2018 Lexus LS 500 F Sport Review

If you think Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo have the market on the full-size luxury segment, Lexus is making a bold statement with the LS 500. When Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda said he wanted to change the Lexus culture, he wasn’t kidding. The LS 500 says Europe doesn’t have a lock on world-class luxury any longer.

What’s New For 2018

The Lexus LS 500 is redesigned and all-new for 2018. The new, fifth-generation LS 500 is longer, lower, and wider than its predecessor, the LS 460, and with a new coupe-like profile, it looks slimmer and sportier. A new suspension design yields sportier handling.

Features & Options

The 2018 Lexus LS 500 ($81,000) comes standard with 19-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension, LED headlights, a sunroof, a hands-free trunk, power-closing doors, leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, magnesium paddle shifters, 16-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, and a power rear sunshade.

Technology features include a 12.3-inch color display, navigation, a trackpad-style interface, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Lexus Enform smartphone app integration, Enform emergency and convenience services, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 12-speaker audio system. Safety features include a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and rain-sensing wipers.

The optional F Sport package ($9,700) on this tester added 20-inch wheels, larger brakes, a re-tuned suspension, unique styling elements, exclusive leather upholstery, and 28-way power-adjustable seats.

The Safety System+ A package ($3,000) adds adaptive cruise and automatic steering that can detect and “trace” the path of the vehicle in front, forward cross-traffic alert, road sign recognition, and a panoramic rearview monitor.

Other options included a premium 23-speaker Mark Levinson sound system ($1,940), an enhanced heads-up display ($1,220), adaptive air suspension ($1,500), a panoramic rearview monitor ($600), and a panoramic sunroof ($1,000).

Total MSRP including destination: $101,575.

Interior Highlights

Stepping inside reveals a roomy, luxurious, and comfortable place to spend time. We played with the 28-way power-adjustable seats for 20 minutes getting them set just right for our week-long drive. The 2018 LS 500 gets stretched with a longer wheelbase, giving passengers more legroom than the outgoing model. Four passengers will fit comfortably for long distances even with the raked roofline, which makes the sedan look smaller than it is.

Extravagance abounds in the new LS cabin, from the dark hardwoods and aluminum trim on the dash, to the ambient lighting and quilted seat fabric. The door panels even feature curved stitching, finished with free-floating door handles and armrests. The large central display screen is beautiful and we think the optional Mark Levinson premium sound system is worth the cost.

The F Sport gets heavily sculptured seats that kept us firmly in place as we tossed the big sedan around mountain curves. In the back, rear passengers will need to duck to get in, but the reclining seats helped our guests sink in and enjoy the ride. The rear seats are perfect for two adults or three kids. We noticed the air suspension raising the car more than an inch making for easier entry/exit.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs

The LS 500’s all-new turbocharged V6 delivers more power than the outgoing model (416 horsepower and 442 lb-ft. of torque) and comes mated with a quick-shifting, 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive comes standard; all-wheel drive is optional.

EPA fuel mileage estimates come in at 19/30 city/highway and 23 combined for rear-wheel drive models. By comparison, all-wheel drive models are 18/27 city/highway and 21 combined. 

Driving Dynamics

From behind the driver’s seat, the LS 500 doesn’t feel as big as it really is. The sedan feels like a much smaller sports car. We pushed the pedal down and the 416 horsepower V6 came to life, sounding more like a V8 than anything. The newly-upgraded engine’s power and low-end thrust kept us entertained and never left us wanting more the whole week as we pushed it hard in the high-altitude west of Denver.

The 10-speed sequential automatic transmission’s gear shifts are smooth and imperceptible, and the two work well together. If you want a sporty ride, opt for the F Sport’s adaptive air suspension setup. We tossed the big sedan around tight mountain corners, and experienced very little body lean.

On the open road, the air suspension’s ride is buttery smooth and road noise is kept to a minimum inside the comfy cabin. Road manners are excellent, overall, with the adaptive setup, and the active rear-wheel steering on the F Sport reduces the turning circle, easing maneuverability in the city and into tight parking spots.

Conclusion

The air-suspension’s ride and quiet, luxurious interior are made to pamper drivers and passengers. The F Sport delivers a sportier experience for driving enthusiasts who want the best of both worlds. The 2018 Lexus LS 500 promises extra comfort, plenty of storage space, lots of luxury, the latest safety equipment, and a sizable helping of technology and performance.

Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy

2018 Lexus LS 500 F Sport Gallery

Lexus LS 500 Official Site.

Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

from Automoblog.net https://ift.tt/2lRHkDP

Road tested: Gear from uglyBROS, Velomacchi and 1Self

This month, Wes and Matt check out two new additions to Velomacchi’s range of moto luggage, discover a surprisingly good kangaroo leather jacket from a new Australian brand, and road test the Kevlar version of the famous uglyBROS Motorpool jeans.

1Self Gear Genesys Jacket Wes: Headquartered in Australia but manufactured in Thailand, 1Self Gear is a young apparel company that has come out the gate swinging. Their flagship jacket—the Genesys—costs US$795, pitching it against offerings from premium brands like Roland Sands Design and Lewis Leathers. But the spec list is primo.

The chassis is 1.0 – 1.2 mm full grain kangaroo leather, with sections of additional abrasion resistant fabric, Kevlar-backed stretch panels, and a full complement of Knox armor. (Like several other high-end apparel makers, 1Self reckon that kangaroo offers the best mix of light weight and good protection.)

The jacket’s been enhanced with various treatments, like weatherproofing and abrasion resistance-boosting tech (there’s a full breakdown worth checking out here).

