RIYADH, 5 February 2007 — In a dazzling, extravagant show that spoiled the senses of hundreds of businessmen, executives, and members of the press on Saturday, Mohammed Jameel, CEO and president of Abdul Latif Jameel Group, the sole agent for Toyota in Saudi Arabia, gave the audience a glimpse of what the new Lexus LS460 has to offer.
As the chief engineer of Lexus, Yoshida said in the ceremony, that it was not a matter of redefining, or refurbishing, but a matter of “going back to the drawing board” in an attempt to create the ultimate luxury sedan car.
The new series, which comes after the release of the Lexus IS300, ES300, and GS300, will certainly grab your senses the moment you set foot in the car.
In a relentless attempt for pursuit of perfection, the new Lexus LS460 offers a brand new everything. It starts from its new V8 engine that produces a solid 340 Horsepower to its new suspension system. The new engine has a remarkable fuel efficiency rate of 16.8 liters per 100 kms.
Engineers at Lexus are offering the world the first 8-speed automatic transmission system which is equipped with a sequential shift mode for those who enjoy the sporty of manual shifting.
The LS460 is equipped with the world’s first “Rear Seat Relaxation System.” A built-in massage mechanism is built in the rear seats, offering its passengers an experience of relaxation never before seen in a sedan car.
That’s not all. The Ottoman Seat (installed behind the front passenger seat) is equipped with an electronically-operated foot relaxation stool where passengers can rest their legs. The interior has also been increased by 30cms between the front and back seat, maximizing the leg length for more comfort.
And for the enjoyment of the rear passengers, a new LCD screen that is tucked away neatly in the ceiling, as well as a DVD system comes to their convenience and enjoyment. Passengers in the car need not to fuss about the right air-conditioning temperature. The car comes with an automatic air-conditioning system with independent controls for all four passenger seats — the front and rear. The front seats are ventilated for air-conditioning, allowing air to reach occupants by passing through the fabric. As a new feature in the Lexus LS460, 10 ultrasonic sensors and a camera-based rearview monitor system assists the driver when backing up or parking. The driver needs not to move a muscle when turning into reverse, as the entire background is projected on the LCD monitor screen in front of him.
Passengers safety has never been a matter taken for granted in Lexus, the chief engineer said. The LS460 is equipped with 8 air bags to not only protect the front passengers, but also the rear passengers in case of a collision. Advanced braking technologies include the ECB (Electronic Controlled Braking), ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), and HAC (Hill-start Assist Control).
The body structure of the LS460 has been equipped with AISI590 steel which is 1.3 times stronger than high-strength steel to ensure a smoother drive and resistance to noise and vibration.
As another new feature, the car has been equipped with the Mark Levinson Reference Surround System featuring 19 speakers and a 450-watt amplifier. Front and rear display screens ensure that passengers get the best home theater system in the car.
The ALJ group CEO and president said Lexus was never about just selling the ultimate luxury car. “We strive for customer satisfaction,” he said in his opening speech, noting that after-sale services was just as important as selling the car.
“We take our customers’ remarks and observations very seriously,” he noted.
Saleh Al-Jasser, executive director, said that of the 400,000 cars sold annually in the Kingdom, Toyota has a share of 35- 40 percent of the market.
“Lexus has been the number one selling luxury car in Saudi Arabia since 1998,” he said. He also said that the company’s sales continued to grow by 7 percent each year.
