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2021 LS500h driven on a track

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Old Aug 12, 2021 | 07:54 PM
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Default 2021 LS500h driven on a track

You can turn on auto-translate. LS500h AWD.


http://www.autoview.co.kr/content/bu...ide&pageshow=3


The Lexus LS is the pride and history of Lexus.

32 years from now. There was a large car that appeared under the name of 'Lexus' that I had never heard of or seen, so it was the LS. Who would have thought of paying 100 million won to buy this car? Then and now, the best in this market is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

So Lexus chose the orthogonal method. Rather than 'seduce' consumers with visible splendor, we set the goal of making a good car and getting 'recognized'. So, 60 designers, 1400 engineers, and 2300 technicians were gathered to create 450 prototypes and 900 engine prototypes. Of course, this number is for marketing purposes, but it is clear that the LS is a car that has been carefully made in its own way.

And by actively loading the world's first technology, we tried to give the impression that we are leading the technology as a premium brand.

The world's first air suspension equipped (1989), the world's first tilt & telescopic steering system with built-in airbag (1989), the world's first electrically adjustable seat belt (1989), the world's first laser welding technique applied (1989), The world's first voice recognition GPS navigation (1992), the world's first 8-speed automatic transmission (2006), the world's first 8-cylinder full hybrid sedan (2007), the world's first LED headlamps (2007), the world's first image processing There are many types such as real-time vehicle and pedestrian detection (2017) through

30 years passed like that. Now, few car consumers are unaware of the Lexus brand. Although it is not yet on par with Benz, BMW, and Audi, it competes in the same premium model market and has a strong fan base. In particular, it has built a good image with good cars that do not break down, cars that use high-quality materials generously, and cars that are comfortable and quiet. And the best among them was the LS.

LS like that once got on a twist.


2018 Lexus LS500h AWD


Pursuing a sporty driving sense through the evolution of the 5th generation. However, it wasn't as fast as competing models. It means that it pursued sensual sportiness centering on handling. As a result, the ride quality deteriorated, and the clear character became ambiguous. Engine noise noticeable at low speed. It was vague to call it a quiet car any more. Autoview has traditionally given the LS generous marks. This is because there was no car that was quiet, comfortable, and easy to manage, even though it lacked competitiveness in performance compared to other companies. Consumers who want a comfortable car, not a car to show others. Our team has been actively recommending LS to such consumers. And there were consumers who bought the second-generation LS600hL.

However, Lexus' attempts with the fifth-generation LS ended in failure. Because it wasn't the Lexus we knew. They had to be ignored by consumers not only in Korea but also around the world, and sales plummeted. In the end, we decided to listen to the voices of consumers, and many parts were modified through a facelift. The 5th generation facelift model appeared to make up for the wrong choice.




The design has also been simplified. The 'ㄴ'-shaped daytime running lights of the headlamps, which were divided into three parts, were returned to their original state. The bumper design was also simplified. The rest of the design is pretty much the same. It feels big and majestic, but also has a sharp look. The part where the B-pillar is treated at the same height as the side window has a greater presence than expected. In a design that is all round, the characteristic of Lexus does not change, and its presence is large and expensive. Having to look expensive is an important factor in a flagship sedan.




A new Luna Luster color has also been added. It goes through a process of applying paint containing fine aluminum powder in high density. A mirror-like surface is made so that you can hardly feel the graininess, and clear reflected light can be transmitted even in small light. It's a different color than anything I've seen before.

High-quality materials, the best interior finish





The interior finishes are world-class. High-quality materials were also generously used. Is it an overkill level? In addition to using actual metal, I tried to add stitching (stitching) one more time. Even the speaker cover is made with a unique pattern. It means that it is made to go through one more process, one more touch. The headliner is finished in suede. Mercedes-Benz S-Class only uses Maybach or AMG, and fabrics are used for models around 200 million won or less. Obviously, Lexus is good at using high-quality materials.




A decoration named Laser Cut Special is visible on the door trim. It is a fusion of wood and metal as one, and it is a decoration with high technical difficulty. A part that some competing designers who use a thin layer of wood spread on plastic should see it.




