There’s a wonderful photo-essay on Lexus Magazine by Doug Knox & Andrew Shaylor that takes you through Kyoto, Japan in a LS 460 driven by Chief Engineer, Hideki Watanabe—some example shots:
Many miles later and comfortably at one with the LS, Watanabe patiently takes me to school, explaining how his team managed to eke out even better performance than the last LS redesign in 2006. The focus? “We examined every vehicle component in search of weight reduction,” he explains. As a result, the 380 hp 4.6-liter V8 engine now takes the LS 460 from 0 to 60 in just 5.4 seconds.
The next day, the LS breezes into Kanazawa. This is a cultural and business hub, a point underscored by sights such as a train station that juxtaposes a massive, traditional wooden temple gate against acres of steel and glass.
This LS 460 has obviously received the L-Select treatment, look at this interior:
The entire article is well worth looking through—be sure to check out all ten slides over at Lexus Magazine.