VIDEO: LS460 vs M45 vs A8 vs 740i vs S550 - Brake & Stability Control Challenge!

Interesting. Very contradictory. Let's conclude that the LS has very normal brake distances for the class, because some have gotten terrible distances and some have gotten great ones.

I'm sure it took you awhile to dig this up, though.

LS600hL can stop as short as 114 ft from 60->0, same as LS460L.

To all you who say Lexus/Toyota is the safest on the road here you go. I would stick with my Honda/Acura anyday over Lexus/Toyota, look just as good and still have money in my pocket

IIHS Top Safety Picks For 2007

Large cars
Audi A6
2008 Ford Taurus with optional electronic stability control
2008 Mercury Sable with optional electronic stability control

Midsize cars
Audi A4
Saab 9-3
Subaru Legacy with optional electronic stability control

Minivans
Hyundai Entourage
Kia Sedona

Midsize SUVs
Acura MDX
Acura RDX
Ford Edge
Honda Pilot
Lincoln MKX
Mercedes M class
Subaru B9 Tribeca
Volvo XC90

Small SUVs
Honda CR-V

You know it's hard to say if it's a biased challenge. It is a Japanese show therefore they will favor the Japanese a little more.

I wouldn't be surprised they pushed the Merc as well as the others a little harder so it could spin out a little. And if there were any biased views none of us were there to really see the numbers. It's just numbers on the screen therefore you can't justify which is really better. Also he obviously drove different with every car so going into those turns it was different speeds and angles which determined how much slip there was. It's a tough challenge to say it wasn't biased.

I think all these cars did well except the Fuga. It was just there to fill in the gap since Infiniti does not have a true flagship they really need. I think they all performed very satisfactory results. Thumbs up to them all! (except Fuga of course because it's in a different class of car).

why didn't they test a 750 instead of the 740?

Wet track testing proves that Lexus Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) is superior to regular stability control and traction control used by others.

Autoweek also proved their long-term LS460L with all-season tires are awesome in the snow.

HUGE BIAS.
JAPANESE VIDEO.
THEY CANNOT BE OBJECTIVE.

See how the results change when an Asian publication is involved instead of a German one. All of us are biased. I admit mine. Bias clouds subjective opinions, hence I dont buy the soul and magic feel arguments. Unfortunately, bias also clouds sound rational judgment of empirical data. Hence some still talk about LS long stopping distances, which we all know were done on a pre-production model, and all tests on production models have shown very short distances.
So what do you do? Well all I can hope for is that Autospies will keep posting sources other than Autobild.

HUGE BIAS.
JAPANESE VIDEO.
THEY CANNOT BE OBJECTIVE.

and see how they managed to find a 740 instead of a 750?
and see how they used an S550 wiithout the amazing active body control system?

seems to me they didn't test apples to apples. should have the best from each manufacturer.

they probably dont get the 750 in japan. the big surprise is the 450GT that is a full 12 meters behind the LS. i thought a smaller, sportier nissan would fare the best.

Looks like NASCAR style of racing is catching on in Japan.

ABC is NOT standard on the S550, only the S600/AMG versions.
Airmatic is on the S550.
I too have a brochure in front of me S4!

I thought Airmatic is standard in every S-Class.

That's what I mean carboy. Every S class has airmatic, and can have ABC, but only the 600 and the AMG versions have ABC standard.
At least all versions sold in the UK, no idea about continental models (for example 4matic versions which we don't get in the UK)

no ABC on the S550?!? that's stupid. it's a phenomenal system. i'm sure the lexus has the optional stability control.

ABC is not standard on the S550. it's $3900 extra.

from mbusa.com:

2007 Options
Active Body Control (ABC)
Active Body Control (ABC) uses a system of sensors and electronically controlled high-pressure hydraulics to instantly counteract the forces of vibration, pitch, dive, squat, and roll. Setting ABC to 'Sport' mode virtually eliminates body roll in cornering.

View interactive Feature Spotlight

I actually think ABC is only standard on the AMERICAN S-Class- but not on Asian and European versions. Ha!

s4cabriofoxone: enthusiastx11 plainly stated that on the MBUSA site, the S550 comes with ABC as OPTIONAL

Oh, WOW, I'm terribly sorry, I didn't read that.

