Lexus flagship driven hard on the Stelvio Pass, triggers mind-bending shift on what a large Lexus can do
Paul McCartney's ride, it seems, isn't just made for a leisurely drive down the shops. It's also made for some of the world's finest roads. To prove this point, Polish motoring journalist Michal Sztorc took Lexus' flagship, the LS 600h F-Sport barrelling down one of the most demanding roads in all of Europe, the Stelvio Pass.
Located in Northern Italy, at an elevation of 2,527 metres (9,045 feet) above sea level, the Stelvio Pass earns two distinctions: firstly being the highest paved road in Eastern Europe, and secondly being the second-highest road in the Alps - with France's Col de L'iseran nipping it by a mere 13 metres (43 feet) to claim the No. 1 title. Petrolheads would recall how this road was crowned the 'World's Greatest Road' by Top Gear trio Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond. No doubt, its 75 hairpin turns, laid out (coincidentally) to incorporate some of the best twists of the greatest racetracks around the world, are partly why it has earned fans from around the world. It's not unusual to see exotic GTs, cabriolets and lightweight supercars plying this famed highway, rewarding drivers with orgasmic highs.
And that's why, a Lexus LS 600h F-Sport is an unusual choice. Or perhaps that's because drivers, even Lexus owners, need a paradigm shift about what Lexus' flagship can and cannot do. Could it be we got the Lexus LS 600h F-Sport all wrong? Based on his trip report, it seems so.
"The Lexus LS 600 F-Sport is an executive saloon that you definitely want to drive rather than being driven in. The combination of a powerful 5.0-litre V8 engine and electric motor gives you a combined output of almost 440 bhp - a figure than catapults this mighty limousine to 62 mph in a whisker over 6 seconds.
"The effortless way in which the car cruised along unrestricted motorways at speeds over 120 mph was deeply impressive. Pneumatic suspension, excellent sound isolation, tremendous power and first class comfort ensured the LS was the perfect travel companion on the long slog from Poland, through Germany's network of Autobahn, to the eastern ramp of the Stelvio Pass.
"And that meant starting a hill climb that extended over 12 miles and consisted of 48 hairpin turns before reaching the peak at 2,757 metres above sea level.
"Narrow, spaghetti-like roads are not the usual remit of the big Lexus LS. But while this may be out of the car's comfort zone, we've got all-wheel drive grip, lots of torque from the electric motor to play with, and hyperactive Sport+ driving mode engaged.
"This delivers a very predictable, real-time feel to the throttle, superb communication through the steering wheel, and powerful brake response. All of which made the LS 600h feel wieldy and enthusiastic on this world-famous mountain road.
"Within no time our confidence had built to the point where we could aim for the apex of each corner with satisfying precision, unconcerned by the raw stone walls on one side and sheer drop on the other.
"Our high speed climb and descent of the Stelvio Pass, via motorways, mountains and B-roads, showed us that the Lexus 600h F-Sport displays a remarkable breadth of talent. Without exaggeration, it is one of the greatest motoring marvels to have come out of Japan, and has reconfigured our perception of the abilities of a hybrid-powered executive saloon."
Lexus LS 600h F-Sport vehicle specs:
Acceleration 0-62 mph: 6.1 seconds
Maximum speed: 155 mph (electronically-limited)
Fuel economy: 32.8 mpg
CO2 combined: 199 g/km
Cheers!
All Lexus
No comments:
Post a Comment