Lexus LF Reviews

Yes, it's disappointing that Lexus did not opt for a larger engine when it consolidated the IS200 and IS300 into one model.And yes, if you look closely, some parts are branded Toyota (everyone knows it's really a Toyota under the skin).But having said that, it still stands as one damn fine piece of machinery that can hold its high in more fancied company.The IS250 has by default become Lexus's entry level model with the demise of the rather ugly, bloated and front-wheel drive ES300.Prices for the car start from just under $54,000 rising to $78,500 for the whole box and dice before on-road costs.More than anything else the IS250 marks a turning point for Lexus with its distinctive coupe-like styling and a strategic move away from straight six power plants.It has evolved into a car in its own right, rather than some BMW copycat, compact in dimensions but certainly no 3-Series clone.The 2.5-litre Quad Cam V6 develops 153kW of power at 6400rpm and 252Nm of torque at 4800rpm, with variable intake and exhaust valve timing, replacing the previous 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre straight sixes.This compares with the IS300's 157kW of power at 5800rpm and 288Nm of torque at 3800rpm.You can see the difference lies mainly in the torque figure and the way both power and torque are developed higher in the rev range.It gives the car less low down grunt but this is partly compensated for by a switch to a six- speed tranny, with its wider spread of ratios.The smaller IS200 meanwhile developed a lack lustre 114kW of power at 6200rpm and 195Nm of torque at 4600rpm.So, why didn't Lexus opt for a larger, more powerful engine?Well, it argues that the new car delivers significantly better fuel economy while providing higher levels of performance, safety and comfort as well as lower levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).The alloy 2.5-litre V6 is 33kg lighter and shorter than the superseded 3.0-litre six, so it can located further back in the car for better weight distribution.It is matched to either a six-speed manual or six-speed sequential automatic that allows the driver to change gears like a manual.Our test vehicle was the Sports model with optional six-speed auto. Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension, adaptive xenon front lights, sunroof and sports pedals.Fuel economy for the auto, an important consideration in these times of rising fuel prices, is rated at 9.1 litres per 100km, better even than the manual at 9.8.In fact, the new model achieves eight per cent better fuel economy than the previous 2.0-litre car and 14.2 per cent better economy than the 3.0-litre six.Premium unleaded is recommended and we got 8.2 litres per 100km from the 65 litre tank.IS250 is available in three different grades: IS250, IS250 Sports and IS250 Sports Luxury.It's jam packed with technology but fortunately it doesn't get in the way of the drive experience.The car is 175mm longer, 75mm wider and 5mm higher than the previous model.Drive is to the rear wheels with double- wishbone front suspension, multi-link suspension replacing rear wishbones and electric power-assisted rack and pinion steering.It has a longer wheelbase and wider track than the previous model and the Sport rides 13mm lower, with different front and rear tyre sizes _ 225/40 front and 255/40 back.Some motor noters have found the stability/ traction control system intrusive, but we like the way it kicks in progressively, allowing the driver to keep feeding in the power, even in fastest, wettest sweeping bends.The auto also includes steering wheel- mounted gear change paddles, but they are not fixed to the steering column and not to our liking.The white on black instrumentation is sharp and easy to read, but lacks a digital speed readout.Eight airbags are standard, including driver and front passenger's knee airbags.Active safety features include Vehicle Swerve Control (VSC), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Lexus Brake Assist (BA), with adaptive front headlights on Sports and Sports Luxury models.We're a big fan of Lexus sound systems in general and the IS250's does not disappoint, with a 13-speaker premium system standard.

