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Best in Show: Lexus All-New LS 460

Lexus New LS is Our Pick for Most Important Vehicle at 06 NAIAS.

This years North American International Auto Show in Detroit was business as usual for automobile manufacturers around the globe. Over the three-day-long press preview, the display of sights and sounds were plentiful, with numerous jaw-dropping concept cars, a few unexpected surprises and a good number of key production cars, not to mention a few celebrity guest appearances. Even Chinese carmaker Geely showed up to the party, announcing that it would have an affordable compact on our shores in just a few years time. Now that everyone is settling down from North Americas biggest automotive bash, its time to reflect upon the show. Out of the dozens of appearances, one vehicle stood out from the crowd as perhaps the most important vehicle of the show - the all-new Lexus LS 460.

Out of all the products that debuted at Detroit, including the Dodge Caliber, Honda Fit and Toyotas all-new Camry, all of which were serious contenders to the title, why did we pick the LS 460 as our star of the show? Where the other cars provide practical solutions to

Not only is it bigger, faster, and more efficient, Lexus new flagship sedan has style and smarts. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

everyday problems, the Lexus is on a completely different level of innovation, invention and, dare we say, perfection. Its true that the past three generations shook up the high-end luxury sedan scene dramatically, providing unparalleled comfort and bulletproof reliability, but now that Lexus has mastered such often overlooked basics, it has sights on upping style and performance for the new generation LS, charging full-steam ahead into relatively new territory for the Japanese brand, fueled by Lexus determination to be number one in all segments it competes in.

One is the number of looks that it takes to know that the LS 460 is going to be a ground breaking car. Previous versions were penned with an extremely conservative viewpoint, mimicking styling cues of the segment benchmark, the Mercedes S-Class, but now this has changed. The LS 460 is the

LS interior is opulent, but not confusing, as with several high-end luxury automobiles. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

third car to feature the L-Finesse design language, a styling theme that not only drastically improves the appearance of its new IS, GS and now LS models, adding an emotional edge that the previous examples lacked, but has also enabled Lexus to achieve class-leading aerodynamics. The wind-cheating design is both elegant and clean, two things that just cant be said about the new S-Class and 7-Series, which have all become rather cumbersome looking in an attempt to esude unique identities. Just the same, following the lead of its German competitors Lexus will now offer a long-wheelbase LS for the first time. The LS 460 L will feature an additional 4.7 inches between the front and rear wheels.

As the badge on its tail suggests, the LS is powered by a 4.6-liter V8, which is some 300 ccs bigger than the current model, yet, with this marginal increase in size, Lexus has managed to extract 380 horsepower and 370 lb-ft of torque! Thats a jump of 90 horsepower and 50 lb-ft over the current LS 430. With the help of

Here stands the most advanced engine and transmission combo in a production car to date. Er, with the exception of the Veyron, perhaps. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

advanced direct injection and various other innovations, Lexus has overtaken BMWs 367 horsepower 4.8-liter V8, and nearly matches Mercedes-Benzs all-new 388 horsepower 5.0-liter V8. Keep in mind the fact that Lexus engineers ensured that the LS 460s motor is even smoother, quieter and more refined, and you begin to see the many ways that theyre superior to the traditional class leaders.

It doesnt stop at the engine, mind you, as the transmission is just as advanced. With eight speeds - yes, you read that right - making Mercedes 7G-tronic and the ZF 6-speed auto BMWs 7 uses, also used in many high-end luxury cars by the way, seem like ancient history. We thought it would stop at seven, but the new transmissions maker, Aisin (a Toyota subsidiary), managed to add an extra cog, while improving upon the current six-speeders seamless gearchanges and immediate response. Like Benzs 7-speed unit, it benefits by improving acceleration, which is an estimated 5.4 seconds to 60 mph from naught, while improving fuel consumption (yet to be announced) due to a taller final drive. Other noteworthy drivetrain advancements include the availability of a

L-Finesse allows the LS to cut through the air like the old LS 430, yet give it a defined, unique look. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

hybrid version, which Lexus hopes to pit against the M-B S600 and BMW 760iL currently in the $120,000+ market, providing the power of a V12 with the fuel consumption and emissions of a V6, for a substantial savings over the German super-sedans, no doubt.
As always, inside, the LS is meticulously crafted with the best wood, leather and plastic that money can buy, but where other automakers have strayed from the path of simplicity with integrated modules and complex menus, the LS features a simple LCD panel with touch-screen controls ensuring ease of operation and use. The LS features all of the same luxuries that were benchmarked with cars like the 7-Series and S-Class, including power-close rear doors, trunk, ventilated seats, power-reclining rear seats and adaptive cruise control. Some new additions to the LS include fold-down rear trays a la Jaguar or Rolls-Royce, power-retractable ottomans in the rear, like those in the Maybach 62, a rear DVD/LCD entertainment system and a 19-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound audio system acoustically tuned specifically for the LS cabin.

Indeed, the LS 460 has so much modern technology that its literally bursting at the seams with features that aid comfort, better efficiency and improve driving enjoyment. Lexus merely hinted at some of the multiple

Rear seat occupants enjoy from extra space. Its even larger in the new long-wheelbase LS 460 L. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

innovations of the LS during its Detroit launch, noting the worlds first self-parking function (yes the car will actually position itself within a tight parking spot when reversing), as well as passenger body temperature sensors in order to heat and cool the cabin optimally. Lexus highest priority, however, involves advancement in occupant and pedestrian safety, particularly in the area of active safety (i.e. accident avoidance). Look forward, therefore, to seeing such new features as Lexus VDIM system, which incidentally recently won CAAs Golden Pyramid for Safety Innovation.

Having mastered the art of build quality, durability and most importantly, reliability, the new LS adds top-tier styling and performance, allowing it to stage a full-out attack on the luxury car segment. As one of the few representatives from Japan in a market dominated by the Europeans, it comes across as a segment leader even without a complete specs sheet.

Look for any gaps in info to be filled when it is introduced to Europeans during the Geneva show, while the hybrid model will be officially introduced at the New York Auto Show in April. Since its initial showing just a week and a half ago, theres every reason to believe that at this very moment, engineers in Britain, America and Germany have retreated back to their respective drawing boards to improve upon their latest designs. And for that reason, its our choice as the most important car of the show.

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