What they said when the Lexus LS was new… (Apr 30 2001)
Driver satisfaction begins with Lexus.
Last week, we saw the subsidiary Toyota marque pick up the automotive oscars in the annual J D Power survey.
I am not surprised. I have been a firm fan of the prestige LS series since it was launched in the early 90s and each new model miraculously seems better than the last.
Pitched against the much more established Jaguar, BMW and Mercedes brands it was going to have a fight on its hands, but it has won very decisively at each encounter.
The very latest LS430 is all-new despite looking very similar to the previous series.
The new 281bhp 4.3 litre V8 engine incorporates variable valve timing technology to boost performance across the range and reduce emissions while pushing up fuel economy.
The engine is also the quietest you will ever experience. But that's only part of the Lexus LS430 story because the thinking five-speed automatic transmission is also a perfect match, providing immediate pickup and seamless changes. In the latest model, the combination of the two elements has been refined to produce about 24mpg overall.
There is a new air suspension system to give the impression of riding on a magic carpet insulating you from every road bump while capable of imparting good feel through the corners. The steering and brakes also gave exceptional feedback to the driver yet needed only minimal effort.
Secondary controls were generally convenient to use when it came to the most frequently needed items, but the multitude of remaining switches and their scattering around the console could be daunting and confusing. But once familiarised, the operation of these became second nature.
The instruments were very large, superbly displayed and illuminated and the comprehensive heating and ventilation system was better than in most homes so far as efficiency and effectiveness were concerned.
The Lexus LS430 is now roomier inside than before and occupants have plenty of room for themselves and their odds and ends with pockets, bins and shelves scattered throughout. The boot is also bigger at close to 60 litres but there is still a high lip over which to lift heavy objects.
Unbelieveably, the air conditioned seats also include a vibro-massage in the Premium Pack and this is in addition to a seemingly limitless adjustment range through electric motors. The seats adjustability, shape and full leather upholstery gave remarkable comfort for users of all sizes.
So responsive was the handling of the LS430 that you might forget how big it was until you needed to park it, but even then it could be wiggled into place with a few turns of the wheel.
Excellent visibility was a key feature. The most memorable feature, however, was the virtual absence of any noises whatsoever. Most passengers seemed very surprised when the car moved because they thought the engine was not running and the motorway limit was just a trot. Even at 100mph, the LS430 never suggested it was working hard.
The maximum speed is claimed to be 155mph and I could believe that. The 0-60mph sprint was passed in under 7 seconds. The absence of mechanical and road noise was matched by hardly any wind noise, thanks to a body which was built to very fine tolerances of less than a human hair width, and refined in the same wind tunnel used to evaluate the bullet train.
The smooth flowing lines of the Lexus LS430 have, unfortunately, not given it a particularly distinctive shape and I had hoped that the designers might have moved away from the slab-sided shape of the previous model.
Because the shape of the big Lexus has hardly changed in a decade it is now beginning to show its age. That, if nothing else, is possibly holding back sales in a sector where not only image but style sells cars.
At approximately £54,000 for the top model with Premium Pack, it represents outstanding value for money at this level and its group 17E insurance is also highly competitive. It has everything going for it except, possibly, it's too conservative for its own good.
Words: Robin Roberts
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