The flagship sedan segment has seen a flurry of activity as Audi just introduced the A8L Horch Founder’s Edition, while Mercedes recently unveiled the redesigned S-Class and all-new EQS. Not to be outdone, BMW is putting the finishing touches on the next-generation 7-Series. The fourth member of that group is the Lexus LS and it’s getting a handful of updates for the 2022 model year.
Since the flagship sedan was given a
facelift for 2021, this year’s updates are relatively minor and include newly
available Haku interior ornamentation on models equipped with Luxury and
Executive Packages. Lexus didn’t go into many specifics, but noted Haku foil is
“made by meticulously flattening a piece of metal until it becomes as thin as
one ten-thousandths of a millimeter.”
This provides a “delicate shine reminiscent of moonlight reflecting over
ocean waves.” Furthermore, even the entry-level LS can now be equipped with a
23-speaker Mark Levinson Quantum Logic Immersion Reference Surround Sound Audio
System. That’s a mouthful, but it boasts an impressive output of 2,400 watts.
The last major change is the addition of a
newly standard Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 suite of driver assistance systems. It
includes All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with
Steering Assist, and a Pre-Collision System with Frontal Collision Warning,
Automatic Emergency Braking as well as Pedestrian and Bicyclist Detection.
Other highlights include Lane Tracing Assist (Lane Centering), Road Sign Assist
and Intelligent High Beams.
Lexus was coy about the LS 500h, but the
LS 500 has a familiar twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 that produces 416 hp and 599 Nm of torque. This enables the rear-wheel drive
variant to accelerate from 0-96 km/h in 4.6 seconds. The 2022 Lexus
LS 500 is slated to arrive at dealerships late this year and pricing will begin
at US$ 76,000 before a US$ 1,075 destination charge.
