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September 29, 2006
SOME LEXUS SAFETY FEATURES BEING MODIFIED FOR U.S.
According to Automotive News, some Lexus LS460 models headed for the U.S. market probably will have different advanced safety features than those available on the luxury vehicle in other markets.
A radar-based rear pre-crash safety system available on European and Japanese models and intended to reduce whiplash won’t be provided “at all” on U.S. models. The system flashes the car's hazard lights to warn an approaching vehicle. If that vehicle doesn't slow, it then activates an intelligent headrest on the driver's seat within one second of the anticipated impact. An advanced obstacle detection system, already available on the GS430 sold in the U.S., uses radar; it pumps up the power brakes and alters the gearing ratio during driver maneuvers to evade detected objects. European models will add a dual camera to the system; U.S. models won’t . An all-adaptive speed control permits cruise-control operation over a wide range of speeds in European and Japanese models; in U.S. models the range will be limited to 40-100 kph.
Posted by MVHAP at September 29, 2006 12:06 PM