THE LAP OF LUXURY

It’s not often I get the chance to squeeze in a massage before work on a Monday morning. But, hey, take the opportunity when it comes your way. Winter arrived in Gauteng last week as a cold blast of air swung through the province, so the thought of sitting in an airconditioned office where the temperature can range from sub-zero to tropical, depending on who has the remote, just didn’t seem all that appealing.

But before I get hauled over the coals for bunking work, I must state I was having the massage for research purposes only. I swear!

You see, I had just been handed the keys to the all-new Lexus LS 500, which comes equipped with more comfort features than a Morningside townhouse, including a particularly enjoyable massage function.

First launched in 1979, the LS has become the flagship sedan in the Lexus lineup and has never been shy to offer the latest in trends and technology.

That first-generation model had features such as leather and walnut trim, poweradjustable seats, soft-touch controls and an automatic tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel.

It also had an impressive top speed of 250km/h.

These are largely features and figures taken for granted today, but remember, this was back in an era when a peanut farmer sat in the White House, the Bee Gees were topping the pop charts and the Walkman was all the rage.

Now in its fifth generation, the LS continues to set the standard when it comes to the executive sedan segment.

There is just one trim level available, but when it comes to this particular vehicle, one is all you need when you are utilising the Japanese Takumi craftsmanship in the driver-focused cockpit.

Two interior colours are available: black, and attractive combination of crimson and black, which our particular test vehicle came with.

The seats are upholstered in soft leather with a choice of 28 settings to adapt support for the back, pelvis and hips. The seats also come with heating and cooling functions.

Many business executives — and given that the LS costs R2 141 400 you will probably need to fall in this category — will get to spend a fair amount of time riding in the back getting chauffeured from one meeting to the next. And it’s a pretty fine place to be.

Fancy a bit of downtime? Not a problem, as you have your own entertainment monitor to catch a movie, individual climate zones,

and numerous reclining seat settings available. One of these, aptly named Relax, extends the leg ottoman, reclines the seatback and moves the front passenger seat to its furthest forward position. The rear seats are equipped with the shiatsu massage function to help lull you into a power nap before you tackle that next important boardroom meeting. Another standout interior feature is the Mark Levinson sound system, which provides impeccable audio quality filtered through 24 speakers. Until last week I had thought Bang & Olufsen set the benchmark when it comes to audio systems — it’s time to revise that thought. The exterior of the LS has changed significantly compared to the outgoing model. Using the same platform as the superlative LC 500, the LS today is lower (by a significant 50mm), wider and longer. The result is a coupé-like silhouette of impressive proportions; it does, after all, measure more than 5.3m long. When writing about any Lexus, mention is always made of that imposing hour-glasslike spindle grille that has become a trademark feature for the brand. In this particular instance, it took six months to calibrate and consists of over 5 000 individual grids. The result speaks for itself. Couple this imposing grille with other standout features such as 20-inch run-flat wheels, lovely sloping lines and narrow headlights, and the result is a car that turns heads at every corner. Under the bonnet, the LS 500 proves it is not just a beauty but also a beast with a significant change being the introduction of a new 3.5-litre V6 twin turbo engine replacing the 4.7-litre V8. A smaller engine equals less power, you might think. Well, think again. Power is actually up to 309kW (previously 285kW) while torque is significantly increased to 600Nm (up from 493Nm).

The snarl of the V8 has been replaced with a more refined sound, but engage Sport+ mode and get slightly heavy with the right foot and the note emanating from the twin tailpipes is certainly sweet to the ear. The LS 500 now also has a 10-speed automatic gearbox (the first in the premium sedan segment) and the smooth delivery of power through each of those gears is impressive. As mentioned, the LS is a large vehicle. Thing is, though, when you’re behind the wheel it doesn’t feel nearly as big, as it calls out to be driven with gusto and handles superbly. Safety-wise, LS 500 owners will want for nothing: a plethora of airbags; a pre-crash system that helps mitigate the force of impact; active cruise control; lane keep assist and lane departure warning. In a category largely dominated by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series and Audi A8, the LS 500 pushes the boundaries and is taking the game to the opposition, proving the Germans don’t have the luxury sedan segment all to themselves. In fact, an LS driver may well be looking at them in their rear-view mirror. ● The LS range will be boosted with the introduction of the performance-focused F-Sport later this year and a hybrid version in mid-2019. Vehicles come with a sevenyear/105 000km warranty and full maintenance plan.