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Written by Kami Buchholz
The flagship sedan that inaugurated the Lexus brand in 1990 ups the power and luxury quotient for its fifth-generation iteration with an all-new V6, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and available Shiatsu massage for front and rear seats. Power output for the 2018 Lexus LS climbs to 415 hp/442 lb-ft (599 N m) with a Lexus-first application of a twin-turbo 3.5-L V6 that handily outpaces the current LS model"s 386 hp/367 lb-ft (496 N m) 4.6-L V8. A 10-speed automatic transmission, which debuted on the LC 500 coupe, replaces an 8-speed sequential-shift automatic. <br /> "By utilizing the V6 twin-turbo engine mated with a 10-speed automatic transmission, we are able to achieve fuel efficiency that is beyond our competitors," Toshio Asahi, chief engineer of the new LS, said through an interpreter in an Automotive Engineering interview immediately following the car"s world debut at the 2017 Detroit auto show.<br /> Jeff Bracken, Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager, noted that the new twin-turbocharged V6 was derived from the automaker"s F1 development program. "And it signifies the future direction at Lexus," Bracken added. <br /> The 2018 LS has a lower, longer, and wider stance from its foundation of GA-L, Toyota"s all-new global architecture for luxury vehicles; GA-L also recently debuted with Lexus" LC 500 coupe. As the lowest-ever LS sedan, an available air suspension automatically raises the vehicle approximately 1-in. Activated via the smart key, this access mode" feature also widens the seat bolsters to assist with vehicle entry. Rear-seat occupants will have more legroom than any prior-generation LS. When equipped with a specific luxury package, occupants can choose heating, cooling, or Shiatsu massage. This same luxury package enables the rider behind the front passenger seat to recline up to 48 degrees and raise the seat up to 24 degrees to assist with vehicle egress. The 2018 model"s use of ultra-high-tensile steel, aluminum and other lightweight materials slashed more than 200 lbs (91 kg) compared to the current LS, Lexus said. "An all-new front high mount multi-link suspension increases rigidity, while the upgraded rear low-mount multi-link suspension reduces friction by 62 percent," said Bracken. The 123-in (3125 mm) wheelbase LS debuts the world"s first intuitive pedestrian detection with active steering. According to Asahi, this pre-collision pedestrian detection system provides automatic braking and if needed, automatic steering around the pedestrian to avoid a collision while staying in the lane. Bracken said when the LS is equipped with the optional 24-in color head-up display, an alert appears on the HUD if potential for a pedestrian collision has been detected. The 2018 Lexus LS, which goes on sale in the U.S. in late 2017, will be sold in about 90 countries.
Date written: 09-Jan-2017 11:21 EST
More of this article on the SAE International Website
ID: 6343
The flagship sedan that inaugurated the Lexus brand in 1990 ups the power and luxury quotient for its fifth-generation iteration with an all-new V6, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and available Shiatsu massage for front and rear seats. Power output for the 2018 Lexus LS climbs to 415 hp/442 lb-ft (599 N m) with a Lexus-first application of a twin-turbo 3.5-L V6 that handily outpaces the current LS model"s 386 hp/367 lb-ft (496 N m) 4.6-L V8. A 10-speed automatic transmission, which debuted on the LC 500 coupe, replaces an 8-speed sequential-shift automatic. <br /> "By utilizing the V6 twin-turbo engine mated with a 10-speed automatic transmission, we are able to achieve fuel efficiency that is beyond our competitors," Toshio Asahi, chief engineer of the new LS, said through an interpreter in an Automotive Engineering interview immediately following the car"s world debut at the 2017 Detroit auto show.<br /> Jeff Bracken, Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager, noted that the new twin-turbocharged V6 was derived from the automaker"s F1 development program. "And it signifies the future direction at Lexus," Bracken added. <br /> The 2018 LS has a lower, longer, and wider stance from its foundation of GA-L, Toyota"s all-new global architecture for luxury vehicles; GA-L also recently debuted with Lexus" LC 500 coupe. As the lowest-ever LS sedan, an available air suspension automatically raises the vehicle approximately 1-in. Activated via the smart key, this access mode" feature also widens the seat bolsters to assist with vehicle entry. Rear-seat occupants will have more legroom than any prior-generation LS. When equipped with a specific luxury package, occupants can choose heating, cooling, or Shiatsu massage. This same luxury package enables the rider behind the front passenger seat to recline up to 48 degrees and raise the seat up to 24 degrees to assist with vehicle egress. The 2018 model"s use of ultra-high-tensile steel, aluminum and other lightweight materials slashed more than 200 lbs (91 kg) compared to the current LS, Lexus said. "An all-new front high mount multi-link suspension increases rigidity, while the upgraded rear low-mount multi-link suspension reduces friction by 62 percent," said Bracken. The 123-in (3125 mm) wheelbase LS debuts the world"s first intuitive pedestrian detection with active steering. According to Asahi, this pre-collision pedestrian detection system provides automatic braking and if needed, automatic steering around the pedestrian to avoid a collision while staying in the lane. Bracken said when the LS is equipped with the optional 24-in color head-up display, an alert appears on the HUD if potential for a pedestrian collision has been detected. The 2018 Lexus LS, which goes on sale in the U.S. in late 2017, will be sold in about 90 countries.
Date written: 09-Jan-2017 11:21 EST
More of this article on the SAE International Website
ID: 6343
