New Lexus LS 460 roadtest

The brand of car you drive is still vitally important to most UK new car buyers despite the constraints of ever increasing ‘green’ and personal taxes and chronic traffic congestion that blights any road journey.

At the premium end of the executive car market the German big three still dominate sales, BMW, Mercedes and Audi with Jaguar in contention as well. But the fast emerging brand is the premium make from Toyota, namely Lexus.

Lexus UK sales are climbing rapidly, another record year in 2006 with nearly 15,000 cars and SUVs sold, an increase of 40% over 2005. Already this year UK sales are up again by nearly 2%. Since 1991 Lexus has been the best selling luxury brand in the USA and in more recent years it has produced a significant number of converts in Europe as well.

The Lexus range has a new luxury flagship, the LS 460. This is the fourth generation of this model and it went on sale in January this year.

For the first time the LS is being offered as a range rather than a single model. Currently there are three versions, the LS 460 costing £57,000, the LS 460 SE at £65,000 and the LS 460 SE-L at a not inconsiderable £71,000.

All share the same all-new 4.6-litre, V8 petrol engine and the world’s first eight-speed automatic transmission. Soon these models will be joined by the LS 600h, the world’s first petrol-electric hybrid power car in the segment. A long wheelbase version of this model will also be introduced taking it into the limousine sector.

Lexus GB expects to sell 500 LS 460 models this year and another 250 of the forthcoming petrol-hybrid variants.

Lexus see the Audi A8, BMW 7-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class as the main opposition and when price adjusted for specification they say the Lexus LS 460 works out cheaper because the standard specification is higher. You virtually do not need an options list for the LS 460 range, the models have it all although there are a few luxury and safety technology packs the owner might choose for their bespoke car of choice.

The sensational Mercedes S-Class is still ‘top dog’ in the luxury sector although with all the added extras it is very expensive. Like for like Lexus say the S-Class costs £19,000 more than their top LS model. In the end for well off customers it will come down to brand exclusivity and Mercedes still has the edge – just.

Technology, quality of construction, fully comprehensive levels of equipment and driving refinement at a competitive price are the current hallmarks of Lexus and we can now almost add brand desirability.

The new LS is 15mm longer overall, 45mm wider and has a 45mm longer wheelbase. The sleek design features prominent wheelarches and a deep front air dam, giving the car a stronger, more muscular appearance.

The LS 460’s intelligent technology extends to the ergonomics, the feel and function of the switchgear and the enhanced visibility of the Optitron instrumentation. The attention to detail even extends to the surface of each button being shaped to alternate between concave and convex to make individual controls easy to find, and to each lid in the cabin opening in the same direction and at the same speed.

Lexus say the new LS 460 has a higher content of sophisticated safety technology than any other car.

These elements are contained in a new advanced Pre-Crash Safety system, a package that is provided as standard on the LS 460 SE-L and which is available as an option on other versions. They include four world firsts in preventive safety: an Advanced Obstacle Detection System, Driver Monitoring System, Emergency Steering Assist and Rear Pre-Crash Safety.

A ‘big brother is watching you’ feature comes in the form of the Driver Monitoring System. This constantly monitors side-to-side movement of the driver’s head, using an infrared camera mounted on the steering column.

If it detects the driver has his or her head turned away from the road ahead when the car is moving and an obstacle is detected in its path, the system activates the Pre-Crash warning function. If the driver still fails to respond, the brakes are briefly applied. If both actions fail to gain a response, all the other Pre-Crash functions are engaged.

Other features include front and side laminated windows, four-zone air conditioning with the world’s first Roof Climate Diffusers (SE and SE-L models), a high-speed satellite navigation system with traffic avoidance function and Electronic Multi-Vision touch-screen display, and voice command recognition for control of audio, ventilation, navigation and Bluetooth hands-free phone functions. The LS 460 is the first car in its class to provide a rear parking assist monitor as standard.

The standard 10-speaker sound system has a single-slot six-disc in-dash CD autochanger and additional audio controls mounted on the steering wheel. For the ultimate in on-board entertainment, the SE and SE-L models are equipped with the latest 19-speaker, 450W Mark Levinson Reference Surround System (optional on LS 460).

Using the Electro Multi Vision display screen, it delivers a complete, discrete 5.1 home theatre entertainment experience for music, music videos and DVD movies.

Rear seat passengers can enjoy the system using a retractable, ceiling-mounted nine-inch LCD wide screen while the car is moving. The front screen can only be used when the vehicle is stationary.

The LS 460 is powered by a new 4,608cc V8 petrol normally aspirated engine, which says Lexus, is the most technologically advanced unit they have built. Maximum output is 375bhp at 6,400rpm and maximum torque 493Nm at 4,100rpm.

Matched to a new eight-speed automatic transmission, the V8 will accelerate the LS 460 from nought to 62mph in 5.7 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155mph.

In spite of these performance figures, the engine is also one of the most economical among V8s returning 25.4mpg in combined cycle driving, 22.9mpg actual figure during my road test. CO2 emissions of 261g/km put it in Band G for a £210 vehicle excise duty rating.

Summing up what can I add - it is refinement personified. It is whisper quiet, smooth as silk, the engine is so quiet and matched to the eight-speed automatic transmission the gearchanges are seamless. The ride comfort is refined, the steering could do with more feel and feedback, but most users will not even notice that.

Virtually everything about the car is high quality, from the luxurious interior to the technical wizardry under its skin. It is not imposing or stunning to look at, it does lack soul when being driven, you could say it is clinically perfect, and some would agree it has understated class. It will be an acquired taste.

Lexus LS 460 SE-L

Engine: 4.6-litre, V8, normally aspirated, 4-valves per cylinder with variable valve timing, 375bhp, 493Nm of torque

Transmission: 8-speed automatic, rear wheel drive

Performance: 155mph (limited), 0-62mph 5.7 seconds, 25.4mpg (22.9mpg actual), CO2 261g/km

VED: Band G £210

Insurance group: 19E

For: Fully equipped, technology masterpiece, reasonably luxurious, roomy, generally looks well made, whisper quiet and smooth engine, seamless gear changes.

Against: Lifeless steering, instrument label strip coming unstuck, lacks S-Class finesse and must- have status.