Lexus LS Receives Partial Upgrades
The LS, a flagship sedan from the luxury car brand "Lexus," which is part of Toyota Motor Corporation, has undergone partial improvements.
The first generation of the LS made its debut in 1989, and the current model is the fifth generation introduced in 2017. With a focus on enhancing traditional quietness while emphasizing driving performance and advanced features, both the interior and exterior designs have been completely refreshed. Following in the footsteps of the LC, the LS now adopts the GA-L (Global Architecture-Luxury) platform, allowing for a low-slung styling that exudes a powerful presence, especially with the use of larger-diameter tires.
In line with the global downsizing trend in engine development, the LS is equipped with a newly developed V6 3.5-liter twin-turbo engine known as the "V35A-FTS," paired with an electronically controlled 10-speed automatic transmission called the "Direct-Shift 10 AT."
In this round of partial upgrades for the LS, a radiator support brace has been added to enhance body rigidity. Furthermore, the assembly processes for the front and rear suspensions have been improved for higher precision, resulting in increased rigidity at the assembly points and improved ride comfort. The angle of the exhaust pipe support rubber (a component that supports the exhaust pipe) has been adjusted to suppress exhaust pipe vibration during driving.
The rear-wheel steering system has been enhanced by increasing the rear-wheel steering angle and expanding its availability to 4WD models, which improves maneuverability and stability during high-speed driving. Additionally, a feature has been added in the "Comfort" drive mode to control motion in a way that is less discomforting for rear-seat passengers.
In terms of driving assistance systems, the LS now includes the "Advanced Drive (Traffic Jam Assistance)" feature. When certain conditions are met, such as the vehicle being on an exclusive-use road and the radar cruise control and lane tracing assist functions being active during traffic jams (speeds between 0 km/h and approximately 40 km/h), the system allows for hands-off driving.
The parking assistance system, "Advanced Park," has also been expanded to provide more support during parallel parking. In hybrid models, a remote function for parking and retrieval has been introduced, allowing control via a smartphone with a dedicated app when the smart key is present.
Inside the LS, a 12.3-inch full LCD meter has been introduced in this round of upgrades to improve visibility for displaying driving assistance information. Additionally, navigation maps can now be displayed. Hybrid models include emergency external charging attachments and a drive recorder that records both the front and rear views.
Experience the further evolved Lexus LS on your next drive.