Originally Posted by TangoRed

Disagree honestly. I found the XJ to be noticeably firmer than the others when it comes to the supercharged and R models. The R model was especially firm and really handled beautifully.

Originally Posted by SW15LS

I just drove them all back to back before I bought my LS. I found the XJ to ride even a little bit softer than the LS. Sure different sport trims are firmer, thats true of all these cars including the LS.

Bearing in mind that I have not driven the new 7 Series, the firmest most dynamic car in this segment is the A8.

Originally Posted by TangoRed

You should drive an XJR to see what I'm talking about. It's way firmer than anything else I've driven in that class. Magazine reviews have said the same thing. To your point though I've never driven a base XJ.

Originally Posted by LexsCTJill

Simply observing the performance numbers of the new 7 Series, S-class, and the XJ R, its hard to imagine any of the three listed above will have a softer sprung ride than the LS460 or LS460 f sport. The LS 0-60, HP, and skidpad numbers are nowhere close to the newer models mentioned above, the next gen LS should have significantly improved performance specs which will require a firmer suspension. Thr hallmark of the LS is a softer, smoother, cloud like ride, so you can have it both ways.

Originally Posted by SW15LS

With these modern suspensions you CAN have it both ways. The LS is just old and doesn't have these technologies. The new LS will.

Originally Posted by Hoovey2411

The LS has an AVS option, and the air suspension has a Comfort, Normal, and Sport+ setting all which work well. I wouldn't say the LS lacks technology, but rather that the chassis predates 2007 and does not have the finesse and agility of its peers. To be fair the 2013 updates saw improvements to the structure for more rigidity with laser screw welding techniques and its still a superb choice, but falling further from the limelight. If the LC500 and LF-FC are any indication of the LS having an exotic silhouette reminiscent of a Quattroporte or Rapide, and a handling prowess instilled by the LFA and projects after, the 5th generation LS could perhaps shake up the segment yet again

Originally Posted by Stroock639

not really...

a torque converter is basically just like one fan blowing on another which makes it spin, only instead of fans it's turbines, and instead of air it's transmission fluid. the torque converter itself is attached to the flywheel and as it spins faster fluid is forced to the outside because of centrifugal forces, which causes the other turbine attached to the output to spin. the slipping happens when the outside isn't spinning quite fast enough to displace enough fluid so the output essentially hasn't caught up yet.

this is how autos can idle while in gear, but a modern locking torque converter will have a clutch to lock the input and output together, giving you a direct drive and better efficiency and response. more slipping will be smoother but also slower and less efficient. your sports car doesn't want this, but something intended to be as smooth and luxurious as possible (like the LS) would benefit from this when driving around town. above like 40 though it'll lock up so you're not being inefficient and there's really nothing to be gained from the slipping anymore once you're traveling at a constant speed.