2007 Lexus LS460

2007 Lexus LS460 - So, armed with a revised V-8, the world‘s first eight-speed automatic transmission, and a host of new technology, the fourth-generation LS is marching the brand farther up the luxury ladder. Whereas the base LS460 remains a bargain alternative to the Germans, the flagship LS wanders into the expanding more-than-$70,000 segment with a first-ever long-wheelbase model (the LS460L) and a near-six-figure, range-topping hybrid (the 2008 LS600hL) due next spring.

According to Lexus, the LS460 is the pinnacle of the L-finesse design theme seen on GS, IS, and ES models. Although it certainly improves on the exceptionally bland LS430, we see more of a grown-up GS than the revolutionary design that Lexus officials describe. Then again it’s a safe move, and who would expect the company to stray very far from its winning formula?

The new LS’s engine is still an aluminum DOHC 32-valve V-8, but it now displaces 4.6 liters rather than 4.3. Notable technology includes Lexus’s dual fuel injection — a port injector and a direct injector per cylinder — seen previously on the IS350’s 3.5-liter V-6, and more precise electrically actuated variable intake-valve timing (replacing the hydraulic actuation that remains on the exhaust side). Despite the small increase in displacement, horsepower is up by a staggering 102, to 380. Torque increases 55 pound-feet to 367. Surprisingly, fuel economy also improves to an estimated 19/27 mpg city/highway, a gain of 1 and 2 mpg, respectively.

However, when we strapped on the test gear during the press introduction in Salzburg, Austria, we found that a not-quite-short-enough first gear led to worse-than-expected acceleration times. The LS jumps off the line but falls flat until the engine reaches the torque band at about 3500 rpm. (A closer look reveals a somewhat peaky engine, with a torque peak at 4100 rpm and a power peak 200 rpm shy of the redline.) Sixty mph arrives from rest in 6.0 seconds, and the quarter-mile passes in 14.5 seconds at 100 mph, improvements of 0.3 and 0.4 second, but those times are more than a half-second slower than what Lexus claims, not to mention what the Mercedes S550 and BMW 750i achieve.

Lexus says the ’07 LS is as quiet as ever — and we agree — although the cabin is less isolated. That’s a good thing, because more of the ultrasmooth V-8’s subdued roar can be heard inside. The LS is sufficiently supple on its new front and rear multilink suspension, making the optional air springs on the long-wheelbase model seem superfluous.

But putting the priority on comfort also means the LS still doesn’t play sporty. Start pushing, and the all-season tires on our test car (performance tires are an option) howl persistently as it leans through turns. Those tires don’t help stopping distances, either; we measured a pitiful 209 feet from 70 mph, 30 feet longer than an LS430.

As usual, technology and creature comforts abound. The optional navigation system is now a quicker hard-drive-based unit with 14 gigabytes of space available for storing music. If you love tunes, upgrade to the 450-watt, 19-speaker Mark Levinson unit.

Lexus hopes to sell about 30,000 of these big sedans the first year, which seems reasonable considering more were sold in 2004. With new levels of luxury and attention to detail and a more robust lineup, the LS seems poised to remain on top.