Science fiction becomes fact as you can now buy a self-parking car! Select reverse in the Lexus LS460 and the big saloon will steer itself in to a parking space, I kid you not.
Okay, so it is a little bit more complicated than that. First of all you have to select a parking spot using the centrally mounted in-dash TV screen. A TV camera mounted at the rear of the car shows what's behind (nothing new there).
The touch sensitive screen has superimposed graphic indicators that display the position the car could end up in. You select the location pressing the Ok button on the screen and then simply cross your arms and let the car do the steering for you.
All you have to do is keep your foot lightly on the brake to keep the speed down. In reality this is just fabulous party trick. If you can drive this huge car in normal conditions you surely can park it. The auto park function takes too long to use and can be tricky to set and I know a thing or two about technology. That said a Mercedes can’t park itself and this means Lexus gets all the bragging rights.
The stunning technology in the LS460 is more than gadget deep as the eight-cylinder petrol engine is superb. The LS features the world's first eight-speed automatic gearbox that is impossibly smooth and refined. The LS is stuffed with every conceivable luxury option as standard!
Adaptive cruise control is one toy that is very useful on the motorway. It allows you to not only set your speed but the distance from any car in front of you. When a slower vehicle is in front or pulls out into your lane the active cruise control will retard your speed and alert you to the hazard ahead. The system turns off at a certain point and you have to apply the brakes accordingly.
A nice touch is the picture gram on the dash display that lets you know when the brake lights are being applied. Rival car maker BMW has stolen a march on the Japanese firm recently with its latest active cruise control system that will bring the car to a full stop when activated – without the driver having to press the brakes. Technology is taking giant leaps and bounds, so Lads and Lassies we are all going to have to sign up to night classes very soon – by the way did I tell you Mercedes has a night vision system available on the S & CL Class that can see in the dark!
Lexus has come a very long way since its humble beginnings almost 20 years ago as the luxury arm of Toyota. The LS460 is a handsome car and even has a fresh and sporty rear end that makes the car look relatively small. It shrinks around you on the road and has a superb ride thanks to fully adjustable suspension.
The LS600 hybrid is on the way very soon and it promises to be awesome, I will feature it soon.
The Lexus LS460 is far better value for money than a Mercedes S Class, but for many CEOs, Barristers and Consultants that three pointed star is still worth more than an 'L' badge.
Michael Sheridan
