IT DOESN’T TAKE MUCH for a car company to start celebrating an anniversary, but thirty years for a start-up luxury brand is, we have to admit, pretty impressive.
Lexus has celebrated its global 30th anniversary with a special-edition of the latest generation of its first model line, the LS flagship sedan.
The Lexus LS Inspiration Series has been developed to embody a model line with high levels of craftsmanship, technology and refinement. Naturally, it gets special design highlights, but more importantly, also safety and suspension enhancements across the range.
Starting with the already opulent LS Sports Luxury, the LS Inspiration Series debuts a unique 20-inch Dark Vapor alloy wheel design and Khaki Metal exterior colour for the first time on the Lexus flagship sedan.
The distinctive shade of deep green joins the alternative Sonic Quartz, Liquid Metal and Scarlet Crimson options alternatively available with this limited edition.
The interior of the LS is redefined for the Inspiration Series by an exclusive combination of chestnut semi-aniline leather-accented trim and nobel brown fabric door texture, complemented by intricate walnut Lexus-insignia laser-cut ornamentation.
A unique highlight and perfect finishing touch for the LS Inspiration Series is the installation of a Kiriko pattern ornamentation panel across the passenger side of the dashboard, featuring an engraved “30th Anniversary” signature with blue illumination.
The Inspiration Series is available in LS 500h featuring the world’s first Multi Stage Hybrid System, incorporating a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and advanced electric motor, and LS 500 with the Lexus 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine.
Benchmark technology includes a 12.3-inch centre display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, satellite navigation, voice control, DAB+, 23-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and twin 11.6-inch rear entertainment screens.
Heated and ventilated front and rear-outboard seats with massage function, 22-way power-adjustable rear seats with passenger-side ottoman, electric rear sunshades and rear cooler box (LC 500 only) provide driver and passengers the ultimate in luxury travel.
As with the recently introduced Lexus LC Inspiration Series, limited-edition exclusivity is reflected in the confirmation of a tightly controlled global supply, resulting in fewer than 10 units being available for Australian customers.
Key safety and suspension enhancements have also been applied to select Lexus LS variants to coincide with the introduction of the Inspiration Series.
The Lexus Safety System+ (LSS+) has been expanded to include more advanced functionality for the lane tracing assist (LTA) on Sports Luxury grades, which can now detect curves ahead and can reduce vehicle speed entering a particular bend.
LTA provides gentle steering inputs to keep the vehicle in the centre of the lane and can operate from highway speeds down to standstill.
New curve speed reduction functionality becomes active when driving using the dynamic radar cruise control, and with steering assist and lane centring turned on.
All grades of the updated LS are also able to better protect occupants and other road users from danger at low speeds following the addition of a parking support brake system (PKSB).
PKSB uses intelligent clearance sonar and rear cross-traffic sensors to detect static objects ahead or behind the vehicle, as well as crossing vehicles when reversing as part of rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA).
When moving forward or in reverse (at under 15km/h) the system can warn the driver then apply braking force to reduce the possibility of contact with static objects ahead of the vehicle, or static objects and moving vehicles when reversing.
As part of the update, all variants further debut revised Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS).
The air suspension system now incorporates a redesigned independent extension and compression design and altered damping force switching to achieve flatter and smoother body motion behaviour.
For the LS 500 only, the front mounts on the rear suspension member are now liquid-filled, replacing the previous rubber mounts in order to further reduce vehicle body vibration.
The LS 500 also exclusively benefits from a smoother starting action for the petrol engine’s Stop Start system.
Okay, now it’s time for a deep breath: the limited-edition Lexus Inspiration Series comes in at $198,922 for the LS 500 and $199,505 for the LS 500h. Plus on road costs, of course.
Being a very limited-edition model, it is unlikely seniordriveraus will be able to test and assess the Inspiration, but if we do, we’ll bring you a comprehensive review, including everything the over-50 driver needs to know.