Lexus Releases LS460 in Japan: Will There Be Any Takers?

Hard to tell. The Japanese are very image conscious and this is something Lexus doesn't have yet in Japan.

What are the prices of the A8, 7 and S over there compared to the LS?

link to audi prices in japan

http://www.audi.co.jp/audi/jp/jp2/new_cars/Pricelist1.html

A8 4.2 FSI quattro = ?10,590,000 (?10,085,714)

A8 L 4.2 FSI quattro = ?11,490,000 (?10,942,857)

Lexus LS460 = Euros 52,000 which is ? 7,750,414.12 (www.xe.net)

BMW and MB? I don't think I can figure out their Japanese sites...

MB S class numbers from Japan...

S 350 ¥9,870,000<¥9,400,000> = $83,672
S 500 ¥12,600,000<¥12,000,000> = $106,815
S 500 long ¥13,965,000<¥13,300,000> = $118,387
S 600 long ¥19,005,000<¥18,100,000> = $161 113

Forgive me for rounding these numbers.
Original site... http://www.mercedes-benz.co.jp/e/passenger/price/index.html

oh yeah, euros...

S 350 = 66,070 euro
S 500 = 84,345 euro
s 500 long = 93483 euro
s 600 long = 127,221 euro

I really do not like the rear of this car, perhaps i have to see it in person, it looks absolutel atrocious in every pic i have seen it in, the car has a nice design, but not fitting for a large car, the front does not command the look pf prestige the previous model was barely portraying (which was a S Class copy anyway). I guess i hae to see this car in person and the interior console looks like an ATM to me, perhaps gotta sit in it as well to appreciate it. Car does look far better than the previous model which was just absolutely weak in my opinion compared to the Germans, but then again, all previous lexus models did look kinda toyotaish and dainty compared to their competition. Will congratulate Lexus, they are moving on up though and quickly are they doing it

XeroK00L, Will-

No equivalent? You haven't heard of the Toyota Celsior?

It will sell, however I want to ask the question about the Lexus IS - is there an equivalent? Do they still make the Altezza.

Oh when counting prestige and image the most prestigious car a Japanese person can own is the (guess)

Toyota Century. With its V-12 engine. I think I read about the most prestigious part in Motor Trend a couple of years ago. Not sure though - I did read it somewhere and it is not my opinion (Although my bet would be on it though).

^ true, was in Japan last year aug to dec, Celsior was just a LS then, or vice versa. Other Toyota models there we do not see her in states are very similar in design to the new gen Lexus, which is something that just bothers me about Lexus, their close resemblance to Toyota models, and Audi as well, resemblance to VW's, but i'm loving the hell out of the Audi models, clean, tidy, and crafted well, but BMW rules my heart anyday

Toyota rebadged Lexus as Toyota's because there was no Lexus in Japan. But now since there is a Lexus, they should, looks like they will, sell the premium Toyota's as Lexus only. These cars are the premium versions it's not like the IS is a corolla with leather and a V6.

I meant to say the old LS, the IS, etc. you guys get the picture.

Speaking of V6's, the LS badly needs one.

It may be advanced in technoly, but one look at the interior one would never tell. Out of that segment this car has the most uninspiring looking dash.



ou est la bourgeoisie Lexus?

did anyone else notice that that lexus is missing a wood steering wheel?? is this an option in japan?

silverarrow2-

Completely agree.

The interior is just nothing special at all for this class. Very derivative; it would fit just as easily in a GS. They need to DIFFERENTIATE.

you have to be a lexus fan to appreciate the interior of all their cars. Personally, i love the new interior, it at least doesnt copy other manufacturers.

It looks GREAT, ill be inline to buy one next month...
yes there is a wood steering wheel, and a heated one at that

i also thing IMO that lexus has better interiors than audi. Audi's look like they can come out of a honda

not my cup of tea!

not my cup of tea!

The LS interior looks like it came out of a Honda.

And I don't want to sit in a luxury car, a place of harmonious design, and see an ugly big basking shark-looking dash confront me. And there is too much cheap-looking gray plastic for my tastes.

At least the S-Class dashboard is streamlined and elegant, completely wrapped in leather.

The LS dashboard is just plastic and wood.

It's unacceptable for a luxury saloon, and no amount of S-Class bashing will change that.

Luxurious, modern?

Where is the leather-wrapped dashboard like on the S-Class? Why is the instrument binnacle and majority of the dashboard plastic?

Why should 'functional' mean conservative?

Why are you so blind that you cannot possibly see that the LS interior is a level below the competition, in terms of design, materials used and ambiance?

How can the richly-coloured, leather-wrapped S-Class interior be depressing when the LS is grey plastic and generic design?

