Lexus Plans Geneva Debut for 2018 LS 500h

CARS.COM — Lexus will unveil a luxury hybrid version of its redesigned 2018 LS flagship sedan in March at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show. The LS 500h is the hybrid complement to the new 2018 LS 500 unveiled in January at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show.

Related: 2018 Lexus LS Review: First Impressions and Photo Gallery

Lexus released an image of the new hybrid but gave no additional details except that, like the new 2018 LC 500 sports coupe, it will drop its former V-8 gasoline engine for a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6.

The sedan’s flashy new design is a clear departure from the conservative LS flagships of the past and drew mixed reactions from observers at the Detroit introduction. 

The new LS sedans move to an extended version of Lexus’ new GA-L premium rear-drive platform used for the new LC 500 coupe. The coupe also is getting a V-6 hybrid version, shown last year at Geneva, and the powertrain is likely to be similar: a 3.5-liter V-6 and electric motor with a combined 354 horsepower mated to a continuously variable-style automatic transmission with stepped ratios.

The former LS hybrid, the LS 600h, was something of an oddity in the Lexus lineup. It was the most expensive model at about $120,000 and used a larger V-8 gas engine than the conventional model. It also offered about the same gas mileage and performance as the standard sedan.