By Mauricio Lezcano / carsNtravel.com
With its dynamic handling, bold new design and superior craftsmanship, the 2013 LS flagship models hail the future of the Lexus brand as it embarks on its third decade in the premium luxury category. While retaining many of the qualities that have defined Lexus for more than 20 years, the LS reaches new heights with an exciting blend of beautiful design, modern refinement and advanced technology.
The 2013 Lexus LS 460L is refined with dynamic, fresh styling that reflects the bold new face of Lexus. The aggressive spindle grille gives the new LS a greater road presence and stronger brand identity while heralding a significant improvement in driving dynamics, responsiveness and handling.
Increased body rigidity enhances stability, and allows for a more comfortable ride. Pitch and bounce control has been enhanced by adopting new frequency dependent shock absorbers, resulting in an even flatter, road-hugging ride. Revised steering offers improvements in accuracy and turn in response. The braking system has been adjusted for more immediate power and greater pedal feel.
Available safety enhancements include the advanced Pre-Collision Safety system with Collision Avoidance Assist. This system is designed to assist the driver in avoiding or mitigating collisions with vehicles and pedestrians under a wide range of city and highway speeds. At speeds lower than 24 miles per hour, this technology helps the LS avoid accidents by automatically bringing the LS to a full stop.
The driver focused interior integrates modern refinement with intuitive technology. The Advanced Illumination System, an all LED interior lighting system, illuminates to greet the approaching occupants and then fades in sequence with the vehicle starting procedure.
In addition, the new available Lexus Climate Concierge offers maximum comfort for every LS occupant. The customizable system uses multiple sensors to automatically regulate not only the temperature of the cabin, but also the climate control seats and the heated steering wheel, quickly bringing each occupant to their preferred temperature.
The standard navigation system is displayed on a 12.3-inch, split-screen, high-resolutionmulti-media display which is large enough to support simultaneous viewing of a large map display and other vehicle functions.
A next generation Remote Touch, with one push confirmation is standard and enables smooth, intuitive control of many vehicle systems. The Remote Touch allows the user to operate the climate, audio, phone controls, navigation system and more. The screen menus are selected with a controller conveniently located within easy reach on the center console. A number of well-placed buttons on the steering wheel and instrument panel enable the direct control of frequently used functions like temperature setting, fan speed, preset audio stations, etc.
Lexus Enform with App Suite leverages the customers’ mobile phone technology to provide a new level of connectivity and information management. Users can conduct local searches through Bing, utilize voice enabled apps to make restaurant reservations through OpenTable, get movie tickets via MovieTickets.com, tap into internet radio, including Pandora or iHeartRadio, search business reviews on Yelp and check in on Facebook places.
Under the hood the Lexus LS 460L delivers the luxury of powerful, smooth performance from a 4.6-liter V8 teamed with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces 386 horsepower and 367 lb.-ft. of peak torque in rear-wheel-drive configuration.
A dual fuel-injection system, with both port and direct injection, optimizes efficiency under all conditions. The direct injection helps provide cylinder cooling that allows the high compression ratio needed to produce such high power cleanly and efficiently. The dual-tract intake system and an Acoustic Control Induction System contribute to the smooth, linear power delivery.
The Lexus eight-speed automatic transmission allows gear ratios that maximize torque up to the tire grip limitations in the lower ranges yet maintains quietness and admirable fuel efficiency at higher speeds. The LS 460L can accelerate from zero-to-60 mph in about 5.4 seconds.
Even with that level of performance, the LS 460L has earned an EPA-estimated 16 mpg city and 24 mpg highway rating and meets Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle II certification. An ECO drive indicator helps encourage economical driving.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price starts at $78,290.00, the one drove included the Adaptive Variable Air Suspension with Variable Gear Ratio Steering, Blind Spot Monitor, LED Headlamps with intelligent high beam and washers, Mark Levinson 19 speakers with single DVD/CD player and the Ultra Luxury Package it came in at $90,440.00.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com
