AUTOCARS COLECTION 2011

The LS, Lexus' competitor for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8, and BMW 7 Series, always lagged behind its German rivals because driving it was a somewhat detached, uninvolved experience. However, for 2010, that may be changing: for the first time, Lexus is offering a sport package for the LS.

The package adds an extra $6185 to the bottom line, and is only offered on short-wheelbase, rear-drive LS models. That extra money gets you exterior visual cues, including body cladding; 19-inch, 10-split-spoke alloy wheels; summer tires; and a unique grille. There are also major differences inside. This is the first Lexus on the market where the wood (in this case dark brown ash burl wood) has a matte finish, a look that we'd like to see in more of the company's vehicles. There is only one interior color scheme in this car, and the matte wood goes with Black/Saddle Tan perforated leather with contrast stitching. Also unique are the sport seats in front, which are comfortable on the highway, yet provide terrific bolstering and support in turns.

But the Sport model is not just an appearance package. There are those telltale styling cues inside and out, but there's a lot more to it. What makes this the most exciting model in the LS line is the addition of a sportier transmission, new brakes, and a sport-tuned suspension. The 380-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 has always been backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission, but the Sport trans gets the IS F treatment: it comes with the IS F's paddle shifters and manual mode. Since both of these cars use the AA80E transmission (in the rear-drive LS), it would seem that this was a relatively logical step for the Sport. It brings the quick shifts that we love in the IS F, and the eight-speed won't automatically shift if the car hits redline. In addition, it provides rev-matching throttle blips when downshifting. The new trans provides the quick acceleration of the direct-injection V-8, plus the ability to manually control shifts with either paddles or the shifter-and really control them. Up front, there are 14.8-inch Brembo brakes (these are larger diameter rotors than on the IS F) with high-friction brake pads. And the difference is noticeable. Response is excellent, as braking is quick without being jarring.

Unlike the regular rear-drive LS coil-spring rear suspension, the Sport receives air suspension, providing a stiffer ride. The all-wheel-drive LS also has air suspension, but in the Sport, this setup has been retuned, and the shock rates were revised. Handling is noticeably better, and the suspension is much more responsive in turns. Yet the straight-line ride isn't rough, and for people who want the more traditional LS-quality ride or are on chauffeur duty while family is in town, there is also a comfort setting for the shocks.


The wonderful 380-horse V-8 finally gets the sport-sedan treatment it rightly deserves. The Sport package makes the vehicle more exciting, and a lot more fun to drive. Acceleration, handling, shifts, and braking are all crisper. That the driver is given more freedom to control what the car does makes this a much more involving experience on the road than in the rest of the LS line. It isn't cheap-the vehicle we drove had an MSRP of $76,014 (it also came with the comfort package with heated/cooled seats, park assist, and power rear sunshade, and the luxury value edition, with Mark Levinson 7.1 19-speaker DVD-audio and video, navigation, and XM NavTraffic, making this a very well-equipped car), and it isn't nearly as extreme as anything from AMG. But for those who want a little more sport sedan in their LS, the extra six grand is worth it.