Test drive Lexus LS 2006 - 2009 sedan

The car as an object of "modest" luxury. Review Lexus LS460

The new Lexus LS model was first presented at the 2006 Auto Show in Detroit. In April, it was also officially stated that this flagship car of the Lexus brand would be sold in the domestic Japanese market in September.
What are your impressions of acquaintance with this model?, We asked our journalist, who had the opportunity to make a trial trip on it, being sent to Austria. This is what he told us
 
A car that is not like competitors
The Austrian city of Salzburg (Salt Castle) is filled with a festive atmosphere, which is simply explained: this year it turns 250 years since the birth of an outstanding musician and composer Mozart, who, as you know, was from these places. The city is located in the very center of Austria. And it was here that it was decided to arrange a world idea of \u200b\u200bthe flagship machine of the Lexus of the LS car of a new model.
It is generally accepted that the Lexus LS car is a 4th generation car. However, Japan is well known that even before everyone found out about the Lexus brand, the Toyota Celsior car appeared on the domestic market, from which it all started. So in fact, this model should be considered a first -generation Lexus machine.
 
Japanese journalists are already accustomed to the fact that with new models of Japanese brands they have to get acquainted in Europe. This is not sacred because Europe is a very attractive market for Japanese manufacturers. So the new LS model, in fact, is also produced with a firm intention to give a real battle to European competitors on their territory. I wrote the phrase European competitors, and suddenly caught myself thinking that in fact, despite the fact that cars are equal in class, there was always a significant difference between prestigious European models and Lexus LS cars. This, by the way, applies not only to the LS lineup. You just look at other Lexus models, such as GS or IS, which were the first to appear on sale in Japan last year. I had to experience them not in Europe or America, but in the historical homeland, in Japan. Nevertheless, without even having a European analogue before the eyes of the European analogue, which can be placed nearby and compared directly, I still did not leave that there was a big difference between the expensive machines of the European model and similar in the class, but excellent in spirit Lexus. I have the same impression left from acquaintance with the Lexus LS car, which, as already mentioned, took place in Austria.
We must immediately make a reservation that in fact, the participants of the performance were offered for trial races not serial machines taken directly from the assembly line, but their prototypes. And therefore, all of them at least in something, may they differ from each other. In this regard, I will not describe a machine that has been taken specifically to me, because it may not be the same model that will be launched into production. Instead, I will try to dwell on the features that are unchanged in all models. For example, comfort, I think it is significant. So, European cars of the elite class are all made in such a way that all the vibrations that can arise from the contact of their wheels with the surface of the road are simply crushed by the mass of the car. Such, you know, a wide -bone, firmly standing on the legs. In this thoroughness, of course, it is difficult to compete with them. But on the other hand, the Lexus LS car with its multi -link suspension, in addition, supplemented with pneumatic springs, is more adapted for driving along roads where you most often have to deal not with large irregularities, but with small ripples. In this regard, European competitors to the level of Lexus are still far away.
Despite a small amount of time during which I could directly communicate with the new Lexus LS car, I managed to drive several kilometers sitting in the back seat. I can say right away: in terms of convenience, it largely exceeds the front -line chair. It is likely that the wheel suspension was calculated in such a way as to first of all to extinguish all the fluctuations that occurred to the back of the car. And even when the back begins to hesitate, she does it extremely smoothly. In the same way, the rear pillows they seemed to me more chubby and failed under the weight of the body, which also made a positive impression on me. All new models of the Lexus family can be ordered with an elongated body, and this process will begin with a new LS car. The increased comfort of the rear seat is also a part of the general plan, according to which these cars will generally be intended only for those who are used to driving with a personal driver driving.
The world's first 8-speed automatic transmission
As for the Lexus LS power unit, I immediately note: in 2007 it is planned to supplement this model range with a mixed type of thrust (hybrid). In the meantime, the engine of the new machine remains purely gasoline, its working volume is 4.6 liters. The intake of the mixed type provides for the direct injection of fuel into the cylinders and through the D4-S system. In addition, the inlet is pre -equipped with a mechanism that allows constant correction of the phases of gas distribution and the opening of the inlet valves. Moreover, this mechanism is driven through electricity (VVT-E system). In a word, the car is equipped with the latest technology, although all these high -tech novelties, as is customary in Japanese cars, appear without unnecessary advertising and only then and where it is really necessary.
The sound of the operating engine Lexus LS does not seem too energetic, at least its sluggish character is not comparable with the enormous working volume of its cylinders. In this regard, it is clearly inferior to its European competitors, who always try to demonstrate their power by all available means, including noise effects. But in the timbre it is quite clean and continues to remain quiet even when the engine begins to gain momentum. In a word, this is a high -quality motor with a calm disposition. At the same time, just like in the LS car of the very first generation, it seems that the sound of the exhaust is not extinguished. One has only to press the gas pedal to the floor, and immediately hear how the engine makes a restrained sigh.
 
