Auto Driven: Lexus LS460

Safety in cars – especially premium cars – has come a long way since seatbelts were first introduced into mass-produced models half a century ago.

The LS460 boasts a host of world-first safety features - and we got the chance to experience them in action at the launch in France.

Lexus’s fourth generation LS model will be available in three trim levels and the Advanced Safety Pack will feature in the top-of-the-range LS 460 SE-L and be available as an option on the LS 460 and LS 460 SE.

The most eye-catching of these features, in more ways than one, is the Driver Monitoring System.

This entails a camera monitoring the symmetry of the driver’s facial features to determine whether he or she is looking at the road or not.

Should the car detect an obstacle in front while the driver’s head is turned away it will first try to alert the motorist via displays and warnings before applying the brakes.

It will then try to lessen the effects of any collision by tightening the seatbelt and bringing the front headrests closer to the front seat occupants’ heads to reduce whiplash.

The car goes through the same preparation for collision if it detects a crash to the rear is unavoidable.

Plus, should the car consider a collision likely it will accelerate the response times of the brakes and steering.

And best of all, each of the different safety systems is coordinated so they should act in harmony.

It sounds complicated but, testing these features on a track in France, made perfect sense.

The acceleration of response times is clearly noticeable and the effectiveness of the driver aids was clearly shown by driving the Lexus over an unreliable surface with only the ABS safety feature for company and then repeating the drive with all the toys applied.

It was the difference between fighting to control the car and the car actively helping negotiate the difficulty.

In addition to the headline-grabbing world firsts there are also plenty of other useful features to keep you safe including an alert which is sounded should you stray out of your lane and steering which will gently nudge you back on course again.

The LS460 has also attracted attention for featuring the world’s first eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Lexus say this improves economy and renders gear changes almost imperceptible. And after initially straining my ears to hear the changes (which you can) it soon became the case that I clean forgot about them most of the time.

This smoothness reinforces the LS’s position as a luxury drive with external noise massively reduced and comfort at a premium.

Looks wise the Lexus is understated quality. The designers have created an all new LS and it’s obvious every detail has been minutely analysed both inside and out.

The car’s contours are elegant and it certainly turned heads during our jaunt – for all the right reasons.

The interior mottled finish may not be to everyone’s taste but there are options.

So it’s nice to drive and safe to drive. But is there any fun to be had?

Plenty.

Lexus chose a route straight out of a car advert for the UK’s motoring journalists to put it through its paces – all hairpins and beautiful scenery.

And, despite its size (wider and longer than the outgoing model), it was at that moment the car seemed to shrink to suit the job in hand.

While the ride spares the occupants the lumps and bumps, the handling is great fun and as my confidence in the car’s ability grew it responded superbly.

Its 4.6 litre V8 engine boasts 375bhp and can hit 62mph from a standing start in 5.7 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.

Next year it will be joined by hybrid model the LS 600h.

The Lexus may boast enough entertainment features to rival your lounge (exquisite 19-speaker Mark Levinson system with six-disc DVD auto-changer on all but the entry model), and seat the driver in the lap of luxury and safety, but it still offers a fun, involving drive when the fancy takes you. 

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