Lexus Shows Advanced Safety Technologies for New LS at Geneva


Tokyo, Japan, Feb 28, 2006 - (JCN Newswire) - Lexus unveiled today advanced safety technologies - including the world's first Rear Pre-crash Safety Systems - for the new LS at the 76th Geneva International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland (open to the press Feb. 28 and March 1; open to the general public March 2 to 12).

The new LS employs a newly developed 4.6-liter V8 engine and the world's first electronically controlled eight-speed automatic transmission to achieve both superior driving and environmental performance. A newly developed platform and suspension, as well as VGRS*1, VDIM*2 and the various advanced safety technologies unveiled today allow the new LS to achieve excellent dynamic and safety performance.

The advanced LS safety technologies are described below.

Pre-crash Safety System

Enhanced Pre-crash Safety System:
The addition of stereo cameras and improvements to millimeter-wave radar now enable the Pre-crash Safety System to detect pedestrians, which the earlier system could not do effectively. The system warns the driver when it determines that the possibility of a collision is high. If the driver does not brake, Pre-crash Brakes are applied to reduce collision speed. (Previous systems detected only vehicles and obstacles on the road ahead and on-coming vehicles.)

The integration of such systems as VDIM, VGRS and AVS*3 aids collision-avoidance maneuvering.

The World's First Rear Pre-crash Safety System:
A millimeter-wave radar device in the rear bumper continuously scans the distance from a vehicle approaching from behind, as well as its speed and angle of approach. If the system determines a high probability of collision, it automatically activates the front-seat Pre-crash Headrests*3, which move forward and upward in anticipation of an impact, aiming to greatly reduce the risk of whiplash injury.

Pre-crash Safety System with Driver Monitoring System:
In addition to the stereo cameras and the use of millimeter-wave radar that detect preceding vehicles, obstacles on the road ahead and oncoming vehicles, a camera mounted on the steering column and an image-processing computer are used to detect the direction of the driver's face. If the system detects that the driver is not facing forward when it determines that the possibility of a collision is high, it warns the driver sooner than it would when it detects that the driver is facing forward. If the driver does not brake, the Pre-crash Brakes are applied to reduce collision speed.

SRS Airbag System

SRS*4 Knee Airbags for Both Front Passengers:
In addition to front, side and curtain shield airbags, the new LS460 offers SRS knee airbags for both front passengers.

SRS Twin-chamber Airbag (front passenger seat):
The front passenger seat features an SRS Twin-chamber Airbag based on the Omni-support Concept*5. Unlike conventional airbags, which are deployed as a single element, the new airbag's two chambers create a depression in the center of the airbag upon deployment. The airbag comes into contact with multiple surfaces on the passenger's body such as the head and shoulders to disperse the physical impact of the airbag.

Driving Assist Function

The Lane-Keeping Assist System:
This system assists in steering operations to help the driver stay in the lane, thereby reducing the driving burden on the driver.

The new LS 460 is scheduled to go on sale worldwide, including Japan, in the autumn of 2006. Also, Lexus plans to display an LS hybrid model at the New York International Auto Show in April.

*1 Variable Gear Ratio Steering
*2 Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management
*3 Adaptive Variable Suspension System
*4 Supplemental Restraint System
*5 Distributes the impact from a collision by supporting the occupant at many points, in order to lessen the force applied to the human body.



About Toyota Motor Corporation

Toyota Motor Corporation (TSE: 7203; NYSE: TM) develops and manufactures vehicles, and is one of the largest car manufacturers in the world, offering a wide range of products from minivehicles to trucks. In addition to its core business, Toyota has a large business portfolio in financial services, including sales finance, vehicle insurance, and credit cards. It is also involved in telecommunications through a subsidiary that provides cellular services in Japan. Other diversified businesses include industrial equipment, prefabricated housing, and leisure boats. The company is headquartered in Aichi, Japan. Fot more information, please visit www.toyota.co.jp/en/index.html.

 

The only thing missing that everyone was talking about are the magnetic force fields...

 

nice features, however not too fond of any lane keeping assist system, are people not paying attention that much to have a system to warn them of lane drifting, that disturbs me

 

You've obviously never driven in Orange County, CA. Safety features that force drivers to pay attention to the road are a God-send to those of us in this part of the country who actually ARE aware of the fact that there are other drivers on the road while driving. Considering the types of drivers I see on a daily basis around here, I have a feeling Lexus is going to lose millions from constantly having to replace the warning devices under warranty due to OVER-use.

 

It says it not only warns you, it actually steers the car back into the correct lane. That could be kind of handy... Pretty soon we won't have to drive at all. If you combine lane-keeping with auto-following and cruise control, there's not much left to do manually except get on and off the highway...

 

Especially on the 22 Freeway. My God, does anyone in Westminster know how to drive?!? You see the nicest cars with the biggest engines having the most incompetent drivers driving 35 on the freeway!!!! (Sorry, I had to go on my rant... )

 

by comparison norcal is even worse.... apparently a lot of people don't know what lanes are, and somehow they have to choose a big *** car / van /suv, and think they can now own two lanes at the same time

 

Thats some nice safety features, though I have a feeling that some of these options might be a little intrusive. For example...

 

in other words, get in the car and take a nap while you get to work

 

when you turn your head to adjust the radio and you are about to hit the car in the front, i would DEFINITELY want the system to warn me. it's not like every time you turn your head they are going to warn you

 

Impressive, but no mention of automatic parking... Or would that not be something announced under Advanced Safety Technologies?

 

Auto Parking is a convenience...

...although the backup camera(s?) are safety related.

 

Wow, im impressed.

 

we have to see is it beeping system like Nissans or does it actually slightly adjust steering angle to help you keep it steady, which is what the press release suggests.