When we think hybrid, we don't often think luxury mega-sedan, but that's exactly what you get with the new 2013 Lexus 600h L. While it shares much of its core elements with the previous model, a new look and some updates to the powertrain give the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 and the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid shopper another alternative.

With the new LS 600h L, you're getting the exact same package in new paper: it's all restyling, inside and out, with no touches to the 389-horsepower 5.0-liter V-8 engine or the paired motor-generator 221-kW hybrid drive system, or its battery pack. Gas mileage, performance, capabilities, ranges all remain the same.

That's a disappointment to fans that had hoped Lexus would take the now six-year-old hybrid and give it a bit greener means of motivation.

The previous generation did not prove popular on the whole, despite its 19 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined fuel economy rating, figures that closely match the S400 Hybrid and ActiveHybrid 7--though they lag the S350 BlueTEC diesel's 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined.

No matter which hybrid luxury executive sedan you choose, you're not talking about a once-a-month fill-up, but you're looking at saving 5 or more mpg combined compared to the full-size, powerful, non-hybrid executive limousines, without giving up much in the way of performance.

For now, only a rough spec sheet confirming the 2013 model's sameness to the 2012 LS 600h L has been released. We expect more thorough details, including updates to the technology, infotainment, navigation, and telematics systems, to be released closer to the car's retail sales start this fall.

For now, enjoy the images, and let us know what you would have liked to see from the 2013 Lexus LS 600h L in the comments below. Read on to page two for the full spec sheet.

2013 LS 600h L Product Information

EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS

 

Wheelbase 121.7 in.

Overall Length 205.0 in.

Overall Width 73.8 in.

Overall Height 58.3 in.

Tread Width - Base: Front/Rear 63.6/63.4

Ground Clearance 5.1 in.

INTERIOR DIMENSIONS

 

Seating Capacity 5

- Maximum w/ Executive Class
Seating Pkg. 4

Headroom
- Front: (with moonroof standard) 38.0 in.

- Rear (with moonroof standard) 38.0 in.

Shoulder Room - Front:

58.5 in. - Rear: 56.4 in.

Hip Room - Front 55.4 in. - Rear 55.5 in.

Couple Distance (distance between front and rear seatbacks)

45.5 in.

EPA Cargo Volume 10.1 cu. ft.

WEIGHTS AND CAPACITIES

 

Curb Weight 5,115 lbs. with executive seating package 5,202 lbs.

GVWR
- Five passengers 6,205 lbs. - Four passengers 6,060 lbs.

Weight Distribution – Percent Front/Rear 52/48

Fuel Capacity 22.2 gal.

Page 1 of 9

2013 LS 600h L Product Information

HYBRID POWER SYSTEM

 

Type, Materials Hybrid system with gas engine and two motor/generators

Total system power

438 hp

ENGINE

Type, Materials Designation Valvetrain

Displacement
Bore x Stroke Compression Ratio Horsepower Torque
Fuel System

Recommended fuel
Tailpipe Emission Certification (manf. Est.)

V8, aluminum block and cylinder heads 2UR-FSE

32 valve w/ Dual Variable Valve Timing w/ intelligence and Electronically controlled intake (VVT-iE)

5.0 liter
3.70 in. x 3.52 in. (94.0 mm x 89.5 mm) 11.8:1
389 hp @ 6,400 rpm
385 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm

D-4S System (direct- and port-injected system) Electronic Throttle Control System with intelligence (ETCS-i)

Premium 91 octane unleaded SULEV II

ELECTRIC MOTORS

Motor Generator 1 (MG1) - Function - Type

- Cooling system

Primary generator, engine starter Permanent magnet motor Water-cooled

Motor Generator 2 (MG2) - Function - Type

- Max. voltage
- Max. output
- Cooling system

Drives wheels; regenerative braking Permanent magnet motor
650 V (DC)
221 hp (165 kW)

Water-cooled

HYBRID BATTERY PACK

Type
Cell Quantity Cell Type Nominal Voltage

Sealed Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) 240 cells (12 cells x 20 modules) Nickel-plated metal container
288V


DRIVETRAIN

 

Layout Full-time all-wheel-drive

Transmission Type Electronically-controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT) with two-stage planetary gear

reduction, and normal, power and snow modes

Designation L110F

Differential Ratio 3.916

CHASSIS AND BODY

 

Body/Frame Steel Uni-body Frame Structure

Suspension - Front Multi-link, double-joint, Air Suspension (AVS) - Rear Multi-link, double-joint, Air Suspension (AVS)

Steering

- Type

- Overall Ratio
- Turns (lock to lock)
- Turning Circle (curb to curb)

Rack and Pinion with Electric Power Steering (EPS), Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) and Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM)

11.5 – 18.5 2.3-3.7 38.8 ft.

