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By
EWAN KENNEDY
30 April 2007
The latest in the famed Lexus LS series, the LS460, is soon
to be launched in Australia and we have just enjoyed an advance test
drive.
The LS460 is a strong evolution of the three generations of the
saloon that have preceded it. Meaning it’s extremely smooth,
quiet and comfortable. Arguably smoother, quieter and more
comfortable than any other car on the planet.
Indeed, the largest Lexus has just taken out the inaugural
award for the World Car of the Year, announced at the New York
Motor Show midway through April. However, it should be said that
there was a preponderance of judges from Japan and the USA on the
voting panel, though one Aussie did have his say. Thus the things
that the Japanese and the Americans really like in a car, the
aforementioned smoothness, etc, may have swayed the judges in that
direction.
Quality of finish is what makes the Lexus stand out. In a world
where automotive quality is improving steadily year on year, the
Lexus still stands supreme. No matter what part of the car you
look at, the design, construction and finish are immaculate.
Those who appreciate the finer things in life will be impressed
by the way wood, leather and metal have been painstakingly crafted
into the cabin of this large limousine-class sedan. Crafted in a
manner that almost makes it look hand finished.
So proud are the Lexus people of their cars that even if you
can’t afford one they are usually more than happy to show you
over their pride and joys. Get in touch with one and ask for a
look at the new LS460 to see just how luscious a car can be.
The technophiles will also have a field day in the LS460.
Whether it be forward facing radar that warns when you are getting
dangerously close to a vehicle in front, then applies the brakes
and prepares the car for the possibility of a crash; or the
four-zone climate-controlled air conditioning; or the 19-speaker
Mark Levinson stereo (that’s not a misprint, there really are 19
speakers!); or the doors that have been engineered to close with
the same sound as you hear when you shut a quality wooden door
against its well-crafted jamb.
Not to forget the automatic wipers, headlights, even an
automatic pollen filter.
However, the guys who want a full-on sporting sedan may be just
a little disappointed in the new LS from Lexus. There's plenty of
engine power and the brakes haul off speed brilliantly but,
despite numerous electronic aids to let you adjust the air
suspension, and transmission settings the LS460 still feels less
than sporting to our way of thinking.
The 90-something per cent of people who are more interested in
a smooth ride than the ability to attack corners with gusto will
find the large Lexus more than adequate, the sporting drivers
should perhaps shop around for something else. Maybe with Germany,
Britain or Italy in mind.
Power from the new LS460 is generated by a superb 4.6-litre
twin-cam V8 engine with some impressive technology, particularly
in the fascinating fuel injection system. It delivers a useful 280
kilowatts and the peak torque of 493 Newton metres from 4.6 litres
makes it very efficient.
Sitting just behind the engine is what Lexus tells us is the
world’s first eight-speed automatic transmission, meaning
there's a ratio for just about every occasion.
Acceleration is more than brisk, with a standing time of under
six seconds for the 100 km/h sprint, so safe overtaking is there
for the asking.
Despite some excellent marketing and a considerable amount of
sales success in the 18 years since the Lexus LS400 showed the
world that the Japanese, too, can build high-end cars, Lexus still
doesn’t command the sort of money the big name Germans can
muster. Thus you can buy a Lexus LS460 for a fair bit less than a
Merc or Bimmer.
Lexus in Australia tells us the LS460’s recommended retail
price of $184,900 is about $20,000 to $70,000 lower than that of
equivalent German cars when performance and equipment levels are
taken into consideration.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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