Lexus LS World Car of the Year

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[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]WCOTY: Lexus LS460 [/FONT] [SIZE=-1]

Following the footprints of Audi A6 (2005) and BMW 3-Series (2006), Lexus LS460 has been voted as World Car of the Year 2007 by 43 international automotive journalists. It beat Audi TT and Mini in the final.

Other awards by the committee:

Design of the Year: Audi TT
Performance Car of the Year: Audi RS4 (note: didn't it debut in 2005 ?)
Green Car of the Year: Mercedes E320 Bluetec (note: has it gone on sale last year ?)[/SIZE]
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LS460.jpg


Linky.


I dunno if I can really think of anything that first went on sale this year that can beat it, especially not what was mentioned to be in the finals.
Note the irony, however, that though Lexus (in a hybrid, no less) took WCOTY, Mecerdes took Green Car of the Year in a "stinky diesel."
I do disagree with design of the year, though. And Performance Car of the Year, though I'm not sure of the price limit on that category.
 [/SIZE]
 
Toronado
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Note the irony, however, that though Lexus (in a hybrid, no less) took WCOTY, Mecerdes took Green Car of the Year in a "stinky diesel."
 [/SIZE]
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The LS460 is no hybrid, and the hybrid LS still has a V8. The Bluetec aims to reduce emissions in diesels. I dont see any problems there.

However, I wouldnt put much into these awards.
 
It's hard to beat a car that can park itself.
 
...In my typical anti-Toyota/Lexus fashion, all I can say is "meh." As a car that was pretty much panned as an also-ran in the US against the 10-times-better S550, and hell, even the older BMW 750i, its not a big deal...

Is the car important? I'll give them that one I guess. Its good to see that someone finally made a hybrid ultra-luxury car (not that I condone Hybrids in any way), and on the same token, pushed the automatic transmission even further with the eighth cog.

But does it really matter? No, not really. Most the LS models you'll see on the road will be the standard V8 models, and even then, in many cases you are likely to see more S550s, 750is, A8s, etc in some places...

So, congratulations Toyota/Lexus on winning an award that neither means anything, nor anyone really cares about...
 
Having driven and rode in one of those, I can say it deserves to win. It's incredibly nimble (especially given it's size), has terrific engine response, and a beautiful interior. And common, reclining rear seats.
 
Aquendwato
And common, reclining rear seats.
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And? If I'm not mistaken, its available on the S550, as well as previous S-Class models, not to mention the Jaguar Super V8 and the other long-wheelbase models. I believe even the Audi A8L has it, and my guess would be that the 760iL offers it as well...

Its not that big of a deal. It has been done before...
 
Reclining rear seats are also standard on the Pacifica, but it would have been a sin against cars if that thing was car of the year. I think the seats might be the only thing I like about it.
 
YSSMAN
And? If I'm not mistaken, its available on the S550, as well as previous S-Class models, not to mention the Jaguar Super V8 and the other long-wheelbase models. I believe even the Audi A8L has it, and my guess would be that the 760iL offers it as well...

Its not that big of a deal. It has been done before...
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The difference is none of those are nearly as nice to drive as the LS. They also lack the mouse fart quiet interior and amazing sound system (just something I noticed tonight coming home from dinner)
 
Aquendwato
The difference is none of those are nearly as nice to drive as the LS. They also lack the mouse fart quiet interior and amazing sound system (just something I noticed tonight coming home from dinner)
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I'm going to be completely honest with you and say that I disagree. The LS is so overridden with computer-controlled crap that completely dilutes the driving expirience, and comes down more or less to what the car wants to do, not the driver.

...Granted, if you like riding in a vehicle that does all of the thinking for you, so be it...

Otherwise, I'll be happy and stick with my 'standard of the world' S-Class (which is quite a lot better than the LS), and even my personal favorite Jaguar XJ, over the LS any day...
 
I'd like to know what you're basing this off of. Having test driven pretty much the full range of high-end sedans I have to say the LS is the smoothest drive I've had. But if you don't feel right letting the car help you drive it, all the best to ya.
 
I'd think that the LS, with all of its computer controlled glory, is not the enthusiasts Luxo sedan. I think that would be the BMW.
 
What BMW? They make a lot of different models.
 
Go Lexus, go Lexus.

And Aque, don't bother trying to convince YSSMAN that the Lexus is any good. He utterly hates Toyota/Lexus.

But YSSMAN, doesn't the 7 Series have the glorious iDrive system that everyone hates.
 