The Lexus IS250 is a case in point. Lexus strives for its own vision of perfection: benchmark noise, vibration and harshness levels, quality of the highest order, technology at the cutting edge. These are targets the company is becoming increasingly adept at achieving. Yet for all that, Lexus cars are rarely involving.Often their brilliance is in the manner of a sublime personal aid, making certain all runs smoothly while keeping the recipient composed and unruffled ... and a step removed.Not so the IS250. From first glance the little Lexus looks the goods. There are business-like lines aplenty in the compact styling, yet overall the impression is of balance.It is this impression that flows through to the behaviour of the car. The previous model's well-loved straight six makes way for a lightweight 60-degree V6, which, it is claimed, both lowers and balances the car's centre of gravity. The 2.5-litre double VVT-i (variable timing on both inlet and outlet) engine produces a handy 153kW at a free-spinning 6400rpm with a very usable 252Nm of torque. Much of the car's appeal and character is the fact that drive is to the rear wheels. In the Sports Luxury test car that drive is through a six-speed Aisin-supplied automatic with a set of shift paddles sitting behind the sports wheel.In full automatic the car tends to be a little on the dozy side, with the engine mapping getting to the top gear as quickly as possible and staying there with grim determination.Use the manual shift option whenever you can — it has a huge fun factor and is really the only way to make optimum use of the car's mid-range torque. This is a car that must be stirred, not shaken. When it is, the IS250 has both poise and punch in abundance. The use of speed-sensitive electronic steering assistance keeps the feel nicely weighted with feedback an improvement over the usual lightweight Lexus offering. It is not benchmark, and feedback can be a little on the reserved side, but it is sharp and a huge improvement over the previous offering.The suspension architecture — double wishbone front and multi-link rear — is not unique, nor even particularly unusual.It is, however, well sorted and produces a nice balance between ride comfort and sporty capability. Body movement is well damped and isolation from the shortcomings of Sydney's roads is at the better end of the scale - even when the IS250 is pushed.The foot-operated park brake, used on the automatic models, is not a personal favourite. Throughout the cabin, quality and luxury is underscored at every turn. The upgraded leather in the Sport Luxury is superb, while the 14-speaker Mark Levinson sound system is one of the best in the market.For front-seat passengers the feeling is one of being encompassed, for those in the rear it may be a little less enthralling.In true Lexus style the IS250 comes with eight airbags — including a knee bag — as well as stability and traction controls.The keyless entry and push-button start are a nice luxury touch as are the heated and cooled seats, climate-control airconditioning and Lexus Encore post-sales privileges program.So does the full experience of the IS250 fulfill that initial promise of magic? Sadly, no. But there are moments — enough of them to have the European big boys in a sweat.

But we've got to say the GS450h is a revelation in terms of performance and economy, a promise of what technology can and does deliver.The really exciting part however is that this technology is likely to find its way into the good old family Camry within the next couple of years.Now that is exciting!We missed the launch of the GS450h at Bathurst a few weeks back and we regret doing so after a week behind the wood in-laid wheel.You see Lexus has opted for an entirely different approach to the hybrid question, with the emphasis firmly on power rather than economy.That's not to say this hybrid is not a light sipper, it still consumes fuel at the claimed rate of 7.9L/100km - but that's really not the point.The point is, Lexus has shown, that it is now possible to have your proverbial cake and eat it too.Here's a car that goes hard but still manages to deliver four cylinder-like economy.In fact, if this is what hybrid technology has to offer, it could well become the new millennium's answer to turbocharging - because let's face it, the V8 has had its day.Having said that, the GS450h is not cheap, not at more than $120,000, but you do get a lot of motor car for your money.The heart of the matter is not some piddling four cylinder engine but rather a family-sized 3.5-litre V6 which itself puts out 218kW but has beefed up with the addition of a powerful 147kW electric motor.The electric motor alone kicks out as much power as some family cars.The combined result is a sports sedan that delivers a modulated 254kW of total power, with much of the torque available instantly as there is no spin up time necessary.Like its cousin Toyota Prius, the Lexus has a large visual display showing the ebb and flow of energy through the hybrid petrol-electric system.The normal tacho has been replaced by a power meter the left of the speedo that is calibrated in kilowatts.The ignition key is a wireless one with a button to power up the system.Standard features include 10 airbags, stab- ility control, pre-collision system, radar controlled cruise, rear view camera, DVD player and a 14-speaker Mark Levinson audio system.We like the GS styling, low and sleek with a swept back look that takes for the form of a four-door coupe.It looks classy and the multi-layered five- spoke design of the 18in alloy wheels is particularly effective.Inside the hybrid is as quiet if not quieter than other models in the Lexus range.The CVT auto is designed to optimise power and economy, with just the one continuously variable forward gear.But for more enthusiastic drivers a set of six cogs is provided for manual changes and the suspension can be switched to a firmer sport setting.There's even a power setting for the hybrid system that unfortunately we did not discover until too late in the piece.How embarrassing?There we were thinking it went all right anyway.Even pushed hard the Lexus still managed to post 9.6L/100km which is just outstanding.If you are looking for a reason to buy Japanese instead of the German premium brands, the GS450h is drives a pretty good argument. 

