Lexus’ LS 500 Refresh Adds a Human Touch
Twenty-eight years after introducing the LS and upping the bar on style & performance, Lexus brings a more personal aspect to its 2018 revamp.
As I turn off a rural road and drive through the front gates of the famous Skywalker Ranch nestled within the Redwoods of Northern California, I half-expect to see Ewoks scurrying around the heavily-wooded property. It’s early fall and I’m in a shiny silver LS 500 provided by Lexus and excitedly en route to the media launch of the refreshed fifth-generation models.
Lexus is introducing its hotly-anticipated line of LS 500 models at a location as legendary as the vehicle itself. Like Lexus, Star Wars creator George Lucas‘ Skywalker Ranch is the facility that helped launch a franchise that continues to raise the bar of entertainment and technology. All things considered, this is bound to be an afternoon of awe-inspiring sights and sounds that will meld the pinnacles of automotive progress and pop culture history.
A New Hope: Reimagining a Legend
When I get to the main house that serves as the hub of Skywalker Ranch, I am disappointed to find that not only is the property Ewok-free but there are none of the life-size X-Wings nor Landspeeders I was hoping I’d see parked out front. My 10-year-old inner child is let down when I realize that there really isn’t an overload of Star Wars memorabilia on display at the ranch except for a few spectacular but small models behind glass in the foyer.
However, although Luke Skywalker’s memorable desert-cruising vehicle is nowhere to be seen, parked in front of the main house are equally impressive Lexus LS 500 sedans, including the hybrid and F Sport models. The small fleet sports attention-grabbing colors that run the gamut from a sophisticated, understated silver hue called Manganese Luster to a stunning Matador Red LS 500 F Sport.
The LS 500 may not defy gravity (yet), but its stretched, ground-hugging new silhouette actually shares a lot of visual characteristics with Luke’s futuristic Landspeeder, right down to the way the LS 500 seems to float as it gently automatically raises itself a few inches to provide for easier exiting when you complete your drive.
The new Lexuses are also wider, more weighted (thanks to a lower center of gravity), and even sleeker than before at an overall length of 206.1 inches , with the 2018 refreshes being a noticeable-but-comfortable foot-and-a-half wider than the 2018 LC coupes.
The sedans also have a profile that is 0.6 inches closer to the road than the previous LS, and the hood and trunk are approximately 1.2 inches and 1.6 inches lower, respectively. The ground clearance and overall height of the LS 500 AWD model with air suspension is 5.4 and 57.5 inches, respectively.
I opt first for an LS 500 AWD that sports an inviting Autumn Shimmer color that cooly melds dark reds, browns and golds into an exquisite hue that works particularly well with the car’s sexy body design. Later, I’ll drive the electric blue LS 500. Although the new LS hybrid gets 25 city/33 hwy and has a range of over 600 miles, I decided to concentrate mostly on the LS 500.
The Executive Interior Package pushes the creative envelope so far that it shreds any preconceived notions you may have about just how far you can take automotive design.
The Autumn Shimmer LS 500 is also outfitted with the pièce de résistance of the newly-revamped LS 500 line: The Executive Interior Package. The ultra-luxurious option takes Lexus’ signature Japanese aesthetic and pushes the envelope so far that it shreds any preconceived notions you may have about just how far an artist can take the concepts of automotive design.
Roque One: Exploring Skywalker Ranch
The lush NorCal setting is immediately relaxing as I travel through the lazy, quiet private roads of Skywalker Ranch and get comfortable — real comfortable — with the brand’s revamped LS 500, which is the luxury vehicle that put Lexus on the map when it was introduced in 1989. The straight line stability is solid. Then, as I begin to round corners and traverse the windy roads, the power and control afforded by the LS 500’s powertrain is smooth, understated and noticeably doing its job, and doing it well.
Later, when I cruise outside of the ranch’s perimeter for some city driving, the LS 500’s all-wheel drive handles the unpredictable streets of San Francisco with ease. There is a consistent level of comfort that nary changes during the random times when the vehicle traverses over dramatically-uneven shifts in terrain, such as exposed and seemingly omnipresent trolley-car tracks.
The 2018 LS 500’s all-new multilink front suspension took what would have been a chassis-shaking pothole experience and made it a less noticeable roadway hiccup.
