Luxury times ten: Driving the Lexus LS460L

MANILA, Philippines - There’s something absolutely alluring about driving a Lexus – the top-of-the-line LS460L especially. First of all, it says several things about you – not the least of which is the fact that you’ve got exquisite taste. Also, driving one says that you don’t give a hoot about what other people think or say. This is exactly how I felt (if only for a few days) when I was fortunate enough to have had the chance to take home a Lexus LS460L not too long ago.

While it may be true that the LS460L’s exterior is a bit understated – carefully thought out yet safe character lines and all – it still makes a strong enough statement to convey a luxurious stance. If the badge itself doesn’t impose upon you, at 5,150 mm x 1,875 mm, its sheer size will. It’s big and beautiful but never overbearing.

Realistically, the oohs and the aahs don’t start coming until you show off the car’s interiors, however. The driver’s got a gazillion controls at his disposal, for example. The power tilt/telescopic steering column with memory is downright sweet. The wood interior trims are among the finest you’ll ever see in any automobile. The 4-zone automatic aircon system is simply amazing. The multi-information display is also impressive. The rear seats have a DVD capable entertainment system (it’s connected to a 19-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound audio system that rocks @$$). There’s power seat adjustment for both driver and front passenger. The rear seat behind the driver also has power seat adjustment. And the premium semi Analine leather seats are simply crazy comfortable. What takes the cake, however, is the rear passenger seat at the right hand side of the car. It’s a functional ottoman that’s reminiscent of an aircraft’s Business Class seat. Think Lazy Boy in a huge car and you’ll get the drift.

As I drove out of the plush Lexus showroom in Bonifacio Global City, I almost felt cheated that I had to drive the darn thing myself knowing that there was an even more comfortable seat than the one I’m used to being on. I was later able to coax my brother into driving a bit for me so I know first hand just how comfortable being driven around in the LS460L is.

Speaking of driving, I can also attest to the LS460L being quite the performer in this department. It’s got technological wizardry written all over it, after all. The car’s massive 4.6-liter V8 has 32 valves, a double overhead cam and Toyota’s vaunted dual VVT-iE. As such, it can propel the LS460L around with ease. To wit: 432ph @ 6,400rpm and 455 Nm @ 4,000rpm. Those are some intense numbers for something that isn’t meant to be driven around in a race track!

Lexus engineers (Bless them all!) also left no stone unturned in making sure that the LS460L is one safe vehicle. On the active safety front, the car has ABS with Brake Assist; Child Lock Protection; Vehicle Stability Control; an Adaptive Front Lighting System; Traction Control; a Parking Sensor; a Back-up Camera; Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management and Rain Sensing Wipers. On the passive side, it’s got Driver and Front Passenger SRS Airbags; Driver and Front Passenger Knee SRS Airbags; Front and Rear Side SRS Airbags with Curtain Shield; Side Impact Door Beams and 3-point ELR Seatbelts for all seats.

At P8.238 million, the Lexus LS460L might sound like an unreasonable deal at first. But all it really takes is a spin in it (driver and rear passenger seats, remember) for one to realize just how much car one is going to get for the money. Perspectives are bound to change after that. I know mine did. Besides, who wouldn’t want to be labeled as an individual who has good taste and a flair for giving the rest of the world the figurative middle finger?