np20412

Lexus LS-460 is King of High-Tech; Telematics, Digital Entertainment, and Driver Assist Score High According to TRG

Business Wire
via NewsEdge Corporation

MINNETONKA, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2006--When it ships later this year the 2007 Lexus LS-460 will have more technology features than any other vehicle offered for sale in the North American Market, according to Telematics Research Group (TRG).

Chief among the Lexus-LS-460's technology offerings is a factory-installed 30GB hard disk drive partitioned for music and navigation. The only other car to offer a factory-installed hard disk drive is the Mercedes S-Class but in this case it is for navigation only.

Another advanced technology on the LS-460 is cameras for lane departure warning and park assist. The Lexus uses a total of three cameras that will aid in parking the vehicle, as well as warn the driver when the vehicle veers out of the lane.

Rounding out the technology package are touch-screen and voice activated navigation system, Bluetooth phone control, monitored telematics, live traffic reports and a 19-speaker audio system that reads compressed audio formats (i.e. MP3).

"The LS-460 includes more technology than any other passenger vehicle offered for sale in the U.S." says Phil Magney, president and principal analyst with TRG. "Based on our criteria of 30 technology features in the areas of telematics, infotainment, and driver assist technologies, the LS-460 scores the highest of all vehicles."

While the Lexus LS-460 includes the most technology features, a close second is the 2006 BMW 7-Series and the 2007 Mercedes S-Class, both tied at 20. They are followed by the Lexus LX-470.

In all, thirteen vehicles make up the top five list of vehicles having the most technologies. In terms of brands only five OEMs hold positions here - BMW, Mercedes, Cadillac, Lexus, and Acura.

Eight of the vehicles are priced over $50,000, three models are priced from $40,000 to $50,000, and two are priced between $30,000 and $40,000. Two of the 13 vehicles are SUVs, while the rest are near-luxury or luxury sedans.

Earlier this month, it was declared that BMW was the brand leader in terms of technology availability across all models. On an overall basis, BMW deploys more technology than any other brand.



About TRG:

TRG (Telematics Research Group, Inc.) tracks and analyzes the markets for automotive telematics, navigation, infotainment and driver assist and licenses this competitive intelligence to leading companies around the world.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Very nice, but I do see a change of running into problems later (way later) down the road, because of all these electronic stuff. As good as lexus is, they will be bound to have glitches.

INHOCJP

Yeah Henry, but you've modded your GS so much that no one can tell whether it's a '98 or a '05.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

haha point valid there and just like so, my sc430 looks like a 06 now as well

GFerg

http://www.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=149084

I guess some of them forgot that this wasnt from a Lexus Press Release. Bitter

rominl

iTrader: (4)

haha that's mbworld, a lot of us already know a lot about them. let me just give a warning here first, we do NOT allow cross flaming between forums, if i see any all posts would be removed. ok? please be liberal, and just leave people alone.

thanks

PS btw, as a disclaimer, for those who wants to click on the link, make sure you are mentally prepared. you have been warned

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

price difference b/t similar optioned LS460 and S550 + gas guzzler tax is going to be $15k-$20k I bet. Thats gigantic and will catch peoples attention. Its funny how an engine almost 1 liter less makes pretty much just as much power AND torque, better mileage, better emissions w/o using forced induction. Everyone conveniently ignored that fact

Yea I want my 20 points of IQ back.

XeroK00L

Yes. This however, is not considered in a tech comparison.Very true, but like it or not, the bottom line is that the S550 is more powerful than the LS460. Hopefully Lexus will drop that 5.0L V8 in the regular LS in a few years down the road. After all, there's no replacement for displacement.

INHOCJP

Wow, some MB owners have a pretty big chip on their shoulders

I'm beginning to see more and more S550s on the road. Honestly, I think it's ok looking, but not as eye catching as some other MB models, like the CLS.

I'd love to compare the LS460 and the S550 side by side with my own eyes. I have a feeling pictures don't do the LS460 justice.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

hehee, i feel so good that i already did that comparison a while ago trust me, jay, you do the comparison, and then you will wanna sell your gs430

well, the ls460 and the s550 have virtually the same hp number, but the s550 has more tq. but i bet the s550 will be quite a bit heavier than the ls460 as well, so i don't think the s550 will necesarily has better performance. i think the ls460 will be able to do low to mid 5s, that's impressive i think

INHOCJP

Well, the GS430 is going to be turned in next summer. I just can't decide whether to replace it with a GS460, GS450H or now the LS460. And to make matters worse, I still can't get the 6 series coupe out of my mind.

Oh well, I'll enjoy my 430 in the meantime.

Gojirra99

Hahaha, it's tough to be in a position to make that decision with all those choices.

lexuslover

next summer? how long was your lease? you lucky dog i have until July 07 on the SC and March 08 on the GS.

i'm contemplating the LS hybrid in the future only because my husband has got this 7 mile commute which is all local and he's getting pitiful mileage on the GS right now. i always show off my 21mpg on the RX and ask him if he's jealous LOL

rominl

iTrader: (4)

indeed..... i wish i had that kind of problem

mparos

Rather than nibbling around the edge I would like to jump into a couple of main issues. I have owned an LS as well as a 7 Series. They are both great cars. The two areas where the new LS 460 needs to make real improvements is in CORNERING (firmer supension) and BRAKES (750i has 13.7" disks). These are really essential in my mind so I am anxious to see how the new model performs.