Which is why Toyota is turning to a menu of full-flavour Lexus hybrids, starting with the GS450h.

But their bewilderment is as nothing compared to yours.Not only has this very neat accelerative feat been achieved in a Lexus — a marque certain of us equate with wobble-bottomed, luxo lameness — it has been done with scarcely an aural indication to match what your eyes are seeing but choosing not to believe.Welcome to the GS450h — the world's first mass-production, rear-wheel-drive, luxury hybrid car.Welcome, also, Lexus informed those of us gathered in Bathurst on Wednesday, to the future of motoring. Just for once, the PR blah is more than hubris.As we have seen, the GS450h's unique powertrain can certainly move you. But it's the way in which it achieves forward motion that leads you to concur that this car launch may well come to be seen as one of the decade's most significant.The hybrid variant of the GS range packs an all-new, dual-VVT-i direct injection 3.5 V6 that's good for 216kW, aided and abetted by a 147kW-capablepermanent-magnet electric motor. The total power output is "limited" to 253kW.The dual-injected petrol engine, a lovely piece of work in itself, delivers 368Nm at 4800 rpm, but the electric unit's 275Nm is available from absolute zero.Turbo diesel-like lag? Not here.Driven through an unfeasibly smooth Electric Continuously Variable Transmission, this dual-engine combo offers 4.5-litre performance with a posited 2.5-litre equivalent combined fuel consumption of 7.9 litres per 100km.This means the "h" variant has 30 per cent greater range than the eight-cylinder GS430, and about 14 per cent more than the six-pot GS300. It's a potent cocktail of performance and economy.Before hemp-lovers start petitioning the Greens cabal in the Legislative Assembly, the GS450h does all this while emitting an ultra-low level of environmental nasties, making for what Lexus calls "guilt-free performance".Having never experienced the least guilt over performance, I wasn't sure what that meant. But thrusting through the drought-depleted landscape of the NSW central west, even the least penetrable mind must acknowledge there's something in this ozone-layer-depletion stuff.It helps hugely that the GS450h means climbing into a hybrid no longer calls for surrendering your testes. Besides, anything as complex as this that works so seamlessly is surely worth a bit of attitude adjustment.The V6 is the primary source of power and torque, supplemented by two electric motors. One of the latter acts as the starting motor and supplies power to run ancillary functions — steering power assist, stereo, climate control et al.The second electric motor is there to layer additional power and torque over the petrol engine. And this it did superbly during our admittedly brief open-road experience.The GS450h weighs more than 1800kg, so the best will in the world won't imagine it as a sports saloon. But it's a grand tourer of the highest order.CVTs are apt to denude the driver (well, this driver) of feel for speed. Combined with an almost deathly quietness and acceleration that redefines seamless, it's all too easy to achieve licence-voiding quickness without much sensation of having done so.The six set ratios available in the CVT's sequential shift mode provide an engine-braking function that is of the essence, especially when turning this bulky sedan into tighter bends.The stop pedal has plenty of power but is far too short-travel and firm to feel anything other than abrupt in a package that is otherwise silky.There's more fun to be had than simple go-fast acceleration, though, with steering that has a decent amount of feel, and the car's overall weight distributed at 50/50 to extract the most from the rear-wheel-drive dynamics.Beyond its driveline innovation, the GS450h is bountifully equipped, as befitting the GS series. Gagdets include the Lexus Pre-Collision System, active cruise control, adaptive variable suspension and 10 airbags.The surfeit of tech is laid out for ease of use and legibility, points of difference being a power meter instead of a tachometer (there is, after all, more than one engine torquing away here), a read-out that indicates the power source being tapped, a rear-view camera and automatic reverse assist, and hands-free Bluetooth for the phone.The need to shove the battery aft, however, seriously infringes on boot space. A tight 250 litres has to suffice for the golf clubs.All this can be yours for $121,990, so don't expect to see many of them about, much less hear them. (Use of the horn is advised in car parks or at low speeds.)The point of the GS450h's advent, though, is that performance has been added to the hybrid equation.When that filters down to affordable cars, as it surely will, Lexus's claims of revolutionising the "automotive landscape" will come to pass. It will be a deceptively silent revolution.