Brakes - Type

- Front - Rear

Antilock Braking System (ABS); Electronically Controlled Brakes (ECB); Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), VSC, TRAC (all systems integrated VDIM System)

Four-piston calipers, ventilated discs, power assisted Two-piston calipers, ventilated discs, power assisted

Anti-lock Braking System Four-channel, four-sensor


CHASSIS AND BODY CONT.

 

Wheel Size/Type 19 x 8.0 in. split seven-spoke with liquid graphite finish

Tire Size/Type 245/45R19 all season

Matching Full-size Spare 245/45R19 with alloy wheel

PERFORMANCE

 

0-60 mph acceleration (manuf. results) 5.5 seconds

Top Track Speed (electronically limited) 130 mph

Estimated Fuel Economy (City/Hwy/Combined mpg)* 19/23/20

Recommended fuel Premium unleaded

Coefficient of Drag (Cd) 0.27

* 2013 EPA MPG estimate. Actual mileage will vary.


Overall Exterior Styling/Body Design

  •   19-inch split seven-spoke alloy wheels

  •   Aggressive inverted trapezoid-shaped upper and bottom-wide lower grille produce a new “spindle

    grille”

  •   Hybrid-specific characteristics using blue accents in front headlamps, front and rear “L” badges, “HYBRID” side badging, taillamps, “600h” in rear “LS 600h L” badge, engine cover

  •   LED DRLs, turn signals and foglamps

  •   LED low and high beam headlights and Smart Beam

  •   Side mirrors with integrated turn signals

  •   Thin profile-integrated LED high-mount stop lamp

    Body Structure and Paint

  •   Acoustic glass windshield

  •   Aluminum crush boxes reduces damage from light impact and improves serviceability

  •   Exterior colors (8) with 3-4 coat multi-bake process: Starfire Pearl, Nebula Gray Pearl, Liquid Platinum, Obsidian, Matador Red Mica, Satin Cashmere Mica, Fire Agate Pearl and Deep Sea Mica

  •   High-strength steel alloy and ultra-high strength sheet metal used in body structure

  •   Laminated side window glass

  •   Thinsulate insulation for more effective sound absorption

    Convenience Features

    •   LED Ambient lighting

    •   12v outlet in center console and 12v outside of center console

    •   All Weather Package includes headlamp washers, PTC heater, high AMP*HR battery and windshield de-icer

    •   Blind Spot Monitor with Cross Traffic Alert

    •   Heated electrochromic outside rearview mirrors with puddle lamps (mounted on the underside of mirror

      housing), and power folding function

    •   Intuitive Park Assist (IPA)

    •   One-touch open/close power trunk lid with jam protection

    •   SmartAccess key fobs with Smart Card


STANDARD INTERIOR FEATURES

Interior Trim

  •   Alcantara® headliner

  •   Carpeted floor mats

  •   Climate control (heated and ventilated) rear seats

  •   Grain-matched wood trim with genuine aluminum accents for center console and door panels

  •   Heated wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel

  •   Interior leather: Parchment, Light Gray, Flaxen, Black, Black/Saddle Tan

  •   Leather-trimmed instrument panel, door panels and armrests

  •   Semi-aniline leather trimmed seating

  •   Wood-trimmed and chrome-plated shift knob

  •   Wood-trimmed assist grips

    Seats

  •   16-way power driver seat with auto slide-away and 12-way power front passenger seat

  •   Climate-controlled front seats and heated rear seats

  •   L-finesse inspired design theme

  •   Power seatbelt shoulder height adjusters for front passengers

  •   Power rear seats with climate control and lumbar massage and butterfly headrest

  •   Three-position memory system for driver, front passenger and rear seats

    Instrumentation and Controls

  •   Analog clock with GPS

  •   Cruise control

  •   Electrochromic inside rearview mirror

  •   Electroluminescent Thin Film Transistor (TFT) gauges including speedometer, coolant temperature, tachometer, fuel, and energy monitor.

  •   Gated shifter with sequential sport-shift mode

  •   HomeLink® programmable garage door opener

  •   Power tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio, brake hold function and multi-information display controls

  •   SmartAccess with push-button start/stop


STANDARD INTERIOR FEATURES - CONT.

