Lexus India has launched the fifth model in the country since their arrival in March last year. This time, it’s the LS 500h flagship sedan launched in India for a price of Rs 1.77 crores (ex-showroom, all India). The vehicle is available in three variants – Luxury, Ultra Luxury and Distinct.
In India, the LS enters into a direct fray with established Luxo-barges like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series and the Audi A8 apart from the Jaguar XJ. In its fifth generation now, the LS is what established the Lexus brand in 1989. And it continues to define the brand carrying their characteristic design language. The proceeding is dominated by the signature Spindle grille flanked by sleek wedged headlights. At a little more than five metres, the flamboyant LS is a lot of car. It is based on the GA-L platform. Appearance wise, it looks very aggressive and elegant at the same time. The smooth flowing silhouette ends in the typical LED taillights. On the inside, things remain as opulent and luxurious as you can expect from a flagship sedan. The Takumi-inspired cabin is wrapped in exotic leather upholstery and there is a generous use of premium materials. There is a large touchscreen screen for infotainment and a digital one for the instrument cluster as well. The list of creature comforts is obviously long to make sure you are not left wanting for more. There is no shortage of safety and creature comforts with more advanced features completing the package.
Under the long sculpted good, the LS always had the V8 engines. But now, with the modern-day downsizing, the LS comes with a turbocharged V6. The 3.5-litre V6 works in conjunction with two electric motors giving the car a combined output of 354bhp. The hybrid set up is mated to a newly developed 10-speed automatic transmission. The Japanese flagship is capable of sprinting to a 100kmph in a quick 5.2 seconds and onto a top speed of 250kmph.
Like all its stablemates - the ES, NX, RX and LX - the LS flagship takes the CBU route in India. Hence, it demands a premium extra in exchange of exclusivity compared to its direct rivals. The LS will be sold through the newly established Lexus Customer Experience Centre in India. There are four such bespoke centres in the country so far - two in Delhi and one each in Mumbai and Bangalore.
Ex-showroom all India prices for Lexus LS is as follows –
Luxury – Rs 1,77,21,000.
Ultra Luxury - Rs 1,82,21,000
Distinct – Rs 1,93,71,000
