First Drive: 2010 Aston Martin Rapide is always ready for its close-up

the starting ceremony complete, the V12 settles into a pleasant rumble. The transmission buttons reside on each side of the arty key. Release the electronic parking brake, press the "D" button, and the Rapide is ready to roll.

Acceleration is strong, but not neck-snapping. Holding the Rapide's accelerator to the floor rewards passengers with 60 miles per hour in just under five seconds – robust, but a number that is no longer very impressive in this stratospheric segment. It is a world filled with forced induction competitors that exhibit immediate torque off idle, yet the Rapide's V12 breathes air at atmospheric pressure. In the real world, most won't care about the numbers as the sound emanating from the 6.0-liter twelve-cylinder engine sends chills decisively down each passenger's spine. The unhampered exhaust spouts gloriously from the twin pipes under throttle, and it burbles during downshifts. In other words, the Rapide offers a sensational bark, but a mid-pack bite.

The Rapide doesn't drive as big as it looks (still, tight slaloms are best done wide to compensate for the added wheelbase). Notwithstanding, any sedan-like driving characteristics are left in the parking lot as the Rapide magically morphs into a coupe at speed and becomes truly enjoyable to command.

We covered a couple hundred miles in the Rapide over the course of a day. It was raining most of the time (thank you, Florida), but sealed inside our leather-lined cocoon, we were isolated from everything nature had in store. The platform is remarkably solid, as if it had been CNC-milled from a forged ingot of titanium. Not only is the cabin completely free from squeaks and rattles, but triple-digit velocities allow only a whisper of wind noise to our ears (the window glass is laminated specifically to improve noise insulation).

The paddle shifters, electronically triggering the six-speed automatic, are easy-to-use and very effective in operation. While it is not today's popular dual-clutch setup, the "Touchtronic 2" mated to the V12 cracks off quick shifts enjoyably and without drama. Even in fully automatic mode, we never found ourselves questioning its decisions.

Straight-line speed is effortless in the Rapide, but so are the curves. Again, in coupe-like fashion, the Rapide dives right in without hesitation. Excellent chassis tuning, a responsive automatic damping system and optimal weight distribution make the four-door an absolute joy to toss around. Reigning in the inertia are overly capable brakes. Thanks to the weather, we couldn't find a surface with enough grip to put them to a vigorous test as ABS would stop our game well short of their true threshold. Still, their application was accurate and easy to modulate.

We must mention the stereo as the Aston Martin Rapide has the best mobile audio system we have ever heard – hands down. Yes, it is standard equipment. Credit the Danish Bang & Olufsen team with engineering a 1,000-watt system that pumps auditory bliss out of 15 strategically-placed speakers throughout the cabin (the system is officially called the "1000 W BeoSound Rapide"). Not only does the custom setup include those two ultra-cool "Acoustic Lenses" that rise like dueling conductors out of the dashboard, but the electronics actually monitor each seatbelt to determine how many occupants are in the vehicle (and where they are sitting) so that the sound may be tailored perfectly within the cabin's acoustic chambers – now, that is cool. With our iPhone plugged into the system, we had Rush's Tom Sawyer blaring so loudly that you would have sworn Geddy Lee was wailing at us inches away, Alex Lifeson was strumming in the passenger seat and Neil Peart was hanging out in the rear hatch smashing a full complement of drums. Our ears rang for hours that night.

We genuinely liked the Aston Martin Rapide, but it didn't leave us breathless. A peerless execution of a sedan cleverly disguised as a coupe – or arguably one of the best-looking sedans on the planet – the four-door isn't the sportiest within its niche (the Porsche Panamara takes that honor), or the most luxurious (the Maserati Quattroporte is more swank). However, neither of those cars would win even a first-round beauty contest against the Rapide. With that sole factor in mind, Aston Martin has successfully delivered its objective.

On a level playing field, it is wrong to measure the Rapide against a Panamera or Quattroporte – Aston Martin's objective wasn't to dip into the rarefied sedan segment and skim sales from the Germans or Italians. This British automaker was seeking to offer its exclusive owners a four-passenger option, something it had never truly delivered. Today, an Aston Martin customer standing on a marble showroom floor looking for something a bit larger and more accommodating than a DB9 or DBS, yet with nearly identical driving dynamics, has a viable option. Without compromise, the pampered clientele will steer themselves towards the four-door Rapide.



