Lexus LS 430 Remains the Pinnacle of Luxury Driving and Quality 09/07/2004
The Lexus LS 430, which recently received a mid-cycle freshening, remains the prestige luxury market segment leader in sales and documented quality. The three generations of Lexus LS sedans have garnered more J.D. Power and Associate awards for quality than any other luxury car and have won the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study every year that they have been eligible.
"The LS 430 is the pinnacle of Lexus luxury and technology," said Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager Denny Clements. "It has become the leader in its segment by combining classic luxury that indulges and pampers the occupants with documented leadership in quality, durability and reliability."
While pampering occupants, the Lexus LS 430 helps to protect them with advanced dynamic and passive safety technology. The LS 430 in 2004 became the first Lexus model equipped with the new Pre-Collision System (PCS), which can help reduce collision severity and damage.
The advanced PCS uses a millimeter-wave radar to detect obstacles in front of the car and a pre-collision system computer with vehicle speed, steering angle and yaw rate inputs that help to determine in advance whether a collision is unavoidable. If the system determines that a collision is not avoidable, it can preemptively activate the Pre-Collision seatbelt to retract the driver's and front passenger's seatbelts. PCS also prepares the Brake Assist system, which, after the driver applies the brakes, automatically applies increased braking force to help reduce collision speed.
The LS 430 is powered by a 4.3-liter double overhead-cam V8 engine that produces 290 horsepower at 5,600 RPM and 320 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,400 RPM. Continuously Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) ensures excellent low- and mid-range power for easy highway merging. The Lexus LS 430 can effortlessly accelerate from zero-to-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The LS 430 was one of the first gasoline V8 vehicles to be certified as an Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV).
Smoothness Is Part of Lexus DNA
Attention to driving smoothness in the LS 430 begins with a system called Intuitive Powertrain Control. Working with the electronic throttle control (drive by wire), the system helps to smooth out acceleration from a standing start by very slightly delaying throttle opening when the driver steps on the accelerator pedal.
Next comes a six-speed sequential shift automatic transmission. Shift Logic Control responds to road grade and acceleration/deceleration activity, holding gears or downshifting on hills to help provide better engine power or braking. A Sequential Shift feature allows the driver to enjoy a more involved driving experience by controlling gearshifts manually, when desired.
Responsive handling makes the LS 430 engaging to drive, yet ride quality remains a benchmark of smoothness. The front and rear double wishbone suspension systems, which feature monotube shock absorbers, contribute to flat cornering responses and provide an uncannily smooth ride. Seventeen-inch alloy wheels are standard, with available 18-inch wheels featuring 245/45R18 low-profile tires for sharpened handling response. An optional Sport Package makes the LS 430 surprisingly responsive and stable, yet still compliant and comfortable.
Advanced Dynamic and Passive Safety Technology
In the LS 430, safety starts with a high-strength body structure with front and rear crumple zone structures to help protect a reinforced passenger compartment. Lexus optimized the structure for crash-compatibility with other passenger vehicles, as well. The Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) in the LS 430 include variable-force front airbags. Sensors determine the severity of a collision and, in turn, the force with which to deploy the front airbags, helping to provide an appropriate level of occupant restraint performance.
The front seat-mounted side airbags have been redesigned to provide a greater coverage area, and the body structure has been strengthened to meet the latest side impact standards, which take into account higher-riding vehicles such as SUVs. Front and rear side curtain airbags help provide protection in certain types of severe side impacts. The LS 430 also features knee airbags for the driver and front passenger as standard equipment.
To help optimize visibility, the LS 430 includes as standard daytime running lights, LED brake lights and rain-sensing windshield wiper operation. One of the most advanced automotive lighting systems on the road bundles as standard equipment High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights with auto-levelers and the Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS), which helps illuminate a turn or curve as the driver steers into it.
A four-channel, four-sensor anti-lock brake system (ABS) can help the driver maintain steering control during sudden stops by preventing brake lock-up. Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) optimizes braking pressure at each wheel to help minimize body dive or sway during hard braking and cornering, and the Brake Assist system can help the driver take full advantage of the ABS in emergency situations. Brake Assist is designed to determine if the driver is attempting emergency braking and, if the driver has not stepped firmly enough on the brake pedal to activate the ABS, it applies maximum braking pressure until pedal pressure is released.
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) helps control side skids under demanding conditions by detecting and helping to correct loss of lateral traction during cornering. The VSC system integrates traction control (TRAC) to help limit rear wheelspin on slippery road surfaces.
A Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) can detect if a tire is significantly under-inflated and alert the driver with an indicator light on the instrument panel to a condition that could potentially lead to uneven tire wear or a loss of control.
Exceeding Expectations
The Lexus LS 430 continues a tradition of infusing luxury with value, and customers seeking understated elegance appreciate the resulting combination. The LS 430 offers three wood finishes and five leather interior colors, allowing customers to truly custom-tailor the car to their tastes.
The LS 430 provides more front leg- and headroom than the externally larger Mercedes-Benz S-Class, as well as greater cabin volume (107.2 cu. ft. vs. 105.0 cu. ft.) and a larger trunk (20.2 cu. ft. or 17.5 cu. ft. with the rear air conditioner vs. 15.4 cu. ft. for the S-Class). The LS 430 is among the most aerodynamically "slippery" cars in the world, nearly eliminating wind noise with an ultra-low 0.26 coefficient of drag (Cd) with its standard suspension and a 0.25 Cd with the available air suspension.
Lexus places a priority on reducing driver distraction for both safety and comfort reasons. The LS 430 exceeds expectations for advanced luxury features, yet keeps controls simple and easy to learn and use. Adjustments for the front seats (14-way for driver, 10-way for passenger) include dual lumbar controls and adjustable cushion length for more comfortable thigh support for the driver, as well as a single lumbar control for the passenger.
The standard wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel features easy-to-use controls for the audio system, which includes a standard in-dash, single-feed six-disc CD changer, and a 15-function information display with a trip computer and compass. The climate control system uses temperature and sun-sensing intelligent swing registers. If sunlight is concentrated on one side of the car, the registers automatically deliver more cooling air to that side. A power moonroof and power rear sunshade, as well as the rear seat vanity mirrors, also are standard features.
The available DVD-based Lexus Navigation System offers faster performance and far greater map data capacity than CD-ROM systems (one DVD disc covers the contiguous United States and several areas in Canada). The system displays maps and route instructions on a seven-inch touch screen, and its voice-command feature allows hands-free use.
The navigation system features easy-to-understand graphics, phone number-based address location and building footprint display for major U.S. cities.
The navigation system integrates Bluetooth® wireless technology. When combined with a compatible Bluetooth®-equipped phone, this global wireless technology allows the driver to transfer personal phone books to the navigation system and make hands-free phone calls through the navigation system's touch-screen control panel.
Customers can place a hands-free call in different ways depending on preference. To help avoid driver distraction, the one-touch dial feature is the only dialing function that a driver can access when the vehicle is in motion. The system can store up to 18 one-touch dial numbers. Some Bluetooth functions are disabled when the vehicle is in motion, and the driver can use steering wheel controls to answer and end calls as well as adjust call volume.
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