On A High
by Ian Lynas (07 Dec 06)

The LS 460, the new flagship model for Lexus which goes on sale on 8 January 2007, is one of the most eagerly awaited cars in the luxury sector of the market. With advanced technology wrapped in an elegant and stylish body, this newcomer brings many firsts to the automotive sector and marks a high in the 17-year history of the brand.

Such is the power of technology employed in the fourth-generation LS model, it out ranks that used by NASA to land the first man on the moon. What would Neil Armstong think of this? Clearly his fellow countrymen will be the number one customers. In the UK, a full year of LS 460 sales is predicted to notch up a figure of 525.

Scoring eight world-firsts in safety, driver assistance and powertrain technology right at the heart of the matter is an impressive all-new 4.6-litre V8 petrol engine. Power is 375bhp and maximum torque is 363lb/ft at 4100rpm. Performance is sportscar-like and the delivery smooth and effortless, with rest to 62mph in a mere 5.7 seconds, while 50-75mph is reached in just 4.7 seconds. Like so many cars in its class the top speed is electronically limited to 155mph.

Surprise surprise - despite all this performance at your command, this is an economical V8, providing 25.4mpg on the combined fuel cycle and a low CO2 figure, for its class, of 261g/km.

Allied to the engine is a world first: an eight speed automatic transmission, the reason for almost seamless gearchanges. It takes the honour of being the smoothest and quietest transmission ever produced by the company. Offering the widest spread of gear ratios in class, its construction is remarkably light and compact. Over a variety of roads in the South of France, motorway and roads more akin to a rally special stage, a new Intelligent Powertrain Control System optimised the speed and smoothness of every gearchange.

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