Asked to drive one of the world's finest grand saloons up one of the country's principal highways coincident with hosting a family member visiting from Australia was an opportunity not to be missed. Basking in the proud glow of post-World Cup South Africa, to be then able to experience some of our vast inland topography from the long-wheelbase luxury of a Lexus LS600h hybrid seemed an ideal way for my wife and I to give our well-travelled nephew a view of SA away from the fan walks and soccer stadiums.
Lexus has been an exponent of full hybrid technology for more than 10 years but unlike mother company Toyota's approach towards city car eco-economy, premium brand Lexus leans more towards "performance with conscience". In the case of the LS460h, this means pairing a 5,0-litre V8 petrol engine with an electric motor which develop a combined output rating of 327 kW to deliver 6,0-litre performance – hence the ‘600' badging. Claimed performance figures are 0-100 km/h in 6,3 seconds and 80-120 km/h in 4,3 seconds.
Being a full hybrid means that the LS is capable of running on petrol or electric power alone, and stop-start is a standard feature of the hybrid system. The car's official fuel consumption figure is 9,3 litres/100 km (219 g/km CO2), a believable number as I recorded figures in the low 10s for most of the journey while achieving comfortably high average speeds. Active cruise control proved effective, maintaining a steady gait on the open sections and braking the car, sometimes a mite abruptly, when closing on other vehicles directly ahead.
Drive to the model-specific 19-inch wheels is taken through the world's first all-wheel drive hybrid powertrain: an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) mated with a Torsen limited-slip differential that apportions torque according to prevailing driving conditions. Adaptive variable suspension (AVS) controls the air springs, and the driver can chose between Normal, Comfort and Sport operating modes.
The LS600h is available locally in long-wheelbase form only – it is 120 mm longer between the axles than the standard LS, all of which is for the benefit of rear seat passengers who are transported in Blue Train-like luxury. Two individual ottoman-style seats can be reclined and there is a centre-seatback flexing function. The left rear seat can be tilted back to a maximum of 45 degrees and features a vibration massage system enhanced with air-assistance from eight pneumatic chambers that offer a number of different massage techniques including Shiatsu, shoulder and lower back acupressure. A nine-inch LCD monitor folds down from the roof and there is independent control for the 15-channel, 450W, 19-speaker Mark Levinson digital sound system. All adjustments are made from controllers in the mid-seat console. "Way to go!" was the opinion of our pampered Aussie relative.
Opting to keep right at Three Sisters and head for Bloemfontein for an overnight stop (we had not set off early due to late-night watching of the World Cup final the previous evening), the journey was interrupted only by a refuel and lunch stop in Beaufort West and a couple of minor roadwork hold-ups. The LS was as effortless in motion as it was quiet in operation, the kilometres slipping by with relentless ease. It would have been nice to experience some of the massaging being enjoyed by my passengers but, in truth, I quickly found a comfortable driving position that lasted throughout the journey. At night, the redesigned headlamps, with world-first LED lighting for low beam, provided excellent illumination.
The following day's leg from Bloemfontein – after we had checked out the town's revamped stadium – was less enjoyable thanks to an interminable amount of roadworks in the Welkom/Kroonstad areas, and certainly not a good impression to impose on our visitor. Long waits, seemingly endless kilometres of road littered with loose stones (yes, the Lexus' screen got nicked by one) yet hardly any activity to be seen. The logic of SA's many road rehabilitation contracts defeats me… However, forced into the near continuous time consuming delays and pock-marked road deviations, the LS's cosseting, climate-controlled, entertainment-filled cabin prevented patience totally running out as our planned visit to Gold Reef City turned into a "there it is" signpost as we passed by en route to Lexus Fourways and a lift to Lanseria for the trip home. Lexus' grand saloon pampers its occupants in a unique way, especially in the left-back position – now where did that description come from? – and made what could have been an arduous journey into an enjoyable ‘trek'. Strewth, nephew had never travelled so good, mate!
Retail price is R1 555 000 that includes a four years/100 000 km warranty and full maintenance plan. In usual Lexus fashion there are no options. A full driving impression will be published in the October issue of CAR magazine, on sale 20 September.