Must you be so offended over such a slight mistake? I've never even seen your account name before.

xero:

i'm well aware that the lexus has a standard stability control system...as does the S and every other car in this class. however, lexus also has an air suspension that's avaiable on the LS600 in the states. perhaps it's available on lesser LS cars in japan. do you know? did this car have it?

shame on toyota/lexus to be a follower rather than a leader in safety despite their claims...germans invented anti-lock brakes, crumple zones, stability control, traction control, airbags, pre-crash technology (in 2002 fyi), etc.

what did lexus/toyota INVENT in the safety arena?

What kind of tyres are on those cars?

hmmmm.

You actually have a sensible point...if the Lexus was an all-seasons, and the others on summer tyres, and it was raining....hmmmmm.

XeroK00L, how do you know for a fact those are indeed the tires?

The old LS generation made the crown to fall off of the German's head, with the LS460 it took the crown and placed it on its own head. Lexus is the king and the queen of the present and future.

Wonderful work Lexus.

that's funny.
lexus is an upper middle class car.
mercedes is still the choice amongst the elite.
just look around and see what most people drive in manhattan or greenwich or bel air.

What the hell are talking about,many movie stars own a Lexus so don't give me that BS,I also recall that many Mercedes are used as taxies in europe!!

There aren't enough Lexus cars sold to be used as taxis in Europe.

Enthusiastx11:
Add Kensington, Chelsea and Mayfair to that list.

(for those that don't know those are very expensive areas of London)

Why didn't they test the AMG S650?

i love how everyone is trying to stump xerokool, lolol.

Control on the Audi looked the most stable, though I am impressed that the LS did so well. This shows that even though Lexus has overactive stability control as far as "enthusiast driver magazines" review, it works for real world application. I think that this has been great for Lexus. They never get rave reviews for top performance, but they produce what the real buyers in the real world want. Great job, Lexus, even though the product doesn't interest me much personally.

Dawn the MB S-class slide like crazy when the driver turn, that not good at all. For a vechicle that price and I expected more from MB.

As if that would happen in real life?

I'd drive the car first. They probably wouldn't take you seriously at the dealership, though. They kicked Kanye West out for bad credit, so a salesman at Beverly Hills Mercedes-Benz told me.

Maybe these yahoo's cheated??

I'll wait till Autobild does a proper testing before I believe a word of it!!!

HUGE BIAS OBVIOUSLY.

this is a japanese video. clearly they made sure the lexus would win.

xero:
i'm just throwing back what we hear from the lexus fanatics every time an american or european publication deems lexus below 1st place in any way.
according to most of the cult members, lexus is just better at some things, it's better in every way imaginable. impossible of course. each brand has its strengths.

and where did they find a 740?

that hasn't been on the US market in over 5 years.
the new 7 was a 745 which then became a 750 two years ago.

yes, but this is a US-based blog. and since the majority of people in here live in the US and it's the SINGLE largest auto market, it would be nice if they picked a more international model.

Sorry, but the 740 replaced the 735 when the 7 series had a facelift about 2 years ago.
The 2002 7 was originally a 735, became 740 in 2005 ish.

and thanks xero.
i actually have two passports (US and EU), speak three languages, and have been to about 35 other countries in the last 10 years. so i'm not some freakshow ethnocentric american.

lol. you guys crack me up.

Let us face the facts that dude doesn't know how to drive an Audi, BMQ or the Benz.

know how to drive a lexus? that's easy.

drive gently, brake softly, slow down around those corners and try not to forget that you're driving a car.

you guys wait for the next 7er. It will be class leader againe.

It never was, and as long as Mercedes keeps redesigning the S-Class, it never will be.

I like the 7er just as much as any other sedan in this class, but BMW just isn't the leader here.

My S550 did not have ABC. It's an option.

Agent63 all the more reason why Lexus is better,more standard features.All M-B cares about is your money and not your safety,this should be their slogan "you want safety then cough up the money"!!!
Why people waste their money on a vehicle like that is beyond me,you guys call that prestige,I call that BS,a vehicle with that much prestige should have everything the other brand don't have!!

I love it how you guys pounce on every chance you get.