Azuremen
Go Lexus, go Lexus.

And Aque, don't bother trying to convince YSSMAN that the Lexus is any good. He utterly hates Toyota/Lexus.

But YSSMAN, doesn't the 7 Series have the glorious iDrive system that everyone hates.
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Well, I don't hate everything Toyota/Lexus... The Tacoma isn't half bad now... Lexus? I can't stand a single product they make. There is a better alternative in every category, and it usually comes from Germany or America...

As for iDrive, I didn't find it that difficult to use. If most people would sit down and play with it for a moment, it is actually kind-of easy. Between the systems I've used similar to iDrive, Audi has a pretty decent one with their MMI system, and I didn't think that the Mercedes COMMAND setup was bad either. One of the worst has to go to the Infiniti system, whatever they call it, as it is a mix of switches, toggles, buttons, etc...

I dunno. I liked it I guess. Lexus' system wasn't that great either, and having it mostly controlled by buttons didn't help it move along any quicker...

...From what I have seen, felt, etc I'd call the bluff on this one and give the award to the S550. Yes, I know I'm insane, but God forbid we actually give an award to a luxury car that is both fun and comfortable. Not to mention faster than hell (with the right engine of course, but they are all fast anyway)...

Aquendwato
But if you don't feel right letting the car help you drive it, all the best to ya.
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Apparently we have extremely different tastes in the way cars should be built and driven. I don't know if is the fact that I was raised middle-class with American automobiles, spoiled by German automobiles early in my driving years, or what... But I can't stand having the car do the work for me. There isn't any reason why it should, no matter how big the car is. Its generally why I have a fondness for older versions of the models we have today, ones that do without the overprotective safety equipment and other unnecessary gear...

...Its part of the reason why BMW has literally driven me up a wall with their nannies, and although Mercedes has been known for them, for God's sake, even they turned the knob down a bit...

Toyota and Lexus? They are enemy number one when it comes to overprotecting the driver and sucking the fun out of a car. Lexus is by-far the worst of the worst, as damn-near-everything is fed through a computer before it decides what it wants to do. The active seatbelt systems come to mind, as when you are pulling too many g's through a corner, they will tighten up because the car thinks you're getting into an accident. Great. Sounds like a lot of fun!

So yes, I will take my 'land yachts' with a bit of flair and an existent 'fun to drive' factor. At least the Jaguar has some personality...

Isn't "entusiasts luxo sedan" an oxymoron?
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No, it shouldn't be either. See the 7-series for a good reason why not, also the S63 and S65 AMG...

---

Arguing or not, it all comes down to taste. I'd admit that I nearly bought an LS last year when a friend of mine was getting rid of his LS400. But I didn't want to look like a total douchebag, not to mention exponentially increasing the possibility of falling asleep at the wheel. Granted, that LS would feel like sports car compared to the newest models, but hey, thats progress for you...

I miss the Toyota of the '90s... So lively, so much to prove...
 
YSSMAN
...In my typical anti-Toyota/Lexus fashion, all I can say is "meh." As a car that was pretty much panned as an also-ran in the US against the 10-times-better S550, and hell, even the older BMW 750i, its not a big deal...

Is the car important? I'll give them that one I guess. Its good to see that someone finally made a hybrid ultra-luxury car (not that I condone Hybrids in any way), and on the same token, pushed the automatic transmission even further with the eighth cog.

But does it really matter? No, not really. Most the LS models you'll see on the road will be the standard V8 models, and even then, in many cases you are likely to see more S550s, 750is, A8s, etc in some places...

So, congratulations Toyota/Lexus on winning an award that neither means anything, nor anyone really cares about...
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The S550 looks better inside and out. I prefer the driver feel of the new S-class over the BMW and the Lexus--having said that The A8L beats them all. The A8L is the best super luxury saloon ever. It may or may not be faster than the Merc or BMW but my god it FEELS faster. I drove one last year for a day and I fell in love, it is by far the best non-sports car I've ever driven. It doesn't have some rediculous iDrive or some stupid Lexus 40-million computer controlled bull****. It has technology--but it doesn't INTRUDE on the driving experience--infact it enhances it actually.

