By Samuel Ee

TRUST Japan's uber limo to handle the competition its own way. Faced with a German onslaught that keeps getting better and bolder, the Lexus LS460 has refreshed itself with an unusual array of comfort features. One of these is the Intelligent Park Assist system.

This high-tech parking assistance feature is not the simple alternative that some manufacturers have come up with.

The LS460 can reverse or parallel park automatically and the system is also sophisticated enough to do so with an empty space on either side of the car.

It can get a bit complicated though, if the set-up is not perfect. The large Lexus has to be positioned ideally, ie the approach has to be a certain distance away from the other parked cars or the angle of the car before reversing must be as required. If those conditions are not satisfied, several positioning arrows may appear on the touchscreen for the driver to 'adjust frame to target'.

This and other instructions are helpfully conveyed onscreen for easy reference. When everything is ready, all the driver has to do is to slot the gear lever into reverse, modulate the brake pedal and the system will take care of the rest.

It is a brilliant function but which may need some getting used to. Thankfully, though, virtually all of such cars are chauffeur-driven, so owners don't have to lose any sleep over it.

Instead, they can opt to watch a DVD on the rear entertainment system, which has now relocated the seven-inch monitor from the ceiling to the back of the centre console between the front seats.

Also new is the USB port, in addition to the standard auxiliary port for iPod use. To further enhance the back seat experience, Lexus has incorporated electric lumbar support and massagers for both rear power seats now.

A more interesting comfort feature is the new air suspension, which now offers two settings - comfort and sport. Lexus says the new air springs not only reduce vibrations but at the same time enhance handling with their damping force control.

As when it was first introduced three years ago, the LS460 is available either with a standard wheelbase or a long-wheelbase version that has an extra 120mm and a $50,000 premium. Both are equally large and luxurious, and both offer sybaritic motoring but with a distinct Japanese aesthetic. If you're looking for a zen garden of tranquillity on wheels, this comes very close.

This article was first published in The Business Times.