On an S-Class, NOBODY CARES ABOUT STANDARD FEATURES.

The S550 4Matic I was going to get for my wife would've had a $98K sticker; it had a lot of options, and I DIDN'T CARE. For these buyers, value is NOT an issue.

And, furthermore, the LS doesn't have as many standard features as the S! It doesn't have the navigation, ML stereo, rear sunshade, heated seats or power-closing doors standard-- all of that, the S has, of course substituting the ML for the harmon/kardon. You have to pay over $8,000 to get all of that on an LS460, which brings the price to $70,000 strong. That puts you in the A8/7 Series price range, both of which are also standard with navi, fancy stereo, sunshade, pwr-closing doors...

and what safety devices did toyota---the company that cares so much about our safety--invent. hmmm...not anti-lock brakes or crumples zones or stability control or traction control or airbags or pre-crash or....

So you're calling my car BS? I also own an LS as well just for your information. I think your Toyota Soarer (rebadged as a Lexus in North America) is BS. What is standard on your car? Your car is from the era where Lexus was just overpriced Lexus.

What do you have to even know what prestige is when you own a ricer? I don't mean to be so blunt but have you even had the chance to sit in an S-Class? actually have you had the chance to sit in the new LS? My LS is nice but like I said it still lacks the solidity of a German saloon. It is great as a car and it functions well. However I was fortunate enough to have grown up with a family owning cars like these. They have evolved to great machines.

But don't go supporting Lexus because you've heard, read, or watched about them on news sites, forums, or even on TV.

So autobild made the lexus have the worst brakes and this japanese mag mad the lexus have the best......
Which one can we trust? the one that fits use more, AUTOBILD :P jk

Japanese of course .... Sushi over Wurst any day ...

Though I do prefer German Beer over sake....(though nigori sake "i hope i got that right" almost evens it out )

Japanese of course .... Sushi over Wurst any day ...

Though I do prefer German Beer over sake....(though nigori sake "i hope i got that right" almost evens it out )

MMMM! - Benzu!

so there is one good article in a comparison for the Lexus. I have had the pleasure of driving a LS460 and comparing it to a 750Li. They are such different cars. The lexus is smooth and comfortable. The BMW is much more sporty and performs more nimble. I find it hard to believe that the Lexus LS460 out handles and brakes the BMW 750LI. especially since I just compared the two last week. We took in trade a 2007 Lexus LS460 with 3k miles on it. I was able to take it out on our course, and it does not handle even close to how the BMW handles or brakes for that matter. With this being said, it drives very nice and very smooth. Not the kind of car I would buy, but alot of people this type of car taylors to.

With "BMW4me4ever" as your tag, do you think anybody is serously going to accept the drivel you churn out about "fair comparision" to do with the Lexus?

I mean for pete's sake, atleast make more of an effort if you want to post a somewhat semblance of an coherent logical response.

43LE, formula1 is one of the crop of hugely biased fanboys. It seems as if he was hit by a Lexus two years ago when he was eight, playing in the street, and he's tried to get back at them ever since.

It's funny to see people talk out of their ass,like that comment that Formula1 made.he probably has only driven a Lexus in his dreams!!

i would just like to note that when they presented the LS460, they also called it the "S" Model, which hints at the touring package with the larger brakes, and the air suspension. SO,bmw4ever, when you said that the LS does not compare in the brakes category, it could have been different since you werent driving the Touring model.

that goes for everyone else as well. The touring package makes a big difference

The touring package is basically European spec. All LS have air suspension, even the LS430 had, I seem to remember, as standard in Europe.
I think whenever you guys in the US have a "touring package" or "performance pack" that means European spec. The last gen 330 with a ZHP performance package brought it up to European spec.

Well, now the issue of the LS's performance have been put to rest. Look at the certain someone, posting the second comment in this thread, asking for a truce only after bashing the 460 senselessly for its subpar performance. Eat it German fans, your arguments hold no water.

Hehe! I can't do anything right, can I?

I praise the LS, which I've never doubted as being a great sedan, and you shove it back at me as "asking for a truce?" Pathetic!

The LS460 is a very classy sedan on the road; I like every car in this class. You cannot judge me by my posts in which I rave- it's the posters like you, who cannot see through their bias, who make me rave.

