The Sleeper With The World’s First Hybrid V8 Is Now An Absolute Bargain

It looks like hybrids have been round ceaselessly – so lengthy in truth, that they’ll really feel a little bit old school in comparison with the most recent wave of ultra-modern EVs. However because the smooth new Toyota Prius proves, there’s a place for these intelligent vehicles that seamlessly mix the comfort of gas-powered motors with the effectivity of electrical energy.

Hybrid energy could be very a lot in vogue on this planet of supercars proper now, too, with fashions such because the Ferrari SF90 Stradale using a V8 hybrid system. The intelligent new McLaren W1 can even be utilizing a twin-turbocharged V8 high-performance hybrid, as does the mighty 2025 BMW M5. However what was the primary manufacturing automotive to make use of a hybrid V8 set-up? This is a clue: it isn’t a gnarly supercar or a wild tremendous saloon. It’s one thing extra discreet and a real sleeper automotive – nobody would suspect the ability and efficiency lurking inside. And the most effective bit is, these automobiles are critically quick and dependable bargains as we speak, too.

The Lexus LS600h Was The World’s First Hybrid V8 Manufacturing Automobile

The NHW10 mannequin Toyota Prius of 1997 was the world’s first manufacturing hybrid sedan. The automotive has a 1.5-liter water-cooled inline-4 mixed with an electrical motor for a complete output of 98 horsepower. Whereas it may not win many drag races, the Prius may carry out twice as nicely by way of gasoline consumption and CO2 emissions in comparison with standard gasoline-powered automobiles.

This was all nicely and good within the small sedan sector, however in the meantime, greater up the automotive meals chain, massive government sedans had been nonetheless ravenously chomping via gasoline. Toyota determined that even high-flying execs might wish to flex their eco credentials, so it got down to create a luxurious chariot that had V8 energy with intelligent hybrid tech, saving gasoline but additionally performing in addition to the large V12 sedans that also dominated the roost within the 2000s.

The LS600h’s Powertrain Was Groundbreaking

In typical Lexus type, the LS600h did not have the epic, elephantine highway presence of a V12 Merc, or the melted Artwork Deco aesthetic of the 2000s E65 BMW 7-series. The LS600h and long-wheelbase LS600hL, which launched in 2006, are fashions which are pebbly clean and unoffensive to have a look at. These are automobiles for individuals who do not wish to draw an excessive amount of consideration to themselves as they pull up exterior the boardroom.

Below the pores and skin, issues get far more fascinating, nonetheless. The LS600h had the world’s first hybrid system, combining a 5.0-liter V8 engine to a high-output motor, with the additional benefit of a full-time all-wheel-drive system.

The V8 Lexus Went Toe-To-Toe With The Newest V12 Sedans

When Lexus unveiled the all-new 2008 LS600hL hybrid luxurious sedan on the 2006 New York Worldwide Vehicle Present, a part of the fourth technology (XF40) LS vary, the corporate was pleased to match it to the 12-cylinder exec expresses of the day. ‘The LS600hL, a high-end mannequin from the Lexus flagship LS collection, combines a newly developed high-output 5.0-liter V8 engine with a high-performance motor to attain dynamic efficiency on par with a 6.0-liter V12 engine, in addition to wonderful gasoline effectivity just like that of a V6 all-wheel-drive midsize sedan…’ stated the official press info.

This is How Fast The Lexus LS600h Is

Lexus LS600hL Specs

Engine

5.0-liter V8/ hybrid

Energy

438 hp (mixed)

Torque

385 lb-ft

0-60 mph

5.4 seconds

Supply: Lexus.com

The LS600h and LS600hL used a then-new, longitudinally-mounted 5.0-liter V8 petrol engine that had been developed from the 4.6-liter unit discovered within the LS460, mixed with a high-output electrical motor and a newly-designed, large-capacity battery pack. The ICE pushes out round 389 horsepower and is supported by a 221-horsepower electrical motor, with a mixed 438 horsepower being despatched to all 4 wheels via a Torsen heart differential. The large Lexus sedan can also be fitted with four-wheel regenerative braking that converts the kinetic power launched throughout deceleration and braking to electrical energy and shops it within the battery for later use.

The V8 Is Stuffed Full Of Tech

The V8 mill makes use of two injectors per cylinder, which, says Lexus, improves torque, gasoline economic system, and emissions. The engine additionally options Lexus’s twin VVT-i variable consumption and exhaust valve timing system, incorporating VVT-iE, the world’s first electrical motor-driven consumption camshaft. When the Lexus LS600h is working in low engine effectivity circumstances, for instance on start-up or at low to mid-range speeds, the LS 600h runs on its electrical motors alone.

The LS600h Is A Luxurious Sleeper

Contemplating this can be a 5220-pound sedan that appears a bit like a taxi cab, the efficiency could be very spectacular. You will not have any hassle wafting previous different automobiles, with a 50-to-70-mph time of three.5 seconds, and a dash to 60 mph from standstill in 5.4 seconds. The quarter mile is roofed in 13.8 seconds. It appeared that Lexus’s claims had been fairly spot on. A V12 Mercedes-Benz S600 of 2001 may hit 60 mph in the identical tim,e and the quarter mile was a fraction slower at 13.9 seconds.

This is How A lot A Lexus LS600h Prices In 2025

Used Costs Of Lexus LS600h

2008 Lexus LS600hL: $10,227

2009 Lexus LS600hL: $11,658

2010 Lexus LS600hL: $13,457

2011 Lexus LS600hL: $14,322

2012 Lexus LS600hL: $19,167

2013 Lexus LS600hL: $23,807

2014 Lexus LS600hL: $29,390

2015 Lexus LS600hL: $31,274

2016 Lexus LS600hL: $38,659

Supply: KBB.com Honest Buy Value

The Lexus LS600h was obtainable in normal- and long-wheelbase variations in most markets, however within the USA the one mannequin obtainable was the one with further legroom, the LS600hL. This mannequin has a dizzying array of options, together with the world’s first business software of LED headlights (low beam), a complicated Parking Steerage System, four-zone entrance and rear air-con with air purification perform and body-heat sensors for impartial automated temperature controls for all 4 occupants, and a rear-seat DVD leisure system with a 9-inch drop-down display and a 19-speaker 450-watt Mark Levinson audio system.

The Lexus LS600hL Is A Lot Of Automobile For The Cash

Contemplating the quantity of package you get, these large Lexus sedans are very inexpensive. It is value taking into account that when new, the 2008 Lexus LS600hL would set you again a whopping $104,765. Now, the early fashions go for $10,227, in keeping with Kelley Blue E book’s Honest Buy Value. Costs do go up fairly shortly relying on the 12 months, however so did the brand new value of the LS600hL. A 2016 automotive will value $38,659, in keeping with KBB, however the sticker value for that car when new, nearly ten years in the past, was an eye-watering $121,390.

Prospects Are Very Happy With Their LS600hs

Whereas we might encourage warning when shopping for any secondhand automotive, particularly one loaded with groundbreaking tech, it is value remembering that Lexus has had legendary reliability for many years, together with the top-flight LS fashions. In keeping with RepairPal, the LS600h fashions boast simply $564 in whole annual restore prices. For the 2008 mannequin – aka the LS600hL, which is the largest used cut price – house owners give it rave critiques. Over at Edmunds, the 2008 mannequin will get 4.8 stars out of 5, with one proprietor calling it ‘the most effective cut price in a used automotive ever’, including, ‘This automotive has value me the least in upkeep of any automotive I’ve ever owned.’

Sources: Edmunds, KBB, RepairPal.