Manufacturers have always vied to produce
faster cars than their rivals, but in recent
years the battle for the title of world’s
most luxurious car maker has also hotted up.
Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Maybach now face
challenges from competitors such as
Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jaguar and Audi.
But
while they fight it out, creeping up on the
rails is Lexus. As the luxury arm of hugely
successful Toyota, Lexus certainly had the
resources to invest in what was a flagship
model, the LS 430.
The
car, now replaced by the LS 460, might not
be as immediately recognisable as some of
its more established, better-known rivals,
but as a luxury second-hand vehicle it is
hard to beat.
Launched in November 2003, the
third-generation Lexus LS could be described
as a face lifted version of the mark II that
was launched three years earlier.
But
the addition of a sixth ratio to the
gearbox, tweaks to the styling and a host of
extra kit make it distinct enough from its
predecessor to be considered, if not new,
then at least “newish”.
True
to its brand values, Lexus ensured that the
new model still boasted the eerie hush in
the cabin that the LS had built its
reputation on. Only when you push the car
hard can you really make out an exhaust
note, and even then its V8 engine is hardly
intrusive.
Despite the quiet, the 4.3 litre V8 produces
a healthy 280bhp and its 0-60mph time of
just 6.3sec is quick enough to see it outrun
cars such as an Audi TT.
But
racing away from the lights will probably be
your last thought when sitting inside a
Lexus LS 430, which is as close as you can
get to driving a sitting room on wheels.
Whether you are in the back or the front you
will find electric seat adjustment, and
front-seat passengers can even enjoy a
mobile massage thanks to the electric
vibrating seats that are also thoughtfully
cooled with internal air-conditioning —
handy if the rub-down gets you all hot and
bothered.
Seat
comfort is complemented by soft air
suspension and a slick auto box. Both of
these feature a “sport” setting to sharpen
up the action. In reality, though, few
owners will feel inclined to shatter the
car’s otherwise relaxed mood by engaging the
sportier options.
Arriving in unflustered comfort is a given
in the LS and arriving on time should not be
a problem either, because unlike some of its
main competitors the Lexus includes
satellite navigation as standard.
As
many buyers will now know, not all sat nav
systems are equal. Many of the current
portable systems shame the factory-fitted
units of just a few years ago, but the LS
430 system is still among the best on the
market. The touch screen controls are easy to
use and the large, well-lit display
demystifies even the most complex of
upcoming road junctions.
So
the third-generation Lexus LS is quick,
quiet and well specified, which begs the
question of why BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and
Jaguar all manage to steal its sales.
The
fact is that, unlike these rivals, the Lexus
fails to offer a unique selling point. If
badge prestige is your main priority then
the Mercedes-Benz S-class is the obvious
choice. In terms of outright driving
dynamics most buyers would probably plump
for the BMW 7-series or the Audi A8, and if
you are looking for something with character
and grace then the Jaguar XJ will catch the
eye.
All
of which means the Lexus LS 430 is a car
bought by people who like cars but do not
love them. To such people a car is like a
good tailor or an honest accountant; they
are looking for loyalty rather than passion.
And that is no bad thing. After all, they
would argue, owning a car is a business
relationship, not a love affair.
