Press Release
Page 1: Overview
Page 2: Powertrain
Page 3: Dynamics
Page 4: Safety
Page 5: Comfort
Safety
As exemplified by the numerous revolutionary developments based on the principle of accident avoidance through intelligent anticipation showcased in the new Ls range, Lexus now offers the highest content of sophisticated preventive safety technology in the world.
Advanced Pre-Crash Safety System (PCS)
a further development of the system already featured in the is and Gs model range, an enhanced Pre-Crash safety system offers maximum assistance to the driver in collision avoidance either by day or night. The advanced PCs now incorporates four world firsts, an advanced Obstacle Detection system, a Driver Monitoring system, Emergency steering assist and a rear Pre-Crash safety system. These innovations secure optimum vehicle responsiveness on evasive manoeuvres and reduce the consequences of a collision.
Advanced Obstacle Detection System
The advanced Obstacle Detection system combines information detected by both a millimetre wave radar and an infrared stereo camera. The millimetre-wave radar is mounted within the Ls grille, scanning the road ahead. The stereo camera consists of two near-infrared CCD lenses mounted 350 mm apart at the head of the windscreen, transmitting digital video images. Near-infrared projectors built into the high-beam function of the headlamps help obstacle detection at night, beyond the range of the low-beam headlamps. subject to weather conditions, the advanced Obstacle Detection system can detect a wide range of obstacles, including, for the first time, pedestrians.
Driver Monitoring System
The advanced Lexus Pre-Crash safety system also features the world??????????????????????????????????????s first Driver Monitoring system. This system employs a CCD camera, mounted on top of the steering column cover, equipped with six built-in near infrared LEDs to give an identical detection performance by day or night. First using an algorithm to detect the position of the facial features (eyes, nose and mouth) and measuring the width and centre line of the face, the Driver Monitoring system is able to monitor the movement of the driver??????????????????????????????????????s head when looking from side to side. if the driver turns his or her head away from the road ahead and an obstacle is detected in front of the Ls, the system will automatically activate the Pre-Crash warning buzzer function and briefly apply the brakes to alert him to the situation. if the driver does not respond immediately, the PCs system will proceed to engage all the other subsequent Pre-Crash functions.
Emergency Steering Assist
Through a close interaction between the Variable Gear ratio steering (VGrs), Vehicle Dynamics integrated Management (VDiM) and adaptive Variable suspension (aVs) systems, Emergency steering assist substantially improves the vehicle??????????????????????????????????????s response to the driver??????????????????????????????????????s steering input in the likelihood of a collision, increasing the chances of avoiding the obstacle.
Rear Pre-Crash Safety System
Operating when stationary or in motion, the rear Pre-Crash safety system employs a millimetre-wave radar installed within the rear bumper to constantly scan the area around the back of the vehicle. if a collision is deemed unavoidable, the system automatically activates the front Pre-Crash intelligent Headrests, which move forwards and upwards to cushion the occupant??????????????????????????????????????s head in anticipation of an impact, greatly reducing the risk of whiplash injury.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
available on the Ls, Gs and is 250, the adaptive Cruise Control (aCC) offers both constant speed control, and vehicle-to-vehicle distance control modes (possible activation between approximately 45 km/h and 70 km/h). Employing the PCs millimetre-wave radar sensor, the vehicle????????????????????to-vehicle distance control system is capable of differentiating between vehicles directly ahead of the Lexus and those in an adjacent lane. it will automatically match the speed of the vehicle in front and, once the road ahead is clear, accelerate back up to the selected cruising speed.
Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
Lane-Keeping assist system (LKa) comes to the European luxury market for the first time in the Lexus Ls. subject to weather and road conditions, the system monitors white line road markings via the stereo imaging camera to determine whether the vehicle is moving out of a given lane and can provide an audible warning as well as steering support to help the driver regain the correct road position.
Activated by the driver, the Lane-Keeping assist system offers a choice of two functions, dependent on whether or not the Ls??????????????????????????????????????s adaptive Cruise Control (aCC) is simultaneously in operation.
if aCC is inactive, the system offers a Lane Departure Warning (LDW) function only. Operational from approximately 50 km/h and within a lane width of between 3 and 4 metres, LDW detects the possibility of lane departure second in advance. When detecting the possibility of lane departure, this function encourages the driver to steer back into the lane
During aCC operation, LKa further offers a Lane Keep (LK) function. LK is operational at speeds of approximately 75-70 km/h and within a lane width of between 3 and 4 metres.
LK provides steering torque merely to assist the driver in providing the most appropriate steering response to re-centre the car within the lane, and the driver should maintain active control of the steering throughout. He or she can override the system??????????????????????????????????????s torque output at any time through steering effort, similar to that required when changing lanes. in addition, through monitoring the driver??????????????????????????????????????s steering input, Lane Keep will automatically deactivate when hands-free driving is detected.