AUDIThe much-anticipated second generation of the Audi TT Coupe made its public debut at this week's New York International Auto show. Audi Australia spokeswoman Anna Burgdorf says the new TT will be in showrooms here before the end of the year.The new TT features Audi's new magnetic ride-damper system, which uses metal particles suspended in the damper oil and electric current to provide variable damping. The car is also longer and wider than its predecessor while retaining the sleek lines pioneered in the original TT Coupe.DAIMLER CHRYSLERChrysler will unveil the stretched version of its popular 300C sedan. The extended wheelbase adds 150mm to the length while the rear seat environment has been enhanced with illuminated writing tables, more power outlets, footrests and custom-paint colours. Chrysler expects the 300C long wheelbase to attract interest from the limousine industry, as well as retail customers. Its arrival date in Australia is still uncertain.DaimlerChrysler has also showcased the new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, claimed by Jeep to be the most spacious ever offered. Also on the stand is the compact Jeep Patriot.The Dodge Caliber will bring the Dodge badge back to Australia and will provide a second passenger stream for Chrysler. It will arrive in Australia for sale mid year. Dodge plans to release a new vehicle in Australia approximately every six months for the next three years.MERCEDESThe mildly face-lifted E-Class with engine revamps will make its way to Australia in September or October. Other vehicles on display include the R-Class, which had its Sydney launch this week and G-Class, due in Australia in November.HONDAThe next generation of the Honda MDX large four-wheel-drive, sold as Acura in the US, is on show as a concept car. It is expected to be a pointer to the production model that will go on sale in the US later this year.Honda is not giving away much about the second-generation MDX model, which it says is designed, developed and will be built in North America. The current MDX started as a left-hand-drive-only model, but after sufficient lobbying, Honda agreed to build right-hand-drive models for Japan and Australia. Honda Australia says it doesn't know if the second-generation MDX will be made in right-hand-drive but hopes it will be.It is keen to keep the prestige MDX in its line-up because the big crossover wagon, which is about the same size as a Ford Territory, added 829 sales to its tally last year.SUZUKIThe Suzuki SX-4 – a joint Suzuki-Fiat enterprise – is set to be released to markets outside Europe in the coming months. Suzuki Australia will not officially commit the car to Australia but privately is understood to be anxious to add it to the marque's limited garage.The latest generation of the large XL-7 will not make it to Australia with a decision having been taken last year to phase the model out of local sales.FERRARILaunched at the Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari's 599 GTB has embarked on its world tour. Described as the company's most powerful V12 production car, the innovative and technologically advanced performance star is expected to make its first appearance in Australia at the Sydney motor show in October.MAZDAMazda has unveiled the CX-9, a seven-seat crossover sport-utility vehicle. Its arrival in Australia is still uncertain, with Mazda assessing the possibility of making the vehicle available in right-hand drive and getting it to market at a competitive price. Also on the stand – and confirmed for Australia – are the mid-sized crossover CX-7 and MazdaSpeed3 (badged as the Mazda3 MPS for Australia).LEXUSThe LS600h, which Lexus claims will be the world's first vehicle to feature a full hybrid V8 engine, has been unveiled in New York.This new version of its flagship will be available in Australia only in long wheelbase, and is due to be launched in the first half of 2007. Lexus claims the car will be economical for such a large body, averaging 14 litres/100km.PONTIACOne highlight of the New York showcars not destined for Australia is the G6 GXP concept car. It features Pontiac's distinctive nose also seen on the US-version of the now-defunct Holden Monaro. This concept car has 19-inch wheels and boasts a 200kW, 3.9-litre V6 engine.Which of these cars excites you?

