THE new Lexus LS430, the third generation of Lexus’ flagship, represents an important step closer to the goal of every luxury car manufacturer - automotive perfection.

This is not an idle boast - the new LS430 builds on Lexus’ experience of more than a decade as a luxury market leader by achieving even greater levels of quality, performance, safety and refinement and integrating advanced technology that is both effective and simple to use.

Continuous improvement has always been at the heart of Lexus’ operations and that principle was fully embraced in the strategy to create the new LS430.

The design team identified three key factors: more stylish exterior design; perceptible changes to the driving performance; and the adoption of more advanced technology features.

In all these respects, the new LS430 succeeds in moving the industry benchmark even higher.

On sale now in the UK, the LS430 is presented as a single model range with a comprehensive specification that raises the luxury segment standards in comfort, convenience, refined performance and safety. The on-the-road price is £56,850, sustaining the Lexus LS430’s reputation as the best value for money car in its class. That status is further reinforced by Lexus’ unmatched levels of customer service and satisfaction, as witnessed by three successive JD Power and Associates Gold Awards.

The exterior design is a dynamic evolution of the LS430’s established shape, expressed most strongly in changes to the shape of the bonnet, the new front grille and the adoption of the new AFS headlamp units.

The overall effect is to give the car a lower and wider front-end appearance and more muscular bonnet profile.

Driving dynamics and performance have been further improved.

The latest powertrain technology delivers improved fuel consumption and low emissions. The double overhead camshaft, 32-valve, 4.3-litre V8 engine develops 278bhp at 5,600mm and 417Nm of torque at 3,500mm. It can power the Lexus from rest to 62mph in 6.3 seconds - 0.4 seconds faster than the previous model - yet already complies with the stringent Euro IV emissions standards, due to come into force in 2005.

One of the most significant features of the LS430 is the new Super ECT-i, an electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift mode, equipped with gear ratios that are both closer and cover a wider range than before.

The transmission also uses Artificial Intelligence (Al) programmes that learn a driver’s style and match revs and gear change patterns accordingly. A link between the computerised engine management system and the transmission allows for a momentary reduction in torque to render gear changes almost imperceptible.

The standard-fit electronically modulated air suspension uses nine different adaptive programmes and produces world-leading stability and ride quality. The car’s 53:47 front to rear weight ratio and the development of the suspension have produced an exceptional ride and driving dynamics that are well-suited to European conditions.

In the cabin, Lexus engineers have gone beyond even the quality of the previous generation LS430 to deliver the finest fit and finish.

Their craftsmanship has reduced the tolerance level for interior fittings to one millimetre, a degree of precision previously considered unattainable.

Automotive perfection does not come at a prohibitive price. The new Lexus LS430 may boast unprecedented refinement, finish and ultra-low NVH levels, but its superiority is not reflected in higher prices than its less accomplished premium market competitors.

In fact the new LS430 is more competitively priced than all its key rivals when its comprehensive standard specification is taken into account.