Arguably the most relevant new car for the European luxury market is the new LS460 from Lexus.
Due on sale next year, the flagship Lexus comes with a host of gadgetry that wowed the journalists at the launch.
Previewed as a concept at the Tokyo Motor Show at the end of last year, this is the Lexus to receive the company's L-Finesse design philosophy treatment and it's a lot sleeker than the current model.
From the front, it retains the LS big grille, but from the side it takes a more curved outline.
At the unveiling, the immediate reaction to the side profile from the US media seated next to us was that it bears a close resemblance to the 7-Series BMW, something that will no doubt annoy the Lexus designers.
Included is the world's first production eight-speed (yes, count them, eight) automatic gearbox and a new V8 4.6-litre engine offering 380bhp and a 0-100km/h time of less than 5.5 seconds.
A hybrid version will be launched in the autumn at the New York Car Show. However, it's the high-level of luxury that caused a ballroom full of tired motoring hacks to gasp and applaud.
Along with the requisite wood panelling and leather trim, features also include optional ottomans for back seat passengers, rear seats that recline by 45 degrees, and a 19-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, complete with a built-in hard disk that can store 4,000 songs.
According to Jim Press, president of Toyota motor sales in the US, it would take three years to listen to all that music.
The smart key entry, a feature on the new GS and IS range that allows you to start the car without inserting a key has been upgraded to a smart card system that allows you to open the doors and start the car without the card ever leaving your wallet.
Then there's the climate control with sensors that measure not just the cabin temperature but your body temperature.
"I've been afraid to ask where that sensor goes, but I'm sure it does a good job," said Press.
Correction:
In last week's twin test of the Lexus IS and the BMW 3-Series it stated that the standard IS220d comes with 17-inch alloys.
In fact, it features 16-inch alloys.
It also referred to the fact that the revs do not drop between gear changes due to the flywheel.
This is caused by the engine management system, which keeps the revs high in order to burn off excess fuel and reduce emissions.