What Is It?
2007 Lexus LS 460 and LS 460 L
What's Special About It?
The redesigned 2007 Lexus LS 460 will replace the LS 430 when it goes on sale this fall. Lexus is calling it the "ultimate flagship vehicle."
For the first time, Lexus will offer its rear-drive flagship in both a regular-wheelbase LS 460 model, which is about the same size as the current LS, and a long-wheelbase LS 460 L, which is 4.8 inches longer from wheel to wheel. The long-wheelbase LS provides about 6 more inches of legroom in the backseat.
"When you look at the competition, there's growing demand by consumers for the extra space," Communications Manager Bill Ussery noted. Existing LS 430 owners are expected to choose the standard-wheelbase model, accounting for 70 percent of sales. The remaining 30 percent who go for the LS 460 L will likely be conquest buyers, who would have otherwise bought a BMW 7 Series or Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Lexus has also engineered a new V8 that goes toe-to-toe with the powerhouse German eight-cylinders, at least on paper. It's all aluminum, displaces 4.6 liters and uses a combination of port and direct fuel injection. Lexus estimates horsepower at 380 and torque at 370 pound-feet, and promises a 0-to-60-mph time of under 5.5 seconds, just a hair under Mercedes' predictions for the 2007 S550.
As if that weren't enough, the new Lexus V8 is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, making M-B's seven-speed seem like old news. "That's right, eight speeds," said Jim Press, president and COO of Toyota Motor Sales, "we're uppin' 'em one."
Inside, the LS 460 is loaded with wood, leather and 22nd-century technology, yet designers resisted the urge to link it all through one information management system like BMW's iDrive. Instead, ease of use was the priority. "You don't have to sit down for two hours with the owner's manual," said Ussery, "and you can keep both hands on the wheel."
Included on the gadget list is a new keyless entry system that uses a wallet-size card rather than a bulky fob; real-time traffic updates for the navigation system; a climate control system that keeps track of occupants' body temperature; and a 19-speaker (that's right, 19) Mark Levinson sound system with a hard drive that can hold up to 4,000 songs (that's right, 4,000). Finally, there's an Intelligent Park Assist system. Company officials were scant on the details, but we're told that the system will indeed park the car for you with a little brake input from the driver.
What's Edmunds' Take?
And there's a hybrid LS still to come. The Germans had better prepare themselves. — Erin Riches
2007 Lexus LS 460 and LS 460 L
What's Special About It?
The redesigned 2007 Lexus LS 460 will replace the LS 430 when it goes on sale this fall. Lexus is calling it the "ultimate flagship vehicle."
For the first time, Lexus will offer its rear-drive flagship in both a regular-wheelbase LS 460 model, which is about the same size as the current LS, and a long-wheelbase LS 460 L, which is 4.8 inches longer from wheel to wheel. The long-wheelbase LS provides about 6 more inches of legroom in the backseat.
"When you look at the competition, there's growing demand by consumers for the extra space," Communications Manager Bill Ussery noted. Existing LS 430 owners are expected to choose the standard-wheelbase model, accounting for 70 percent of sales. The remaining 30 percent who go for the LS 460 L will likely be conquest buyers, who would have otherwise bought a BMW 7 Series or Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Lexus has also engineered a new V8 that goes toe-to-toe with the powerhouse German eight-cylinders, at least on paper. It's all aluminum, displaces 4.6 liters and uses a combination of port and direct fuel injection. Lexus estimates horsepower at 380 and torque at 370 pound-feet, and promises a 0-to-60-mph time of under 5.5 seconds, just a hair under Mercedes' predictions for the 2007 S550.
As if that weren't enough, the new Lexus V8 is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, making M-B's seven-speed seem like old news. "That's right, eight speeds," said Jim Press, president and COO of Toyota Motor Sales, "we're uppin' 'em one."
Inside, the LS 460 is loaded with wood, leather and 22nd-century technology, yet designers resisted the urge to link it all through one information management system like BMW's iDrive. Instead, ease of use was the priority. "You don't have to sit down for two hours with the owner's manual," said Ussery, "and you can keep both hands on the wheel."
Included on the gadget list is a new keyless entry system that uses a wallet-size card rather than a bulky fob; real-time traffic updates for the navigation system; a climate control system that keeps track of occupants' body temperature; and a 19-speaker (that's right, 19) Mark Levinson sound system with a hard drive that can hold up to 4,000 songs (that's right, 4,000). Finally, there's an Intelligent Park Assist system. Company officials were scant on the details, but we're told that the system will indeed park the car for you with a little brake input from the driver.
What's Edmunds' Take?
And there's a hybrid LS still to come. The Germans had better prepare themselves. — Erin Riches
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