Car makers are following in the footsteps of Mercedes-Benz and Lexus by putting folding metal hard-tops within the reach of more car buyers than ever before.It's a case of Viva la France in this instance, as Renault and Peugeot have folding metal hardtops starting well under the $50,000 mark, with the Pug 307CC Sport the only transgressor at $55,000.The rest of the Peugeot drop-top range – the two 206CC models and the 307CC Dynamic – will feature on the Peugeot display at Wayville, giving wind in the hair motoring with French fl air for a $32,990 starting price.The base 206CC is powered by a 1.6-litre engine – there's a two-litre model as well – and it's only got decent room for two people, although it offi cially seats four. The 206 is nearing the end of its model life so stay tuned for a drop-top 207.The 307CC offers a little more room for the rearseat occupants, although it uses similar drivetrains. Holden might be sourcing its light and small car entrants from Korea, but its fashionable two-seater drop-top is still from Europe. The two-seater is keenly priced and, while only available in manual, will get plenty of attention from new car buyers. Holden's present Astra has a soft-top but expect the next one to follow in the Tigra's tyre tracks, although it's no sure thing for Australia.Mitsubishi will be showing something close to its drop-top contender, the Colt coupe-cabriolet, which has started production in Italy.The folding metal hardtop is built from the Colt fi ve-door platform and rather than the three-door, the 2+2 convertible will join a revamped Mitsubishi light car range.But don't think the rag-top has gone the way of the dodo – anything but.The reigning Wheels Car of the Year is Mazda's new MX-5, which retained its manual folding soft-top for the sake of saving weight.BMW's 6-Series drop-top might cost more than $200,000 but that pricetag buys a soft-top, albeit one that is well-insulated. The company's Z4 has retained a rag-top, as has the BMWowned Mini range.Chrysler's Crossfire – a feature of the brand's stand at this year's show – also has a rag-top.Volvo's new open-topped star, the C70, has ditched the cloth roof for a solid top, while the Lexus SC430 has offered buyers of the brand the security of a metal roof with wind-in-hair enjoyment since its inception.Bentley and Lamborghini will be wellrepresented in the megabuck drop-top realm with cloth lids, as will the all-new Jaguar XK convertible.

