First look: Lexus unveils all-new LS460 flagship!

LEXUS surprised few by revealing an all-new version of its top-shelf LS sedan at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit yesterday.

Though the Toyota luxury brand’s fourth-generation flagship is virtually identical to the LF-Sh hybrid concept shown at Tokyo in October, it’s the LS460’s preliminary specs that are the real news.

Revealed 17 years after the original LS was launched at Detroit, the all-new 2007 LS460 is powered by a 4.6-litre V8 that drives the new sedan’s rear wheels through the world’s first eight-speed automatic transmission and offers an "estimated" 285kW.

While there was no sign of the rumoured all-wheel drive system, Lexus did reveal its first long-wheelbase version of the LS – dubbed unsurprisingly the LS460L - which offers four seats and is 122mm longer between the axles and overall, at 5150mm.

The standard LS460 measures 5029mm long, while both derivatives are 1875mm wide and 1476mm high with coil suspension.

It’s unclear whether Lexus Australia will offer both short and long-wheelbase versions of the next LS when it goes on sale here in September this year – three years after the current, third-generation LS430 facelifted and received a higher-torque, 207kW/430Nm version of its all-alloy 4.3-litre DOHC V8.

Replacing the Tokyo concept’s electrically-assisted petrol V8 powertrain in the production-ready LS at Detroit, the new Lexus V8 also delivers a more serious 500Nm of torque and is claimed to accelerate the new model to 60mph in less than 5.5 seconds.

Built on an all-new platform featuring new multi-link suspension systems, including a five-arm IRS, the new LS also incorporates electronic power steering and next-generation Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) systems.

The latest VDIM stability system integrates the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system with a new Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB) system, plus Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and engine torque via its electronic throttle.

As expected, Lexus says the redesigned LS combines new levels of performance, sophistication, styling and luxury refinements.

"The Lexus LS460 was designed to expand the definition of the full-size luxury sedan," said US Toyota Motor Sales president and COO Jim Press at Detroit.

"The new LS is the product of an advanced production process developed specifically for this vehicle with remarkable new levels of accuracy, refinement, precision and craftsmanship. Considering our record for quality over the last 17 years, that's quite a statement," he said.

New features include a heated steering wheel and seats trimmed in one of four tones of semi-aniline leathers matched to one of three coordinating woodgrain trims.

Rear occupants will enjoy power reclining seats equipped with power leg rests and a massage feature, while body-heat sensors help maintain the optimum temperature for all occupants.

A fold-away table, matched to the interior woodgrain, provides work space for rear passengers, while a nine-inch roof-mounted rear monitor and new 19-speaker Mark Levinson deliver cinema-level entertainment experience. A self-closing boot and rear doors will also be available.

Minus minor bumper detail changes, the LS emerges almost identical the Tokyo concept revealed three months ago, and closely follows the "L-finesse" design language previously seen on last year’s new GS and IS sedans.

The LS460 is expected to be joined by a LS600h-badged hybrid version in Australia around January 2007.