2018 Lexus LS sedan flagship launches in Australia from $190,500

Lexus has launched its all-new 2018 Lexus LS flagship sedan in Australia, bringing unrivaled craftsmanship, attention to detail and all-new powertrain to the luxury sedan.

The fifth-generation LS is built on the premium manufacturer’s latest GA-L platform which made its debut on the Lexus LC sports coupe. And like the LC, pricing is identical for both the LS 500 and LS 500h, starting at $190,500 for the F Sport.

However, the invoice can head north quickly with the Sports Luxury costing an additional $5,000, while four of the eight premium hand-crafted interior ornamentation options commands a $9,880 premium.

Underneath the bonnet, the LS 500 is powered by the company’s first 310kW/600Nm twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6, while the LS 500h features a 264kW hybrid engine consisting of 3.5-litre Atkinson cycle V6 and two electric motors.

Connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission, the LS 500 is capable of dashing from 0-100km/h in 5.0 seconds, with the LS 500h taking an additional 0.4 seconds to accomplish the task.

Lexus also expanded the customer care for which it is renowned, announcing an unconditional 10-year complimentary roadside assistance program to make ownership even easier and more beneficial.

Lexus Australia chief executive Scott Thompson said the new LS 500 draws on the proud history of its predecessors.

“The new Lexus flagship is destined to repeat LS history as a car that redefines and advances automotive luxury expectations and customer satisfaction,” he said.

“With multiple world and Lexus firsts, it breaks new ground in design, technology and performance. More than any other model, the LS embodies the history and image of Lexus and serves as a symbol for everything the brand represents – a luxury lifestyle brand that offers amazing experiences.”

Mr Thompson said Japanese aesthetics, drawing on the skills of master craftsmen and the “omotenashi” or hospitality principle, reflected the human-centred engineering and attention to detail inherent with the Lexus brand.

“This human touch gives the Lexus brand its soul and sets it apart from our competitors,” he said.

LS chief engineer Toshio Asahi said the challenge for Lexus with the fifth-generation model was not simply to go beyond the achievements of the past, but to re-imagine what a global flagship sedan should be.

“In doing so, four key pillars underpinned the development of the new LS – brave design, Takumi craftsmanship, exhilarating performance and imaginative technology,” he said.

Foundation for the new design and chassis was the GA-L platform that allowed Lexus to extend the wheelbase, provide a spacious interior, and achieve an ideal front-rear weight balance and the lowest centre of gravity in class for greater agility and comfort.

The latest Lexus Safety System+ includes a pre-collision system, all-speed radar active cruise control, lane keep assist and adaptive high-beam system to control the LED headlamps.

Every Lexus LS is equipped with blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, pop-up bonnet and tyre pressure monitoring system.

Advanced new front and rear seat designs offer class-leading levels of adjustment and sophisticated new massage functions.

In-cabin technology includes a 12.3-inch multi-media screen, segment-leading 24-inch head-up display, Mark Levinson 23-speaker audio and auto-closing doors.

Performance benefits include standard Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM), air suspension with access mode control and adaptive variable suspension.

LS 500 F Sport is the outright performance model, equipped with the V6 turbo, a world-first six-step VDIM system, four-wheel steering and active stabiliser bars to provide an even higher level of stability control while maintaining ride comfort.

F Sport features include unique exterior and interior treatments, 20-inch alloys with a front-rear tyre size differential, high-performance brakes, variable gear-ratio steering, dynamic rear steering and active stabiliser bars.

Sports Luxury additional features include four-zone climate control with rear cooler, 22-way power rear seats with passenger-side ottoman and seven massage programs, rear-seat entertainment and noise-dissipating 20-inch alloy wheels.

2018 Lexus LS pricing (LS 500 and LS 500h)

F Sport $190,500
Sports Luxury $195,500

Sports Luxury Trim/ornamentation options (no extra charge):

Sports Luxury Moon White trim with Walnut ornamentation
Sports Luxury Moon White trim with Crafted Latte ornamentation
Black trim with Crafted Latte ornamentation
Crimson Fire trim and Herringbone ornamentation

Trim/ornamentation options ($9,880 premium):

Black with hand-pleating and kiriko glass
Crimson Fire with hand-pleating and kiriko glass
Chestnut with Redgrain ornamentation
Chestnut with laser-cut ornamentation

F Sport Trim/ornamentation options:

F Sport Moon White trim with Naguri-style Aluminium ornamentation
F Sport Black trim with Naguri-style Aluminium ornamentation
Flare Red trim with Naguri-style Aluminium ornamentation

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