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Lexus has unveiled its new flagship model at the North American International
Auto Show in Detroit, USA.
Lexus Australia will launch the new LS460 in the fourth quarter of 2006.
The reveal in Detroit comes 17 years after Lexus launched its breakthrough
LS400 in the United States.
The LS460 is an all-new model, designed for new levels of performance,
sophistication, contemporary styling and luxury refinements.
The corporate manager of Lexus Australia, John Roca, said the new LS is the
product of an advanced production process developed specifically for this
vehicle with remarkable new levels of accuracy, refinement, precision and
craftsmanship.
“Considering Lexus’ record for quality over the last 17 years, that’s quite a
statement," he said.
Specifications provided at the LS460 reveal include power output of more than
275kW from the new Lexus 4.6-litre V8 engine, matched to the world’s first
eight-speed automatic transmission.
The new Lexus V8 is designed to deliver sub-six-second 0-100km/h
acceleration, coupled with an Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle II (ULEV II) rating.
John Roca said the new LS was built on a sophisticated platform that
maintains a delicate balance between ride comfort and responsive handling.
“It has a new multi-link rear suspension system, electronic power steering
system and an advanced Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system,” he
said.
VDIM is an advanced stability system that integrates and manages a new
Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB) system, Electronic Power Steering (EPS),
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Antilock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist
(BA), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and engine torque via the
electronically controlled throttle.
The system, which monitors a variety of sensors, is designed to anticipate
the onset of a vehicle skid or slide and then help correct the situation with a
combination of braking, throttle and steering control in a way that is
essentially transparent to the driver.
It gathers data from more sources and processes it earlier and faster than in
previous designs, helping to make VDIM less obtrusive and even more
effective.
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