So much for the Germen control and stopping distance. lool The LS rules, end of story.

Didn't the Lexus LS460 sold the most car in it class the first quarter of this year? Anyway it does not matter, the Lexus LS460 look way better than the old farted BMW 7 Series. It look way cooler that big bulky whale shape S-class. It beauty is very elegant compare to that boring A8.

Lexus LS460 and Lexus LS600hl beauty and technology is comapare to the like of RR's, Bentley and the overprice MB "Maybach".

Lexus:
Look, I think lexus makes great cars but don't ever compare it to Bentley or RR!

This test just goes to show the typical Lexus driver likes driving in circles.

German car drivers like driving to the beach.

"Lexus," WE KNOW you fancy this to be the best-looking car in its class. Sorry, but EVERY car in this class looks superb on the road, and other people have different OPINIONS. That's only the 6,248th time I've had to tell you that.

And- about sales? The 7 and A8 are in their last years, and the S-Class is $25,000 more, so I would be surprised if the LS wasn't the best-seller. And, as we've explained to you plenty of times, sales don't make the car. Would you rather have a Hyundai Sonata than an Aston Martin DB9? Because the Hyundai sells more, so it's obviously better.

I don't personally care about the stupid argument of "prestige" If you've gone to any of the LS600hL blogs, you'd see how much I really like the car, and how interested I am in leasing it for my wife.

It's just how the poster "Lexus" goes over what's wrong with the competition and what's so perfect about the LS that sets me off... every car in this class is fantastic. I can't even clearly say which one I'd pick, because they're all so good.

As for the "Bangelized" 7 Series- it has actually set records for BMW. Read up on their sales.

A8, no, it's not about volume. I like it that way, because I can drink it in every time I see a nice one, knowing that I won't see another on the next block.

XJ. Don't shame Jaguar- it's really just as good as anything else here. I was surprised when I drove it, myself. And, to bring up Jaguar sales, that's just mean.

That brings us to the S-Class... it always amazes me that the three-pointed star can hold so much on its little chrome base, as to sell as well as another sedan that's $25,000 less.

I'm not even going to respond to the DB9 vs. NSX thing. That's just pure Japanses bias. I thought the AM DB9 was the one beautiful car that the entire AutoSpies community could agree on.

*Japanese...

And there's a "." in the first paragraph of my original reply post.

Aston lacks race heritage and Acura has some?!?!?!

Auto Union what are you going to do about if I want to compare the beauty of the Lexus the like of RR's and Bentley? You "not" going to and cannot do jack $hit.

Come on now be real with yourself. No Lexus is comparable with a Bentley or RR. Just look at its interior from the LS long wheelbase. It screams Maybach all over the rear seats. The Maybach inspired rear seating is what I call pretender status. Don't try to pretend you're ultra wealthy when in reality nobody would even second look the car when beside an RR.

Just because it sells the best in US doesn't mean it's the most prestigious dont get it twisted. It's cheaper than it's competition and bang for buck it's good value that is why it sells so well. If you want true understated luxury then go for a Lexus. If you want extravagant European Luxury then go for a Mercedes.

You guys hate Merc so much but really Lexus wants to have the status of a Mercedes world wide. How many people in Dubai do you think will own a Lexus compared to an S-Class. Give me a break. I was there awhile ago I didn't see any.

Now don't get me wrong I love the GS but bought the LS because I wanted more space.

LexusAdmirer, just ignore S4, likely it seem like he is having his "PMS circle" or something. He get really offensive when someone says the Lexus LS460/600hl is the best looking one in it class.

Why don't you read my comment?

I can actually afford to get an LS600hL for my wife, and if we end up getting it, I'll write a review. As a potential LS buyer, NO, I do not consider it to be in the same class as Rolls-Royce or Bentley.

correction, it lately etc....

LexusAdmirer, you mean I lost my marble or S4, lost his marble? All I'm saying is in my opinion the Lexus LS beauty is comparable to the like of RR's and Bentley.

I know that the Lexus brand "Does Not" have the prestige or heritage RR's or Bentley has but it still marvel of engineering. And I really don't gave rat A$$ about it. I would rather buy a Lexus LS600hl than the RR's and still have money left to spoil myself with.