Personally I find grey plastic and generic design depressing, as the it shows zero creativity or passion.

Well that's how normal people think, anyway.

The 24-hour, never sleeps or works, Lexus-obsessed Will would lead you to believe that the boring and plasticky looking LS interior trumps all its rivals.

Dillusional? That's the only word for it I'm afraid.

Personally I see no problems wit this car, even tho its missing that how do you call it...X factor.


G

kart1:
"Oh when counting prestige and image the most prestigious car a Japanese person can own is the (guess)

Toyota Century. With its V-12 engine. I think I read about the most prestigious part in Motor Trend a couple of years ago. Not sure though - I did read it somewhere and it is not my opinion (Although my bet would be on it though)."


i read about that too. i think it was in C&D actually.

the Century actually had the Rolls-Royce as its target, not just mere MBs. and even Rolls doesn't offer a V12!

reason for the article, was the intro of a new model century. interesting point was, for all the innovations in the "ALL NEW" model, only the cognoscenti could pick out the styling differences between the new and the old. between the conservativism of the Century's clientele and toyota itself, changes had to be evolutionary, not revolutionary. but the engine was highly refined.

Interesting.

Will, 'Pleather' disgusts you, but an abundance of high-quality leather on many interior surfaces is just a non-event for you?

For me, Having fine quality leather stitching around the instrument binnacle and other interior surfaces is a visual delight, and creates an ambiance of real craftsmanship and quality.

"I don't care about having leather anywhere but where I sit! Not on a surface that I'll rarely ever feel."

Sums up Lexus fans! Content with what most cars offer as standard, and not interested in the finer details which makes some cars a step above.

"computers are in my line of work"

Boring. I guess lack of real human interaction has numbed you senses? Constantly arguing with bloggers (and proud of it) and contacting people mainly by e-mail has made you lose touch of the simple and delightful things which make the S-Class a more special car than the LS.

I guess the competent LS is fine for a isolated computer-fiddler, but for those who have a passion for life, (not saying that you don't) great design and innovative ideas, along with a real passion for cars and the emotional connection I have with them, A Lexus LS just doesn't delight my automotive senses.

I've tried being specific with the reasons why, but I guess leather-wrapped binnacles are lost on someone like you.

And of course in an S-Class, you can bury the throttle at at any time and be delighted with a sporty growl from the exhausts (and you just know some Mercedes engineer gave the thumbs up when they perfected the noise) where the Lexus would be muted and inoffensive.

I guess I just like cars more than you do.

the majority of americans are unaware of it, but until recently toyota in japan, and mercedes in germany, both produced a FULL LINE of vehicles from econoboxes to limos, ALL under a single nameplate.

you could liken it to EVERYTHING from gm, not just pickups, just being labeled "GMC."

so toyota in japan has more prestige than most americans think (we've never seen or heard of the Century model). and mercedes in europe is not as prestigious as it is here. (we don't see MB heavy trucks and buses. and mb is still debating whether to bring the Smart cars here; they've declined A and B segment marketing of the MB plate here.)

it made perfect sense for MB to launch the Maybach line, to have a TRULY prestigious line. it will be to MB, as Lexus is to Toyota.

the Lexus nameplate IN JAPAN, likewise did not have that great a business case. its ultimate success there(or not), will likely parallel the success (or not) of Maybach.

Ill give it like 10 min and will is gonna go off...again.

Look what you have done Matthew, lol.


G

Let's make one thing clear:

There isn't much about purchasing a luxury car that IS rational.

Luxury cars, by their very nature, are irrational. And for anyone to rationally justify their purchase would, in itself, be irrational.

Autospies may not have a "I want to buy the world a Coke" atmosphere at times, but surely you can understand that sometimes car-buying isn't about ticking the boxes and comparing numbers?

Xero,

Why? Like the S-Class, the 7-series and the A8 are sold with a V6 in North America?

I agree with you, however, if you're talking about the other markets, where 90% of those full-size luxury sedans are sold with V6's.
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Not for America but for other markets. And diesels.

Will,

The LS interior is luxurious, modern, and most importantly, functional and user-friendly. Not unintuitive, plain, and purely depressing like the S-Class interior. What's more is that Mercedes makes you pay MORE because of it! That is the real crime.
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The LS interior is dull and boring. The materials are A1, but the design lacks elegance and even functionality in some cases. The cockpit looks like a facelifted version of the old LS430 interior - which was hideous and overrated in terms of materials.

Your hatred for Mercedes is baffling, Will.

