World's First: Lexus LS460 gets loose
click on image to enlarge
Upon perusing our October 2006 issue of Motor Trend, we ran across the mag's review of the new 2007 Lexus LS460 and a pair of pictures caught our eye. Before us on the printed page was a bright silver LS sedan doing a burnout and... (gulp) drifting! The Japanese luxury carmaker's relentless pursuit of perfection has always been so categorically opposed to having fun while driving that the images seemed from another world altogether.
But indeed they are not. You see, the 2007 Lexus LS460 is the first LS sedan ever that allows its stability-control system to completely turned off. Once the big lady lets her guard down, the 4.6-liter V8 producing 380 hp and 367 ft-lbs. is totally and utterly at the mercy of your right foot, which makes burn outs and drifting possible for the first time in a Lexus LS sedan. In fact, we'd venture to guess that Angus Mackenzie and company over at Motor Trend are the first to perform this feat in a Lexus LS sedan, if not the first to record it on film, though they certainly won't be the last. And to think, the even more powerful hybrid LS600h is still yet to arrive.
Special thanks to Motor Trend for furnishing us with these pics, and to photographer Mark Bramley for capturing the moment.
[Source: Motor Trend - Oct. 2006, subscribe here]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Michael Karesh 8:56PM (8/28/2006)
I suspect that the development engineers did plenty of sideways driving, so Motor Trend wouldn't be the first. First on film perhaps.
This thing is going to hit the luxury sedan market hard. Demand will outstrip supply for quite a while.
Reply
Dubbedinenglish 9:08PM (8/28/2006)
"This thing is going to hit the luxury sedan market hard. Demand will outstrip supply for quite a while."
Oh please. 0-60 in 5.4 secs, and a cost of 60-72k........AND A CURB WEIGHT OF 4250lbs
You want a sport luxury car C55 AMG.
54k
0-60 4.9
curb weight 3583.
Reply
Daniel 9:10PM (8/28/2006)
You're comparing the LS to a C class?
A C class?
Are you an idiot?
Reply
MovingForward? 9:14PM (8/28/2006)
Sung to the tune of 60's Batman Theme.
Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Naaaaa Suuuuuuuuper Camary.
Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Naaaaaaaaaa Suuuuuuuuper Camary.
Super Camary. Super Camary!!!!!!! Yah!!!!!!!
Reply
GDUB 9:18PM (8/28/2006)
Wow never been a chubby chaser but drifting that big girl sideways looks fun.
Reply
Tru Delta 9:20PM (8/28/2006)
Prices and my own meaningless review based on what I read at edmunds.com can be found by clicking this link. http://ignoremee.ytmnd.com/
-MK
Reply
Bert 9:22PM (8/28/2006)
M5
Reply
Eli Mann 9:26PM (8/28/2006)
Dubbedinenglish, SHUT YOUR TRAP UP YOU NONSENSE SPEAKING MONKEY.
Reply
Dubbedinenglish 9:53PM (8/28/2006)
LOL you people are worth a good laugh.
On another note lexus is kidding themselves that the LS will be their "sport" platform. The 500 version will have a rumored 420hp. This thing performance wise still falls short of the age old S-type R. If Lexus wants an M(3 or 5) competetor this bloated pig will not fly.
You want the truth in the trend of Toyota's "performace" the are only good in a straight line. THe newest Motor Trend has the CX-7 a full second slower in 0-60, but outhandles the RAV4 V-6. Thus the CX-7 is .6 seconds quicker in the figure eight.
Toyota is sounding more and more like GM everyday.
Reply
Brandon 9:57PM (8/28/2006)
I think Lexus has finally created its own solid competitor in this market place, without carbon copying the latest lines of the S-Class. As much as I am a fan of the big Bavarian sedans, I think when this LS comes to market, it might be enough for me to change my opinion on Japanese full size luxo cruisers (It may be the case for many other people too)
I've read reviews bashing the new LS because of the abscence of an iDrive like interface, but I commend Lexus for continuing with tradition, and for not messing with things that dont need to be messed with. I dont think the addition of all this intricate electronic equipment will do the vehcile justice later on down the road, especially in the aftermarket.
Look at the residual value of the early redesigned BMW 7's. With all that could, and did go wrong with the electronics, the resale value of the car took a massive hit. Despite the fact that Lexus could very easily make bulletproof electrical management systems for this car, I still think it was a wise move to continue on with good old logic.
This should prove to be quite an interesting new car.
Reply
Mike from Scarborough 10:01PM (8/28/2006)
Bi Mann,,,Your the Monkey,,Let people have their opinion,this isn't a Japanese love in.It's ablogg about all autos..
Not a Bad looking car,,,Looks too much like the Camry.I'd rather drive an M5 or a AMG....There's nothing like the original moster sedans.Obviously Lexus builds an afordable version of those cars,but it's not the same.
Reply
MattS 9:59PM (8/28/2006)
Finally! congrats to those at Lexus who broke thru to Toyotas management team, breaking what seemed to be on a freakishly Orwellian course.
Now if you can only get to the Toyota brand while you still have time and give me an option to shut off the optional vehicle dynamics control (a feature I want) on that new Camry SE. I may even reward you by moving up from my Corolla XRS, which I beleive was the point of that car.
Thanks,
Matt
Reply
Dubbedinenglish 10:00PM (8/28/2006)
Hold on best part....a tundra...4276lbs
A lexus LS460...4250lbs
Reply
scootermouse 10:17PM (8/28/2006)
That car is as ugly today as the Hudson was in it's day. It looks fat and granny like, Toyota needs to put a girdle on that cow.....That front end wasn't attractive 10 years ago, and age has done absolutely nothing for it.....
Reply
Steve 10:18PM (8/28/2006)
Seems like alot of you don't realize that the LS competes with the S-class and 7-series, not the 5-series or C-class. The S550 costs $86k w/ 382 hp, 0-60 5.4. The 760i costs $72k w/ 360 hp, 0-60 5.8
Reply
DPC car videos 10:35PM (8/28/2006)
This car is way to heavy to be a sport sedan but I think they Lexus is stepping in the right direction for the future hybrid models, the LS600h should be awesome.
Reply
Halo 11:34PM (8/28/2006)
This car is the shiznit, I've seen this front end at the auto show. It looks good to me and granny like is your piece of sh&t lincoln you're driving.
Reply
Scott W 11:39PM (8/28/2006)
Looks like Toyota has another winner on their hands. Really amazing how far Lexus has come in only 15 years. Their competitors continue to underestimate them and make fun of them (like many here). I have ridden in a current generation 430 many times. What a vehicle! Really really sweet. Could ride for hours on end without tiring out any at all.
Reply
Donald 11:50PM (8/28/2006)
I wouldn't want a C55 AMG, my neighbor has one, he's gone through 7-tires in 2 years, and he's by no means a aggressive driver.
Also it's a freakin' C-class with crappy rear seats, it weighs over 4k lbs due to its size, dang thing has a LCD TV in back with a reclinable massage chair. S-Class and 7-Series are also in the wieght range.
Reply
apple_box 12:09AM (8/29/2006)
I imagine the stability control can be turned off for those situations when your driver needs to evade kidnappers or perform those wonderful threat avoidance snap turns and such.
Reply