One of the main features of the new Lexus LS model, which, according to the authors of the project, will attract the attention of customers, this is the first time in the world an 8-speed automatic gearbox installed on a mass car. The first thing I paid attention to when I started off and began to accelerate is amazing smoothness in switching in the automatic switch mode (the lever is in position D). Switching was so smooth that during acceleration it was sometimes difficult to determine which transmission works at one or another. The negative side of such multi -stageness is that the transition to a reduced gear occurs with a certain delay, and perhaps, perhaps, in manual switching mode, when you need to slow down the engine, you have to move the transmission lever several times to achieve the desired braking intensity. But in fairness, it is worth noting that exactly the same negative points are also the wheel of the Mercedes Benz brand, if it is equipped with a 7-speed transmission.
The steering mechanism Lexus LS is equipped with an electric amplifier and a special gearbox, which automatically changes the steering transfer, depending on how speed the car moves. Something similar is placed on BMW cars, where this device is called Active Steering. So, if in the German machine, lethargy characteristic of an electric amplifier still somehow manifests itself at the very initial moment of rotation, then the steering mechanism of Lexus LS is regulated so well that if I did not know that the amplifier is electric, I would never have Guessed. So steering is naturally valid, and that at the beginning of the turn, at the end. There are and improved operation of the electronic brake control system, which does not act on the Mercedes brand cars in the most advanced way, but on the Lexus LS machine a new sample makes the most favorable impression.
Unfortunately, the nature of the test route did not allow me to carefully figure out how the new car behaves on steep turns. But at some points, his controllability made a strong impression on me, because it seemed to me that he had more maneuverability than can be expected from a car with such a massive body. The undoubted advantages should include a relatively small radius of the turn.
High -class car that is able to drag out
If in technical terms of Lexus LS the latter model seems very restrained in the manifestation of its emotions, then this restraint is also characteristic of its appearance. Indeed, the design of the new machine is somehow not at all associated with assertiveness or aggressiveness. It seems to me personally that its external contours are best described as a silhouette with a predominance of smooth, moderate lines, and the car itself is called a luxurious salon. Some Japanese buyers, I know, will reproach designers for not managing to make a car with a throw, and the design itself will be appreciated as faded and unexplored. Well, Europe is Europe, but now the LS lineup will have to master the part of the world that is called Japan. And here its own system of values \u200b\u200boperates, so it is quite natural that someone may seem devoid of individuality to someone.
If I started my report with mentioning Mozart, then let me go on a musical note and finish. So, let's compare the design of the car with a musical work. And after that, we will try to determine which genre can be attributed to the Lexus LS style. Of course, he does not pull the classics. Yes, and rock, and in general pop music is not about him. Most likely, we can talk about the musical style of New Age (new times) or otherwise, Ambient (environmental music). This name is Ambient, by the way, for the first time introduced the musician Bryan Eano from the previous Roxy Musical composition. And he offered not to listen to his music. He offered to plunge into it and not resist when she begins to tighten you. I think that this expression is addictive, as well as applicable to the new Lexus LS car.
The sedan, the main purpose of which is the subject of luxury (Luxury Car), can be defined as well -controlled or pleading to the driver, but this will not convey its essence, will not, figuratively speaking, its hallmark. In fact, let it not be so well controlled and not so pleasant for driving. Let it only be a machine of such a high class that he can drag out. This thesis, perhaps, conveys the essence of my impressions that remained after meeting with the new Lexus LS model in Austrian territory.
Technical characteristics of the Lexus LS 460 car:
Length 5030 mm x width 1875 mm x height 1465 mm.
Wheel base: 2970 mm.
Machine weight: 1945 ~ 2055 kg.
Drive: on the rear wheels
Engine: 4.6- liter, 8-cylinder with a V-shaped cylinder location, gas distribution mechanism two upper shafts and 32 valves, developed power 380 hp. at 6400 rpm, the greatest torque
50.2 kg/m at 4100 rpm.

 

Source: Webcg.net