Sexier Lexus LS

In what the Toyota prestige offshoot says is the “most significant mid-cycle major change” in the model’s history, Lexus has upgraded its flagship LS with more than 3000 new bits, three “world firsts” and 14 “Lexus firsts.”

Facing the world with a gawdy proliferation of vents, gaps and inlets, the new LS is said to have new panels practically everywhere you look apart from the roof, doors and rear quarter panels, in the name of series identification and reduced wind noise.

The bonnet is new, as is the boot lid, and there are new-design, hollow-rim 19-inch wheels (which assist in lowering internal noise levels) across the board.

Significantly, the new LS is said to have better dynamics, a sound-deadened interior making it quietest in its class, and a 60 per cent improvement in body rigidity coming from new welding and bonding techniques, as well as extra structural bracing.

Changes to the LS’s air suspension also improve bounce and pitch control to give a “flatter, road-hugging ride”. And the Lexus Drive Mode Select has been expanded to offer five switchable driving modes, including Comfort mode along with Eco, Normal, Sport S and Sport S+.

There are also new high and low beam LED headlights for the hybrid models, as well as vertical fog lamps with what are claimed to be the world’s smallest (polyethersulfone) lenses, along with the usual (light tube) daytime running lights. LS460 models come with bi-Xenon headlights.

On top of this, Lexus also introduces a new F Sport model which, through various suspension tweaks including a dropping of ride height by 10mm, an Active Stabiliser System, Torsen limited-slip differential, six-piston Brembo front brake callipers, some work on the engine-sound experience from inside the passenger compartment and paddle shifters (with throttle blipping on downshifts), introduces something of an attitude to the luxury cruiser. The engine remains the same 280kW 4.6-litre V8 used in the LS460 (the hybrid LS600hL uses a 5.0-litre V8).

The F Sport is identified by a different grille, bumpers and wheels (still 19-inch) as well as interior revisions including the seats (16-way sports-style) a dimpled leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, leather shift lever, aluminium pedals and scuff plates..

Speaking of the interior, it is here that Lexus claims to have paid most attention. There are plenty of visual clues indicating it is the latest model.

Bringing the big Lexus into line with the themes expressed in the new GS model, the dash panel boasts the “industry’s largest” 12.3-inch wide LCD screen, a new, smaller diameter three-spoke steering wheel (directing revised electric power steering), improved seats and a “world first” Advanced Illumination System that greets passengers before the doors are opened, then fades as the car is started up.

The navigation and infotainment systems are claimed to be integrated and faster-operating, and there’s a 450 Watt, 19-speaker Mark Levinson sound system along with high definition Blu-ray rear-seat entertainment. There’s a roof-mounted screen for short wheelbase models (LS 600hL four-seater included) or a centre console-mounted screen for five-seat LS 600hL variants.

Then there’s the “world first” Lexus Climate Concierge system that uses “Nanoe” technology — already introduced in the new GS — in which 20mm to 50mm diameter nano particles comprising negatively charged ions wrapped in 1,000 times more water molecules than regular ions are released into the cabin atmosphere, where they help purify the air and eliminate odours while moisturising skin and hair and the same time. Really.

The LS also comes with driver alert that determines whether the driver is paying sufficient attention to the road ahead and will step in by applying the brakes if necessary. There’s a blind spot monitor too, as you would expect, as well as automatic headlight dipping.

The new Lexus LS will go on sale in Australia later this year, or early in 2013.

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