Comfort/Convenience Features

  •   Hard Disc Drive (HDD) Navigation System

    •   Bluetooth® hands free phone and phonebook download capabilities

    •   Lexus Enform® with App Suite and SafetyConnect®: Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle

      Location, Emergency Assist Button (SOS), Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Destination Assist, and eDestination (complimentary one-year trial subscription) and App Suite which allows the driver to enjoy various mobile phone applications on the navigation screen

    •   Lexus InsiderTM

    •   Rear back-up camera

    •   SirusXM NavTraffic, NavWeather, Sports, fuel prices and Stocks (90-day trial subscription

      included)

    •   Voice command casual-language voice recognition system

  •   Charcoal-activated clean air dust and pollen filter

  •   Dual-zone front climate control with smog sensor and automatic recirculation control

  •   First aid kit

  •   Four-zone climate control

  •   Heated steering wheel

  •   Individual vanity mirrors in rear seat area

  •   LED interior lighting with spot-lamp illumination in front and rear

  •   Power door sunshade

  •   Power rear sunshade

  •   Power tilt-and-slide moonroof with one-touch closure

  •   Rear air conditioning with cool box

  •   Rear audio controls

    STANDARD AUDIO SYSTEM

    Mark Levinson® Reference Surround Sound

    •   19 speakers (7.1 channel speaker architecture)

    •   450 watts, all channels driven (15 discrete channels), 20-20kHz @ less than 0.1 percent Total

      Harmonic Distortion (THD)

    •   AM/FM/in-dash six-disc DVD changer with MP3/WMA compatibility

    •   Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL)

    •   Aux/MP3 and USB/iPod® audio input plugs

    •   Digital Sound Processor (DSP)

    •   HD Radio with iTunes tagging

    •   Integrated SiriusXM satellite radio receiver (complimentary 90-day trial subscription)

 

STANDARD SAFETY AND SECURITY

Safety

  •   Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS)

  •   Dual stage driver and front passenger airbags

  •   Force limiters and seatbelt pretensioners

  •   Front passenger twin-chamber airbag

  •   Front passenger Occupant Classification System

  •   Front seat-mounted side airbags for driver and front passenger

  •   Knee airbags for driver and front passenger

  •   Side curtain airbags

  •   Three-point seatbelts and headrests for all three rear seating positions

  •   Rear seat-mounted side airbags

    Security

    •   Entry system with lock, two-stage unlock, trunk open and “panic” features, volume-adjustable confirmation tone and rolling code technology

    •   Headlight off delay feature: after locking vehicle, headlights remain illuminated for a certain period of time before automatically shutting off

    •   Multi-function SmartAccess remote with engine immobilizer and remote window “down” feature

    •   Remote-activated/key-linked illuminated entry: dome light and ignition key cylinder ring illuminate when

      doors are unlocked (remain illuminated for 15 seconds or until door is opened)

    •   Safety Connect® with Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Location, Emergency Assist Button, and Enhanced Roadside Assistance (complimentary one-year trial subscription included)

    •   Vehicle theft-deterrent system STANDARD MECHANICAL FEATURES

    •   Acoustic Control Induction System (ACIS)

    •   Air suspension with Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS)

    •   All-Wheel-Drive with Torsen® Limited Slip Center Differential

    •   Aluminum block and cylinder heads with aluminum-magnesium alloy cylinder head covers

    •   All Weather Package includes deicer, heavy-duty battery, heavy-duty PTC heater and headlamp washers

    •   Direct Ignition System (DIS)

    •   Drive mode select with six settings (EV, Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, Sport +)

    •   Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-iE) with electrically controlled intake

    •   Electronic Parking Brake and brake hold function

    •   High-grade plastic water jackets to improve cylinder cooling and performance

    •   Increased use of aluminum in suspension components

    •   Liquid-filled engine mounts to reduce noise and vibration

    •   Two-stage Electronically-controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT) with eight-speed sequential shift

    •   Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system: includes Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB) system, Electric Power Steering (EPS), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC),Antilock Braking System (ABS), and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)

 

FACTORY OPTIONS

Advanced Pre-Collision System with Driver Attention Monitor System, Lane Keep Assist, Dynamic All Speed Radar Cruise Control, and Collision Avoidance Assist

Pre-Collision System (PCS) and Dynamic all speed Radar Cruise Control

Executive Package

  •   4-zone climate control with air purifier and rear infrared temperature sensor

  •   Leather door trim

  •   Leather glove box

  •   Leather Instrument Panel

  •   Power ottoman seat with massage and ottoman knee airbag

  •   Rear air conditioning with cool box

  •   Rear audio control

  •   Rear seat audio controls

  •   Rear seat side airbags

  •   Rear Seat Entertainment System with rear Blu-ray DVD player, power nine-inch screen and wireless

    headphones