Comments on: 2013 Lexus LS flagship luxury sedan arrives – we speak to Chief Engineer Hideki Watanabe

By: Tom Farinola / Atlantic Stereo

Tom Farinola / Atlantic Stereo — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:00:37 +0000

FINALLY !!!!!! Thank you Alpha for writing the actual truth about the 2013 LS – First off allow me to say I love lexus as a brand, I am an original owner of a fully loaded 2001 LS 430, the 1st year in production that came with a Black burled wood dash and beige interior ( this combination was only made one other time – not sure why ? )
My model was ground breaking from the LS 400, it had features that no other car ( I looked at the time, because I was going to buy a BMW 7 series ) not only was the LS 430 $20,000 less it was technologically better. I will admit the BMW as a drivers car is far superior but I have NEVER been sorry of my purchase and still own the car today waiting for a replacement.
When the LS 460 was released I was so excited to purchase my new car but sadly I wasn’t as impressed. The LS 460 seemed cheep in comparison to my car and the benifits from the features seemed no better then my car. So I held off for 6 yrs ( now granted we were in a financially different climent 2001- 2007 vs 2007 – 2012 )
This 2012 LS 460 is NOT a new model and thank you for stating that as no else will. Number 1 it hasn’t hit 6 years yet and the engine and transmission are virtually the same as the LS 460. Yes, the fit and finish is now the same as my LS 430, finally but technically speaking it is not ground breaking or ahead of the Germans.
I think Lexus should make a stand in the next generation LS 490 or what ever they will badge it. Make this model a true competitor to the BMW 7 series or Benz S class or Audi A8 – make this car drive like theirs or better if possible. Release industry leading technology in a vehicle. Set the bar for original owner satisfaction – this is a topic I think you should write about. The original buyer and how the manufacturer repays this individual. We are the early adapters, we are the ones taking the plunge, we are ones taking the financial hit – then thank us. Dont make us pay for software updates on our GPS Nav systems, find ways to make us feel special ( ie: Equus Hyundai ) perhaps you might have some idea’s ?
I was going to throw in the towel and trade my my baby in for either a A8 or 760i until I read your article. The fact that Mr. Watanabe understands that this 2013 is not a new model I will wait for that new model. Thank you Alpha and Mr. Watanabe -

Patiently waiting,
Tom LS 430

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By: mu_77

mu_77 — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 05:21:45 +0000

Well, Lexus built solid and good cars. but my vote still goes to Infiniti!! Just love the Ininiti FX37!!

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By: Ken

Ken — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 12:30:05 +0000

very impressive. not many people here knew so much about normal (non-performance) models of JDM Toyota cars. thumbs up to you. =)

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By: crown athlete grs180

crown athlete grs180 — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 16:02:36 +0000

ya..hieraki of Toyota is like this..First and foremost: Toyota Century(exclusively used by Japanese Emperor & parade) 2. Toyota Crown Majesta/Toyota Celsior(LS) 3. Toyota Crown Athlete/Royal Saloon, ..and the rest Toyota Aristo, Windom, Altezza, MarkII(mark X), Cresta, Chaser, Sai, Premio, Allion, Cressida, Corona, Corolla….2 doors like toyota soarer(lexus sc430), supra, gt86(ae86), celica and so on…love JDM cars….

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By: behn meyer

behn meyer — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:47:17 +0000

I totally concurred your ex boss father decision to opt for LS..Lexus LS 400 ucf 20 & ucf21 and LS430 ucf30 & ucf31 are the best riding sedan in the world, ultimate comfort no other cars can match..In Japan until 2006 it is called toyota celsior, it is essentially the same car with only different emblem…

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By: Jolly_idiot

Jolly_idiot — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:31:26 +0000

I don’t believe the myth of owning a prada and people ask you how much cash you have inside.

I will be more impress when a luxury car is using a smaller engine and yet giving similar performance. Its shows that technology is at work.

Big cc with big output is just outdated.

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By: Jolly_idiot

Jolly_idiot — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:26:41 +0000

Somehow i may prefer a more efficient engine with adequate performance.

With technology breakthrough. I believe we can yield more from what we have. Look at the BMW 320d. Being a 2.0 but is so punchy yet giving 1000km average from a tank. Only drawback now is the clatter sound. But i still believe things will get better.

