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[george]

Look out BMW; here comes Lexus

DETROIT: -- Toyota's new Lexus LS460 has made its debut at the North American International Auto Show, setting off a media buzz about Toyota's aims to double its European sales within five years.

Lexus has already become the top luxury car seller in the U.S.. and the LS460 - to be available in the fall - is expected to boost its standing worldwide. The car was unveiled on Sunday at the Detroit show.

The LS's 4.6 liter V-8 engine will get 380 horsepower, a 36 per cent boost over the current LS430, at premium fuel economy with a new high-tech direct-injection gasoline engine and an eight-speed transmission, according to Business Week online Monday.

The new Lexus will include a feature that automatically parallel parks the vehicle, using sonar and the navigation system, Toyota said. There will also be hybrid models available.

Lexus only sold 28,700 cars across Europe in 2005, but that was 15 per cent more than in 2004, Bloomberg financial news agency reported. That compares to the 1.2 million luxury cars sold by Mercedes and BMW across Europe.

The new Lexus will cost 60,000 to 65,000 dollars, which is 20,000 dollars less than the Mercedes's S-Class and BMW's 7 Series.

Starting next month, rival Mercedes-Benz will start selling the latest edition of its S Class large sedan, which starts at about 85,000 dollars. The new sedan features a seven-speed transmission, a bigger V-8 and cruise control that senses when a collision is about to happen and brakes the car automatically.

"We have heritage of over 100 years, a brand that people know and trust. Lexus is certainly a good competitor, as is BMW, Audi and Jaguar, because they challenge us to remain the benchmark," Donna Boland, a Mercedes spokeswoman, told Bloomberg.

That sort of legacy of tradition, combined with European loyalty to home brands, could be a major hurdle for Lexus to over come.

"The quality of the German flagships has gone down, and the quality of Lexus has gone up," Paul Lienert, president of Global Auto Systems in Michigan, was quoted by Bloomberg as saying. "What hasn't changed is the elitism."

--DPA/Bangkok Post 2006-01-10

[lost_in_isaan]

george, on 2006-01-10 07:50:18, said:

Look out BMW; here comes Lexus


The new Lexus will include a feature that automatically parallel parks the vehicle, using sonar and the navigation system, Toyota said.

i'd love to see how that system could handle parking in Bangkok..

[Phil Conners]

Own one of each for a year and you'll know the difference.

[terdsak_12]

I've driven both and Lexus wins hands down for smooth rides, reliability, and comfort. The BMW is a great driver's car though. Saw a few 645i's in London last week. sweet motors!!!!!