestion for the LS...

I present you the LS swap option for the LS

 

And it be true to its name...Lexus LS...no misinformation and misinterpretation open for a lawsuit. 

I mean, the first time a heard about a Lexus LS...I thought it had a LS V8 in it...

So who's with me?

Action lawsuit against Lexus for misrepresenting themselves? 

Totally agree that a Lexus LS needs a proper LS engine!

[Drew Dowdell]

LS all the things!

[riviera74]

Interesting.  The LS400 (1990) had a 4L V8 producing 250HP.  The LS430 (2001) had a 4.3L V8 producing 290HP.  The LS460 (2007) had a 4.6L V8 producing 380HP and the LS600h had a 5L V8 hybrid producing 439HP.  And only this year does Lexus drop the V8 entirely because of CAFE and other restrictions elsewhere.  Sad.

Too bad that the best sales years were prior to the last recession (2007).

[smk4565]

Also interesting is a 2007 S5550 had 382 hp, 391 lb-ft.  Today the S560 has 463 hp and 516 lb-ft. While Lexus Has at 415/442.  They are falling behind although the gap was worse in 2016 they still had that torqueless V8 in the LS460

[ccap41]

S Class doesn't even offer a hybrid in 2018. GTFO with that S Class has X Y and Z but they don't even offer a hybrid in freakin 2018. 

Thank the heavens the S Class has a start-stop system though... ?

[Drew Dowdell]

58 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

S Class doesn't even offer a hybrid in 2018. GTFO with that S Class has X Y and Z but they don't even offer a hybrid in freakin 2018. 

Thank the heavens the S Class has a start-stop system though... ?

As high tech as a 2008 Saturn Aura Green-Line.