Tradition meets technology in new Lexus LS range

MEDIA RELEASE

13 December 2012

Tradition meets technology in new Lexus LS range

Showcasing range-topping luxury, the expanded Lexus LS line-up has arrived in New Zealand. The 2013 Lexus LS range, including LS460, hybrid LS600hL and all-new performance-orientated F Sport versions, remains the flagship model in Lexus’ stable. Lexus New Zealand General Manager of Product Planning, Neeraj Lala says: “LS, purely and simply, stands for ‘luxury sedan’ and is the absolute pinnacle of Lexus’ range. The LS is intrinsically linked with Lexus’ unrivalled customer care, and our expanded line-up underlines this significantly.

“Now the potential to individualise LS has never been greater, with four grades and multiple interior trim packages available to discerning customers. In terms of quality, specification and options, the new LS will raise the bar in the luxury sector.”

Boasting a blend of contemporary refinement, cutting-edge technology and sumptuous quality that harks back to the handcrafted traditions of the takumi or artisans, the boldly redesigned LS sedan continues to represent the best Lexus has to offer. A host of new technologies – and no less than three ‘world firsts’ – debut on the LS, including the introduction of Lexus Climate Concierge on the LS600hL and LS460 with the optional Luxury Pack specified. This unrivalled air conditioning system automatically manages front and rear climate control, along with the heated and cooled seats and heated steering wheel to provide supreme comfort for driver and front and rear passengers alike. Complementing this is the world’s first interior Advanced Illumination System (AIS), which attunes different lighting accents to different driving scenarios and features both Champagne White cabin lamps and dynamic LED instrument panel lighting.

To quote Lexus LS Chief Engineer, Hideki Watanabe himself: “The LS has always appealed to customers who demand the best. They appreciate the highly refined and luxurious nature of the Lexus flagship.”

An example of the exceptional quality available to LS customers is the unique, optional wooden Shimamoku steering wheel and cabin accents. This traditional Japanese design is an intricate process often seen in the handcrafting of musical instruments such as guitars. Each steering wheel takes 67 manufacturing steps and a total of 38 days build-time to assemble.

Lexus’ hallmark mix of tradition and technology continues with the large 12.3-inch LCD display screen and the second generation of Lexus’ Remote Touch Interface, which lets the driver control everything from the standard HDD satellite navigation system to the rear cabin Blu-ray entertainment system (standard on LS600hL), all through a tactile central controller perfectly placed in the centre console.

The LS600hL and LS460 Luxury Pack option split reclining, vibrating function rear seats offer rear passengers a supremely spacious, relaxing environment to travel in, accentuated by the addition of an optional Rear Seat Ottoman to the LS600hL for the first time in New Zealand. The LS600hL and LS460 fitted with the Luxury Package also boast a comprehensive rear armrest control panel that lets those in the back enjoy Blu-ray entertainment on roof mounted flip-down nine inch screen via the central control panel or a full-size remote control. The revised storage space inside the arm rest even has enough room for six conventional Blu-ray disc boxes to be hidden away.

A phenomenal 19-speaker Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound system is another standard item for LS customers, although with comprehensive sound insulation mitigating engine, road and wind noise, the sumptuous cabin can remain as quiet and tranquil as desired.

The LS also boasts a suite of safety technologies, such as collision avoidance software that monitors the distance of vehicles in front and – within certain operating parameters – can brake automatically to avoid a collision, as well as an intuitive automatic high beam headlight system that alters illumination of the road ahead depending on oncoming traffic, adjusting the high beam setting automatically. All LS models feature comprehensive airbag coverage too, with between eight and 10 airbags fitted to LS460 and LS600hL as standard, and up to 12 airbags in the LS600hL when fitted with the luxurious Rear Seat Ottoman pack.

While the LS remains shorthand for luxury, significant advances in the sedan’s dynamic abilities on-road have also been made. For the first time, F Sport iterations of LS models are being offered, boasting sportier dynamics and styling accents that give the LS a more aggressive road presence to suit the enthusiast driver.

The boldly redesigned, premium LS range is available now, with prices starting from $199,500.

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ENDS

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