Lexus Manila unveiled the new 2012 LS model range, including the LS 460L 5-seater and 4-seater.
Following the recent GS and ES models, the new Lexus flagship is a bold blend of refinement and evolution. It incorporates powerful new styling featuring the Lexus spindle grille design, with enhanced driving dynamics and industry-leading technology.
‘With over 730,000 sold during its 23 year, four generation history, the LS has grown and evolved with the times’ said Kiyotaka Ise, President of Lexus International. ‘Our new flagship has much greater visual presence; the bold new design reflects how Lexus is evolving. This new LS brings sharper driving dynamics, the highest levels of refinement and luxury and once again is supported by industry leading technology’
The new LS has over 3000 changes, including three world first, and no less than 15 Lexus first, features and technical innovations.
‘The LS has always appealed to customers who demand the best. They appreciate the highly refined and luxurious nature of the Lexus flagship’ said Hideki Watanabe, LS Chief Engineer. ‘So, at the start of the LS development programme, I had to consciously broaden my horizons, focusing on the finer things in life from the worlds of art, design and technology – a first step towards creating the most sophisticated LS yet to satisfy the world’s most discerning customers.’
Responding in detail to customer feedback throughout every aspect of its development, the new Lexus flagship has been conceived to raise the bar even higher in the pursuit of unprecedented refinement, comfort, driving performance, technical excellence and, above all, quality.
Design
The exterior of the new LS has been comprehensively redesigned. A Lexus first, it can be equipped with all-LED exterior lighting, including vertical foglamps incorporating the world’s smallest PES lens, and unique, L-shaped, seamless light tube Daytime Running Lights (DRLs).
Reflecting the direction next-generation Lexus models will take, the bold, sophisticated dynamism of the new spindle grille frontal design awards the vehicle a combination of enhanced elegance, greater road presence and stronger brand identity entirely appropriate to a flagship model. The heightened perceptions of aggression and dynamism represented by the new spindle grille design herald a significant improvement in driving dynamics, responsiveness and handling agility.
Driving Dynamics
New, laser screw welding and adhesive body bonding techniques have increased overall body rigidity. This not only enhances stability, but also allows for a more comfortable ride with no detriment to handling agility.
Through new, Frequency Adaptive Damping (FAD) shock absorbers or a 4-wheel interlock control evolution of the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) air suspension system, pitch and bounce control has been enhanced to give an even flatter, road- hugging ride.
Revised steering offers immediately noticeable improvements in accuracy and turn-in response. And the braking system has been enhanced for more immediate power and greater pedal feel.
A new Drive Mode Select system features up to five switchable driving modes – ECO, COMFORT, NORMAL, SPORT S and SPORT S+, to optimise the driver’s preferred combination of economy, comfort, performance and handling characteristics.
Refinement, Comfort and Progressive Features
Representing further improvements to Lexus’ already peerless standards, the new LS lays claim to being amongst the quietest, most comfortable cars in the world.
Comprehensive improvements have been made to engine, road and wind noise sound insulation, and the new luxury sedan may be fitted with Lexus-first, hollow chamber noise reduction wheels, which lower front cabin noise.
The front seats have been further improved and, a world first, both front and rear seat climate control and the steering wheel rim heater may now be automatically incorporated in the operation of the new Lexus Climate Concierge air conditioning system featuring up to 13 sensors managed by a central ECU.
The climate control system also incorporates a new Nanoe technology system. Nanoe ions have both an air purifying and odour eliminating effect. Additionally, because Nanoe moisture content is approximately 1,000 times that of conventional ions, the water molecules have a moisturizing effect on skin and hair.
The LS’s beautifully crafted interior is complimented by the world’s first Advanced Illumination System (AIS), featuring new, Champagne White interior lamps and dynamic LED instrument panel lighting.
The new interior design not only focuses on even greater levels of refinement and occupant comfort, but also responds to the demands of a further maturation of Lexus’ renowned Human Machine Interface (HMI) technologies.
The award-winning Remote Touch Interface (RTI) offers comprehensive infotainment system control via a 12.3” LCD multi display screen –the industry’s largest.
A 19-speaker Mark Levinson Reference Surround System offers the finest in-car audio experience available today.
Finally, the new flagship has been designed to reinforce the outstanding quality that has earned Lexus numerous global awards with each successive generation of LS.
4-Seater
The 4-Seater variant adds an ottoman rear seat, 40mm more rear leg room, a hideaway rear table and a seat massager. Additionally, it also upgrades the standard DVD system to a Blu-ray system.
Pricing
LS 460L (5-Seater): P 7,388,000
LS 460L (4-Seater): P 8,378,000