In fact, when the smooth ride suffers a quick, abrupt skip during the trip, I look in the rear view mirror to see that I had just driven over pavement that has a huge chunk missing, exposing trolley tracks. The 2018 LS 500’s all-new multilink front suspension uses double ball joints on its control arms to help control the smallest movements from unpredictable road conditions. And that’s what took what would have been a chassis-shaking pothole experience and made it a much less noticeable roadway hiccup. Lexus credits the LC’s refined ride to its new, advanced version of Adaptive Variable Suspension, which continually adjusts damping control in response to driving and road conditions.
From the expansive dash to the smooth and steady driving performance, the new LS 500 is one impressive ride. But then again, that isn’t too surprising. The 2018 LS 500 may be the fifth generation, but it was four generations ago that Lexus already cemented its reputation for setting the standard when it comes to seamlessly melding driving performance, technology and design. So, what’s a legend to do to keep its brand competitive? Lexus accepted the challenge and decided to do more with less by delivering the expected driving performance and power but with a lighter, quieter, more fuel-efficient power plant by ditching the V8 that LS enthusiasts have come to expect for a twin turbo V6. While the brand was reconsidering ways to protect the environment and save on fuel costs, it was also focusing on ways to bring a more human touch to its high-tech luxury and driving features. But before we go any further, let’s address the big white bantha, er elephant in the room: the V6.
The Engine Strikes Back: V6 Replaces V8
The soothing sound of the Lexus LS 500’s V6 engine is noticeable and appreciated without being audibly overpowering. It won’t drown out your conversations in the cabin, yet it’s soothing purr is omnipresent and reminds you of the power that lies in your hands each time you grip the steering wheel and prepare for takeoff. However, for an engine that does not make a lot of noise, it’s certainly causing plenty of commotion. Over in the Club Lexus forums as well as on popular user-generated sites like Reddit, car enthusiasts have been vocal about their thoughts on why Lexus opted to fit the new LS models with a twin turbo V6 instead of the expected V8.
Upon checking in on the Club Lexus forums to see what members are saying about the fifth-gen LS 500’s February 2018 debut, it becomes immediately apparent that Lexus enthusiasts have two key concerns about the LS refresh: cost and, more importantly, choice of engine.
Unless you’re planning to compete on a race track, you won’t notice much difference in engine performance. Even the purr is loud enough to keep purists appeased.
“I really think Lexus has learned a lot about the few redundant issues that have plagued the LS 460 in its infancy, got them right and continued on with putting together a solid vehicle in the 500,” says one Club Lexus member in a recent thread titled “Next-Gen Lexus LS Rumored to Drop V8.” “I just really, really hope the charged V6 is every bit as smooth as the V8.”
Another forum member smartly opines: “I am beginning to wonder just how much of this sentiment [about the V6 verses V8] is psychological, [with enthusiasts] being accustomed to the V8 power plant the LS has possessed for the past 10 years. You can do things technically to boost numbers and add performance, but it’s difficult to think anything can replace that natural, effortless feeling that accompanies gentle to aggressive acceleration of the 460’s V8, especially on the highway — that’s priceless.”
These concerns have been on Lexus’ radar and they are addressed at the media preview by chief designer Koichi Suga, who is responsible for the overall design of the LS. “We didn’t want to just downsize the engine…So, we looked to our Formula 1 technology for guidance and insight,” he says about the new V6 engine with 10-speed automatic transmission, which was designed specifically for the LS.
“With the 3.5 liter V6 engine we also have our twin turbos, and, of course, they’re going to provide high driving performance, excellent fuel economy, lower emissions, and ultimately a quiet operation, too,” adds Lexus College product trainer Douglas M. Herbert. “However, we want to make sure that it has a nice turbine, Lexus-like sound, inside and outside.”
Getting the V6 to provide that V8-generated Lexus-like sound led Lexus’ engineers to redesigning the twin turbochargers, which also helped increase performance. “The engineers took conventional turbines and saw that there were some opportunities to improve the flow of gas in the propeller,” says Herbert. “So, they changed the curvature on the turbine blade and increased the blade length. And as a result, that led to an increased use of gas flow.
