Canadian Driver - First Drive: 2008 Lexus LS600hL

Merc1 · **Canadian Driver - First Drive: 2008 Lexus LS600hL -** 05-02-2007, 01:17 AM

Acceleration is delivered smoothly and progressively, and the car really moves along from standstill when required. The engine note is quite satisfying under hard acceleration, and disappears otherwise. In everyday driving, the hybrid powertrain is all but (although not completely) transparent to the driver. The transmission has none of the drone of lesser CVTs, and seems perfectly suited to the car. Interior appointments are luxurious and plentiful. Numerous touches speak to the attention to detail that is built into the car: even the hangers in the rear seat area are gently damped as they extend to receive your jacket or coat.

Trunk space is compromised however by the presence of the batteries at the rear of the car. You can still fit a couple of sets of golf clubs, though.

All that being said, the overall presence and presentation of the Lexus LS 600hL still requires, if you will, an exclamation point.

While the LS 600hL is a technological triumph (I counted over 130 buttons and switches in the cockpit alone, to control all manner of features and amenities), and truly pushes the safety and power train envelopes, the je ne sais quoi factor is yet to fully resolve, at least for me. Crudely put, it just doesn't blow you away when you get into the car. Should it? I think so. It needs a bit more soul, a bit more identity. There's no doubt the design follows recent BMW directions, and while it is certainly one sleek automobile, it reminds one of the big 7 Series.

However... the cows. The leather used in the interior of the LS 600hL is sourced from a German company that raises cattle in fields that are enclosed by wooden fences. Metal fences, used by most other suppliers, will nick and score the animal's hide. Wooden fences ensure a hide without blemishes. And only that is good enough for the LS600hL.

Should you be in the market, the LS 600hL can be ordered now, but several have been pre-ordered, so don't delay. The 2008 Lexus LS 600hL officially goes on sale this summer.

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M