Lexus North America has just announced it has made a series of enhancements to its flagship LS 460 model for 2012, with both the standard LS 460 and long-wheelbase LS 460 L remaining, and once again offered with the option of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations.
Changes aren’t very many and are pretty insignificant, like the introduction of Nebula Gray Pearl instead of Smoky Granite Mica.
According to the manufacturer, the Lexus LS 460 models comes fitted with a 4.6-liter V8 engine teamed with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The total output is 380 horsepower and 367 lb.-ft. of peak torque (in rear-wheel-drive configuration) and 357 horsepower and 344 lb.-ft. of torque (with AWD). With this power, the big sedan accelerate from 0-60 mph in a brisk 5.4 seconds, but you can also opt for the all-wheel drive model and you’ll take 5.9 seconds for the same sprint.
Fuel economy comes in at an EPA-rated 16/24 mpg city/highway rating, 16 city/23 highway for the all-wheel drive.
At exterior the LS 460 flagship models showcase the brand’s L-finesse design philosophy, revealing a family resemblance that conveys elegance, refinement and a strong emotional appeal. Minimal body gaps, a low front grille and deep-drawn fenders all contribute to the car’s distinctive, muscular profile. Lexus’ attention to detail is seen in the integrated dual chrome exhaust tips and the one-piece chrome window surround.
As for the interior design, the thin film transistor multi-informational display and Optitron instrument cluster set the tone for blending functional high-tech with pleasing aesthetics. Tasteful wood and chrome trim as well as refinements to the interior lighting create a rich feeling, including LED ambient interior lighting with spot-lamp illumination in front and rear. Even the angles on the center console were optimized to enhance comfort for the driver and front passenger.
In 2012 Lexus offers several LS 460 option packages and luxury options.
The Comfort Package includes a power trunk closer, Intuitive Park Assist, heated rear seats and heated and cooled front seats. A heated steering wheel is also included in the Comfort Package for LS 460 RWD. The Comfort Plus Package includes those features plus semi-aniline leather, power rear seats with lumbar massage and power butterfly headrests, and rear seat-mounted side airbags.
The optional Luxury Package on the LS 460 L includes semi-aniline leather trimmed interior, an Alcantara headliner, and rear door power sunshades.
A Rear Seat Upgrade package for the LS 460 L models includes Luxury Package features and rear lumbar massage; rear power butterfly headrests; power rear seats with memory; rear seat-mounted side airbags; dual-zone rear air conditioning with air purifier and additional rear air ducts; additional wood trim; rear cool box; and rear audio controls.
The Executive Class Seating Package for the LS 460 L likewise includes power butterfly rear headrests; lumbar massage for the rear driver’s side seat; four-zone independent front and rear air conditioning with Lexus’ Air Purification system and ceiling climate diffusers; rear-door power sunshades with a fixed rear console and foldout table; and a passenger’s side rear seat recliner with ottoman leg rest.
The exterior styling found on the optional Sport Package is also available alone as the Appearance Package. Common to both packages are the unique front grille and Aero kit, which features a front lower spoiler, side rocker panels, and rear lower spoiler. RWD models with the Appearance Package also ride on 19-inch five-spoke wheels.
No details about pricing were released, but considering that the current model’s price range between $67,130 – $72,675, the new model will probably exceed the $75-80,000 limit.
Source: Lexus
