Silence is golden

It's not a myth that a Toyota Prius doesn't save the planet. First of all you'd be doing a great job just to get 20km out of a litre of fuel — which you can achieve with ease in a diesel supermini — and it's not the cleanest vehicle to manufacture either.

Yet why is there a Prius parked on every street corner in the recently-global-warming-mad US?

People like to feel that they're doing something right. Just don't remind them that the grass isn't all that green on their side. A Prius gives them the feeling that they are saving the planet, and yes, arguably, a small part of the blockbuster Toyota is doing that. In the long run.

But on the other side of Toyota's fence, Lexus isn't for a minute selling you TV ads with an LS600hL cruising around luring the sun to come out, the birds to chirp and flowers to turn a vibrant violet.

No, the 2010 Lexus flagship simply uses hybrid technology to do what it does best, even, er, more best.

The other hybrid

This isn't the same car as last year's. Lexus has updated the 2010 model, most notably packaging the hybrid batteries more compactly and including a new Eco driving mode with an efficiency-adjusted throttle and AC.

The exterior also gets detailing to let eagle-eyed passers-by know that you can be rich and green.

But the star of the show is definitely the Lexus Hybrid Drive system, which automatically and seamlessly adjusts the balance between the accelerator pedal and system output, so as to improve fuel economy and smoothness. The smaller batteries also free up cargo room, but this still doesn't come close to the standard petrol LS460L or any rivals' luggage compartment. Which is excusable since the batteries sit beneath the rear bench (or two individual loungers, optionally).

The powertrain also meets Euro V exhaust emissions standards, but with no change to performance, since combined output of the 5.0-litre V8 and 165kW electric motor serve up a maximum of 439bhp and 520Nm of torque.

There aren't many situations in a luxury limousine where you'll need more than a 0-100kph sprint time of 6.3 seconds. Also new are 380mm brakes with six-piston callipers, with the pedal especially returning a solid, evenly weighted feel to your foot.

As for the body, well it's a Lexus, so really, it's like a giant Camry. Although the LS600hL, specifically the 2010 car, can be distinguished by a new grille, front bumper, door sills, mirrors and LED turn signals. Then there are minute details such as the blue treatment to the badges all round and a more varied paint palette which includes a nice deep red and blue.

Once perfectly seated on the plush, every-which-way-you-can-imagine-adjustable driver's seat, the busy instrument binnacle catches the eye first. It looks like an arcade game. A full colour TFT LCD can be customised to display anything that has something to do with your trip or audio, as well as the hybrid system status. Brake, and the screen shows you how the wheels are currently powering the motor while the engine sits switched off. Accelerate, very lightly, and the motor alone powers the wheels. Step on it, and the engine joins in on the fun. All the while there are arrows and drawings showing you the action happening beneath. On the right is a gauge that tells you whether you're busy ripping up the tarmac and gulping petrol, or driving sensibly in the green Eco mode, or saving the planet and not using any fuel. It becomes a game, a challenge, and I managed a two-day test-average of 10.2-litre per 100km, which is quite remarkable for a two-and-a-half-tonne limo powered by a V8.

And it is a limo. The Lexus LS600hL has a 3,090mm wheelbase with a first class rear seat diagonally opposite the driver. The throne comes with a remote which can give you a shiatsu massage, or just a quick re-energiser if you're in a hurry to get to the next board meeting. There are also a lot of buttons on the centre console which control the DVD and surround sound, the front passenger seat, AC and blinds. It is marvellously comfortable, unfortunately I was tasked with driving the car, not being driven in it.

Wait a minute, what am I saying, ‘unfortunately'? It's a joy to float around in the big Lexus. The driver too gets loads of kit to play with; cooled seats, 19-speaker sound system, 40GB hard drive, adaptive cruise control… And a blissful drive.

Even in the extremely limiting Eco mode, the surge is quiet enough, whereas with the V8 fully unleashed, it becomes a blast. You'll probably try it once though and quickly go right back to Eco driving, balancing the needle in the green zone for maximum points.

All-wheel drive, an Electrically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission and a multi-link type, electronically controlled air suspension also pitch in to ensure solid cornering. Not rock solid, actually not by a long shot, but the long wheelbase also helps minimise body roll. It's still not as minimal as it is in Germany.

What it is though, is sublimely comfortable. There is no way to compare it to its German rivals, whether they come from Stuttgart, Ingolstadt or Munich. A BMW 7 Series, with all its trick air suspension at the rear, can only compare to the Lexus if the big Japanese saloon is on gravel and the German on a giant bowling alley. An S-Class Merc comes close, but close isn't good enough in a segment that lives on comfort.

Then there is the wonderful Lexus trait of being so silent you can barely hear it turn over at the lights. Well, with the hybrid model you can't hear it at all. Once you switch it on and nothing happens, you press the button again and again, waiting for the tell-tale sound. Only after a few tries will you notice a small, green ‘ready' sign signifying the car is actually running the whole time. Of course, it's in EV mode, so it's totally silent.

And then, there is that other wonderful Japanese carmaker trait to undercut everybody on price. So the LS600hL costs Dh460,000, compared to the Dh470,000 750iL and Dh475,000 Merc S500.

Verdict

It looks highly unimaginative, but underneath, the LS600hL is as imaginative as luxury cars get these days. With the hybrid drive providing the smooth performance of a lazy V12 and the economy of a modern V6, the Lexus makes use of technology to make smooth luxury smoother and more luxurious. The green part is just a bonus.

Maybe money can't buy you everything, but if you go for a Lexus LS600hL, your money will certainly buy you a lot. As for the smugness, if you can afford it, that probably comes naturally anyway. But this time you can at least be green and smug. And extremely comfortable.

Specs & rating