"The dude's name is Chris BANGLE, not BANGEL. And the current 7 series' sales have not performed up to BMW's expectation. You can read this in any BMW forums."

Okay, so I made a typo. It's not like you're immune to typos, such as:

"And the current 7 series' sales have not performed up to BMW's expectation. You can read this in any BMW forums."

I'm not even in the mood to point out the numerous grammatical errors in that sentence. You can find them.

I also admire your ability to continue to have a grudge against me, and wave off my comment, which praises the Lexus. Instead, you go and point out my mistakes.

And in fact, I repeat, the 7 has set records. Show me some proof that it hasn't- and I don't want to see 2006 or 2007 sales. I want to see 2002, 2003 and 2004 sales.

My god, I actually got deboosted because I said that lexus cannot be compared to RR or Bentley. That makes me think what kind of people are some users on this site!
One word: BAN!

Urm ... Well you got deboosted because somebody actually read your comment. Frankly, thats good for this site. But cheer up :)

This is the original mud bath of car discussions ... Nothing logical .. but wholesome opinionated gobly gook that masquerades as actual arguements.

Good job Lexus.

Actually Lexusadmirer I don't care for trucks at all the MDX nor the RDX are not your average truck. take any Lexus truck and we will dust their ballzs. ThE Lexus lineup is old and outdated considering their so called L - Finese. Lexus was never the greatest thing to look at.

Let's be real for a moment and compare the LS460 to the E-Class.

Now doesn't that seem more like it?

Holy, Heated debate.
If you look at it this way,... important people only ride in MB, BMW, AUDI.
I have never seen anybody of any importance get out of a Lexus or Nissan.
Thats from a image stand point.

Now from a technical standpoint. I mean if you look at who invented what that actually makes a difference in the carworld its only the germans. The japs only copy and "improve" it. ABS, ABC, TC, etc..

I mean great lexus has a car that can park "itself".
But that car is for ppl who drive automatic transmissions anyway.

Im more of a guy like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P71m3LFmLO0

Lexusadmirer, your right right now Lexus thoes have Acura's number in terms of horsepower, but that doesn't mean anything. Take the TL TYPES FOR EXAMPLE AT 286 Horsepower its still as fast 0-60 as the is and the g35 and the gs for that matter. Obviously Lexus will have more power now there in their redisign phase, where were you guys three years ago when the rl dropped 300 and the TL 270 still stuck in th elow 220's. Further more Lexus will never handle like an Acura so why bother making fast cars, Acura was always ahead of Lexus in terms of performane and they will reagin it.(Advance)

I refuse to argue because obviously I am outnumbered. Next time you can flip to the back of a motortrend or a car and driver and tell me what you think. I know Lexus has the luxury thing on lock i'm not going to take that away from them. But throughout the passionate persuit of perfection they forgot one thing that's passion. Answer one thing who makes a 400+hp supercar and drops a 8 speed transmission (auto) in it. What ever happen to driver control in the end their supercars will never be as good as the best super car ever built (nsx)Shiit didn't Acura just win the last car race event in France or somewhere like that.

Lexus ALWAYS understates their 0 - 60 times by at least .5 seconds. Here are the results of the 5 Top Luxury Cars in this test which was reported in the January Issue of Car and Driver. Please note these tests were all done on the same day at about the same time and at the same altitude. The results reflect the average of 3 runs and all cars are the 2007 vintage.

Mercedes S550 5.6, 0 - 60 quarter mile in 14.1 (Benz show 5.4 in their specs)
BMW 750iL 5.7, 0 - 60 quarter mile in 14.2
Jag XJ Super 6.0 0 - 60 quarter mile 14.5
Lexus LS460L 6.2 0 - 60 quarter mile 14.6
Audi A8 6.8 0 - 60 quarter mile 15.2

Note that Lexus, as usual, is more than the 5.4 the manufacturer CLAIMS to get by .8 seconds.

Also note the LS430 (prior model the LS460 replaced) was rated at 295 HP and was actually 278 when Lexus corrected their rating. And there were no refunds or apologies from the so-called "quality" car company. ABC - Always Be Careful what you buy from the Lexus people.....