The Lexus LS 600hL makes its Canadian debut 

Lexus unveils its most sophisticated flagship sedan at the Montral International Auto Show 

(MONTREAL) - Lexus today took the wraps off the luxury auto-maker's most sophisticated flagship vehicle, as the 2008 Lexus LS 600hL made its Canadian debut at the Montral International Auto Show. 

This hybrid luxury long-wheelbase sedan - scheduled to arrive in Canada in the spring - is the world's first vehicle to feature a full-hybrid V8 powertrain. 

Powered by the world's most proven hybrid technology - the Lexus Hybrid Drive - the LS 600hL is the industry's most advanced deployment of hybrid power to date. This flagship luxury model features a 5.0 L V8 engine, coupled to large, high-output electric motors and a newly designed large-capacity battery pack. The result is performance on par with a V12 from a system that achieves best-in-class V8 fuel efficiency while generating a fraction of the emissions of a conventionally powered vehicle. The LS 600hL is expected to achieve a Tier 2, Bin 3 emissions rating, meaning it will generate nearly 70 per cent fewer emissions than the cleanest of its competitors. 

"It's fair to say that - to our knowledge - there is nothing on the road or on the drawing board that comes close to delivering such a formerly contradictory combination of jaw-dropping engine performance, fuel efficiency, and low emissions," said Stuart Payne, Director responsible for Lexus in Canada. "The LS 600hL is quite simply in a class by itself." 

The Lexus Hybrid Drive is only the start of the story, as the LS 600hL sets new benchmarks for luxury vehicle performance, style, safety and quality. The LS hybrid features full-time all-wheel-drive and a newly-developed, dual stage, electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission, for impressive power and seamless acceleration. 

Inside, the LS 600hL takes full advantage of the hybrid system's reduction in noise, vibration and harshness to create one of the quietest automobiles ever built - if not the quietest. This newest member of the Lexus passenger car family benefits - inside and out - from our exclusive L-finesse design philosophy. The LS hybrid shares the same bold, contemporary look enjoyed by the Lexus LS 460, and interpreted on the Lexus IS, ES, and GS models. 

"The LS 600hL is a new icon for the Lexus brand - a state-of-the-art image of style, technical advancement, and performance second to none," Mr. Payne continued. "It's the perfect vehicle for Canadians ready to enjoy new levels of performance, style and safety." 

The Montréal Auto Show opens to the public January 19th, and runs until the 28th, at the Palais des congrs de Montréal. 

Lexus in Canada is the exclusive Canadian importer and distributor of Lexus luxury cars and sports utility vehicles through a sales and service network of 30 dealers across Canada. An industry leader for product quality and ownership satisfaction since its inception, Lexus has sold more than 80,000 vehicles in Canada. The best-selling Lexus RX SUV, the acknowledged benchmark in the luxury sport utility vehicle segment, is built for the North American market in Cambridge, Ontario. For more information about Lexus products, and Lexus' pursuit of perfection, visit www.lexus.ca. 

The purchase of a new Lexus also includes a free membership in Club Lexus, an on-line service designed for customer convenience, placing vehicle ownership information at the customer's fingertips.