A more definitive response to the V6 vs. V8 debate comes from actually driving the vehicles. Once behind the wheel and driving around the vast ranch all afternoon, it is clear that the 3.5-liter, 416-horsepower V6 delivers as smooth and powerful a ride as the V8, and unless you’re planning to compete on a racetrack somewhere, you likely won’t notice or mind any difference in engine size or performance. Even the purr of the V6 engine is loud enough to keep purists appeased without overpowering the quietness of the cabin.
The acceleration is as smooth as you’d expect from Lexus, and the power, performance and control are not much different from what the V8 of 2013’s fourth gen LS offered. The rear-wheel-drive models hit 0-60 mph acceleration in 4.6 seconds , and when I hit the gas to prove it, the “natural, effortless feeling” that one Club Lexus member was concerned about is also intact and undeniable.
The natural feeling, however, doesn’t stop there. Perhaps one of the most impressive additions to the LS 500 refresh is the level of personal luxury and comfort delivered with a decidedly human touch, from a newly added realistic shiatsu massage feature to the car’s intuitive technology that automatically lowers the LS at the end of your journey to provide a more comfortable exit from the vehicle.
The Force Awakens: LS’ Recharges Its Comfort Level
The spacious cabin of the LS 500 is unlike anything seen previously in the LS line. The headroom is comfortable at between 36.4 and 37.3 inches in the front and back with the moonroof or panorama roof.
The interior space is as artful as it is practical, with intricate patterns featured on the expansive dash and doors, including deep-grooved linear designs etched into exclusive Kiriko-cut glass light casings. The way the artful grooves on the casings diffuse the light and direct the strongest beam onto the adjacent door locks and other buttons is one of many strategic and practical design aspects that keeps Lexus light years ahead of its competition.
The complex pattern of the side doors’ Kiriko glass is balanced with veneered herringbone wood panels comprised of contrasting light and dark grains forming a simple but stunning linear mosaic. It is a big leap in aesthetic from the straight-grain look of the standard panels. Below the dashboard’s 12.3-inch multimedia infotainment screen is another eye-catching design where the main horizontal vents are made to resemble the fretboard of a Japanese harp or guitar. It totally rocks.
Completing the standout Executive trim is another Lexus design first that is so exclusive and intricate that it is only offered in select markets: handmade Origami-like pleated fabric in the inner door panels that provide a beautiful textural look and feel that expertly compliments the overall linear design aesthetic. And the groundbreaking design continues throughout the spacious cabin, culminating in the one of the new models’ most impressive features: the strategically designed seats.
When it came to crafting the LS 500’s deep, cushy, body-caressing seats, Lexus’ designers headed to Japan’s biggest furniture store to scout the most comfortable recliner, then it was over to Italy to secure the material. Hidden beneath the soft, supple leather seat with the intricate stitching and linear patterns on the right side back seat is an option that seems custom made for the LS 500’s roomy, relaxing cabin: a fully automatic multi-function massaging seat with ottoman.
There is even more space in the airy cabin to kick back, stretch out and relax with a comfort level akin to being nestled in an oversized Lazy-Boy in your living room.
I pull over near Ewok Lake and settle into the rear passenger seat to try the heated shiatsu massage feature. The Audi A8 may have a front footrest function, but Lexus takes that comfort level up a few notches beyond Audi’s reach. With a few quick flicks of a finger on the rear touchscreen, the seat in front of me automatically pulls down its headrest as it folds forward as closely as possible to the front dash. At the same time, the rear seat begins to deliver BarcaLounger-like comfort as an ottoman slowly rises up from the bottom of the seat. With the front seat leaning forward, there is even more space in the airy cabin to kick back, stretch out and relax with a comfort level akin to being nestled in an oversized Lazy-Boy in your living room.
The newly-added shiatsu function delivers a deep-tissue massage so realistic that you may find yourself leaving a tip on the dashboard. The 2018 Lexus LS 500 is the first in the line to feature shiatsu-style massage, and the replication is so exact that the LS 500’s seat designer tells Club Lexus that the process was six years in the making. It included developing an air pneumatic system, which in essence is an air-bubble mechanism with 30 by 20-millimeter thumb-size pressure points to mimic as closely as possible adult human thumbs. The back of the seat has eight massaging “thumbs,” and there are six in the seat. The pressure strength was also increased since the previous model. It is an ingenious concept perfectly executed, and one that you’re going to want to try again and again.