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By: Ken

Ken — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:05:01 +0000

As a matter of fact, Toyota can do that if they choose to. In case you din’t know, earlier Lexus models are sold as Toyota in Japan. LS as Celsior, GS as Aristo, IS as Altezza, ES as Windom, RX as Harrier, SC as Soarer. Anyway, high quality Toyota which, I dare say almost on par with Lexus still exist today in Toyota’s lineup. Examples are Toyota Crown, Mark X, Vellfire and so on.

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By: KL

KL — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 10:37:12 +0000

Alpha, I totally agree with you. I always get this impression that Malaysians buy a car to impress others, not to enjoy driving it. Or they will have the powers of Dr Xavier, coz they always claim that someone who owns a BMW or Merc will NEVER switch to something else. :)

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By: KL

KL — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 10:29:36 +0000

People who can afford cars in this range are not bothered by what others think. I still remember my ex-boss’ father who was one of the first in KL to use the original 400LS, replacing his S-Class. I thought it was a downgrade and wondered why. He was gushing about how silent and calm it was, even better than a Rolls. Comfort level was way better than the S-class so he stopped riding in a Mercedes ever since. This was at a time when a Japanese car costing as much as a S-class was unheard of. Plenty of people asked why, including me… but nobody would dare laugh at a Billionaire.

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By: KL

KL — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 10:03:55 +0000

Actually, Toyota CAN be as good as a Lexus… I mean, Lexus is the proof but you get what you pay for. Toyota knows that their main target group will not pay for a luxury range model, EVEN in Japan. Creating Lexus for the luxury market was a great idea, and they are richly rewarded for it by being the number 1 selling brand in the USA.

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By: Alpha

Alpha — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 07:00:30 +0000

You should know that Toyota is Toyota and Lexus is Lexus.They will never make the two brands the same.Getting a Toyota will never be the same as getting a Lexus.True, Lexus is the “true” potential of what Toyota could achieve,but they will never ever make a Toyota as good as a Lexus.

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By: Alpha

Alpha — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 06:56:38 +0000

Well,in Malaysia obviously those people won’t know about Infiniti or Acura. Infiniti is really new here and there’s no Acura available here too.

I always wondered why people buy cars thinking about others perceptions.When you buy a car,you buy it for yourself. Driving a 450k car and people think we’re driving a Korean does not defeats the purpose.The driving experience and specs are the reason to buy cars.

Infiniti is a good brand,although I admit,it does not give out luxury feels like Merc,BMW,Audi or Lexus,but have you driven the Infiniti M?I’ve test driven the car.What it lacks in luxury features,it compensate with a really sporty drive.Sportier than the other competitors in my own personal opinion.

If I’m driving a great car and people don’t know what car is it,then it’s not my problem.That’s their own stupidity.

The way you’re thinking is obsolete. Malaysians are too concerned about “what people will think” and that’s the reason why there’s so many fake handbags and all.Because they think wearing a fake LV handbags will make them looks better than wearing an original Bonia handbags.

If you want Malaysian to know what brand is the car you’re driving and you want it to be non-Korean,you know what you should get? A Proton. There’s a lot of street folks (and even educated females as quoted by you) won’t know that the latest Toyota 86 is a Toyota anyway. So,you can’t go wrong with a Proton.

Cheers.

Like or Dislike: 8 1

By: Ken

Ken — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 06:41:14 +0000

Lexus LS… The true potential that Toyota could achieve. Therefore, we should not judge Toyota based on their lower end models like Vios, Corolla Altis and so on. I know many typical people who doesn’t know about cars judge Toyota through that way.

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By: me

me — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 06:12:50 +0000

Oh. Thanks for explanation. Didn’t know that they didn’t have S class/7 series contender.

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By: Josh Ling

Josh Ling — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 04:19:50 +0000

i can see the posibility and feasibility of the second point, but the first point? ehm……not so sure, as that particular group of people normally wants big limos, instead of big crossover. and it’s not like Lexus doesn’t have a big SUV for that purpose oledi. it’s not a crossover, but still it’s something other than big limo. so the super rich actually has a choice, or they can simply buy both.

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By: eVaz

eVaz — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 02:11:46 +0000

Nth much new.. only 3000 NEW item compare to previous model if u didnt read the article.

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By: renyeo

renyeo — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 23:57:10 +0000

There are a couple (maybe more) versions of Lexus’ story regarding the future of the LS.

