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Since the introduction of the Lexus luxury line in 1989, the legendary Japanese brand has been one of the most innovative automakers on the market. Here are some technological features that Lexus came up with first.
3. Torque-Vectoring Differential
In another innovative first, Lexus paved the way for numerous automakers when they introduced their Torque-Vectoring Differential. This feature can be found in the rear-wheel drive RC F, and uses a series of multi-plate clutches to distribute the torque between the rear wheels. The Torque-Vectoring Differential divides the torque between the wheels, and allows the outside wheel to spin up faster and rotate the car around the corner. This system also allows stability in situations where the driver may need the extra traction to avoid losing control.
Originally Posted by SW15LS
Lexus absolutely did not invent, innovate, or were the first to use a torque vectoring differential. Not even close.
Indeed.....Acura used torque-vectoring differentials on the SH-AWD system long before the Lexus RC came out.
I just used the SH-AWD as an example of a pre-Lexus use.......I agree with you that Lexus did not invent it. It's probably hard to tell who actually did, since many vehicles (and new systems) get introduced overseas before they hit the U.S. market.....though Lexus2000 came up wth an interesting reference to the original patent.
the article really didnt say they invented it or were the first ever to use it, it said it was used before in front and all wheel drive cars, but it did say lexus was the first to use it in a front engine rear wheel drive car.. but i dont know if that even is true?
#6 Switchable Air Suspension- Citroen has had driver controlled adjustable height suspension since the 1950's. Granted it was hydraulic and not air controlled, but it was the same exact idea.
Also I think the Lincoln Mark VII and Mark VIII had adjustable air suspension. Buddy of mine back in high school had an all black Mark VII. Had the stock air suspension rigged up to where he could raise and lower the ride height with a button he put in. Turned it into a lowrider with factory parts. All that crap broke after about a year(amazed it lasted that long cause the car was 10+ years old at the time), ended up putting mustang coil springs and shocks on it after figuring out how much all that air ride crap cost lol.
Yes, Lexus deserves a lot of credit for their (at the time) research and engineering in the vehicle-refinement and road-manners department, but, with actor James Sloyan (Mr. Lexus), they found an absolutely perfect voice to do those ads. It was as smooth and suave as the cars themselves. That, IMO, is when a Lexus was a Lexus...the company, today, has obviously moving in a different direction.
(BTW, talk about an irony.....Sloyan, after he stopped doing the Lexus ads, ended up at, of all places, Mitsubishi).
Something that Toyota innovated was the first in car navigation system in 1989. Granted it was for the Japan only market Crown Royal G Saloon, but still for 1989 CD-ROM based satellite navigation was VERY cutting edge. Also started the trend of having a computer screen in your car. I know it took a while for this tech to make it into a USA Lexus product(1998 LS400 was the first one to have navigation I think), but that seems about right, as Toyota USA was a lot more conservative and risk averse than Toyota Japan. Skip ahead to around 14:00.
7 Features that Lexus Innovated
It was as smooth and suave as the cars themselves. That, IMO, is when a Lexus was a Lexus...the company, today, has obviously moving in a different direction.