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Review: 2010 Lexus LS460 Sport could'a been a contenda

With Lexus having carefully cultivated a reputation for isolating drivers from all of the undignified sensations normally associated with driving, it might seem surprising to find a Sport model in the LS lineup. Sure, Lexus offers the M3-chasing IS F, as well as the outrageous LFA supercar, but an LS460 Sport? Come on... even sport-synonymous BMW doesn't offer an M version of its full-size 7 Series luxobarge.

BMW does offer, however, an Alpina B7, as well as a BMW M5. There's also the Cadillac CTS-V, Audi S6 and S8, and a whole undercard of Mercedes-Benz AMG cars out there that prove there is a market for sports-tuned large sedans like this 2010 Lexus LS460 Sport. You certainly can't begrudge Lexus for trying to steal a slice of that more stiffly-sprung, high-test pie – but is it just promoters' hype or can this LS Sport really float like a butterfly and sting like a bee?

We had a brief encounter with the 2010 Lexus LS460 Sport a couple of months ago down in San Diego and came away impressed. While we didn't immediately drop the Germans or lone American from our top contenders list, we were at least willing to add the LS to our "worth-watching" column. And so we decided to take a closer look. Could Lexus successfully move its F-Sport tuning up a weight class, and would the LS460 Sport actually contend with other heavyweights in the segment? We gave it seven days to prove its mettle.

Whereas the hard-edged CTS-V makes the plain-jane CTS look like a rental fleet darling, the LS460 Sport doesn't look a whole lot different from the regular LS460. There are some cool 19-inch split ten-spoke wheels, little aero bits all around and a blacked out panel between the exhaust tips. There's also a carbon fiber-esque field behind that big "L" on the black mesh grille. Other than that, you'd have to look inside to see any changes.

Open the door, though, and you're treated to a view like no other in the Lexus lineup, or anywhere else for that matter. Lexus has chosen a black and saddle color scheme with unpolished wood accents as the sole interior "choice" for the Sport. It is exceedingly handsome in a cigar lounge kind of way (you can practically smell the Cohibas). It's not just a pretty face, either. The interior layout is flat-out well-designed and flawlessly executed, and we'd be hard pressed to think of a luxury sedan with better materials or workmanship costing less than six figures.

Aside from having GQ-worthy looks, the interior offers one big clue to this model's sporting nature: those metallic paddle shifters flanking the steering column, a first in the LS. The transmission behind them is the same one found in the IS F, an eight-speed automatic that provides quick, seamless cog swaps and even blips the throttle on downshifts, just like a real sports sedan. The paddles are a pleasure to work with and add a sporty feel to the driving experience – even if most buyers will never find a need to use them. And honestly, the eight-speed automatic never disappoints.

That gearbox manages power from the same 4.6-liter V8 found in the rest of the LS460 lineup. It's no slouch with 380 horsepower – but would a token bump in power be too much to ask? Competitors usually add at least a little extra punch in their sport models. We had the LS460 Sport during a week of uncharacteristically torrential rains, but still managed to find enough gaps in the downpours to play a few rounds of dodge-the-mudslide. There's more than enough power to make any passing maneuver or stop light getaway smooth and swift, even if the tarmac is a bit slick. We don't think the weather affected it much, but mileage was decent with an overall average of 17.8 miles per gallon and a highway stretch that returned 26.2 mpg at a steady 65 miles per hour.

We had driven the Sport back-to-back with the standard LS on our first drive down in San Diego and could readily feel the steering and suspension tweaks. Here in the real world without another LS at the ready, the differences were less noticeable. The bigger wheels and lower profile tires harsh the ride's mellow a bit, but it's barely worth mentioning. The retuning of the steering, however, is definitely worth talking about.

While Lexus isn't generally known for its precise or natural steering feel, the LS460 Sport adds some heft to steering motions that makes the car feel more connected to the road, a very welcome change. That, coupled with the suspension revisions and swank interior, make this the LS we'd most like to own.

Nevertheless, we can't decide if we really liked the Sport package itself or simply using the sport mode on the suspension selector that you'll find on all LS models. The car is oddly detached until you fiddle with that three-position switch on the center console. Clicking the rocker over from normal to comfort makes the ride a bit cushier and slightly springy, although not sloppy. This is the perfect choice for broken local roads during regular commuter duty. Switching it over to Sport...wel,l that was what made this LS bob and weave like a champ in the making.

