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I always thought the flagship of the Lexus brand was vanilla-plain. But the new model, the LS 460, is lookin' stylin', easily matching the BMW 7-Series. (In fact, they're suspiciously similar, especially in a side profile.)

But I'm in the minority. Most of my friends and peers think it's still to conservative-looking like Jags. What's your view? Is this the vehicle that will finally break BMW's hold on supra-luxury vehicles? Or will Lexus fall again on its face?

Pics here: http://www.cars.com/go/features/autoshows/vehicle.jsp?autoshow=&vehicletype=production&autoshowyear=2006&vehicle=production_lexus_LS460L  

I would have to agree with your friends, this Lexus is still too conservative to be taken seriously.  But I don't think it can be compared to Jaguar, especially the purposeful XJ, which definately looks unique.  However, the LS 460 is just...there.  It is an overly porked car riding on four nicely spoked wheels.  In this segment, you need originality, in my opinion.  The 7-Series needs no introduction when you come face to face with those radical eyebrows or those other revolutionary Bangle design elements that have influenced countless other automobile companies.  The new S-Class is in the same league.  But the Lexus is still just about reliability, comfort, and well that's about it.  No inspiration comes from the sheetmetal of this vehicle.  It seems as though Lexus is content upon just mimicking it's European counterparts, look at that BMW fin on the roof or that taillight design inspired by the 5-Series.  Enough! Furthermore, look at the rear angle of the LS 460 and you'll see no chisled bodywork, nothing to suggest even a hint of athletic possibility.  And finally, Lexus simply has no real credibility in this segment as it cannot claim the illustrious history of the European marques.  When you are paying this amount of money for a car, in the motto of Audi, "It is better to lead than to follow."  Sorry, but I'm interpreting this showing by the LS 460 as a means to argue for an alternative to the superb Infiniti M35/45, not as a declaration to seriously challenge the 7-Series and the S-Class.  

lexus is far from being on their face in the first place.  they make better cars.  not to mention toyota is on the verge of overthrowing the top manufacturers, if they havent already.  its their flagship, not their bold car.  take a look at the GS 450 hybrid if you want that.  I'd take a new GS over any other lux car anyday  

8 Speed Automatic Transmission??!?! Lexus is always coming up with ideas to be better than Benz and BMW. Brilliant japanese!! Haha, but I would buy this car over the S500 and 7 series, because of its build quality, power, and performance  

Sooner or later the cars will have more gears than my 21-speed bike...  

yeah nothing spectacular about this car but thats what lexus has always brought to the table, they have never really been about causing design shockwaves they just build good realiable luxury cars, and theres nothing wrong with that (I'd still take the BMW or Mercedes over it though)  

I like it...i like it alot..it looks really clean....somewhat like the 7 series  

I like it...i like it alot..it looks really clean....somewhat like the 7 series  

good looking car