The New Lexus LS Finally Comes Home To Japan

Continuing our coverage of Japanese cars newly introduced to Japan after they had been shown everywhere else, we present you today the new Lexus LS, live from Tokyo. Quite fittingly, the event was held at the swank Tokyo American Club, the outpost of American culture (initiation fee $33,000, monthly dues $280), located in Tokyo's embassy district. After all, the spiritual home of Lexus is America. The allegedly voluntary export restraints of the 80s prompted the Japanese to go upscale in their exports. The yen, which was ultra cheap in the early eighties, soon started to rise, which helped to fund transplants, along with the purchase of Hawaiian golf courses and the Rockefeller Center. Months after Alex Dykes test-drove the Lexus LS 460 and the Lexus 600hL, the Japanese media also could have a look at it. Today's launch event was above the usual stingy standards (there was finger food and free Lexus-branded bottled water), but it was nothing compared to the lavish Lexus LS launch party in San Francisco. Alex Dykes conveniently forgot to tell you about that party, but us poor schmucks of the Japanese media were shown a video. What else should I tell you? Through Alex, you already know more about the LS than the Japanese Press learned today. There are some minor differences between the Japanese LS and the American version, one being the side of the steering wheel, and the other the price. Type Grade Driveline Yen Converted LS 460 L Rear Wheel 10,300,000 $131,950 LS 460 L All Wheel 10,800,000 $138,356 LS 460 C Rear Wheel 8,700,000 $111,453 LS 460 C All Wheel 9,200,000 $117,858 LS600h L All Wheel 12,500,000 $160,134 LS600hL Executive All Wheel 15,500,000 $198,566 No wonder Lexus aims to sell only 300 a month in Japan. However, should anyone ever mention the artificially low, currency-manipulated  yen again, then I suggest that you cover your ears. Because I will scream. from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com

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