Available in Australia in early 2021, the upgraded Lexus LS saloon has detailed tuning and component upgrades.
The supportive seats in the LS now feature deeper stitch points and low-resilience urethane for the padding, with vibration absorption measures and softer positioning contributing to even greater comfort.
Ornamentation is available for the first time in “Nishijin & Haku” (with “haku” being the Japanese word for “metal leaf”).
Newly developed laser-cut wood (with L-shaped silver metal) and open-pore ash trim join new ochre L-aniline (highest grade) leather as available ornamentation and colour options to complement the exact and expansive furnishings inside the LS.
Lexus LS has a forward-mounted positioning for the 12.3-inch infotainment screen, with the addition of touch-display functionality joining the Lexus Remote Touch Interface for the first time.
A digital rear-view mirror features a large high-resolution display for improved visibility of the area behind the vehicle.
This fifth-generation LS has newly designed, compact, three-bulb headlamps that feature an accentuated “L” design. The headlights adopt a BladeScan adaptive high-beam system. That has more precise illumination to avoid blinding other drivers while providing a broader distribution of light to illuminate areas not normally be visible with a conventional high-beam system.
The deep headlamps and the squared-off sub-radiator grilles are positioned to the outside. Trim within the rear combination lamps has been switched from chrome to piano-black.
The F Sport’s more dynamic image is distinguished by the garnish for the sub-radiator grilles wrapping around to the sides, and a dedicated colour for the spindle grille and 20-inch wheels.
A new exterior paint – Gin-ei Lustre – continues the Lexus tradition of developing innovative silver paint finishes. It contains radiant aluminium flakes to produce a smooth, mirror-like texture highlighted by beautiful sparkles of light and contrasting deep shadows that create a sense of depth.
Both the 310kW 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine in the LS 500 and 264kW 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 multi-stage hybrid in the LS 500h will have greater responsiveness and reduce noise.
In the Lexus LS 500, the earlier production of engine torque leads to greater acceleration response from lower speeds. Improved shift timing for the 10-speed automatic transmission and a wider acceleration range for each gear result in less-frequent downshifts and improved refinement.
In the LS 500h, increased battery assistance during acceleration from lower driving speeds contributes to greater immediacy in performance.
Lexus Australia Chief Executive Scott Thompson said the new LS continues to embody the best of the Lexus DNA – past, present and future.
“The latest LS continues to embrace impeccable Japanese artisan craft while obsessively perfecting comfort and refinement, and pushing the boundaries for driver engagement and technology,” Mr Thompson said.
“This unrivalled blend of virtues continues to position the LS at the forefront of the luxury sedan segment as the ultimate expression of the Lexus philosophy.”
Lexus Chief Branding Officer and Master Driver Akio Toyoda said the LS – in all its generations – is “a model that gives rise to transformation through the spirit of constant innovation and by providing new technologies and value for the times”.
