The Lexus LS 430 is an attractive luxury car that makes a substantial, upscale statement, but don't expect young people to stop what they're doing to gawk as you whisper by. It tends to blend in, particularly in areas frequented by other luxury cars. It's somewhat distinguished for 2004 with styling revisions that are substantial but subtle to the casual observer.The front fenders, hood, headlamps, fog lamps, grille, front and rear bumpers, trunk lid, and rear combination lamps are all new and the front combination lamps (signal/parking) have been redesigned. The standard 17-inch wheels have been redesigned and new 18-inch wheels are available with the Sport Package, freshening the profile. These changes clearly upgrade the appearance for 2004, giving it a more substantial look and more presence, but few are likely to say, "Ohmigosh! It's the new LS 430!" Perhaps most noticeable to other motorists are the newly exposed dual exhaust tailpipes, which protrude from the lower edge of the bumper and project a look of power and performance to those in your rearview mirror. New LED brake lights are brighter, light up quicker, last longer, and draw less current, plus they look neat. The LS 430 looks long and low, sleek and shapely. It cuts a handsome, though subtle profile. Its large passenger cabin with a generous greenhouse is sandwiched between a long hood and a short tail. Its canted windshield and elegant A-pillars are set off by the slant of the backlight (rear window) and thick, curvacious C-pillars that blend seamlessly into the rear flanks. The bold, trapezoidal grille thrusts it forward, while the hood bulges with power. The grille is rimmed in bright trim. The short, horizontal deck leads to a vertical back panel with oversized lamps at the corners, camouflaging the mass of the trunk. The LS 430 is so streamlined that it earns a 0.26 coefficient of drag, 0.25 with the optional air suspension, making it one of the most aerodynamic shapes on the road. That contributes to exceptionally low wind noise and improved fuel economy. The slick exterior form is further enhanced by the remarkable fit of the body panels. Although Lexus has long been recognized for superior fit and finish, the quality achieved by the LS 430 reaches a new dimension. Engineers used a supercomputer to digitize all body surfaces, then worked out new fit tolerances ten times more precise than on the previous-generation (pre-2001) model.
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