Lexus LS 460
Intro
This car will be taking the place of the Lexus LS 430 in the Fall of 2006. Lexus aims to continue its dominance in the full size luxury market with this new offering.
Specs
The new LS is built on a brand new chassis and multi-link suspension.
Engine: 4.6L V-8 @ 380hp and 370 ft-lbs torque. Dual fuel injection.
Transmission: World's 1st ever 8-speed automatic!
0-60mph: 5.5 seconds
Avg MPG: 25 mpg (city & highway combined)
Nav System: Includes real-time traffic monitoring.
Audio: 19 speaker Mark Levinson system and hard drive 4,000 song storage.
Climate Control: Monitors occupant body temperatures
Parking: "Park Assist" will park your car for you in your garage.
Keyless Entry: Slim profile ID card will open the car while still in your wallet.
Safety: Electronically controlled brakes, vehicle stability control, ABS, electronic brakeforce control.
Options
The 460L (long edition) comes with an extra 6 inches of legroom in the rear as well as an optional ottoman/recliner with personal cooler and DVD system. Related Stuff
The LS long edition will be released in fall along with the standard length edition. The hybrid version will not release until mid 2006. Lexus expects that 70% of LS sales will be regular editions while the remaining 30% will be the long edition. Against the Competition
It is difficult to tell how exactly the new LS will stack up against the competition considering nobody has driven this car yet. This is further compounded by the fact that nobody has drive the main competition (namely the 2007 Mercedes Benz S550 nor the new 7-Series). However, on paper, the LS has a better engine and transmission. We expect the LS will handily outsell both of these German competitors come fall of '06.
What we Think
It is tough to find ANY flaws with a Lexus. Especially with their "Ultimate Flagship Vehicle". This model is no different. It is simply stunning. When I saw it at the NY Auto Show, I was quite impressed with everything. Over the past few years, my biggest complaint with Lexus was that they were moving toward a subdued Cadillac feel. Great cars, but plain styling. Well I am glad to say that they have destroyed this trend, as the 2007 LS is very sharp. The rear end is far superior to that of the 2007 MB or BMW, and the small exterior touches such as the chrome handles against a new pearl paint really make the car pop. We also love the lower chrome trim running along the bottom of the doors. Our one design complaint is the rims. They are highly derivative and do not accent the car at all. In fact they take away from the total feel of this car. We suspect that production models might ameliorate this. The head designer for this car noted that he wanted to respond to critics who felt the line had gotten too conservative, but also keep current LS owners happy with their purchases (i.e. he was constrained in design but knew there needed to be some changes).
The interior styling is much of what you have come to expect from a Lexus. A plethora of leather and maple wood inlays. We aren't incredibly impressed with the front cabin and console design aesthetically. Functionally things are perfect, but we feel like the interior could have been kicked up a notch with some bolder more simplifying moves. That being said, the rear space is divine. We have never sat in more comfortable rear seats (in a car under $100k). The 45 degree recline is simply out of this world. Though if you have long legs like myself, you won't get the full experience. Nevertheless, I wouldn't mind a roadtrip in the back of one of these. Mini, tucked-away cooler and personal DVD system. It doesn't get much better.
We also are pleased to announce that Lexus has decided NOT to integrate the entire car into one central computer console (like BMW's iDrive). This is a brilliant move. Nobody (especially older buyers) want to spend 3 hours learning how to use their car. Things should be elegant, sophisticated and easy to use. And that is exactly what this car provides. For those of you that are concerned about the new technology upgrades in this LS, rest assured. The engineers worked very hard to make the barrier to use (for things like the mp3 hard drive and nav system) very low. If you can operate a TV you should have no problems here. And trust us, you will want to get your navigation system up and running with its insanely valuable real-time traffic monitor. If you live in a high traffic area, then this can be very helpful.
One thing to note is that the styling looks to be influenced by the M-B S-Class. We aren't complaining, but when you see this car in person you will notice the similarities. The similarities are also of course very similar to the new IS and GS sedans (especially the rear-end).
All in all, this is a stellar automobile. Superb across the board. If you are in the market for a large, plush luxury vehicle, look no further than the Lexus LS 460.