I realised that my 'test drive' experience titles don't really reflect what I actually write about the cars tested - I merely offer the perspective of a passenger, so now I'll state in my titles that I'm actually just recounting the experience of sitting in the car, and not actually driving it. The LS460L is more of a chauffeur's car than it is a driver's car, so I feel I should really contribute on what I felt.

Well, the LS460L launch was held last Wednesday but we weren't invited. Nevertheless, a full spread advertisement was in the papers today making the LS460L available for test drive. Naturally (and instinctively), my dad and I jumped for the chance.

Getting into the showroom, we were treated to drinks while we waited for our sales assistant to arrive. She was a little late, but meanwhile we had a look at the car.

I sat in the Ottoman seats at the back first, and Oh My God, this seat is the most comfortable I've ever sat on in any car. Actually, come think, it's better than any seating surface I've ever laid my butt on. It's soft, supple and cosetting. Sure, there isn't much support for the body, but the seats feel as if you're preparing to sleep on your nice warm bed that you've been accustomed to for years. I played around with the gadgets at the back, and I managed to recline the seat to such a position that I really felt as if this was a discounted Maybach experience. Only niggle was that my legs was too long - so long that it got stuck underneath the front seats while I reclined.

We checked out the engine too, and this was possibly one of the cleanest engine bays in the market in any car. It was all covered up so all you really see is the Lexus badge as well as eight brick-like cylinders lined up. Sweet.

The paintwork wasn't the best in the world; we could still see bumps from some angles, but it was acceptable. I still think the one on the Phaeton is better.

The boot was of a decent size although it could have been much bigger.

Nevetheless, I knew this was going to be a good car. The sales assistant finally arrived (uncannily late for a Lexus assistant) and she led us to a exclusive, quiet area where we could view the car more intimately. She unlocked the car keylessly (old technology in this day and age ) and invited us to sit inside. She offered to test drive half of the journey so we can explore the back seats more closely, and we agreed.

My dad drove first. The engine starts and as expected, you didn't know it did. The gauges lights up in brilliant white, as the Lexus logo welcomes the owner to the car at the instrument panel. Ambient lighting is noticeable but it isn't presented as 'artistically' or as stylish as in the German cars - it was just haphazardly placed lighting that really felt they were just tacky add-ons. With some instruction on the electronic parking brake, we were off.

First thing you notice when the car is on the move is how quiet it is. I can't say that it is as quiet as the LS430 of before, but it's definitely at the standards of its competitors.

With some curiosity I opened the centre console for the back seat and it revealed two controllers. One was for the massage function (they have a whole litany of different massage settings: vibration? Shiatsu? Shoulder? Back? Intensity?) and the other is the controller for the DVD system. This is by far, the most impressive technology I've ever seen in a car. I turned on the DVD and immediately I experienced the Mark Levinson sound system. It was just like sitting in a home theatre. It felt as if the sound was within you; as if you really stood in the scene of the movie; you couldn't pinpoint whether the sound was coming from the speakers. But you could see the speakers at least - a few at the doors, a few behind you and one right on top of you. And the screen was crystal-clear sharp - it slides out of the alcantara roof. To tell the truth, I really don't mind staying up all night just to watch DVDs in the LS460L. It's a sensation. In fact, it was so good that the sales assistant had to lower the volume a little using the touch screen in front in order to speak to us. Oops.

The massage features were good and more pronounced than in the Phaeton; in the Phaeton, the massages felt weak but in the LS460L it was really like sitting in those massage chairs you could buy. And the car was so comfortable I had a totally redefined feeling of 'being on air' - it was better than the S-Class (W221) that we test drove, or even the Flying Spur for that matter. It was pure bliss.

While I was busy playing with the gadgets at the back, my dad went on to test drive the car. The engine sounded like a V8 (because it was; but in a Lexus you might expect otherwise) and I was quite surprised that it sounded so good. To top it off, the car was quick. Real quick. I was pushed against the seat when my dad floored it. 500Nm of torque was no joke. The transmission was also quick to respond and allowed the engine to rev when it needed to. Still, I find 8 speeds a little excessive.

Then, halfway of our test drive, my dad and the sales assistant switched places. Now, she drove us around while we could play with the gadgets. They clearly wanted to emphasise how this car was really meant for the towkays (tycoons in Singaporean lingo) to sit at the back and for the chauffeur to sit in front. Apparently, the front seats are void of any special functions other than that it is electronically adjustable - hell, from the back seat, you can change your radio stations and have a video conference without ever having to bother Alfred the driver.

Back at the showroom, I was really sold on this car. It has all the makings of a luxury car - stitched fine leather, a powerful 4.6L V8, smooth 8-speed transmission, comfortable ride - there's just so much to list. This car trumps almost every car I can think of at its price - for a DVD system and a sound system as good as this in a German car, you have to pay so much more. And in the Flying Spur, bench seats were standard and 4-seater were options - in my own books the LS460L felt more luxurious than even the FS. My dad said that if he were to change the Phaeton, the LS460L would be his choice.

That said, this Lexus is not a driver's car. It'll be such a waste if you drive it because the back seats are the best in the world, period.

OT:

I saw the E92 Coupe, some pictures:





I also saw the S80. I wasn't really impressed with it. The seats pale in comparison to the LS460L's - now, I thought Volvos had the best in the market.

I hope you guys like this review - I certainly had a lot of fun test driving the LS460L. Oops - I mean, riding in it.

Great review!!! karma for you!

i have only heard good things about this car its defiently a car that i would consider better or on par with the germans. Very good review you sure do have the privalige of testing some very nice cars.

Thanks ree.

Indeed, this Lexus has set the new bars of Luxury.

The privilege comes from the shameless guts to go out there and test drive anything you want.

It's no suprise i love this car, in fact i've stated on many occasions my love for Lexus in general. I'm glad you gave it such a great review

Karma for the write up and for being honest!

Great write up. I'm sure the LS460 is a quiet car. A couple of years ago I sat in the backseat of a 1994 LS and boy was that car quiet. When the car wasn't moving you could even think the engine wasn't turned on at all. Another car which is dead quiet at ideal is myfirends 05 Golf 1.6, very suprising for such a cheap car.
Lexus LS 460 will be at an autoshow which will be taking place here in gothenburg between the 10-12th November and I have also been told tht Lexus will be offering test drives at the show. Hopefully I will be able to get a ride or the LS 460.

Thank you 7.3 AMG... I'm flattered. You have got to try this car, it's really such an experience...

Well here's some additional info: for 'climatic' reasons (I still don't really get it), the air suspension was not allowed to be fitted into Singapore-bound LS460Ls. That meant we were riding on spring multi-link suspensions - which was very good actually. Sometimes I wonder why people made the switch to air suspension in the first place - they're a headache to maintain and service and will cost a bomb to replace.

Next is the absence of satnav... A disappointment, but it was somewhat negated with the fact that there is no options list for the LS460L. Everything's included in.

Thank you Luw.

Nowadays many cars can be this quiet. Even my sis's Jazz feels dead silent on idle, and when on the move it isn't that bad either.

I feel that the LS460L has allowed a little more engine noise into the interior, more so than the LS430. I sat in the LS430 for a test drive before, and that was the ultimate silence king IMO. You literally couldn't hear anything, except for the airconditioning.

I'll be expecting your comments on the car... I can't help but feel you'd be pretty blown away.

Thank you for the review, it sounds like a pure luxury car through and through.

M