2007 Lexus LS 460

Lexus means world class luxury, there’s no question about that. Yet parked next to a Mercedes or BMW, the brand still has the image of more luxury copy than pioneer. To change that perception once and for all, Lexus thinks embracing technology is the key. And their new flagship LS 460 may be the most technologically advanced production car in the world. But is the high-tech way the right road to travel?

Right or wrong, the almost too numerous to mention, intelligent vehicle features packed into the 2007 Lexus LS 460 certainly make it a progressive way to travel.

A laundry list of electronic driving aids, comfort features and active safety systems highlights the new LS’ spec sheet. Many of these systems are updates of existing technology, but one innovative feature really has people talking: the ability of the new LS to park itself!

Using the car’s backup camera and sonar parking sensors, the advanced parking guidance system in the LS 460 actually takes control of the vehicles steering and throttle to guide it into a parallel or back-in parking spot.

The driver must still carefully position the car to begin with and control the speed by gentle use of the brakes, but otherwise the LS really does park itself.  If only it could fill its own gas tank and change the oil too!

Many of our younger staffers caught on to self park quickly, while some of the older dogs in our kennel, who more closely match the typical LS owner’s age, weren’t so easily sold in theory or practice, arguing that owners of this car are more likely to valet park in the city than leave it on the street anyway.

There was no argument on our staff about the styling of the new LS, however.  Lexus uses words like prominence, strength and dignity to describe the design, and we can see why.

A lower profile grille is flanked by a pair of stunning crystal-like headlamp housings.  The eye is drawn backwards by deeply sculpted fender lines, past an elegantly arched roof to the high but relatively short rear deck lid.

Inside, the LS 460 coddles its passengers with a cozy seating area and a more open, airy feel above the beltline.  Polished wood and stitched leather abound, while soft-touch controls fall equally to hand for either driver or front-seat passenger.

Our test car featured the optional 19-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound stereo.  It shares a 30-gig hard drive with the voice-activated Nav system and can store as many as 2,000 digital songs.

Standard rear seat amenities are impressive, but opting for the long-wheelbase LS 460 L gains nearly 5 inches of legroom and opens up a wider range of “executive class” comfort options.  Also sharing the long-wheelbase platform will be a hybrid-drive LS 600 HL, due this spring.

Until then, power for this big Lexus comes from a 4.6 liter four cam V8 with both port and direct injection.  Output is 380 horsepower and 367 pound feet of torque, reaching the street through a silky, ultra-efficient, and car-doms first, 8-speed automatic.

Flatten the throttle, and the LS will sprint to 60 in 5.8 seconds.  Let it run a little further and the quarter-mile mark passes in just 14.3 seconds at 102 mph.

Out on the road, the LS 460 displays a well-mannered ride balanced with impressively responsive handling.  The fully independent multi-link suspension is aided by integrated vehicle dynamics management that monitor steering, front wheel angle, and a host of stability systems to keep everything on the chosen path. Ordering the roll controlling air suspension also garners active electric power steering that is precise if lacking in German-rival road feel.

Government fuel economy ratings for the LS 460 stand at 19 city and 27 highway.  Our tester returned a respectable average of 23 miles-per-gallon on premium gas.

The 2007 Lexus LS 460 earns an energy impact score of 15.6 barrels of oil per year, bettering the biggest sedans from Mercedes, Audi and BMW.

Amazingly, with all of its technology, the LS 460 beats those competitors on price, too.  Base sticker for the LS 460 is $61,715. The LS 460 L starts at $71,715.

The 2007 Lexus LS 460 is a high-tech tour de force. Yet while it retains the atmosphere and serenity of a classic luxury sedan, its technology serves to enhance the driving experience, without overwhelming it. To us, that’s it greatest achievement. The new LS also serves notice to other premium carmakers, that it’s time for them to step up or be left behind.