It also shows high-tech images. Although the domestic market debut was delayed, the 24-inch head-up display, various large monitors, 11.6-inch rear seat entertainment system and touch control system, etc. are reviving the feeling of a high-tech luxury car.

However, the head-up display is so large that it sometimes feels out of focus. We also need to make the interface of the touch control system for rear-seat passengers a little easier (intuitive). It's no problem once you get used to it, but a good interface is easy to use even if it's the first time you encounter it.




The internal structure of the seat was also changed. The pad used inside the seat also uses low-repulsion urethane to better absorb vibrations, and it has been improved to provide a soft seating feeling. The stitching decoration was also expressed more deeply.




Ottoman seats for rear passengers are also good. It's something that Lexus has been good at for a long time. At the push of a button, the front passenger seat moves forward and folds as far as possible, and the rear seat changes to be able to lie down with legs stretched out. Because the entertainment monitor is remotely operated, there is no need to get up and adjust the angle. In particular, the massage function with acupressure effect stands at the peak of its charm. Other companies are good too, but there is nothing like LS, the feeling of pressing firmly.

Beyond peers… top notch sound system





The sound system is a Mark Levinson product. Even a novice who is not interested in sound systems will feel that the sound of the LS delivered through 23 speakers is the best. The Mark Levinson reference sound system, which is only found in the LS and the high-end coupe LC, ensures that each instrument delivers a clear tone without clumping even when listening to any music. It is especially satisfying when listening to classical music. The team leader, Kim Ki-tae PD, used to often talk about LS's sound system. And rather than being deceived by the number of speakers, I used to say that I should give a high score to a system that makes good use of accurate sound quality. It was something that was not easy to understand until I went through it. But once you ride the LS, you'll understand.

However, it is a pity that you cannot select a separate sound field effect. It's good to compete with pure sound quality, but I think it's good to follow some trends as there are competitors who offer various sound field effects.




One thing that is disappointing is the trunk capacity. Although it does not apply to the general gasoline model, the hybrid model has a battery mounted in the trunk, sacrificing space. Although it is a full-size sedan, the trunk space is only comparable to that of a compact car. Consumers who enjoy various leisure activities such as golf may feel uncomfortable.

Another disappointment is that the 360-degree omnidirectional camera has better image quality. It seems that the low-resolution image is forcibly stretched to fit the display size.

Improved low-speed driving environment … quiet engine





Press the start button. Now, it is not unfamiliar that the engine does not work.

When the engine is running and charging the battery, the rpm seems to have dropped slightly. I don't know if it is Lexus' intention or the error range, but while the electric model maintained 1000rpm, it is currently showing the level of 992rpm. ANC (Active Noise Control) was also added to it to create a quieter environment. Even at 80km/h driving quietness, it recorded about 56dBA, creating a quieter environment compared to 57dBA of the electric type. There was a little wind on the day of the test, and considering this, there is a possibility that the noise is as low as 0.5 dBA.




The gear lever operation method is the same that Toyota introduced with the Prius. Pull the lever to the left and lower it to go forward, and pull it to the left and raise it to reverse. The forward and backward switching is faster compared to the parallel hybrid, which is an advantage of the serial-parallel hybrid. And unlike internal combustion engine models, it can move back and forth smoothly.

Driving in everyday conditions, he passes some speed bumps and bumps. It is soft and goes over comfortably. PD Kim Ki-tae, who was driving next to me, said, “This is it! This is the Lexus LS!”, expressing satisfaction.

A smooth ride that follows tradition





Through the facelift, the suspension part of the LS was changed. The newly developed AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension) system lowers the damping pressure to make the ride feel smoother. The combination of springs and stabilizers also has a certain level of driving performance. In addition, the mount on the powertrain side was changed to minimize vibrations entering the interior.

result? Satisfied. It provides a ride like that of a luxury large sedan. With comfortable seats and a comfortable ride, quietness is added, and now it has the appearance of a luxury sedan.

When the accelerator pedal is depressed, the electric motor gently pushes the car body forward. After that, when the speed rises to a certain extent, the engine is added to add power to the power. If it was a typical Toyota Lexus hybrid system, there would be a great sense of heterogeneity like a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Of course, it's not on the same level as that of an internal combustion locomotive.




