2001 Lexus LS 430 - The Sweet Smell of Success
Success. When you've reached that certain level of monetary comfort, the purchase of a premium car is usually the end result of a long love affair. Marques such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar are usually on the short list for those seeking a sedan. But back in 1991, two new names rose from the land of the rising sun, Infiniti and Lexus. Born from humble parents, the Nissan and Toyota progeny were initially received by a skeptical audience. It didn't take long, however, for pensive thoughts to turn to praise, as owners and critics alike lauded each for its sophisticated powertrain and superb build quality. Now, the Lexus LS is considered by many to be a benchmark luxury sedan, excelling in refinement and reliability.
Never satisfied, Lexus redesigned and reengineered the LS for the 2001 model year. The new look is fresh and bold. Large xenon headlamps are set in low sculpted fenders, flanking a deep, prominent grille. Clean lines taper back to an elegant triangular taillight assembly. The overall design is clean and refined.
Performance has increased as well. A smooth as silk 290 hp, DOHC, 32-valve V8 propels the 1795 kg (3957 lb) sedan to 100 km/h (62 mph) in an aggressive 6.3 seconds. A slick 5-speed automatic shifts with equal precision. Noticeably lacking is a manual mode such as that found in the IS300, and available in almost every competitive car. Such a feature is expected in this class of car, and would definitely offer more sport to the mix.