Lexus LS (XF40)
The Lexus LS is the fourth generation of the Lexus LS—a series of full-size luxury cars. Produced by Lexus, the luxury division of the Japanese automaker Toyota, the XF40 served as the flagship vehicle of the former's lineup from 2006 until production ended in 2017.
The successor to the XF30 LS, the development of the XF40 began under the direction of Moritaka Yoshida. Focusing on simplicity, the XF40 was designed by Yo Hiruta, incorporating the L-finesse design philosophy—first introduced in 2001 with the GS. The LS460 debuted at the North American International Auto Show in January 2006, while the hybrid–electric version, the LS600h, was unveiled at the New York International Auto Show in April 2006. Official series manufacture began at the facility in Tahara, Aichi, in August 2006. Each XF40 model was produced in two wheelbase variants: a short-wheelbase version and a long-wheelbase version, the latter designated by an "L" at the end of the model name.
The XF40 was the subject of two updates, the first of which occurred in 2009. This involved minor updates to its front and rear fascia, engine power, and interior. The second—and most significant—occurred in 2013, including noteworthy upgrades to incorporate the company's corporate fascia, comprising the implementation of the "spindle" grille and prominently redesigned headlamps. Production of the XF40 ended in October 2017, and it was replaced by the XF50 LS. The XF40 is the recipient of numerous accolades, including the World Car of the Year award in 2007.
History
is a Japanese automaker that was founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda. In August 1983, Toyota chairman Eiji Toyoda initiated the F1 project, a clandestine initiative aimed at creating a world-class luxury sedan for the global market. Over the course of six years of research and development, a team comprising 60 designers, 1,400 engineers across 24 teams, 2,300 technicians, and more than 200 support staff developed around 450 flagship prototypes and 900 engine prototypes, with the development representing an expenditure of over US$1billion. In January 1989, the LS400 debuted at the North American International Auto Show, in Detroit, Michigan, marking both the debut of the LS model and the Lexus brand.The second generation was released in 1995, followed by the third in 2000. The development of the fourth generation of the LS began around 2001, as Lexus was shifting its design strategy towards a more diversified product lineup, with new-vehicle launches largely focused on global markets. Development was led by Takeshi Yoshida, the managing officer of research and development at Lexus, and Satoru Maruyamano, chief engineer of the project, while the design of the car was completed under the direction of Yo Hiruta. Approximately 2,000 engineers were involved in the development of the then-forthcoming LS, known by the codename XF40.
Five years after development began, the XF40 LS460 debuted at the North American International Auto Show in January 2006, followed by the LS600hL at the New York International Auto Show in April of that year. Official serial manufacture of the LS began at the facility in Tahara, Aichi, in August 2006. At launch, Lexus aimed to sell 30,000 LS 460s each year in the United States, of which about 65percent were expected to be the standard-wheelbase version. The LS600h model was projected to contribute around 1,500 sales annually.
Design and engineering
Exterior
The fourth generation Lexus flagship was the first LS to receive the styling cues of Lexus' new design direction, L-finesse. The design features body forms running the length of the car, with wheel arches, arrow-shaped chrome trim, a grille set slightly below the level of the headlamps, and a fastback rear decklid. Compared to the previous generation LS, the forward and aft coefficient of lift was reduced to 0.02 and 0.01, respectively, while aerodynamic drag remained the same. Exterior-wise, the LS 460 L has a similar profile as the LS 460, with identical overhangs in both front and rear; the rear passenger doors are noticeably longer in the stretched model. Design patents for the vehicle's exterior design, including front and rear fascias, side windows, and lights, were filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on 3 October 2005.Additional details of the design include adaptive headlamps housed in hand polished surrounds designed to look like Baccarat crystal tumblers, chrome exhaust vents integrated into the rear bumper, and "L"/"S" curve shapes. The fenders are produced using a 5200-ton press, which when introduced made it the world's strongest stamping press. The model's new paint finish is applied to bare-metal body panels which are first prepared by a six-axis buffing robot with 3D movements, the entire paint finish is wet-sanded twice by hand between layers of paint application. Both front and rear window frames are each constructed from a single die-cast zinc piece, plated in chrome and then polished by hand.
