The new 2007 Lexus LS 460, the largest and most expensive sedan by Lexus is by far the best release so far by the luxury division of Toyota Motor Corporation. This fourth generation of the full-size RWD, which has been, for eighteen years, the flagship of Lexus has a more attractive and even more aggressive stance, thanks to Lexus new design style, L-Finesse.
The state-of-the-art exterior lighting features a Dual-swivel Adaptive Front Lighting System, with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps which are more energy-effective, durable, and brighter than conventional halogen headlamps.
The Intuitive Parking Assist uses sensors to alert drivers when they get too close to other parked cars, and with the help of the Advanced Parking Guidance System, this car will virtually park itself. The electrochromic outside mirrors automatically reduce glare, when the light is too bright. A Smart Access Key activates both the doors and the ignition. The 19-inch wheels ensure an increased accuracy on handling.
The interior offers one of the most luxurious, executive-class seating available on the market: leather-trimmed seats, with a memory system which holds the driver’s and the passenger’s favorite position, the 8 GB hard-disk on the surround sound audio system, the voice-activated navigation system are but a few of the features which add up to making the Lexus LS 460 2007 one of the most comfortable cars available on the market.
A 4.6 liter engine with 380 hp and 367 lb-ft of torque (an amazing 36 percent more powerful than its predecessor) is actually the world’s first V8 engine which combines port and direct fuel injection, powering an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in a staggering 5.4 seconds.
Another novelty is the eight-speed automatic transmission, which, together with the direct injection system and the dual variable valve timing, significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions, earning this model a well-deserved certification as an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV II). The Dynamic Radar Cruise Control helps maintain a safe distance from car in front, and the Electronic Controlled Braking (ECB) system is set to increase the level of safety both in critical situations and while parking the car.
Its safety features include sophisticated airbag placement, for optimal protection for all passengers, the ECB, as mentioned above, ABS, both prepared by the Pre-Collision System, an advanced Tire Pressure Monitor System, and three-points seatbelts, ensuring a high level of protection in critical situations.
All features considered, the Lexus LS 460 2007 takes this combination of luxury, manageability and safety to new heights, bringing it ever closer to the much more expensive sedans from Rolls-Royce and Maybach.
Vehicles are more than just heavy steel; it means unleashing torque and horsepower to make a whole new difference in driving. And they are in for a treat! This year, automakers roll out the red carpet to flaunt their power lineup with incredible levels of styling, performance and nuance. For that reason, what wheels are hot for the year 2007?
According to auto analysts, this year is going to be a good year for cars. From trend-setting superminis to breathtaking supercars and everything in between, the needs and whims of the aficionados will certainly be answered. The auto industry is showered by lots of choices and that fact alone makes 2007 a very interesting year.
First on the desire list is the Audi R8 supercar which is scheduled to go on sale this summer. The car is priced at $120,000 to $130,000. It is based on the 2003 Audi Le Mans Quattro concept car, not the automaker’s R8 race car. It comes with a striking headlight design that uses LED technology. Audi said the internal reflectors of the new car resemble those found in miniature Sydney Opera Houses. Compared to conventional auto headlamps, LEDs used in the Audi R8 are smaller hence they do not occupy a great amount of space much to the pleasure of Audi designers.
Next on the must-drive list is Volvo S80. Bits of ridiculously sophisticated auto materials are put together by Volvo’s pool of designers to come up with a functional luxury sedan. The all-new sedan from the automaker is equipped with one-of-a-kind features like the in-car heartbeat monitor that alerts the driver through key fob when there is a person approaching the car. Volvo auto parts in the Volvo S80 are aftermaths of meticulous testing to boost performance, styling and safety.
What makes the Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG coupe a standout? Enthusiasts say it is the cruise control integrated in it that delivers an autopilot function for stop-and-go traffic. This is Mercedes’ way of aiding drivers to pay attention on the road ahead. The system is equipped with radars to monitor the distance of the car with other cars. The coupe steers, brakes and accelerates when required to trail another car.
Another irresistible lure to auto aficionados is the inclusion of mind-boggling upgrades to the automakers’ lineup. The upgraded models boast improved technology to make fanatics unable to resist. Come Lexus LS Hybrid, a vehicle that runs on gasoline or electricity. The regular version of the vehicle is powered by a V8 engine that produces 380 horsepower. The electric motor in the hybrid version assists the V8 to generate more than 430 units of horsepower. So far, the hybrid version of the Lexus LS is deemed a status symbol of choice.
Lexus is not the only automaker which has the nerve to show off its innovative prowess. Aston Martin, Maybach and Rolls-Royce also exhibited their pride vehicles. Aston Martin boasts of its V-8 Vantage Convertible. Maybach 62 S was also unveiled to create a hot-rod version of the 62 sedan. The Bentley Azure drop-top version is also made more captivating than before.
2007 is a year of remarkable auto innovations that could etch a worthy milestone for the industry. Aficionados clamoring for hot, high-end cars would be very much benefited.
Car manufacturers tout their efficiency. Consumer advocates dispute claims of 60-plus miles per gallon gas efficiency. Amidst the controversy, environmentalists still claim, in the absence of anything better – that hybrid vehicles are still better for the environment than their traditional gas-guzzling counterparts.
Hybrids, known for the way they combine both gas and electric power to offer a cleaner ride, have come under fire in recent months for their inability to reach gas mileage milestones set by the manufacturers. Critics say that most fail to live up to claims of getting more than 60 miles to a single gallon of gas. Advocates argue that recent studies confirm the same is true for efficiency ratings set on traditional engines, still making hybrids the better deal environmentally.
Touted as the gas-saver of the future when introduced in 1999, hybrids are known to use a fraction of the gas due to their ability to “share the burden”, with their electric motors. Full hybrid vehicles allow the electric motor to work independently of the more traditional internal combustion engine, while driving at low speeds. This in turn saves gas, and stops harmful emissions from entering the atmosphere. During an idle stop, a full hybrid actually shuts itself off, letting the electric motor take over to eliminate unnecessary idling and emissions.
Consumers should be aware, however, that the mild hybrids focus remains on traditional gas consumption, with the electric motor only assisting the gas engine at high speeds when more power is needed, thus making the mild hybrid much less environmental friendly than its full hybrid counterpart.
Great for in town drivers, the full hybrid allows slow speeding drivers to virtually use only the electric motor, thus saving even more gas, and eliminating harmful emissions into the environment.
Despite any controversy surrounding today’s hybrid vehicles, consumers seem eager to do what they can to decrease the harmful effects of emissions on the environment and save a few bucks at the pumps. Production of hybrid vehicles has tripled in the last four years, with production expected to double in 2007. The Yano Research Institute Ltd. estimates that by 2015, nearly 5.37 million hybrid vehicles will be on the global road, compared to less than one million last year.
Manufacturers have jumped on the bandwagon, with Honda, Toyota, Ford, Lexus and Chevrolet, all offering their own hybrid varieties. Newer models sport higher-powered and faster models, even making hybrid SUV’s and trucks available to the consumer. Of course, the heavier the vehicle, and the faster it rides, the more gas it is bound to use, despite the use and size of the internal electric motor.
Still, hybrids remain the most gas efficient and environmental friendly vehicles in mass production today.