ApexAlex,

and mercedes in europe is not as prestigious as it is here. (we don't see MB heavy trucks and buses. and mb is still debating whether to bring the Smart cars here; they've declined A and B segment marketing of the MB plate here.)
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MB is very prestigeous in Europe despite selling commercial vehicles under the same name. Europeans are used to it and accept it. I can't explain it, maybe a European can. Rupert?

First none of you heve ever seen this car in person, let alone been inside one, so how can you judge from pictures on this website.

Just be honest people you hate Lexus and what it stands for and their approach to carmaking period!! Its only human to do so!

Matthew,
If I am right You must British judging by your comments from other posts. Now I know how and why the British Automotive industry went down the drain and is now owned By the Chinese,Americans, Russians etc. Your comments reek of an Imperialist's mentality.

Let's wait and see how the market reacts to this car. I think Lexus did their homework and well for that matter.

Will,
you have a good fighting spirit and you know how to stand your ground, let them know that the world is not just about BMW and MB. There are others challenging the status quo, be it the Japanese,Koreans,Americans or any other nation on earth, this German crap is sickening but I am not implying that they are not good (the Germans) but their dominance is thinning out and this is great news for the Global automotive industry because monopolies tend to become complacent hence the German reliability Issue in the last 16 years or so, because there was no competition then came out Lexus to remind them that they must not take us consumers for a ride. I do not hate German Cars in fact I owned two before (BMW320D but I traded it in for a Lexus IS250 AND MB ML500) but got rid of the BMW because It was a Fuc***g unreliable POS, the MB has not given me any trouble yet at least for now.

Let there be competition amongst the automakers, only the consumers stand to benefit from this.

Matthew and crew if you do not like something then fine its understandable, but judging a Car from pictures now that is selective perception.

First none of you heve ever seen this car in person, let alone been inside one, so how can you judge from pictures on this website.

Just be honest people you hate Lexus and what it stands for and their approach to carmaking period!! Its only human to do so!

Matthew,
If I am right You must British judging by your comments from other posts. Now I know how and why the British Automotive industry went down the drain and is now owned By the Chinese,Americans, Russians etc. Your comments reek of an Imperialist's mentality.

Let's wait and see how the market reacts to this car. I think Lexus did their homework and well for that matter.

Will,
you have a good fighting spirit and you know how to stand your ground, let them know that the world is not just about BMW and MB. There are others challenging the status quo, be it the Japanese,Koreans,Americans or any other nation on earth, this German crap is sickening but I am not implying that they are not good (the Germans) but their dominance is thinning out and this is great news for the Global automotive industry because monopolies tend to become complacent hence the German reliability Issue in the last 16 years or so, because there was no competition then came out Lexus to remind them that they must not take us consumers for a ride. I do not hate German Cars in fact I owned two before (BMW320D but I traded it in for a Lexus IS250 AND MB ML500) but got rid of the BMW because It was a Fuc***g unreliable POS, the MB has not given me any trouble yet at least for now.

Let there be competition amongst the automakers, only the consumers stand to benefit from this.

Matthew and crew if you do not like something then fine its understandable, but judging a Car from pictures now that is selective perception.

Sorry i submitted twice!

front end looks like the chormed up the front of a Camry and bolted it on a BMW 7.. Oh what I think the BMW looks better.. never thought I would say that.. thanks Toyota.. I mean Lexus...

KeyserSoze,

I agree. Don't know why the Pro-Germans hate Lexus so much. I think you're right in terms of the Lexus approach to building cars has gone in the right direction for them and they just hate to see competition. I, for one, think all this competition in the auto industry just benefits us. Styling, design, interior, exterior, quality...they're all subjective, for one to argue style over quality, who copied who, is purely bias.

Will,

I don't hate Lexus, but I am not crazy about them either. They don't really have anything that appeals to me.

KeyserSoze,

I am more than aware that photos do not tell the whole story, but these clear, natural-light photos are evidence enough of my claims.

And I'm not from Britain, but thank you for the compliment.

ssp350:

"I agree. Don't know why the Pro-Germans hate Lexus so much. I think you're right in terms of the Lexus approach to building cars has gone in the right direction for them and they just hate to see competition. "

the hate toward lexus reminds me of the UAW people pounding toyotas with sledgehammers, some years back.

people who THOUGHT they made/owned "the best" can get TERRIBLY UPSET when their choice is shown up by superior products made elsewhere.

of course, in detroit's case, the eventual response was to improve the products. which they HAVE done to a remarkable degree.

consumer reports says that now detroit vehicles are even more reliable than the euro brands. (this will surely bring a slew of upset responses!)

until the german makers (and fans) GET OVER the arrogant attitude and improve RELIABILITY, they will just continue to lose customers to Lexus.

Wow nice car they got there, most likelly yes its bound to come to the US, they got the lowest emmision in their cars