The Cloned Wares: Lexus Quality Replicated
The state-of-the-art massaging seats simply must be experienced to be fully appreciated. Those ultra-luxurious seats coupled with the Mark Levinson surround sound system bring together the most impressive and relaxing automotive experience that I have ever experienced.
The Mark Levinson system’s interface is simple and practical, and it includes an integrated CD player, whose inclusion in the set up hints at this vehicle’s proposed target market. In other words, if you’re not old enough to remember when CDs came in large rectangular cardboard boxes, you’re likely out of the age bracket of the typical 2018 Lexus LS 500 owner. The inclusion of the V6 over the V8 also steers Lexus’ outreach more toward drivers looking for better fuel efficiency, state-of-the-art tech and extreme comfort over those looking to burn a few donuts in the parking lot of the local Cars & Coffee.
However, when it comes to having virtually every technological and personal comfort option at your fingertips, too much of a good thing has its consequences. Although the full-color infotainment system, well-equipped dash and the dozen or so thumb buttons on the steering wheel provide virtually every modern driving convenience at your fingertips, the ample offerings can feel somewhat clustered.
A nearly-invisible clear panel keeps the dash components and media system protected. And after you instinctively attempt to use the touchscreen, that clear cover blocks your intent and reminds you to use the track mechanism on the center console. The many components and features may take a bit of time to master and remember what they all do. But that’s okay, take your time because you can always entertain yourself with one of the best-sounding stereo units around as you study the dash.
The dashboard multimedia system further enforces Lexus’ drive to bring a human touch to the LS and also serves as another set of eyes that made my drive a bit more safe and sound. When I stopped at a red light a bit too far over a crosswalk mark, the LS’ front cross traffic alert set off a few quick beeps. Then, the camera instinctively jumped into action, displaying the view in front of the hood where pedestrians were crossing in front of me. It definitely gave me an added sense of driving confidence in this unpredictable urban landscape that always has me on guard when driving within its chaotic city limits.
But back to one of the most impressive options of the 2018 LS 500 is a 23-speaker Mark Levinson Audio System by Harman surround sound system that is like having THX-quality audio in your car. George Lucas would be proud. Or envious, because this thing is simply acoustically stunning.
When I turn on the rain to a jazzy cover of “My Funny Valentine,” the music surrounds me, enveloping me from head to toe courtesy of nearly two dozen speakers seamlessly embedded throughout the cabin, from the ceiling to the side doors. The sound is so crisp that I can hear the guitarist’s pick scratching against his steel guitar strings.
The Mark Levinson system upgrade includes a couple mentionable aesthetic touches, too, including side-door speaker grills with a gorgeous intricate pattern that is exclusive with the audio system and branded with the Mark Levinson logo.
Luxury, power and pedigree, however, certainly don’t come cheap. Otherwise we’d all be living like large. The Lexus logo alone gives brand loyalists unshakeable confidence that this smooth-rolling status symbol comes equipped with an expected high-level of quality and cutting-edge interior and exterior design. The new LS 500 more than meets these expectations. And then some. So, it should be expected that this luxury sedan, which starts at around $75,0000, is not being marketed to the jeans and beer crowd.
The smooth, safe, luxurious ride that you have come to be familiar with in a Lexus vehicle really has not changed. When you sit behind the steering wheel of a Lexus LS 500, you get exactly what you’re expecting: incredible handling and performance, integrated state-of-the-art safety standards, and of course exquisite Japanese-inspired old school, traditional design melded with a modern twist that is nothing short of exceptional. However, the big difference with the LS 500 refresh is that Lexus has found a way to ingeniously bring you all the extreme comfort and performance that you expect but now, for the first time, Lexus is doing it using a less-is-more approach, at least for its choice of powerplant. And it actually works.
Lexus replaced a V8 engine with a V6 with an eye toward better fuel economy and making the vehicle lighter. It also works. You still get the maximum performance but with a smaller engine, a lighter vehicle, and a ride that is unmistakably Lexus. And we ask for nothing less.