One of the headline acts will be the French star of recent independent crash tests - the Citroen C6 - which has been acclaimed as the safest car yet tested by the New Car Assessment program.The C6, set to go on sale in Australia by the middle of the year, is the fi rst car to earn the maximum four stars from Euro NCAP for its pedestrian safety rating, as well as a maximum fi ve stars for occupant protection.It's also won an award as the world's most beautiful large sedan.The C6 is offering two V6 engines - a 2.7-litre 150kW turbo diesel or a three-litre 155kW petrol engine; both drive the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox.Alfa Romeo's 156 range brought the Italian brand back to the fore in Australia with fl air and passion. It's replacement, the 159, continues in that tradition. It will offer more modern drivetrains - and even a V6 with Australian roots - when it hits the market mid year.Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and the Alfa Romeo Styling Centre, the new car will come in both front and all-wheel drive versions, with the Q4 permanent four-wheel drive system using three diffs to split drive.The Alfa Romeo 159 is the first of a whole family of new Alfas due over the next two years, including the Brera.Lexus will be the fi rst car maker to offer a luxury hybrid model, with its GS petrol-electric hybrid offering plenty of performance with the thirst and emissions of a two-litre.The Toyota-owned luxury brand also has a hybrid version of the RX SUV but the company's stand in Adelaide will feature the RX350 - which sees the looks get a nip and tuck, with a new more-powerful and more fuel-effi cient engine beneath its sculpted snout.When Volkswagen went back to the factoryowned subsidiary, they announced high hopes of surpassing 20,000 units by now. They haven't got there yet but with more than 15,000 sales last year the German car maker is on the right track.The prestige segment will see the Passat return with a vengeance this year, with direct-injection two-litre petrol and turbo-diesel engines, or a V6 petrol engine, on offer in either sedan or wagon body style.The sales have had a boost from the new Golf and the newly-introduced (and keenly-priced) Jetta, giving the German car maker plenty of ammunition to work with.Peugeot will give Adelaide show-goers a look at its new 407 Coupe, a sleek, powerful and attractive 2+2 that will be offered in petrol and diesel models on sale in Australia as the show opens.The coupe will be offered with a three-litre 155kW/290Nm V6 petrol engine with either a sixspeed manual gearbox or new six-speed automatic transmission for $65,990 and $68,190 respectively.The sleek Pug will also be offered with a 2.7-litre V6 HDi twin-turbo diesel offering 150Kw and 440Nm with a six-speed automatic gearbox as standard. It will be priced at $72,500.Porsche chose to introduce the Australian motoring media to the Cayman S in the countryside surrounding Adelaide and its fi tting the German brand returns to the motor show this year with the same model.The Cayman S is more than a Boxster with a roof, sharing inlet systems and some other nice bits with the 911.The bulk of the DNA traces back to the midengined Boxster, which gives the two-seater Cayman the same basic powerplant - although slightly larger - plus the superb road manners and balance that has made the convertible a popular option among Porsche buyers.Chrysler has returned to the Australian market with plenty of enthusiasm and some interesting product, the latest and most powerful example of that statement being the 300C sedan.Soon to be followed by diesel and wagon variants, the V8 300C has serious visual impact and packs plenty of equipment to take on the big locally-built luxury sedans.The Chrysler has the added attraction of displacement on demand, which drops fourcylinders from use to save fuel when light throttle loads are required.

More than 25,000 admirers, tyre kickers and buyers packed the Convention Centre at South Bank on the second day of the show last Saturday, smashing all previous records.The 8000 increase on the previous single-day best crowd was helped by the official season launch of the V8 Supercar championship which featured all the stars and cars of the Holden versus Ford series in nearby Little Stanley St.While most come to dream there are those who use the opportunity to compare notes between rival brands at close range and under the one roof.With fuel prices remaining high, the cost of running a vehicle remains a key buying consideration among many buyers.For those wanting to stretch their dollar further at the pump there are fresh injections of turbo diesel variants in the passenger car line-up including Volkswagen's Polo oil burner for $22,990.Lexus provided the Queensland public with its first look at the GS450H saloon, a luxury petrol/electric hybrid which is scheduled to do business in local showrooms from May.BMW, which is showing off a new range of V8 engines in the 5, 6 and 7-series at the show, says it will have a hydrogen-powered 7-series on Australian roads in two years but there is a need for government intervention to possibly sort through filling station infrastructure.While the future is firmly set on alternative power sources, there remains an unwavering passion for hot blooded exotic sports machines.In performance alley at the show there is the stunning Pagani Zonda Roadster, priced at $1.3 million or the equivalent of four median-priced Brisbane homes.While Holden is flooring the fans with the hot rod Efigy, it also previewed its next four-wheel-drive wagon, the Capitva.VW took the covers off the new Passat sedan and wagon while Fiat had a range of Puntos which will signal the Italian maker's return to the passenger car ranks in Australia this year. The show continues until Sunday.

