Test drive Lexus LS 2003 - 2006 sedan
Young classic
The second year in a row, Lexus shows enviable activity in updating the model range. The crown of these efforts will be the LS 460 luxury sedans with a gasoline engine and LS 600H with a hybrid installation.
The LS 460 Family cars were presented to the press in Austria, in the vicinity of Salzburg. In the seventeen years that the designers not only overcame the seduction of imitation of the best world samples from the appearance of the first Lexus-LS, but also managed to give the machine an individual appearance balanced and at the same time energetic, as appropriate to the representative of business circles. As for the technique, not one of the more or less important nodes and assemblies is borrowed from the previous model: engine, transmission, pendants everything is designed again. Of course, not for the very novelty, but to achieve the best indicators, as they say, in all disciplines. For the first time, the V-shaped eight received a combined injection of gasoline with two nozzles in the intake pipeline and in the cylinder, as well as an electric phase adjustment drive. (We promise that such an engine will become the topic of a separate story.) The first in the world, the new Lexus was equipped with an eight -speed hydromechanical gearbox. For the first time, along with well-known passenger safety devices, the Pre-Crash system is insured.
Well, you and I have the first to ride in this luxurious car. A key map will help to get into the salon, they say the thinnest among the like. I recommend that the passenger take the right rear chair only the place of the boss is equipped with an adjustable massager. Cleaning inscriptions on the keys will facilitate your fit of the seat. As you can see, the legs are quite free after all, because this is a long -drawn version. By the way, it also appeared in this model for the first time, along with the standard one. I hope nothing prevents you from admiring the pacifying landscapes? Ah, small shocks from the road, well, change the adjustment of the suspension from the sports to the norm, more comfortable.
A powerful climatic installation will take care that we both, the driver and the boss, quickly forgot about the 30-degree heat, which Salzburg met us. The four-zone climate control involves individual temperature control not just for each of the four passengers, but also at the top and bottom. The peculiarity of the local climate is large ceiling diffusers designed to cool the hot (literally) heads. Their temperature is determined by a special sensor there, under the ceiling. By the way, for cold time, accelerated heating of the front of the cabin is provided: the driver will be in comfortable conditions before the engine can give enough heat to the climatic system. Apparently, the owner must take his place when the motor has time to warm up. But it is still far from the winter, although he suddenly reminded the brilliance of the glacier on one of the alpine peaks. And it seemed remarkable to me another detail of the landscape modest blue signs with the EU emblem and the inscriptions of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Austrian Republic. They passed them along the test drive repeatedly, as if kilometer pillars, well, when the landscapes are shallow, turn on the DVD player and watch the movie. Of course, the 9-inch monitor is not like the screen in the capital's October, but the sound will be, as in a real cinema. For nothing, or something, 2000 hours spent on the audio complex finishing! In order to grab the music lovers, the notorious Mark Levinson hid 19 speakers in the cabin. Those whose claims to sound are more modest, when buying will be offered the Pioneer system is also premium, but simpler.
While the Muses are silent, we listen to the song of the motor. It is excellent for a single fake note, not a single annoying pause. The sound, of course, is quiet, but confident and even with a shade of excitement. These feelings are quickly transmitted to the driver, and here there is a desire to applaud the eight -cylinder engine and an eight -speed automatic to the spent duet. However, it is better not to be distracted at the wheel all the more so since in this car a vain eye is peering behind the driver. The video camera on the steering column monitors the position of the head primarily and is obvious to the computer. Monitoring of the driver’s condition is only one of the chips of the unique confrontation complex of the pre-Krash (see his scheme and explanation on the dick). The expression man driving in Lexus-LS 460 has acquired a special meaning, since the driver is supported by a whole group of assistants. So, Lane-Keeping Assist (LKA) warns about the danger of leaving the lane or, acting together with adaptive cruise control, holds the car in the corridor no more than 4 m wide.
At the same time, LKA creates an effort on the steering wheel, which does not so much correct the trajectory as it requires this from the driver. There is not enough short acquaintance to fully believe in the reliability and simplicity of Lane-Copping, especially if you recall the state of markings on Russian roads. After all, it is from her that the pedantic assistant should almost literally start. I sympathize with the poor man, although it was curious to play with him on European asphalt. But even there it is important, as with any assistant, not to play
Another assistant, IPA (Intelligent Parking Assist), skillfully parks between two cars, and they can stand both in parallel and one after another. With its dexterity, the intellecter is owe not only to the brains, but also to excellent cinema of the steering drive. Thanks to her, the LS 460 became the most maneuverable among itself: its turning radius is only 5.4 m. Alas, the features of local parking (or rather, one exemplary order) did not allow to evaluate the Parking Specialist in the case. But they pleased the brakes, sensitive and tenacious. Japanese engineers were not afraid to infiltrate the holy of the holy car: the computer individually doses the brake force for each wheel. And in the assessment of sled qualities I will be brief: in my opinion, they were able to configure them in such a way that the owner of the car could enjoy comfort and solitude in the role of a passenger, and in the role of a driver, if his will is, to enjoy managing a powerful, dynamic and obedient car. In addition, solid and, despite the youth of the brand, very prestigious. Perhaps the European will visit the lack of choice of power units, for example, will remember the diesel engine? In this case, Lexus has its own trump card: the prime minister of the LS 600H hybrid is not far off the same body
A harmonious look, sophisticated technique, comprehensive comfort is hard to believe that a Lexus brand is not even twenty years old.
Pre-Crash: how it works and works Elements of the Pre-Crash system: 1 front radar; 2 Aktuator of the steering wheel amplifier; 3 Actors of adaptive suspension; 4 Aktiatian brakes; 5 camera of tracking the driver; 6 belt pretense; 7 rear radar; 8 active head restraints; 9 stereo -switches. Radar 1, together with the infrared video camera 9 in the afternoon and at night, monitors obstacles, including pedestrians. With a high probability of collision, a zummer and a brake signal are turned on! On the small display. Assist’s break is automatically readily, at the same time, the transfer ratio of the steering wheel is shortened and the rigidity of the shock absorbers increases. Considering the collision inevitable, the system also includes belt -6 pretexts and, finally, the actor 4 drives the brake. Radar 7 monitors the situation behind the car in case of the danger of hitting the headrest 8 of the front seats automatically move to the backs for more efficient protection of the head and neck.
Vladimir Arkush
Source: The magazine "Driving"
