Rumors, they remain rumors everywhere. Especially in the journalistic community. So, about the appearance in our market of a new generation of premium sedan Lexus LS was known for a long time. It was known that it should be expected no earlier than February 2018. But there were rumors about the November presentation of the car in Moscow. And, let’s say, they didn’t go in vain. A new, fifth generation was presented at the Moscow Lexus Dome, which we have witnessed. Let's talk about the new product.
Despite the fact that the presentation was run by our local friends from the Russian division of Lexus, greetings from the brand’s headquarters itself were sent in literal terms.
“The new Lexus LS is not only obliged to serve as a symbol of the Lexus brand, it is destined to change the idea of luxury cars, embodying Japanese traditions and culture. And this means that the global flagship should significantly exceed all expectations from luxury cars. "
The chief engineer of the new generation Lexus LS Toshio Asahi.
At the heart of the news is the new GA-L platform. The same is used in the new generation sports coupe Lexus LC 500. The Japanese consider special attention to the little things a special pride of the new generation of premium sedan. This was done so that the car owner does not feel any inconvenience even in the smallest of manifestations. So, for example, the air suspension raises the car after it stops, so that it is convenient to get out of it. You must admit that it is not so convenient to unload from a low car. And further - in the same way. Where there is even the slightest hint of inconvenience - there is something that this inconvenience is smoothed out.
You can talk about the body of the new LS for quite some time. The fact is that it was developed as long as one could talk about it. A kind of pun, but nonetheless. Frame elements are made of high strength aluminum alloys. Therefore, the frame was cooked from scratch. From the very beginning, the necessary calculations and tests were made. In this way, a reduction in the mass of the machine by a hundred kilograms is given.
Of course, it is worth noting that all this was done for us by people. It is not strange in our time, technology and robotics. In the case of Lexus, these are the famous masters of takumi. Each element has its own nuances, its own story, its own secrets.
As for the engines for the new Lexus LS, here for your humble servant the iconic spell “Formula 1” sounded. It was the pinnacle of motorsport that served as a donor for some decisions in the design of Lexus LS powertrains. In principle, the technology from the "Formula" can now be found a lot where even in the budget segment. The same energy recovery system, for example.
But here, nevertheless, these technologies are more modern, advanced and, so to speak, more efficient. It is too. If you compare Ferrari and Sauber. This refers to the F-1 team. Why not give an example of a champion team? Yes, because comparing with a direct competitor in the market is not entirely correct. To do this, there is a client who will choose.
In competition with the new Lexus LS is the Mercedes-Benz S500 L and BMW 750Li. This applies not only to private purchases, but also to corporate fleets. However, to be completely frank, it is worth noting the hints of Japanese marketers that if entry to the Russian market were not justified financially, no one would have come out here.
So, under the hood of the new LS are located, depending on the configuration, two options for power units. This is a 3.5-liter aspirated V6 with 315 horsepower with a maximum torque of 380 Nm. Such a motor will be delivered to the LS 350 single-drive version. The 421-horsepower 3.4-liter V6 turbocharged unit with a maximum torque of 600 Nm will be installed on the remaining versions of the sedan. According to marketers, this engine and configurations with it will have the main share of new items sales.
For the first time on a premium production car, a 10-speed automatic transmission is used as a transmission. Here is Aisin Direct-Shift. From place to the cherished hundreds of kilometers per hour, a car with a top-end unit will accelerate in 4.5 seconds.
Appearance and technical equipment here, undoubtedly, are at the height of technological achievements of the Japanese automobile industry. Interest, for example, is the abbreviation VDIM. This is called an integrated vehicle dynamics control system. This system monitors and configures systems, which, in turn, control the process of car movement. These are DRS systems, traction control, electric power steering, anti-lock braking system, anti-roll bar system ... all of them are controlled and adjusted additionally by the same VDIM, which makes driving on Lexus LS as safe and comfortable as possible. Other safety systems are also available. There is, for example, a pedestrian collision avoidance system. It recognizes the pedestrian, makes emergency braking and maneuvers the lapel from the person. But, even if a collision is inevitable, the hood of the car is fired in such a position as to inflict the least number of injuries on the pedestrian. Yeah. You can’t play such a car in Carmageddon.
The interior is not just a premium gloss, but a premium gloss with a premium gloss function. The seats have not just heating and ventilation, but also a massage function with specially heated rollers that make massage no worse than Thai ... well, you understand. We will not talk about the electronic settings of all this. Here they are everywhere. Plus - noise reduction system.
Particular attention is paid to the front panel, the designer tells us. Stylish lines, which converge or diverge as flow around the front panel elements, are of interest here. These lines, by the way, characterize traditional Japanese things. For example, the strings of a Japanese harp. The one that sounds in almost every Japanese restaurant. You, dear readers, have heard for sure. Otherwise, the salon is an essay from the stories of luxurious materials. Leather, wood, aluminum and much more, from which you can make a wonderful composition "for yourself."