The 2018 Lexus LS 500h, the full hybrid version of Lexus' new flagship sedan, was unveiled at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.

The model, which follows the world premiere of the twin-turbo gas V6-powered LS 500 at the 2017 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, is a further manifestation of how Lexus has reimagined the luxury sedan, presenting bold design, enhanced performance and a sophisticated appeal to capture the imagination of forward-thinking customers.

The car's design successfully brings together the virtues of a long-wheelbase four-door sedan with a low, coupe-like profile, positioning the LS perfectly across the growing sedan and coupe segments.

The cabin has benefited from an equally new approach, focusing on "progressive comfort," interpreting Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship traditions in the context of an advanced, luxurious and innovative vehicle interior such as the unique door trim ornamentation. Notably, the LS 500 was honored at the NAIAS with the EyesOn Design Award for Design Excellence - Interior Design.

Conceived as the new global pinnacle of the Lexus brand, the LS goes beyond what the world expects from a luxury car. Chief Engineer Toshio Asahi explained: "Developing such a flagship model required a massive paradigm shift. Rather than being bound by the conventions that had defined luxury cars in the past, we aimed to create a car with innovative, emotional and sensual appeal that would draw customers' eyes away from other luxury cars and provide entirely new values."

The Lexus LS 500h is equipped with the new Lexus Multi Stage Hybrid System, which provides enhanced responsiveness and linear acceleration, particularly when accelerating from a full stop. The powertrain features a 3.5-liter V6 Dual VVT-i V6 gasoline engine and two electric motors, together delivering maximum system power of 354 hp.

The Lexus LS 500h is built on the new Lexus Global Architecture - Luxury (GA-L) platform, which is shared with the all-new LC. This platform ensures a low center of gravity and optimum weight distribution, contributing to the car's essential stability and handling agility, which in turn deliver increased driver rewards. The fundamental high rigidity of the chassis allows the new multi-link suspension to be tuned to achieve enhanced handling performance and the supreme comfort for which the LS is renowned. The car's dynamic performance also benefits from the coordination of braking, steering and stability systems through Lexus Dynamic Handling.

Advanced technologies are further used to deliver impressive safety performance. The LS 500h's available Advanced Safety Package features the world's first Intuitive Pedestrian Detection system with Active Steering within the lane.

Omotenashi, expressing the unique sense of Japanese hospitality, defines the LS 500h's whisper-quiet and luxurious interior. Supreme comfort is provided by front and rear seats with multiple power adjustment, heating, cooling, and massage functions. There is also an optional rear seat arrangement that includes an extending leg ottoman and the most generous leg room of any LS generation. At 123 inches, the wheelbase of the new LS is in fact 1.3-inches longer than on the current long wheelbase LS 600h L.

Lexus Takumi craftsmanship also contributes to the special quality of the LS 500h's cabin, in luxurious new trims, materials and detailing, including a new pleating treatment and Kiriko glasswork on the inner door panels.

Run-flat tires suck because they make your car ride poorly and they're both heavy and expensive, but you know what's even worse? Having run-flat tires improperly installed on your wheels. Unfortunately, that's precisely what some 6,300 2018 Lexus LS 500 and LS 500h owners are dealing with now, according to Wednesday's recall notice from Lexus' parent company, Toyota.

The recall states that because the tires were improperly fitted to the vehicle's wheels at the factory, a crack could develop in the run-flat tire's reinforced sidewall, which can lead to the separation of parts of the tire's tread layer. Things could get kind of crashy from there.

Thankfully, not only is this a relatively small recall, but the fix is easy and involves fitting four brand-new tires to the vehicle. This recall repair will be done without cost to the vehicle's owner.

Owners of affected vehicles can expect to be notified of the recall via mail starting in April. If you think your car could be affected by this or any other recall, get your vehicle's VIN number and visit NHTSA's recall lookup page.