It would be very easy to dismiss this car as just an upmarket Prius, but that would be doing a disservice to both the Prius and this Lexus. The best way to define the differences between the two cars is the philosophy that goes into making them. Toyota uses the Prius as the vehicle to introduce leading-edge hybrid technology. Lexus uses hybrid technology to create a better luxury car.
Designers gave themselves the task of making this Lexus the sleekest one ever. To get to the final drag number of 0.27, engineers made some impressive changes to design basics. When you look at the traditional Lexus grille, there is no opening for air to pass through. Air flow management studies put two distinct air intakes below the bumper. One intake is for cooling the rad and supplying the engine, while the other provides cooling for the electronic controllers of the hybrid system.
The sleek design continues over the top with gentle and consistent slope changes to make sure laminar air flow is not interrupted. Underneath the car, Lexus engineers put a series of body trays to smooth out air flow under the car. Under the car is where the air is most likely to get messed up and cause economy-robbing drag.
In talking with Lexus staff, concerns were mentioned about the underbody trays cracking or breaking in winter due to cold and/or poor snow removal. They did admit that it was a possibility, but did not feel that it would be a problem due to the method of construction and where the trays were placed under the car.
Lexus has a new definition for luxury that is “about purposeful technology that is all wrapped in a thoughtful design”. When you are in the driver’s seat, you are going to notice this before the passenger does. Lexus is using their new HMI (Human-Machine Interface) system that allows the absorption of a large amount of information in an absorbed manner.
There are two different leather seatings available depending on which package you choose. Both are the same quality and both are heated, but one is perforated to accommodate a seat air conditioning system. The driver and passenger seat are both 8-way power-adjustable. If you step up to the Ultra Premium package, one of the additions is a memory function that handles seat position.
Rear-seat space can get a bit tight for larger occupants, since this car does fit in between the IS and ES models size-wise. I never had any trouble with head room in the rear, but if the front seat occupant had the seat back very far, my knees would hit the seat back if I squirmed about. If the person up front were of average size, I’d have no trouble with knees or feet.
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| Air flow management studies put two distinct air intakes below the bumper. |
Designers gave themselves the task of making this Lexus the sleekest one ever. To get to the final drag number of 0.27, engineers made some impressive changes to design basics. When you look at the traditional Lexus grille, there is no opening for air to pass through. Air flow management studies put two distinct air intakes below the bumper. One intake is for cooling the rad and supplying the engine, while the other provides cooling for the electronic controllers of the hybrid system.
The sleek design continues over the top with gentle and consistent slope changes to make sure laminar air flow is not interrupted. Underneath the car, Lexus engineers put a series of body trays to smooth out air flow under the car. Under the car is where the air is most likely to get messed up and cause economy-robbing drag.
In talking with Lexus staff, concerns were mentioned about the underbody trays cracking or breaking in winter due to cold and/or poor snow removal. They did admit that it was a possibility, but did not feel that it would be a problem due to the method of construction and where the trays were placed under the car.
Lexus has a new definition for luxury that is “about purposeful technology that is all wrapped in a thoughtful design”. When you are in the driver’s seat, you are going to notice this before the passenger does. Lexus is using their new HMI (Human-Machine Interface) system that allows the absorption of a large amount of information in an absorbed manner.
There are two different leather seatings available depending on which package you choose. Both are the same quality and both are heated, but one is perforated to accommodate a seat air conditioning system. The driver and passenger seat are both 8-way power-adjustable. If you step up to the Ultra Premium package, one of the additions is a memory function that handles seat position.
Rear-seat space can get a bit tight for larger occupants, since this car does fit in between the IS and ES models size-wise. I never had any trouble with head room in the rear, but if the front seat occupant had the seat back very far, my knees would hit the seat back if I squirmed about. If the person up front were of average size, I’d have no trouble with knees or feet.
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| I never had any trouble with head room in the rear. |