Lexus HS: 1st Generation News & Information

In the latest round of crash safety tests conducted by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), the Lexus HS 250h has received the agency’s highest rating of “Good” on its first evaluation, the frontal offset crash test.  In this test, vehicles are accelerated towards a barrier at 40 mph.

Approximately 40 percent of the vehicle’s front end comes in direct contact with the barrier, causing asymmetrical impact forces which increase the potential for cabin intrusion.  In its frontal offset test, the HS 250h came through with top ratings in each area, namely structure/safety cage, injury measures, and restraints/dummy kinematics.

Insurance Institute of Highway Safety 

A voluntary recall of the 2010 Lexus HS 250h has been announced by Toyota USA—from the press release:

The ABS, in normal operation, engages and disengages rapidly (many times per second) as the control system senses and reacts to tire slippage. Some 2010 model year Prius and 2010 HS 250h owners have reported experiencing inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady application of brakes on rough or slick road surfaces when the ABS is activated in an effort to maintain tire traction.

Toyota has responded to owner concerns with a running production change for 2010 Prius that was introduced last month, improving the ABS system’s response time, as well as the system’s overall sensitivity to tire slippage. The production change for the HS 250h is planned for later this month.

The ABS system on the Lexus HS 250h is similar in design to the Prius. The software adjustment planned for HS 250h production and dealer modification is being finalized and will be announced very soon.

If a Prius or Lexus HS 250h owner were to experience this condition, pressing hard on the brake pedal will stop the vehicle safely. The vehicles are safe to drive because pressing hard on the brake pedal will stop the vehicle.

Toyota has published a list of frequently asked questions, and the Lexus Customer Assistance Center can be reached at 1-800-255-3987 if you have any questions about this recall.

The full press release after the jump.

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Taking the upmost caution in the face of increasingly ridiculous media attention, Toyota has announced that the Lexus HS 250h will be investigated alongside the 2010 Toyota Prius for a software glitch that is causing problems with Toyota’s hybrid braking—even though the two models don’t even use the same software:

The mechanical parts that make up the brake system in the Lexus model are identical to those in Toyota’s 2010 Prius, but the two gas-electric hybrid cars use different software systems to control the way the brakes are used, said Brian Lyons, a Toyota spokesman.

Still, he said, the Lexus is now part of Toyota’s investigation.

“If you’ve got an issue with the Prius, then you are going to look at the [Lexus] HS 250h too,” Lyons said. “The two cars have the same components, so we are looking at both cars despite the difference in their software tuning.”

To be clear, not a single complaint has been received about the HS 250h’s braking system, and neither the HS 250h or the 2010 Toyota Prius have been recalled—in affected Prius’, there can be a temporary “disconnect” in the braking system when going over a bump. Tellingly, it mirrors Ford’s recent Customer Satisfaction Program that fixes a similar issue with the Fusion Hybrid, and which was not classified as a recall and was fixed with a software update.

(It’s unfortunate that media coverage has reached such a fevered pitch, as it’s becoming difficult for consumers to separate hype from fact—events this week with U.S. Transport Secretary Ray LaHood & the UAW have only confused the matter more—and I have to recommend that everyone read this story from the Financial Post (titled appropriately enough “The War on Toyota”) for an alternative look at this entire situation.)

[Source: The LA Times]

Update: Here’s another well-reasoned article, this time by Autocar’s Steve Cropley. Nice to see some “Positive Backlash”, as The Guardian’s Edmund King puts it.

The modified Lexus HS 250h at the Detroit Auto Show was the centerpiece of the entire Lexus exhibit. Put together by Clark Ishihara and VIP Auto Salon, the HSh is decked out in Branew—front under-spoiler, side skirts, rear under-spoiler, trunk spoiler, stainless steel muffler, and the 20” wheels all come from the Japanese tuning company.

There’s also the custom suspension, which makes a world of difference when it comes to the HS’ appearance, though it may have a less-than-optimal effect on ride quality when combined with the VIP-style minus offset wheels:

Photographing the HSh also resulted in one of my favorite photos from the autoshow:

Here’s the full gallery:

Here’s two Lexus HS 250h commercials—the first is from Japan, and involves saving the world:

This second commercial shows the HSh’s Heads-up Display in greater detail:

The HUD isn’t available in the HSh in Canada, so this is the first time I’ve seen the upgraded graphics and display information. Very impressed to see the steering wheel controls are also being projected—just like the touch tracer display in the Prius.

Lexus USA has announced the winner of their Drive HS promotion:

Mr. Michael David Valletta who resides in Pleasant View, Utah, and is currently stationed at Fort Rucker, Ala., is the Grand Prize Winner of the promotion which encouraged people to post a profile and a statement about why people should vote for them on DriveHS.com. Mr. Valletta will be living the life of luxury as he receives a one-year lease of a 2010 HS 250h, a weekend at a Fairmont Resort and a Lexus Hybrid Living gift package.

Congratulations to Mr. Valletta!

[Source: Lexus USA]