The multi-stage hybrid system combines two electric motors, a power split device, and a four-speed transmission. Here, the number of revolutions of the electric motor is divided into multiple stages, making it virtually act as a transmission. As a result, a total of 10 speed shifting effects and efficiency are achieved.

Eco mode focuses on creating optimal efficiency just like a regular CVT transmission. In Sport mode, it feels like a sharp and quick shifting like a 10-speed gearbox.

Another advantage of the multi-stage hybrid is that it can increase the speed that can be driven only by the electric motor. In the past, hybrid systems of Toyota and Lexus started operating at speeds of 80 to 100 km/h. The multi-stage hybrid can drive up to a speed of 140 km/h with the help of a four-speed transmission, powered by an electric motor.

The wider the electric motor use area, the higher the fuel efficiency. When driving at a constant speed on the highway, the efficiency of 14 to 15 km/L is also achieved. It has a big advantage in city driving, and it shows a fuel efficiency of around 11km/L. The fuel gauge does not go down easily as it has a good fuel economy and a fuel tank capacity of 84 liters. Both actual and perceived fuel efficiency are highly competitive. If I had to pick a competing car with fuel efficiency that cannot be surpassed by a gasoline sedan, I would think of a large sedan with a diesel engine.




A V6 3.5-liter gasoline naturally aspirated Atkinson cycle engine (299 horsepower) and a multi-stage hybrid were added, resulting in a total system output of 359 horsepower. The output of the V6 3.5-liter twin-turbo engine is lower than that of the LS500 (422 horsepower), but it does not create a stuffy driving sensation.




As a result of the acceleration test from standstill to 100 km/h, the result was 6.27 seconds. Before the facelift, it was 5.5 seconds, but the acceleration time increased, probably because of the condition of the vehicle. Still, it is faster than the 6.28 seconds of the Genesis G90 equipped with a 5.0-liter engine. However, most of the cases of Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, and Audi A8 models record 5 seconds, so I would like the acceleration time to be a little longer. Of course, in terms of acceleration performance, there is a solution called LS500.




The high-speed jump performance is also of a high level. The engine and motor add power to constantly raise the speedometer needle. Typical Toyota and Lexus hybrid models often have a speed limit of 180 km/h. On the other hand, the LS500h can run at over 200km/h. According to the speedometer, it can exceed 220 km/h. The European specification runs up to 250 km/h, while the North American and domestic specifications limit it to around 220 km/h.

What is more important is the stability felt in this speed range. The best in this segment is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. But now, the high-speed stability of the LS has greatly improved to the extent that ordinary consumers cannot notice the difference. like a lie? This is the result of testing in the same environment.




However, there are limits to the tires. The 245mm all-season tire used in the LS is centered on long mileage, so it has some limitations in terms of performance on dry roads compared to the summer used by competitors. If you enjoy high-speed driving, it is recommended to change the tires.

The quiet and soft LS500h. So, what about real running performance?





Change the driving mode to Sport+ mode. When the engine speed exceeds 4000rpm, the engine sound is artificially raised. Thanks to the newly added ESE (Engine Sound Enhancement). It plays a role in making it sensually sporty, but somehow it doesn't go well with the LS. It would be nice to show the sensibility of the V8 sound by making the tone a little thicker.

Steering sense tried to keep honesty in its own way. This means that a direct feeling is added. After manipulating the steering wheel, he rests half-tempo and the car does not react, but the front moves at the same time as the manipulator. Of course, I'm not the type to move very sensitively. It's just a quick look within the frame of a large sedan.

Driving behavior is based on understeer. However, there are times when it shows oversteer characteristics depending on the situation when going around a corner. It must have been the will of Lexus not to abandon its sportiness.




The intervention of the posture control system was also refined. In the past, this part was a big disappointment, but it did not surprise the driver through quick cornering and smooth control even in continuous corners. However, there are times when a sudden intervention is shown in an environment where the driving balance is momentarily disrupted, such as emergency avoidance (quick lane change). It may be a little surprising, but the importance in emergency situations is to set a stable driving trajectory, so there is no need to question this.

To be honest, some of the handling performance was lost due to the improved ride quality. But it is still enough.

