Top Gear and the Original Lexus LS400
#1
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Top Gear and the Original Lexus LS400
An interesting old Top Gear video (minus Jeremy Clarkson) comparing the original 1990 LS400 to its European rivals. Partway through the video, he imitates some of the old Lexus commercials by placing a glass of water on the engine, showing how well the engineers had addressed NVH.
Last edited by mmarshall; 01-13-16 at 06:03 PM.
#2
Lexus Test Driver
#LS400forlife
there's another segment from 97 where quentin wilson reviewed the (then) new 98 LS and GS. i just tried to find that but it's been blocked due to a copyright claim from "BBCW_claiming"
effin limeys
there's another segment from 97 where quentin wilson reviewed the (then) new 98 LS and GS. i just tried to find that but it's been blocked due to a copyright claim from "BBCW_claiming"
effin limeys
#7
Lexus Fanatic
It's a cool video and I found out some interesting things such as no air suspension and some the competition had no AC or power seats.
My only thing with this video is that they compare V8 Lexus with a V8 MB, and two six cylinder BMW/Jaguar. Its nice that the Lexus is ultra smooth, but it only applies to the V8 MB. It wouldn't be fair to say the LS400 is not as smooth a V12 BMW, Jag, or MB which were all available at the time of the video.
My only thing with this video is that they compare V8 Lexus with a V8 MB, and two six cylinder BMW/Jaguar. Its nice that the Lexus is ultra smooth, but it only applies to the V8 MB. It wouldn't be fair to say the LS400 is not as smooth a V12 BMW, Jag, or MB which were all available at the time of the video.
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#8
Super Moderator
I'm not sure what type of 6-cylinder was in the Jaguars at the time, but the BMW would be a straight 6. And saying a V8 is smooth in comparison to an I-6 is QUITE a compliment.
Generally speaking, the only thing smoother than a straight 6 is a V12--because the latter is simply two I-6s sharing a common crankshaft. This is because the design is inherently balanced. At any given time, there are two pistons the same distance from (or at) TDC, traveling in the opposite direction, two the same distance from (or at) BDC, traveling in the opposite direction, and two the same distance from the middle of the stroke, traveling in opposite directions. Every inertial moment is cancelled out exactly.
This is not the case in an I-4 or a V8, and controlling the collective inertia of those 8 pistons so they approximate or exceed the smoothness and balance of an I-6 is a big accomplishment.
Generally speaking, the only thing smoother than a straight 6 is a V12--because the latter is simply two I-6s sharing a common crankshaft. This is because the design is inherently balanced. At any given time, there are two pistons the same distance from (or at) TDC, traveling in the opposite direction, two the same distance from (or at) BDC, traveling in the opposite direction, and two the same distance from the middle of the stroke, traveling in opposite directions. Every inertial moment is cancelled out exactly.
This is not the case in an I-4 or a V8, and controlling the collective inertia of those 8 pistons so they approximate or exceed the smoothness and balance of an I-6 is a big accomplishment.
#9
#10
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (3)
I'm not sure what type of 6-cylinder was in the Jaguars at the time, but the BMW would be a straight 6. And saying a V8 is smooth in comparison to an I-6 is QUITE a compliment.
Generally speaking, the only thing smoother than a straight 6 is a V12--because the latter is simply two I-6s sharing a common crankshaft. This is because the design is inherently balanced. At any given time, there are two pistons the same distance from (or at) TDC, traveling in the opposite direction, two the same distance from (or at) BDC, traveling in the opposite direction, and two the same distance from the middle of the stroke, traveling in opposite directions. Every inertial moment is cancelled out exactly.
This is not the case in an I-4 or a V8, and controlling the collective inertia of those 8 pistons so they approximate or exceed the smoothness and balance of an I-6 is a big accomplishment.
Generally speaking, the only thing smoother than a straight 6 is a V12--because the latter is simply two I-6s sharing a common crankshaft. This is because the design is inherently balanced. At any given time, there are two pistons the same distance from (or at) TDC, traveling in the opposite direction, two the same distance from (or at) BDC, traveling in the opposite direction, and two the same distance from the middle of the stroke, traveling in opposite directions. Every inertial moment is cancelled out exactly.
This is not the case in an I-4 or a V8, and controlling the collective inertia of those 8 pistons so they approximate or exceed the smoothness and balance of an I-6 is a big accomplishment.
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...angles-feature
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