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2014 Lexus ES350

Old 10-29-14, 08:00 AM
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chikoo
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Default 2014 Lexus ES350

I got to drive one with my IS250 in service. Nice car, and what really surprised me was the rear suspension. Anyone have any ideas on what Lexus did there?

Here is what I am talking about. Every car up until now - Mazda, Honda, Toyota, MB, BMW that I have driven, when going over a a bump/hump at 40-50mph, the rear end would rise up and squat down upon leaving the hump. Not the new ES350. It did nothing like that. It just went straight on and out. Wow!
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Old 10-29-14, 08:56 AM
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mmarshall
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What kind of "hump/bump" are you talking about that you would go over at 40-50 MPH? Regular speed "humps", if installed and graded properly, are designed to be taken at 15 MPH maximum...and parking-lot-type speed bumps, a lot less than that.
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Old 10-29-14, 10:45 AM
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I am talking about small bridges where all my other cars exhibited cantilever action
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Old 10-29-14, 01:51 PM
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I am driving a 14 ES loaner right now and I am amazed by the value of the car. Personally, I like it enough where I would purchase one if I wanted a largish soft riding sedan. There isn't a particular wow factor with it but it does mostly everything anyone could ask for. Defiantly a quieter and softer ride than my RX
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Old 10-29-14, 03:47 PM
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Originally Posted by chikoo
I am talking about small bridges where all my other cars exhibited cantilever action
like this one. See how the back of the car comes down after going over the hump?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...YVCeK1LnI#t=15
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Old 10-29-14, 07:27 PM
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Originally Posted by chikoo
I got to drive one with my IS250 in service. Nice car, and what really surprised me was the rear suspension. Anyone have any ideas on what Lexus did there?

Here is what I am talking about. Every car up until now - Mazda, Honda, Toyota, MB, BMW that I have driven, when going over a a bump/hump at 40-50mph, the rear end would rise up and squat down upon leaving the hump. Not the new ES350. It did nothing like that. It just went straight on and out. Wow!
Chassis/Body/Suspension/Tires/Brakes
Suspension changes, a stiffer body and a quicker steering gear ratio deliver more precise handling in the new 2013 Lexus ES.

The front suspension employs opposite-wound coil springs to help enhance straight-line stability. Revised rear suspension geometry and improved shock absorber damping characteristics enhance ride comfort. The steering gear ratio has been reduced from 16.1:1 to 14.8:1 to help deliver a more responsive and direct steering feel. Increased body rigidity is achieved through lightweight, high tensile strength steel, added bracing and more spot welds. Airflow is smoothed beneath the vehicle, improving stability and fuel economy, and reducing drag.
http://pressroom.lexus.com/releases/...ure+design.htm
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