While San Diego's ripple-free highways didn't upset the ride during our first drive, this go-round the ride was considerably rougher in Sport. It was almost too harsh on the same pothole-strewn commute, but on twisty backroads or through the canyons, the Sport setting kept this big boulevardier flat and stable. Even bumps through high-speed sweepers didn't faze it with those meaty 245/45R19 Dunlops keeping the LS planted. In those situations, the LS Sport actually feels like a genuine sports sedan – not an AMG E63 or M5, but certainly closer to the BMW 750i or Audi A8. It even stops like a sports sedan thanks to upgraded Brembo brakes that scrub off speed without drama – no dive and no fade.

The mechanical changes in this Sport package include the brakes, flappy paddle transmission, 19-inch wheels, re-tuned suspension, thicker stabilizer bars and upgraded shocks. With the $6,185 Lexus is charging for the Sport package, the MSRP climbs to around $72,000. Our Obsidian black tester also had the Luxury Value Edition (Mark Levinson stereo and navigation) for $2,080 and another two grand tacked on for the Comfort Package with Sport, which seems a bargain for climate-controlled front seats, power rear sunshade, rear heated seats, headlamp washers, intuitive parking assist, power door closers and a one-touch power trunklid. Our total tab was $76,014.

Some of the features on this Lexus can be alarming if you're stepping out of a run-of-the-mill family sedan, but most are the norm in this class. Take the navigation, for instance. As we mentioned earlier, we had this loaner during some historic rainfall. During a particularly stormy freeway drive, the navi actually began warning us of inclement weather ahead, going so far as to suggest alternate routes. It did that with heavy traffic as well, a feature that seems so natural after a short while that you can't imagine how anybody survives without it. The system takes and gives audio commands, handles phone calls, even keeps an eye on your stock portfolio thanks to the 90-day XM satellite radio trial subscription you get as part of the deal.

The trunk opens and closes with a touch of a button, the rear sunshade is power operated, the sideview mirrors fold in automatically when you park, the seats are air-conditioned, cameras aid your parking – the car talks to you and you to it – it's amazing how cars have changed in just a few short decades. At the end of the day, though, all of these features emphasize the fact that the Lexus LS460 is a luxury car first and foremost. The Sport package helps this light heavyweight spar with the big boys – and it can even land a few good shots – but it's not going to steal the championship belt anytime soon.

So... who will buy this package for their new Lexus? The company thinks most of the sales will come from existing Lexus customers, maybe the guys (and gals?) who want the sportiest driving experience in their LS. Disgruntled Audi, BMW and Mercedes owners might push sales a bit higher too, but the Lexus doesn't have the same street rep as the Germans and the Sport badge doesn't do a lot to impress the average Joe.

The 2010 Lexus LS460 Sport does handle well, especially in Sport mode, but the issue we take is that we believe these should be the basic suspension and steering settings on all LS models. The Sport package merely brings the handling and driving experience up to the level of base model luxury sedans from Cadillac and the German Big Three. The Sport should be taking things even further, not just playing catch-up. We'd have no reservations in recommending the LS Sport, but for someone expecting a true heavyweight contender, we'd suggest keeping it to a three-round sparring exhibition.



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Review: 2010 Land Rover LR4 makes a better boxy SUV

Wanting to sample the latest iteration of Land Rover's middle-management cruiser, we set off in search of the 2010 LR4's natural environment. Minutes later, the Rover's new 5.0-liter, 375-horsepower V8 led us to Nordstrom. What? You expected Monument Valley?

With the wallet-denting expedition complete, we took solace in the luxuriously updated interior during the homeward jaunt. Sybaritic pleasures and tried-and-true off-roading abilities are the extremes of its range, so how does the LR4 fare in the middle?

Unmistakably a Land Rover, the LR4 comes in for an exceedingly subtle outward metamorphosis. Look (very) hard and you'll notice the reworked grille and fascia. There's also a larger intake in the restyled front bumper, which itself has been reshaped to enhance aerodynamics – not that the LR4's squared-off look screams "wind tunnel-tested." New headlamps, LED taillamps, a trio of new paint colors and new 19- and 20-inch wheel designs round out the exterior tweaks. No one's complaining about the conservative approach to the visual facelift; iconic styling is an asset changed at your own peril.

Inside, Solihull has lavished substantial attention on the LR4 accommodations. The dashboard and center stack have been cleanly restyled and simplified, exorcising many of the buttons that used to clutter up the space. Much like the exterior, changes to the dashboard and controls are refinements rather than revolutionary alterations. Things are generally where they were in the LR3, but the materials and design are vastly improved. Some elements, like the new piano black accent that extends from the lower center stack and extends back to surround the shifter, may be in vogue, but it's dastardly to keep free of smudged fingerprints.