Interior
Interior features include a 19-speaker Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound System, Gracenote, and a 30 GB HDD with room for 2,000 songs. The fifth generation HDD-based Lexus navigation system features XM NavTraffic, a real-time traffic monitoring system with dynamic rerouting. Keyless SmartAccess with push-button start, Optitron instrument panel with TFT multi-information display, auxiliary MP3 player input, and a 5-position tire pressure display are standard equipment. A 24-hour concierge/emergency aid service, Lexus Link, was offered in North America, with the analogous G-Link system offered in Japan. Japanese market LS sedans also feature MiniDisc compatibility, television reception, onboard security surveillance cameras, and remote cellphone access.Comfort and convenience features range from a 16-way adjustable heated and cooled driver seat to a rear cabin with power reclining memory seats, a cool box, and five powered sunshades. Certain versions of the LS can be equipped with climate control features such as first automobile ceiling air diffusers, air purifiers, air ionisers, and four-zone climate control with infrared body temperature sensors. The leather on the seats and steering wheel are made smoother than previous models, due to being buffed longer in production, the steering wheel is buffed for three hours and incorporates a whip stitching pattern. Upgraded materials are offered for the interior. Inside, the wood veneer trim has been laminated to aluminum instead of fiberglass by Yamaha's piano craftsmen. A special-order "Executive" seating package on long wheelbase models includes a rear seat DVD entertainment system with ceiling fold-down LCD screen, fixed center console with a swivel tray table, and a passenger-side shiatsu and shoulder massaging ottoman seat.
Driver-assist systems
The Intelligent Parking Assist System feature can parallel-park or reverse-park the LS into a preselected space with minimal brake input at the push of a button. This feature uses the backup camera and parking sensors. Other drive-assist features include Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which can accelerate and brake while monitoring traffic, a Brake Hold button, which prevents creeping forward motion when the driver's foot is off the brake pedal, and the Automatic Parking Brake, which can engage the parking brake simultaneously whenever the transmission is shifted to Park.The Lane Keeping Assist feature includes the Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep systems. When activated, the LDW system will issue an audiovisual warning and LK will apply a brief corrective steering response when veering motion is detected. The LK system will actively provide continued steering assist.
Safety systems
Debuted on the fourth generation Lexus LS, the next-generation Pre-Crash System offers forward and rear protection. The Frontal Pre-Crash system will activate a warning buzzer and red dash lights to alert the driver if a potential hazard is detected in the vehicle's path. If the system detects a potential collision, the system will adjust steering and braking responsiveness. If a collision is determined to be unavoidable, the seatbelt pretensioners will activate, and the brakes will automatically engage to slow the vehicle. The Rear Pre-Crash system, the first active rear collision safety feature in an automobile, uses trunk-mounted obstacle detection and warning systems; if a rear collision is deemed unavoidable, sensor-equipped Pre-Crash Intelligent Headrests in the front seats will adjust position upwards up to and forwards up to to cradle the head during impact, reducing whiplash. The rear Pre-Crash system in the U.S. market waited for FCC regulatory approval. For 2010, the LS hybrid further incorporated an all-TFT instrument panel display, which featured the addition of a night vision capability with pedestrian detection.A new active safety feature called the Driver Monitoring System debuted on the LS 600h L sedan. The Driver Monitoring System uses a CCD camera placed on the steering column to track driver attentiveness by eye tracking. Using infrared detectors, this system will respond if a collision is imminent and the driver not paying attention.
Standard active safety features also include electronically controlled braking, anti-lock brakes, and traction control. The stability/traction control system, Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management , incorporates Electronically Controlled Brake, Anti-Lock Brakes, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Traction Control and Vehicle Stability Control active safety systems with the Adaptive Variable Suspension, Electric Power Steering and Variable Gear Ratio Steering systems. VDIM integrates these systems to improve vehicle responsiveness to driver input and prevent loss of control. An Emergency Steering Assist system acts to minimize body roll and improve vehicle responsiveness in sudden maneuvers. This system reduces the steering gear ratio and prompts the suspension to adopt stiffer settings, helping make emergency maneuvers more stable and controlled. Passive safety features include eight to ten standard airbags, passenger detection systems, front and rear crumple zones, three-point seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters, and a reinforced steel body. Dual-stage driver and twin-chambered front passenger airbags, front knee airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, and Thorax-Abdomen-Pelvis airbags are also installed.