Lexus LS, New Luxury Car
The Lexus LS is extremely quiet and extraordinarily smooth. The LS 460 is easy to drive and operate and is less fussy than the German luxury cars. It delivers excellent performance but tilts more to the luxury side of the equation.
The 4.6-liter V8 can propel the LS 460 from 0-60 mph in a mere 5.4 seconds, according to Lexus, yet it gets an EPA-rated 24 mpg Highway. The eight-speed automatic is super smooth and plays a big role in the fuel-economy story. The electrically powered steering system adjusts according to speed. The ride quality and handling are exemplary. It doesn't get any smoother than the Lexus LS and it meets every expectation for refinement and luxury.
The Lexus LS 600h L employs a hybrid powertrain using a 5.0-liter V8 and electric motors rated at 438 total system horsepower. The LS 600h L delivers EPA fuel economy ratings of 20/22 mpg City/Highway. The LS 600h L is certified as a Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV). The LS 600h L comes with all-wheel drive and rides on the long wheelbase.
For 2009, all-wheel drive is available on the LS 460 and LS 460 L for enhanced traction and stability. The all-wheel-drive system features a Torsen limited-slip center differential to distribute torque between the front and rear tires. Normally, the front-to-rear torque split is set at 40:60 but it can vary between 30:70 and 50:50 depending on driving conditions.
The LS is packed with luxury and bristles with technology. The Lexus LS 460 was the first car in the world with a computer-controlled eight-speed automatic transmission. The LS 460 L is a long-wheelbase version that offers reclining heated bucket seats, a cool box, dual-zone rear HVAC controls, a folding table, an ottoman, a shiatsu massager and, of course, DVD with wireless headphones. The list goes on.
The 2009 Lexus LS lineup is largely unchanged from the previous year. The LS 460 was launched for the 2007 model year and the LS 600h joined the line for 2008.
Lexus surpasses other luxury brands in terms of quality, durability, reliability, and desirability among American buyers, an astounding performance. The flagship sedan that started out as the LS 400 and then grew up as the LS 430 is now the Lexus LS 460. The Lexus LS challenges all comers as the best luxury sedan in the world. It competes with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class, BMW 5 Series and 7 Series, and a few others.
Hyunday Equus for U.S Sale
With the world economy struggling to regain stability, carmakers from GM to Aston Martin are racing to downsize their product lineups. But Hyundai, traditional purveyor of small cars, has been bucking the trend with a steady cadence of ever larger and pricier offerings such as its ambitious rear-wheel-drive Genesis sedan and coupe. And now the company is thinking even bigger, as it nears a final decision on whether or not to offer its extravagant full-size Equus luxury car in America.
According to reports, Hyundai has already made up its mind and given a green light to the importation of the Equus, although Hyundai spokesman Jim Trainor wouldn’t confirm the reports, stating that the company is “still evaluating whether to bring the Equus here.” Only a year into its second generation, the Korean-market Equus (pronounced “eh-kwus,” which means “horse” in Latin), is a full-size luxury car based on the Genesis sedan platform but with roughly the same footprint as the Lexus LS460, a car which it closely resembles. Festooned with lots of gaudy details that play well with affluent Asian customers, the car’s brightwork would probably have to be toned down a bit for U.S. buyers, and the odd name is likely to change, too.
The Equus was shown in 4.6-liter V-8 form at the Chicago and New York auto shows earlier this year—a V-6 is also offered in Korea—and garnered a “surprisingly good response,” according to Trainor. A herd of 100 Equuses is currently dispersed across the country, visiting U.S. Hyundai dealers through the end of this summer as the next step in determining the feasibility of U.S. sales. Only the V-8–powered version of the Equus would be brought here, according to the reports, and in relatively low volumes (i.e. about 5000 per year).
As nice as the new Equus may be, Hyundai should be cautious about reaching too high too quickly, especially in an economy when even luxury stalwarts are rethinking their pricing structures. Hyundai should also examine the fate of the most recent super-luxe hyperextension of a mainstream brand, the Volkswagen Phaeton. Despite its opulence and overall goodness, the Phaeton ended up a bust on the U.S. market—and that was during an economic boom.
That said, being a scaled-up version of the Genesis architecture rather than a toned-down relative of the Audi A8/Bentley Continental, the Equus isn’t quite as high-tech and over-the-top as the 5000-pound, all-wheel-drive Phaeton. Nor would we expect Hyundai to try to charge as much for the Equus as did VW for the Phaeton, which topped $100,000 in W-12 form at the end of its run. An unnamed Hyundai source in an Automotive News report pegged the Equus base price at under $60K, although versions of the car sell for $80K or so in South Korea. If ultimately approved for U.S. sale, the Equus could appear at your local dealer as soon as July 2010.
Mazda MX-5 New Brother
As the iconic MX-5 celebrates its 20th birthday, rumours are circulating that Mazda is planning to add another roadster to its line-up.
The entry-level MX-2 roadster is believed to be in the pipeline and could be on sale by 2013.
As our spy illustration shows, the MX-2's design mimics that of recently released models, such as the Mazda3, that have been based on the Nagare "Flow" series of concept vehicles.
It incorporates the maker's trademark wide-mouthed grille and also features the extended headlights that appear on other Mazdas.
The engine line-up is purely speculation at this point, although under the bonnet is expected to be a smaller powerplant than the 118kW 2.0-litre engine in the MX-5.
The MX-2 is expected to give the maker a cheaper price point in the roadster market. The facelifted MX-5 arrived last year, meaning the all-new, fourth-generation version will be due about 2012.
