Ringing in the changes

LEXUS has waved a wand over its ageing LS range, installing a new ‘‘corporate’’ grille and making up to 3000 detail changes.

It’s the so-called mid-cycle update of the big Japanese limo and arrives here early next year.

The LS model has been around for 23 years now and they’ve sold 730,000 of them.

But the new one takes a different tack, offering sharper driving dynamics along with high levels of refinement and luxury.

EXTERIOR

They’ve redesigned the exterior to give it more road presence capped by the new corporate Lexus spindle grille.

Ma n y p a n e l s h a v e b e e n redesigned or restyled to increase visual appeal or functionality, and reduce wind noise.

LED headlights make an appearance on some variants.

Rear combination lamps feature all-LED lighting.

There are new

19-inch

wheels with weight saving hollow spokes that also reduce interior noise levels (if that was possible in the LS).

INTERIOR

The interior is comprehensively redesigned, including the entire dash cowl, centre console and surrounds that benefit from improved functionality.

The two-zone instrument panel has an upper 12.3-inch wide LCD multi-display screen – the industry’s largest and a lower touch screen with Drive Mode Select system.

On the centre console, switches have been combined and their number reduced, and the centre cluster has been made more compact.

The driver’s immediate environment has been further enhanced by a new, smaller three-spoke steering wheel.

DYNAMICS

LS has a more rigid chassis than before, thanks to additional bracing, laser welding and adhesives

Leveraging the improved platform is an evolution of the Adapti v e Variable a i r Suspension (AVS) system.

Electric power steering revision gives better feel and response while brake pedal stroke is reduced.

Drive Mode Select offers

five switchable driving modes. Lexus now offers LS in F Sport with a more spirited drive feel.

It gets a torque-sensing, Torsen limited-slip rear differential, Brembo six-piston front brake calipers, transmission upgrade and suspension enhancements.

More safety features are but engines remain the same.

fitted