Back in 1989, the comfortable and refined LS400 announced Lexus to the world, making established luxury car manufacturers to sit up. Today, the latest LS represents Lexus brand equity, and offers a complete luxury package on wheel.
On paper, Lexus is certainly talking the talk. Though it looks awkward, it is still the first big Lexus that, one could argue, is good-looking in an unconventional way. Crucially, the first Lexus looked like it threatened the Germans without copying them, thanks to its unalloyed luxury without ‘Germanic’ aggression.
In many other countries, Lexus is regarded as the best of the best, even up against the top German automakers. Yet in Nigeria, at almost all price points, people opt for the Germans auto brands in bigger numbers.
That becomes difficult to understand because Lexus vehicles are among the best on Nigerian roads.
In the case of the top-of-the range, the Lexus tag line is “In pursuit of automotive perfection.”
From the superbly upholstered leather interior and some of the comfiest seats to the air suspension, which dismisses most road imperfections with barely a raised eyebrow, and eight-speed auto transmission, which is so good that it is almost impossible to tell when gears are changed; along with the ultimate in NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) suppression technology, the LS460 is a calm place to be.
Like its smaller GS series siblings, the LS exudes an air of peace.
For the sort of people who can afford this 285kW V8 limo that does not come cheap, (although all the goodies are included, and not optional, at the high shop value), its sense of calm is very appealing.
However, despite all the niceties that have been said about this car, yet, it still has the Mercedes S-class to contend with. Neither is it exactly glorious at first glance, for all Lexus’s talk of its L-finesse design language. But the LS600h will need to be superior car to compete with the Mercedes, the favoured choice of diplomats and world leaders everywhere, according to auto buffs.
In its design and interior cues, It is fair to say that the LS 460’s design is controversial. From the sides and the rear it is a fairly sober sedan; nicely proportioned, with some strong bodylines that nonetheless are not especially challenging.
The headlamps, with their hockey-stick daytime running lights and Xenon main lamps, are beautifully detailed. The smoky black, lightweight alloys are eye-catching as the chromed tailpipes. It is a beautiful car, though as restrained even in the most aggressive versions – as you will expect from a Lexus.
Inside, balance of luxury and restraint continues, for the most part. The F-Sport on its part is officially a five-seater even as the airline-style rear seating complete with reclining ottoman option is limited to the long-wheelbase LS 600.
As you will expect, there is plenty of leather (although ostensibly the sports version) Lexus has not skimped on luxuries like a X-direction motorized driver’s seat, and X-way power front-passenger seat, both of which have adjustable heating and cooling.
Obviously, there are power windows, sunroof, wing mirrors, trunk lid, and tilt/reach adjustable steering wheel, which are all motorised too. Both front seats have three position presets. The steering wheel is heated for that cold morning when the engine is started. Even the doors will automatically close when you pull them closer, while the analog clock uses GPS to set itself automatically.
And dominating the center console is a 12.3-inch LCD display, broad enough to fit three separate panes of infotainment data on simultaneously if there is need for it.
In fact, the story of a Lexus luxury limo cannot be exhausted in one piece of writing. Keep a date with us next week.
MIKE OCHONMA
