Price shake-up for new Lexus LS 500

Lexus has aggressively slashed the price of its new LS flagship sedan and boosted the new model's ownership appeal, it was revealed today.

Powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 matched to a 10-speed automatic transmission, the new Lexus LS 500 replaces the conventional, V8-engined LS 460 at a price that undercuts the superseded model by a few hundred dollars – $190,500 for the F-Sport variant. The price of the LS 460 was $190,791.

But the big news is the massive price cut for the new hybrid limo, the Lexus LS 500h, which also features a petrol V6, but naturally-aspirated.

The new hybrid model is now priced at the same level as the conventional Lexus LS 500, resulting in an effective price reduction of over $23,000 for the new Lexus LS 500h – relative to its predecessor the V8-engined LS 600h.

A two-tier model range for the Lexus LS 500 and 500h kicks off with the F-Sport trim level, which is equipped with standard safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, pre-collision system, active cruise control, lane keep assist and adaptive LED headlights with intelligent high-beam assistance.

Other standard features for the LS 500 include a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, head-up display, 23-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and auto-closing doors.

Priced $5000 higher – at $195,500 – the Lexus LS 500 Sports Luxury and the Lexus LS 500h hybrid counterpart are equipped with four-zone climate control, 22-way electrically-adjustable rear seats (including a 'passenger-side ottoman' and seven massage programs), plus rear-seat entertainment and noise-dissipating wheels. Both cars are fitted with 20-inch alloys, but of different designs.

The engines displace 3.5 litres, but the Otto-cycle twin-turbo V6 of the LS 500 produces 310kW and 600Nm for a combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 9.5L/100km. In contrast, the Atkinson-cycle V6 (also 3.5-litre capacity) develops 220kW and 350Nm for a fuel consumption figure of 6.6L/100km.

In the hybrid application, engine output is supplemented by an electric motor rated at 132kW and 300Nm. The total output from engine and motor combined works out at 264kW. Weights for the new model are 2.2 tonnes for the twin-turbo LS 500 and 2.3 tonnes for the hybrid LS 500h.

Lexus advises the new LS is already available for sale. The prestige importer has been allocated 120 units to sell in its first year.

How much is a 2018 Lexus LS?
Lexus LS 500 -- $190,500
Lexus LS 500h -- $190,500
Lexus LS 500 Sports Luxury -- $195,500
Lexus LS 500h Sports Luxury -- $195,500
* Prices exclude on-road costs