The New Lexus LS460L

[SilverLexus]

Also, this car is not meant for the sports players.

Yes and no. It won't compete against Porsche two seaters but it will compete for luxury sedan 7Series BMW drivers and S-Class Mercedes drivers. It has the horsepower, acceleration and sportiness to take on that segment. Still mostly a luxury segment but currently demanding some good performance to boot.



P.S. Keep in mind this car has 380 horsepower and a 0-60 time of 5.5 seconds. Not too shabby.

 

[ceiol]

I'd almost take a wager the Sean is right about the exhaust. From a design standpoint it simply can't remain the same without heat transfer to the bumper and subsequent damage.

maybe there's a second smaller exhaust pipe inside the shiny chrome tip (like with the porsche cayenne turbo). That way the shiny chrome tip doesn't become nearly as hot and it won't melt the bumper



just a thought?

 

[ceiol]

I totally agree! Remember the cars of the 80s??

:think:



Just my $.02 :xyxthumbs

yup -- I remember my 1986 VW Jetta GLI with the bigger engine (1.8 liter from the VW GTI) that put out 102 hp (compared to 90 hp for the standard engine). I'm thinking it was about a 9 or 10 second 0-60 run (5sp manual).

 

[SpoiledMan]

maybe there's a second smaller exhaust pipe inside the shiny chrome tip (like with the porsche cayenne turbo). That way the shiny chrome tip doesn't become nearly as hot and it won't melt the bumper



just a thought?

Possible but pretty unlikely given the manufacturer in question. They like close tolerances but won't have anything that might create a source of rattle or vibration.

 

[SilverLexus]

They like close tolerances but won't have anything that might create a source of rattle or vibration.

On the other hand, if any engineering team could pull this off it would be Lexus. They could stabilize the exhaust.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

On the other hand, if any engineering team could pull this off it would be Lexus. They could stabilize the exhaust.

That comment reminds me of when I was 12 and I thought Volvos were the shiznits, and I talked my father into taking a test drive. This was during the winter, and I was so impressed with the car from the front passenger seat, that I suggested to my father that the car wouldn't skid, even on ice. I won't repeat his stinging reply, but needless to say, we didn't wind up with a Volvo in the driveway.

 

[Corey Bit Spank]

Yes and no. It won't compete against Porsche two seaters but it will compete for luxury sedan 7Series BMW drivers and S-Class Mercedes drivers. It has the horsepower, acceleration and sportiness to take on that segment. Still mostly a luxury segment but currently demanding some good performance to boot.



P.S. Keep in mind this car has 380 horsepower and a 0-60 time of 5.5 seconds. Not too shabby.

I'm also willing to bet that it has the heft of the entire Conner family. Including the demented mother, while Becky was pregnant and during Roseanne's "fat" years. While entertaining, nobody called them "sporty."

 

[SpoiledMan]

I'm also willing to bet that it has the heft of the entire Conner family. Including the demented mother, while Becky was pregnant and during Roseanne's "fat" years. While entertaining, nobody called them "sporty."

Thus the need for 8 speeds to accomplish those times.

 

[Corey Bit Spank]

Yes, but they can't mask heft. It's nice that it's fast in a straight line, but I'm sure it will show you the most mediocre handling experience one could imagine.

 

[harvey]

You want a car that never goes back to the dealer. Buy a Lexus. You want a peice of junk the makes you run back to the dealer every other week buy a German car. Look, I owe a 2004 BMW X3 and owned a 2003 E320. I lived at the dealer. Before this a I had several Japanese cars. Never saw the dealer. However, the Porsche is great.



Next big car is a Lexus. I have learned my lesson.

 

[Corey Bit Spank]

What were you thinking when you purchased the X3? Yikes.

 

[SpoiledMan]

Yes, but they can't mask heft. It's nice that it's fast in a straight line, but I'm sure it will show you the most mediocre handling experience one could imagine.

You can mask it to a point with good gearing, big aggressive rubber, brakes and power. The electronics can even help. I don't think this is the case here but MBZ's AMG cars and 65 cars do a good job of it.

 

[SilverLexus]

I'm also willing to bet that it has the heft of the entire Conner family. Including the demented mother, while Becky was pregnant and during Roseanne's "fat" years. While entertaining, nobody called them "sporty."

Perhaps but then so does the S-Class and 7 Series so we're still doing pretty good.

 

[Way2SSlow]

I love Lexus cars as much as the next guy...my parents have two of them, but all the new designs seem to favor each other too much IMO. A quick glance at a 2000 GS or IS passing by and you know exactly what you're looking at. These new designs lack that individuality. I think they are all VERY nice cars, but as much as I like them (and I really do like them), they seem *TO ME* to have lost some of their flare. My .02, which probably isnt worth anything anyway, because I'm quite a few years off (and a few dollars short ) owning any *new* Lexus.

 

[SamIam]

I believe the idea Lexus is after is a common design theme for their cars. Using Audi as an example, from the A4 to A6 to A8, all have a very common design, a family design. Same thing at BMW, the 5 series and 7 series are pretty similar. Lexus never had that before. The current LS, the GS, the ES, all are very different designs. Lexus is trying to achieve a common family design.



I guess its a good thing or a bad thing, depending on whether you like the design or not.

 

[JeffM]

A family of designs works for Audi, BMW and mercades because these vehicles arnt re badged. For Lexus that would mean millions of Toyotas and Lexus zipping around all looking the same.

 

[drewski59]

Perhaps but then so does the S-Class and 7 Series so we're still doing pretty good.

But then again you can get an AMG Benz, an M BMW, or an S-line Audi. You can't get performance Lexi from the factory!!

 

[SamIam]

I would agree that BMW and Mercedes aren't rebadging, but l wouldn't say the same for Audi. The Passat/A4 share the same chassis and drivetrains, and other pieces and parts. VW doesn't make anything in the A6 line so no overlap there, but certainly the A8 and Phaeton share powertrains here in the US. Audi's new SUV is based on the Toureg/Cayenne chassis, and there will be lots of parts shared between the lines.



Again, I love my Audis, but I think the new Lexus line is being damned by many of us based on past perceptions, although I will give you that Lexus is not really aiming for the BMW buyer, at least not in the past. It will be interesting to see if that changes with the new 4.6 and 3.5 liter engines in place and still coming out.



As I said before, we all win when the OEM are competing so hard.

 

[Accumulator]

tabinha- A friend of mine felt the same way. She was tired of her Audi's constant need for service so she traded it on a Lexus. No more unscheduled maintenance but she misses the Audi something awful. Too bad she had to choose between driving something she enjoyed and having something with no problems.

As I said before, we all win when the OEM are competing so hard.

I like that sentiment :xyxthumbs



[Accumulator steps onto soapbox again ] IMO luxury vehicles are like other beyond-necessity purchases; as with suits/dresses, watches/jewelry, people buy what they buy based on all sorts of criteria- objective/subjective, logical/whimsical. As long as it's their money, and their decision, and they're happy, what's to criticize?

 

[JeffM]

The toureg and the Cayenne are the same, lol, no way, i never noticed. Either way, both are sharp.



I really like the new Lexus alot, but i am on the fence if i would buy an overpriced Toyota, when i could purchase a Bimmer that isnt an upgrade of another vehicle.



My reasoning is really only about "the man" sticking it to us consumers.



I mean, its ok for BMW/Mercades to make a 30k and up vehicle and not share parts and designs, and they make money, so why should i pay the same price for an auto that is using the same technology from another line?