This is because it shows the ability to stably hold the vehicle in a situation where it needs to be supported. As mentioned earlier, even in tests such as sudden lane changes and slalom, there was roll, but there was no loss of balance (driving balance).




A good body balance makes good use of the limited performance of the tire. The LS500h uses four-season (all-season) tires called Bridgestone Turanza EL450 with a width of 245mm. Nor does it use wider tires on the rear wheels like the German brand. Nevertheless, the LS500h stably held onto the road surface. Even the tires were dissatisfied before the facelift. Solid suspension and sharp handling, but the tires are comfortable. It was an incomprehensible composition. But for now, the focus is on comfort and the rest of the performance. So, complaints about OE tire performance disappeared.

How about the brake system? It was good and it was lacking. Is it a horse game?


As he has dealt with hybrids from the past, the sense of heterogeneity generated by the brake pedal is well organized. At a level similar to the same braking sensation as that of a general internal combustion engine, it would not be considered a hybrid system without sudden braking. This is one of the passages that makes you feel Lexus' know-how about hybrids.




Now let's look at the braking performance. The shortest distance traveled to stop at 100 km/h is 38.14 m. After that, the braking distance increased as the test was repeated, and the maximum braking distance was 41.99mm. The average braking distance is 39.90. However, it is disappointing that the braking deviation is large. Of course, if it was a summer tire used by other companies, the braking distance and braking deviation would have been reduced, but it seems inevitable that it will remain a disappointment. One thing is clear though: Lexus seems to be targeting braking in the 40m range. (Each manufacturer has a target braking distance)




Also, if I had to pick a disappointment in driving, I would like to say that the hybrid-specific sense and reaction delay are easily felt. The direct connection of power transmission is good. However, the sensation is not clear when the process of taking your foot off the accelerator pedal and then stepping on it again occurs, including mid-acceleration. There is also a slight delay when a quick operation is required, such as pressing the brake and then the accelerator pedal again. Of course, in the current situation, Lexus is the best in the hybrid realm. But over time, even this will improve. However, as the LS is a high-end large sedan, these factors do not deduct points. The aim of this car is to be soft. If you want something faster, you can get a Porsche 911 for the same price. In conclusion, this facelift was full of content to deliver the satisfaction level of a new car.

Let's take a look at the Lexus LS.





The comfortable ride and quietness pursued by large sedans have also been improved. It can be driven in a rather sporty feel when the driver wants it. The interior, which uses high-quality materials generously, and various specifications that consider rear-seat passengers are also top-notch. Efficiency (actual driving fuel efficiency) was also taken care of through the hybrid system.

When the engine is turned off, the seat moves backwards and the steering wheel moves inward. The LS raises the seat to create a more comfortable boarding and disembarking environment. It is the consideration of Lexus engineers to get off as comfortably as possible.

Luxury goods are not made only with expensive materials. Customer satisfaction should be greatly enhanced by taking these meticulous details into consideration. In that respect, the Lexus LS deserves recognition as a good car.

Recently, German brands have grown stronger. Calling for improved profitability, they are encouraging consumers to pay more by segmenting trim and option items. Although the purpose of a company is to make a profit, the recent change is not pleasant. And the S-Class that our team recently met gave him a big disappointment. However, if you order now, you will receive your car next year.

I haven't seen a Lexus in a long time. No explicit cost reduction or option trading was noticed. Rather, I tried to add more labor-intensive processes. Still, Japan is a burdensome environment. However, if you look at pure cars without taking the country name off, there is a competitive edge. This part will be up to the consumer to decide. No coercion nor coercion.

Our team's opinions on the Lexus LS500h are united.

If I were to present it to my parents, I would choose the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. to show others. But for my riding, I would choose the Lexus LS. It's a comfortable car anyway, and I don't want to spend time on maintenance or maintenance. Above all, it has more luxurious elements than the S580 and the price is much lower.

Last edited by 703; Aug 12, 2021 at 08:30 PM.
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Old Aug 13, 2021 | 09:35 AM
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It's a shame they still have the accelerator pedal delay and the fake engine noise. Those are the two stupidest things in my 2018 LS and I had hoped they got rid of that.
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