Lexus LS460 launched
The LS460L, the long wheelbase variant of the Lexus flagship made a mark on the local limousine market when it was introduced but not everyone wants a car that is tailored towards a chauffeur driven environment. Sometimes the boss wants to drive his own car and does not want to look like a driver doing it, this is why the LS460 exists.
Lexus maintained most of the features found in the LS460L except the bits which could not fit into the shorter wheelbase, features such as th ereclining rear seat with integrated ottoman and the roof mounted LCD screen.
The short wheelbase version also loses the bulky fixed centre console that divided the rear seats, instead it gets a foldable central armrest. which means that the short wheelbase is a five-seater as opposed to the limousine which is a strict four seater.
The centre armrest is no ordinary armrest, it is packed with more electronics that can be found on most family cars. Basically the rear passenger has full control of the car’s system apart from the actual drive controls which are in the hands of the driver.
Otherwise they can choose radio station, CD track, climate control settings andcan even recline the front passenger seats if more room is needed.
The LS460 keeps the highly acclaimed Mark Levison sound system that is packed into the long wheelbase variant. This is truly an exceptional in car sound system, rich in detail, delicate in delivery and punchy with the bass without being overpowering.
Lexus is all about refinement and apart from the engineering excellence needed to achieve it, they have also used the best materials and strictest build quality regime to ensure that there is nothing that would look out of place or garish.
That said, the cabin is a very Japanese interpretation of what luxury should look and feel like. As such it looks more modern and lighter than the typical German luxury car cabin with their heavy detailing and very dark interior finish.
Check out how the chrome separator of these buttons taper slightly as it moves inwards. I don’t know why they took the trouble to do itlike that but it certainly looks good and there is probably a Zen explanation to it.
Many people think that Lexus styling is too modern and soulless but I think we just need time to get used to them, after all most of us are used to the idea that whatever comes out of Germany is luxurious and represent the pinnacle of automotive engineering but that is probably a myth propagated by advertising dollars.
whatever your opinion about the Lexus’s styling, there is no doubt that it has road presence and I think they are now far more comfortable with their Japanese identity than before and embracing that heritage will make the brand truly great.
The price of this Japanese super luxury? RM636,000, that’s RM131,000 less than the long wheelbase would go for.
