What's the news?
One of the surprising technical highlights of the new Lexus LC 500h will be the introduction of an all-new 10-speed automatic transmission. However, this won't be an automatic transmission in the traditional sense. Lexus calls it 'Multi Stage Hybrid' and the system will in fact use a four-speed automatic gearbox in combination with a continuously variable transmission to give the effect of having a ten ratio final drive.
Power from the 359hp 3.5-litre V6 is combined with a pair of electric motors that are mated either side of a continuously variable transmission. This works in conjunction with a four-speed automatic gearbox whereby the CVT is able to add three step changes to each of the first three gears in the automatic transmission. The fourth and final gear ratio in the automatic transmission acts as an overdrive to allow for much lower engine speeds when cruising.
Lexus is all too aware of the past criticisms of its CVT setups but Chief Engineer, Koji Sato, insists that there is little way of differentiating the actual gears from the virtual CVT gears, even when driven in manual mode. He went on to tell CompleteCar.ie that it will also be the first Lexus hybrid capable of spinning up its rear wheels.
Anything else?
Even though it carries the Hybrid moniker the Lexus LC 500h will be no slouch in terms of performance. The usual nickel-metal hydride battery has been dropped in favour of a lithium ion battery pack, which Lexus claims is not only smaller and lighter but packs more of a punch. The car's 0-100km/h time is claimed to be sub-5 seconds while emissions, although not yet officially confirmed, are believed to be around 120g/km. The car will officially go on sale early in 2017 with deliveries beginning later that year.