LEXUS UNVEILS LS460 IN DETROIT (17 January 2006)

Lexus has unveiled its new flagship model at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, USA.

Lexus Australia will launch the new LS460 in the fourth quarter of 2006.

The reveal in Detroit comes 17 years after Lexus launched its breakthrough LS400 in the United States.

The LS460 is an all-new model, designed for new levels of performance, sophistication, contemporary styling and luxury refinements.

The corporate manager of Lexus Australia, John Roca, said 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 Lexus' record for quality over the last 17 years, that's quite a statement," he said.

Specifications provided at the LS460 reveal include power output of more than 275kW from the new Lexus 4.6-litre V8 engine, matched to the world's first eight-speed automatic transmission.

The new Lexus V8 is designed to deliver sub-six-second 0-100km/h acceleration, coupled with an Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle II (ULEV II) rating.

John Roca said the new LS was built on a sophisticated platform that maintains a delicate balance between ride comfort and responsive handling.

"It has a new multi-link rear suspension system, electronic power steering system and an advanced Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system," he said.

VDIM is an advanced stability system that integrates and manages a new Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB) system, Electronic Power Steering (EPS), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Antilock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and engine torque via the electronically controlled throttle.

The system, which monitors a variety of sensors, is designed to anticipate the onset of a vehicle skid or slide and then help correct the situation with a combination of braking, throttle and steering control in a way that is essentially transparent to the driver.

It gathers data from more sources and processes it earlier and faster than in previous designs, helping to make VDIM less obtrusive and even more effective.