Number one, it was reported that Lexus is mulling over a major departure in styling form, ditching traditional sedan format for a crossover design. Reason? Sales of full-sized sedans are declining y-o-y in Europe and America.

Number two, there are reports citing poor economic conditions for the reason Lexus delayed development of an all-new LS.

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By: renyeo

renyeo — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 23:56:53 +0000

There are a couple (maybe more) versions of Lexus’ story regarding the future of the LS.

Two, there are reports citing poor economic conditions for the reason Lexus delayed development of an all-new LS.

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By: SOD

SOD — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 17:03:11 +0000

this is supposed to be a 7 and s class rival, it needs a big engine. it makes me sad inside every time i see a big car with a puny heart. Cars like these need a v8, v6 atleast (not even s class or bmw has a 4 cylinder on their big cars) any smaller then it wont be luxurious anymore, not just because of lack of cruisibility but also it will sound like clatter box, audi and bentley has been using cylinder deactivation in their new cars ( from v8 -> v4) and they have to use sound wave cancellation every time the engine goes into v4 mode. Plus due to the volume of them, your everday proton, toyota, honda probably contribute alot more to the pollution.

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By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 16:42:25 +0000

Have you experienced the situation when the 1st thing your friend, after looking at your new car, asked you is the cc of your car.
One day I wish all of us reach the status when we just want to use our most luxurious cars with the largest cc to attend our important friends’ dinners in theirs houses. In normal days, maybe we will just settle with C200.

Like or Dislike: 4 1

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 16:31:35 +0000

Infiniti and Acura: 99% street folks, and even educated females, have never heard about these brands.
If we really want Japanese luxury brand, then Lexus is the wise choice. Fit and finishes as well as cabin quietness are definitely better than the other two.
Imagine we drive a RM450k Infiniti and other people think that we are driving a ?Korean vehicle, does it defeat the purpose of spending this RM450k? Most people will ask you why you chosed Infiniti (and they laugh at your stupidity). BTW Infinity does have telescopic steering ya?

Like or Dislike: 7 6

By: Alpha

Alpha — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 15:32:28 +0000

It prevents dust buildups in the engine,so lesser maintenance is required. And it look cool and tidy too.

But I think it’s quite common for luxury cars to have the whole engine bay covered in plastic covers,though. But mostly are for mid-end range.

For example,the Merc W211 E200K (1.8L supercharged) does not have full plastic covers,but the W211 E280 (3.0L V6) does have its engine covered in full plastic covers.

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By: Alpha

Alpha — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 15:29:27 +0000

But they no longer have any S-Class/7-Series contender. As the article stated “Lexus is the only Japanese luxury brand with a car to compete in the S-Class and 7-Series segment”.

The flagship sedan for Acura,which is the Acura RL (JDM Honda Legend) and for Infinity,which is the Infiniti M (JDM Nissan Fuga) are both a competitor to the mid-size luxury sedan such as the E-Class and 5-Series.

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By: Jolly_idiot

Jolly_idiot — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 15:28:32 +0000

So big engine buat pa? Everybody is downsizing by making smaller and more efficient engine to reduce emission.

Toyota lexus still showing off their super big engine. I don’t think luxury will have to tie with big engine.

Still prefer german ride over jappy as it’s more refine and technologically more advance than jappy.

The most important is Euro now is weaker against Yen. So this is the time to own a german rather than jappy.

We can always buy jappy when Euro gets stronger.

Like or Dislike: 6 11

By: Expatriate VN

Expatriate VN — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 14:41:30 +0000

The front grill look sporty, should make it more elegant so as show high level of “luxury”!

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By: Pro-San

Pro-San — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 14:40:09 +0000

burp.. anything new?

Like or Dislike: 1 9

By: ben

ben — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 14:35:32 +0000

“And when you think Lexus, the majestic LS comes to mind.”

Actually the first thing that would come to my mind when I think of Lexus is the LFA supercar :D

On a side note, is there a particular reason why Lexus is the only car company that i know of who literally cover up the whole engine bay with plastic covers? Does that benefit the car in anyway or do Lexus just want to make it look tidy?

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By: me

me — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 14:24:59 +0000

Well, Infiniti and Acura also considered as luxury Japanese marque..

Like or Dislike: 2 1

By: Sam Loo

Sam Loo — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 14:09:03 +0000

Best car in the world. Much better than junk korean cars with no RV.

Like or Dislike: 13 8