The 2021 Lexus LS Gets a Minor But Meaningful Overhaul
New advanced driver assistance technology is the big story with the new car.
Lexus’s flagship sedan, the LS, will receive a handful of updates for the 2021 model year that make it smarter, quieter, and safer than before. The company recently released the Japanese-market version of the car, which makes for a great preview of what’s to come here.
The revision will bring a new headlight design that is far simpler than the “big-Z” units we have seen in years past. Elsewhere, there’s a new bumper and a color update for the car’s massive grille. The rear end is nearly identical to that of the outgoing model.
Inside is where things get slightly more interesting. The 2021 Lexus LS will sport a new infotainment screen that measures 12.3 inches. That’s the same size as the one that the previous car had, but it has been moved closer to the driver to allow for touch inputs instead of just the track pad that previous cars had. The LS will also come with an updated suite of active safety technologies, which will be powered by Lexus’ new Teammate advanced driving assist suite.
The package marks the brand’s first real jump into the world of semi-autonomous driving, and uses various sensors, lidar, cameras, and radar to generate a picture of what’s happening around the car. Teammate is a result of Toyota’s vision of a world with zero traffic fatalities and is designed to work with the driver toward that goal. The system will operate in one of two modes: Guardian and Chauffeur. Guardian mode operates much like the advanced safety tech we already know and (mostly) love. The driver is in full control, but the system will step in if a potential danger arises. Chauffeur mode allows the driver to give up all driving responsibility to the LS. It’s not Level 5 autonomy (nobody offers this yet, no matter what you’ve read), but it will handle driving on highways and other pre-approved roads.
Under the hood, the Lexus LS will retain its two current engine options: a 416-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 and a 354-hp hybrid drivetrain for the LS500h. Revised battery-assist settings will also help the LS500h with acceleration and quietness. On that front, Lexus has updated transmission settings for both models and has made adjustments to the engine mounts and noise cancellation system to make the car quieter than its predecessor.
We don’t have pricing or release details for the 2021 Lexus LS, but the company says it will pass along more info on the U.S.-spec cars in the coming months.
Images: Lexus
