All New Exclusive Luxury Sedans The Lexus 2007 460 LS Series

All New Exclusive Luxury Sedans The Lexus 2007 460 LS Series by Michael Galley North American Auto News. Lexus has launched the ultimate luxury sedan. The LS 460 which has almost a royal presence, regal, exclusive and in US Lexus showrooms Fall 2006. Over the years, the Lexus Flagship has steadily evolved, becoming ever more luxurious, more powerful. The new LS series has had it’s first complete makeover since 1989, now you can see the new models as Lexus introduces the all new 2007 LS 460 and LS 460 L in October 2006. The new LS range is not one that everyone can afford and is not relying on bargain pricing to beat the competition but on its supreme quality and attention to detail. There is no doubt that Mercedes, BMW etc are going to lose some sales to this exclusive Lexus Flagship. Lexus will introduce the 2008 LS 600 Hybrid in the Spring of 2007. When developing the new sedan, Lexus emphasized four specific targets, craftsmanship, performance, features and styling. Since Lexus models were introduced they have always achieved a level of precision with their interior and exterior finish that has been hard to beat. The new LS is no exception. Lexus proudly boasts of the extensive hand sanding that goes into each body, with three hours spent buffing each steering wheel to remove wrinkles and make it more comfortable to the touch. The LS headlights show the attention to detail that Lexus has taken. These lamps use no plastic compounds the lenses give a crystal like appearance.

LEXUS 2007 LS Series Page 2 With a large and roomy cabin – the LS 460 L (long wheelbase model), is extra spacious-and the interior is clearly refined, which is a big plus over the LS 430. When it comes to technology, Lexus pulled out all the stops. That comes to powertrain and performance, as well as creature comforts. The project's chief engineer, Satoru Maruyamano, notes that Lexus made good use of what's been learned with the Toyota Formula One program, borrowing several features, including the "stepped venture" panel, mounted below the engine and designed to maximize downforce at high speeds. The LS460 boasts the world's first eight-speed automatic transmission, beating Mercedes' heavily-touted seven-speed. Surprisingly, the new gearbox is both smaller and about 10 percent lighter than the old LS sixspeed. The gearbox is linked to a new 4.6-liter V-8 dual-injection system. With both direct and port injection, that increases both mileage and performance. The V-8 also makes use of Lexus' VVTiE, a dual variable-valve timing system that uses an electric motor to adjust the air intake. The 4.6-liter engine pumps out 380 horsepower - 100 more than the outgoing LS - and 367 lb-ft of torque. That's enough to launch the big sedan from 0-60 in an impressive 5.4 seconds and put it through the quartermile traps at 13.8 seconds. Even more quiet than the previous LS – which in it’s self is a remarkable achievement. 0-60 mph in under six seconds, drivers watch your rear view mirror The top speed is electronically limited, at t on the U.S. edition, to 130 mph. Although the new LS has added horsepower and performance, Lexus engineers managed to get more mileage out of the new V-8, with the new car's city rating at 19 mpg and the highway number up to 27. The VDIM system, is an umbrella electronic management system, bringing together a wide range of technologies, from ABS to Brake Assist, along with the electronically-controlled air suspension (optional on the standard LS460, standard on the long model) and stability control. The new Brake Hold function, which should be particularly well received in hilly cities like Seattle and San Francisco. With so much technology, t the LS460 requires four separate computer control modules to keep it all running and inter-linked. With performance driving in mind Lexus has included the opt and off button with its traction management system. Early 2007 there will be an addition of an all-wheel-drive package. The new 460's safety package is extensive. Lexus has gone one step further than Mercedes who introduced the concept of Pre-Safe a few years ago, The concept is designed to not wait for an accident to occur, but to actually predict when one is imminent and then take the necessary steps to either avoid it or protect the car's occupants. The optional package uses front and side-looking radar, as well as two forward-mounted cameras. A third camera, in the steering wheel, uses recognition software to see if the driver is aware of what's happening. If not, the car can take initial actions on its own. When it comes to creature comforts, the list runs from heated and cooled seats to the mind-blowing Mark Levinson sound system. If you are a luxury car buff and like good looks, performance, safety and creature comforts you have to go and look at this LS range. Safe driving.