It will debut at next week's Detroit Motor Show, and rival the all-new Mercedes S-Class, which only has a seven-ratio self-shifter.
Love it or eight it, the LS460's smart styling will be based on the Lexus LF-Sh concept which was displayed at last year's Tokyo exhibition. The newcomer is expected to provide class-leading refinement, with an advanced 4.6-litre V8 pumping out more than 370hp and 500Nm of torque.
The clever box isn't the new model's only hi-tech feature. The company has confirmed that the flagship will use a special air-suspension set-up in a bid to steal sales
from its European rivals.
Despite its superior refinement, the biggest Lexus has traditionally lagged behind its Continental competitors dynamically - but that could all change with the latest machine. There may even be a long-wheelbase variant to tackle the extended BMW 7-Series and Mercedes S-Class models, although there are no plans for a diesel. Instead, the big range-topper is set to become the first-ever hybrid luxury car.
Set to debut at the New York Motor Show in April, the hybrid will boast a 5.0-litre V8 rumoured to generate 450bhp with the aid of a Toyota Prius-style electric motor. The entry-level LS460 is expected to go on sale in November, starting from around £50,000.
Ross Pinnock
I'm perfectly fine with four gears. I think this "eight gears" thing is just a way of saying to Mercedes, "we're better than you. You got seven gears; we got eight!"
Wouldn't it be better to instead use a CVT? I would assume that a seven/eight-gear transmission would spend more time shifting than it would staying in one ratio.
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1999 Toyota Camry LE 4-cylinder
That's what Mercedes did. BMW came out with the first 6-speed on the 7 Series in 2001 and Mercedes said, we're not gonna follow and came out with 7-speed. The thing is, the 7-spd gear boxes are weak and can't handle lots of power hence the reason why the AMG models are still 5-spd.
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2010 Prius Technology Package (Cdn)
OEM Cargo Mat, OEM All-Weather Mat, LED ext/int lights, 5000K HID, OEM Fogs, Euro Mudguards
I'm perfectly fine with four gears. I think this "eight gears" thing is just a way of saying to Mercedes, "we're better than you. You got seven gears; we got eight!"
Wouldn't it be better to instead use a CVT? I would assume that a seven/eight-gear transmission would spend more time shifting than it would staying in one ratio.
You're perfectly fine with four gears? Really? How about 3 gears, or two? Why even need more than one gear? On that note, who needs cruise control, auto dual zone air conditioning, and air suspensions for that matter .
The thing is, these are high class luxury cars we're talking about. You do know what luxury means right? Luxury is never about what people need, it's about what people want; it's about excess and opulence.
Lexus would not make an 8-speed tranny purely for marketing reasons. This tranny quite likely has some innovations which provide useful benefits in economy, comfort, or refinement.
And why not use CVTs? Because CVTs are still weaker than ordinary trannies. I'm not exactly sure if the GS450h or LS600h will use CVT trannies, because if they do, they'll need to be some really special CVTs to handle all that power.
Besides, I never really see anyone complaining about MB's 7 speed tranny, so why complain about Lexus?
And why not use CVTs? Because CVTs are still weaker than ordinary trannies. I'm not exactly sure if the GS450h or LS600h will use CVT trannies, because if they do, they'll need to be some really special CVTs to handle all that power.
FYI. CVT has been used in DAF trucks. If they can handle large rigs, I'm sure CVT should be able to pull a 'little' luxury sedan.
Eight is getting pretty ridiculous, even seven in the Benz is a little much. Personally, I would hate hearing my car shift over and over and over. Four is a little lacking, but five or six is about right. Our 5-speed Explorer shifts into second gear at 15-20 mph and that bugs me enough, I can't imagine gearing like that throughout the entire powerband.
You're perfectly fine with four gears? Really? How about 3 gears, or two? Why even need more than one gear? On that note, who needs cruise control, auto dual zone air conditioning, and air suspensions for that matter .
The thing is, these are high class luxury cars we're talking about. You do know what luxury means right? Luxury is never about what people need, it's about what people want; it's about excess and opulence.
Lexus would not make an 8-speed tranny purely for marketing reasons. This tranny quite likely has some innovations which provide useful benefits in economy, comfort, or refinement.
And why not use CVTs? Because CVTs are still weaker than ordinary trannies. I'm not exactly sure if the GS450h or LS600h will use CVT trannies, because if they do, they'll need to be some really special CVTs to handle all that power.
Besides, I never really see anyone complaining about MB's 7 speed tranny, so why complain about Lexus?
OK, OK, OK! To the person who wants "excess and opulence", more power to them (no pun intended). But to me it wouldn't suit my lifestyle, considering how I drive mostly around town and I doubt I'd use all eight gears. That's why I said I'm fine with four.
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1999 Toyota Camry LE 4-cylinder
I see some camry too. I love it and kinda hate it at the same time. Its beautiful. The interior, dont get me wrong,t hese pix arent clear, but the interior looks a tad cheap on the doorpanels. I'm not a fan of the Swooping wood on the doors. But hey, its an amazing car. I still cant get used to that "Mercedes Benz" shifter knob though.
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