The relocation plan moves the controls for the updated Terrain Response into a more logical location by the shifter. Thanks to the upgraded materials, Range Rover drivers will feel right at home when they get an LR4 loaner at the service department. Front and second-row seating is revised, and HSE buyers can choose the Premium Leather Pack and its electrically-adjustable seat bolstering. The third row is still coach-class, largely the domain of priveleged brats, but grown-ups do fit more easily than in some other three-row vehicles with a similar footprint.

The interior refit pays off by improving the LR4's driving experience. Were it not for the obscene amount of fuel required to shove a tall, blocky, heavy thing through the air, this would be a nearly ideal vehicle for long-legged journeys. The seating position is high, and visibility is fantastic. The front and middle-row seats are fantastically comfortable, and a heated steering wheel feels decadent on subzero mornings. Equally sublime is an electrically heated windshield, though the squiggly grid can be initially distracting.

The LCD that serves as command center and navigation display is the lone quibble in the interior, and our gripe centers around the software. The user interface is tedious and non-intuitive, though at least the speed of the system is improved over past implementations. A flattening of menu structures would be more welcome, though. Beyond usability complaints, the audio system sounds great and chats nicely with iPods or thumb drives, as well as offering satellite radio. Premium automakers, with their longer development cycles and niche sales numbers, seem to be more afflicted by obtuse electronics than bread-and-butter brands. Land Rover's entire lineup would benefit from a wholesale electronics update.

All in good time, perhaps, as the engine and chassis have just received that kind of fine-tuning, turning the sow-like LR3 into the responsive, nimble LR4. Anti-roll bars have been enlarged, dampers stiffened and a new steering rack is also part of the remix, which perks up the LR4's tiller and makes it respond attentively to driver inputs.

One quick boot of the accelerator pedal delivers results of the most significant upgrade to the LR4. The new 5.0-liter V8 speaks with authority and pushes the LR4 with the assertion to match. With 375 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque, the new NA mill puts out nearly as much as the old supercharged V8. Despite the robust gain in power, direct injection allows a ULEV2 emissions rating, and there's more bandwidth to the power curve. Efficiency is improved too, though the weight of your right foot will be the main determinant in achieving good fuel economy. Variable camshaft timing and a squeezy 11.5:1 compression ratio are directly responsible for the attentive throttle response and refined manners. This new 5.0 is an engine that's Johnny-on-the-spot, has a musclecar-worthy exhaust note and offers a significant power increase over its predecessor without any economy penalty, even with more than a half-liter of extra displacement.

There's also a feeling of solidity to the LR4's structure that comes from its unique mix of monocoque and ladder frame that Land Rover calls Integrated Body Frame. It adds to the curb weight, but building the passenger compartment and engine bay like a unibody vehicle while bolting the drivetrain and suspension to a ladder frame pays off. Doubtless, the weight makes for a comfortable ride, especially since the air suspension is so adaptive and the T-Square bodywork doesn't jiggle or flex noticeably.

As we've described it so far, you might be thinking of the LR4 as a British interpretation of the '88 Caprice Classic wagon. Obviously, that would be patently wrong. Even without attempting the Rubicon, the LR4 lets you smugly comfort yourself with the thought you could go rock crawling if you wanted to. Both on- and off-road, the ride is impressively cloud-like. Off the blacktopped path, the structure doesn't turn into an oscillating chamber of horror, either. Everything stayed put, with just the Jaguar-sourced V8 providing the main soundtrack as we sipped our coffee and tried to avoid high-centering.

In most cases, selecting 4WD while on the fly will suffice, though Land Rover hasn't rested on its serious off-roading laurels. Terrain Response has a new "Sand" mode, as well as tweaked calibrations to account for the new engine and improve its prowess on different surfaces. A lap of the deep snow around the backyard swingset showed off the capability of the system in low-range with the differentials locked. The neighbors were not amused.

A $57,000 family truckster that sucks fuel at the rate of less than 20 miles per gallon isn't always the right choice. There are those that need three rows of seats along with four-wheel drive that's capable of conquering the Himalayas, but all three of those people already have cars. The luxury and style of the LR4, along with the new powertrain and sharpened reflexes are what's going to close sales. It's not the most logical family vehicle, but it's one of the most capable.




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