The Toyota off-shoot was established in the early '90s to sell luxury vehicles in the United States, hence the name: Luxury EXport to the US.The brand was so successful, they began exporting to other countries, including Australia, and last year it became a separate brand in Japan.Lexus carries with it the reliability of the Toyota brand and has become known for its low cabin noise, with Hyundai even using the GS model as its benchmark in that category in its new Grandeur sedan.Over the past couple of years, new styling has helped Lexus overcome its boring looks and confront the stylish German marques head-on with products such as the GS, which is a stylistic cross between the gorgeous Mercedes-Benz CLS and the Audi A6.Lexus sales for 2005 were 6005, almost 1000 up on the previous year, which puts it about 1000 ahead of Audi, but still a long way off BMW (15,910) and Mercedes-Benz (17,661).To truly tackle the Germans that dominate the luxury market with their sporty compact sedans, Lexus needed a quality competitor.The previous Lexus IS200 small sedan was too doughy at 114kW, beating only the BMW 320i four-cylinder, some Audi A3s and the Benz C180 K for power.The IS300 was a genuine contender with a beefy 157kW, which put it close to the 325i and better than some V6 C-Class models and all four-cylinder A4s.But they lacked sparkle both in the styling department and driving dynamics.The two-model range has now been swapped for the one-model, three-spec IS250 line.Power is slightly down to 153kW, but it's not all just a power game, otherwise you should try a Subaru Liberty GT.Driving dynamics in the new IS250 are now far better and styling is a quantum leap forward.British TV motoring show Top Gear named the 3 Series as its ugliest car of the year so, in the styling stakes, the compact Lexus with bulging muscular wheel arches has a head start.I recently drove the IS250 Sports Luxury, which is a real honey. And finished in white pearl paint that resembles the inside of a clam shell, it highlights those muscular bulges. In the sun, it is gorgeous beyond belief.Inside, you are cocooned in a high-sill, low-seat, high-dash, low-roof cabin that can be a bit claustrophobic, especially in the rear behind the high head restraints of the front seats.However, you are surrounded in luxury with a touch of sportiness. There is plenty of tasty woodgrain, the simple-to-use touchscreen Satellite Navigation and on-board computer, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, active cruise control, and the best stereo on four wheels — the 14-speaker sound system designed by Mark Levinson.The Sat Nav screen also shows images from the reversing camera, a feature which should be in every car and SUV, and is now available in all Lexus models except the big LX off-roader, but it is coming.The new Sat Nav also features a recording function called "bread crumbing" which can find its way back on a route it has previously taken.Add all these features to the comparable German car and watch the price go through the roof.The sportiness of the cabin is in the six-speed auto with paddle shifts on the stylish saddle-stitched leather steering wheel. This feature is available only in the Sports Luxury model.But it is in the driving dynamics that this car now competes with the Germans.The Sports Luxury model does not have the lowered suspension of the Sports variant, but takes corners flat with a neutral balance.If pushed hard, the rear-wheel-driver shifts weight to the back under that creamy on-demand torque before the driver aids, including swerve control, come into play.The steering is sharp, responsive and precise. So precise it takes a little getting used to, especially around suburban "traffic calming" chicanes.Ride is smooth, without being plush. If you hit a sharp bump, you will feel it, but it won't upset you or the car, even in a brisk corner.The GS and IS models are now taking on the Germans at their own game — style, power and driving dynamics — and the LS460 luxury saloon will complete the sedan passenger range makeover when it arrives later this year.Then Lexus will become a serious consideration on the luxury shopping list.