Lexus LS 2018 pricing and spec confirmed

Lexus’ all-new fifth-generation LS luxury sedan has officially touched down in Australia, bringing a raft of changes and price cuts of up to $50,000 for the LS500h hybrid variant.

While the LS500h has a lower price, the petrol-powered LS500 versions have increased by roughly $4500 to give the two powertrains an equal asking price across two specification levels.

Point of entry for the LS range now starts at $190,500 plus on-roads for the F Sport trim, while opting for the Sports Luxury version is $5000 dearer at $195,500.

The entry point is now $4520 more than the outgoing model, however the previous range-topper, the LS600h Sports Luxury, asked $245,140, meaning the ceiling in the LS range has come down $49,640.

For those with a liberal attitude to the options list, eight different interior ornamentation options exist for the Luxury Sports models, four of which are priced at $9880.

The new LS will showcase the latest technologies the Japanese brand has to offer.

Despite an extensive list of standard equipment, the LS is able to undercut entry-level offerings from its main rivals in the upper-large luxury car segment including the Mercedes-Benz S-Class ($195,500), BMW 7 Series ($226,900), Audi A8 ($198,855) and Jaguar XJ ($210,120).

Lexus Australia chief executive Scott Thompson said the new LS will showcase the latest technologies the Japanese brand has to offer.

“With multiple world and Lexus firsts, it breaks new ground in design, technology and performance,” he said. 

The new LS has been co-developed with the new LC coupe launched last year, sharing the lightweight Global Architecture Luxury (GAL) platform and new hybrid V6 powertrain.

The LS500h powertrain teams a 220kW/350Nm naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 to a 132kW/300Nm electric motor for a combined output of 264kW, representing a 16kW drop over the outgoing model which employed a 4.6-litre V8.

The new LS sits 25mm longer, and wider, and 15mm lower than the outgoing model.

Teamed with a continuously-variable transmission (CVT), the LS500h can power from 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds, while sipping 6.6 litres of fuel per 100km.

Unlike the LC500 which employs a 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8, the LS500 uses a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 that punches out 310kW/600Nm, mated to a class-first 10-speed automatic transmission that allows for a 5.0-second 0-100km/h time and a claimed (combined cycle) fuel economy figure of 9.5L/100km.

The new LS sits 25mm longer, and wider, and 15mm lower than the outgoing model, while a single wheelbase length of 3125mm is 35mm longer than the larger of the previous generation’s two wheelbase lengths.

All variants use adaptive air suspension with 20-inch rims and run-flat tyres, however the F Sport gets wider rear tyres while the Sports Luxury gains noise-dissipating alloys.

The new digital dashboard features a 12.3-inch multimedia screen and a large head-up display.

Extra goodies for the F Sport includes black grille, sill trims and brake callipers, high-performance brakes, variable gear-ratio steering, dynamic rear steering and active stabiliser bars.

Meanwhile, exclusive to the Sports Luxury is four-zone climate control with rear cooler, 22-way power rear seats with ottoman leg rests and seven massage programs, and DVD screens for rear passengers, who also have an additional 86mm of legroom over the old model.

Front seats include 28-way electric adjustment with adjustable pneumatic padding, while the new digital dashboard features a 12.3-inch multimedia screen, a large head-up display and a 23-speaker Mark Levinson sound system tuned specifically for the LS’s acoustics.

Lexus is also offering a complementary unconditional 10-year roadside assistance program for LS owners.

Can Lexus match it with Europe’s finest with its new LS sedan? Tell us what you think in the comments below.