Aquendwato
Having driven and rode in one of those, I can say it deserves to win. It's incredibly nimble (especially given it's size), has terrific engine response, and a beautiful interior. And common, reclining rear seats.
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Nimble? Hardly, I personally felt that it was a boat of a car to drive. I tested the self parking feature and found it mildly entertaining. The back seat just doesn't compare to the A8L or the Jag XJ's rear seat. You want to know something interesting? The large Hyundai Azera felt better in all four seating positions than the new LS in my opinion. The engine response in the A8L and 750 is superior to that of the LS. And the interior just can't compare with the Merc S-class. The S-class (and A8L) is a very good place to be. The LS' interior felt "cheap" by comparison in my opinion.

Aquendwato
The difference is none of those are nearly as nice to drive as the LS. They also lack the mouse fart quiet interior and amazing sound system (just something I noticed tonight coming home from dinner)
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The A8L's audio system has to be the best automotive audio system ever--I think that's been proven before I just can't find the article at the moment.

YSSMAN
I'm going to be completely honest with you and say that I disagree. The LS is so overridden with computer-controlled crap that completely dilutes the driving expirience, and comes down more or less to what the car wants to do, not the driver.

...Granted, if you like riding in a vehicle that does all of the thinking for you, so be it...

Otherwise, I'll be happy and stick with my 'standard of the world' S-Class (which is quite a lot better than the LS), and even my personal favorite Jaguar XJ, over the LS any day...
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Agreed. On a long trip I know I would fall asleep driving the LS--and actually the BMW is just as bad I think.

Aquendwato
I'd like to know what you're basing this off of. Having test driven pretty much the full range of high-end sedans I have to say the LS is the smoothest drive I've had. But if you don't feel right letting the car help you drive it, all the best to ya.
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It isn't driving if 90% of your input has to be approved and adjusted by the car before it is applied. Sorry, I prefer to have as much input as possible without interference.

Aquendwato
I did, it's very similar to the Lexus. Only the car feels bigger and heavier.
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Which car feels heavier than the LS? I can't possibly see how you feel this way. The Lexus has managed to give me the impressions of being both cheap and heavy compared to the S-class and A8L.

YSSMAN
Well, I don't hate everything Toyota/Lexus... The Tacoma isn't half bad now... Lexus? I can't stand a single product they make. There is a better alternative in every category, and it usually comes from Germany or America...

As for iDrive, I didn't find it that difficult to use. If most people would sit down and play with it for a moment, it is actually kind-of easy. Between the systems I've used similar to iDrive, Audi has a pretty decent one with their MMI system, and I didn't think that the Mercedes COMMAND setup was bad either. One of the worst has to go to the Infiniti system, whatever they call it, as it is a mix of switches, toggles, buttons, etc...

I miss the Toyota of the '90s... So lively, so much to prove...
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The IS350 is a superb car, it is the best thing in Toyota's lineup barnone. NOTHING under a Toyota or Lexus moniker is even close to being exciting--except for the new IS. iDrive is difficult to use unless someone who's proficiant in it shows you how to use it--which will take several hours. And who in their right mind is going to sit down for several hours to "play" with it to learn it--no one. And I'm a technology nut to boot! And I'd like to forget Toyota of the 90's--that is at least the American version of it. The ONLY thing Toyota made in the 90's that was sent to America that was ANY good was the MR2 and Supra...that's it. America recieved the rubbish Celica, the rubbish Corolla, the rubbish Camry, and some rubbish other crap that isn't worth mentioning.

I don't think this new LS is the car of the year by a longshot. Not even close. Nor do I think the new new Mini deserves it either. The new TT is borderline--but I don't think gets it either.
 
The I-drive doesn't interfer with the driving experince , and really easy to use , I learned it without anybody helping me in 30 mins . People are just effected by the media hype that has gone when teh system was just released , and BMW has improved it over the years .
 
Go Lexus 👍

I can't understand why this Lexus should be fun, what's so fun about having a V8 in a car that weighs as much as an elephant anyway?
 
Bram Turismo
I can't understand why this Lexus should be fun, what's so fun about having a V8 in a car that weighs as much as an elephant anyway?
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Uhhh?

chevrolet-impala-1995a.jpg


...It wasn't that long ago that you could buy a pretty fun full-size car for right around $30K...

Call me crazy, but if they can do it, why not? BMW has done a pretty good job of making the 7-series a fairly fun-to-drive car throughout the years, and others have followed in their footsteps...

Maybe Lexus just wants to be the car you ride in, not drive in, and to each his own. The same idea has worked out well for Rolls-Royce, but even then, they've pretty much been overshadowed by their 'Chevrolet,' Bentley.
 

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