It’s also drop dead gorgeous, with an aesthetic that lands somewhere between sporty and stealthy. Details include tough YKK zippers, a small zipper latch at the top, accordion panels for mobility, and a white leather 1Self logo stitched onto the arm. You also get a moisture wicking liner, with two internal and two external pockets, and waist adjusters to fine-tune fit.

The Genesys is so beautiful, when 1Self accidentally sent me the wrong size I was gutted that it didn’t fit. They offered to send out a new jacket, but instead I tearfully handed the Genesys over to a friend of mine, to get his input.

On feel “It feels soft and super comfy out the box, and didn’t need too much wearing in to be comfortable. The leather’s already softened more since the beginning, and I think it’ll just get better. Weight wise, I like the fact that it feels substantial, but it’s not overly heavy.”

On fit “It fits extremely well—more ‘ergonomic’ than other jackets I’ve worn. It’s snug where you need it, with the paneling making it feel molded to your body. On the bike, there’s more than enough mobility and comfort, and the slightly longer tail’s great for hiding the inherent riding crack. The stretch panels do let some air in, which might get chilly in winter—but they’re great for hot Cape Town summer days.”

On design “I love the simplistic yet practical design. Function was obviously the driving force here, but none of the form has been lost. There’s a lot of great detail too, if you look closely—like the soft fabric panel on the back of the neck, which adds some comfort.”

Both of us noted that the general quality of the Genesys is top-shelf, but we did spot one small bit of stitching that was coming undone. I raised this with 1Self, and they assured me that they ship each jacket with a one-year warranty against defects (and that they’ll be following this up with their factory).

1Self ships anywhere in the world for free, but it’ll take about four weeks for the Genesys to reach you, because each jacket is made to order. And if you want to spend a little less, you can get the US$695 Genesys V2, which substitutes kangaroo for Nappa leather. [Buy]

uglyBROS USA Motorpool Kevlar Matt: When I first reviewed the Motorpools, I was impressed with the fit, finish and fashion-forward approach uglyBROS had taken with rider protection.

The CE-rated padding at the hips worked without giving me an hourglass shape. And the ability to slide the armor out of the external knee pockets made them an easy option for casual days at the office, or running errands around town. On top of that, flexible fabric made them as comfortable as all that “athleisure” stuff that’s on fleek with the kids these days.

One thing the original Motorpools don’t excel at, though, is abrasion resistance. The 11oz. denim is tough, but it isn’t designed to slide. And after a low speed crash on a dirt road, a spinning knobby rear tire tore the right leg on my pair.

To their credit, uglyBROS stepped up immediately and couriered out a fresh panel to be sewn in, and my Motorpools were as good as new. But if you’d rather not suffer the indignity of naked flesh on your ride back to camp—or worse, having that Koi fish tattoo on your leg erased by asphalt—check out the new Kevlar-lined Motorpools.

Dubbed the Motorpool-K, a Dupont Kevlar liner has been stitched into the seat and thighs, and continues down the length of each leg to just below the knees—essentially covering all the fleshiest bits most likely to need that extra protection.

With that skin-saving fabric in place, the slim fit of the Motorpool-K’s gets a touch cozier but there’s no need to size up. The flexibility of the originals remains intact, so any initial snugness fades after the first couple of miles. In fact, now they feel the same on my lowers as the originals, whether out riding or not.

The only time you become acutely aware of the new addition is during hot weather. The extra layer of fabric can make things a touch warmer during the dog days of summer—but really, this is a tedious point since the protection levels increase exponentially.

Other changes to the Motorpool-K include the swapping of buttons for metal snaps on the cargo and rear pockets. This makes getting into and closing the flaps infinitely easier, especially with a gloved hand, and is worth the $30 surcharge alone, IMHO. Sure, the metal will turn into a branding iron during any extended slides but the snaps all fall well within the Kevlar’s coverage range.

If you’ve been on the fence about the Motorpools because of concerns about abrasion resistance, the Motorpool-K’s are the model for you. They’re an incredibly comfortable set of strides that blend into the urban aesthetic and now, tick all of the protection boxes too. [Buy]

Velomacchi Extended Carry Packs Wes and Matt are both huge fans of Velomacchi’s gear. But both agree that the 28L Speedway roll-top backpack is a daypack only. The Oregonian brand now offers a couple of extra options for more hefty carry, and the boys have put each bag through its paces.

Velomacchi Speedway Backpack 40L Matt: If you don’t need the capaciousness of Velomacchi’s big 50L duffel but find the 28L a smidge cramped, this new 40L version should be on your radar. Like everything else in the ‘Speedway’ line, the 40L duffel is constructed from rugged and weather resistant 1000D Cordura fabric—and encapsulates your vital belongings in a completely watertight cocoon.

Despite its added size, the 40L version still fits incredibly well on and off the bike, thanks to Velomacchi’s 3-point harness system. The oh-so-cool Iron Man-esque magnetic closure is carried over from the 28L version and makes unloading at your destination a cinch.

But this time around, you get a highly usable secondary, watertight front pocket. And elasticized panels integrated into this pocket make it easy to secure smaller items like phone cables, portable charging stations or a set of tools for a trailside repair.

This is the bag I wish Velomacchi had debuted with: it offers up all of the storage space I need for my daily 9-5 life, and works incredibly well to schlep clothing, computer and camera gear whenever I’m on assignment. And, if you’d rather not ride with a pack on your shoulders, there are tie down loops to allow the 40L to function as a tailbag too. [Buy]

Velomacchi 50L Speedway Hybrid Travel Duffle Wes: Velomacchi call this “the ultimate watertight ADV duffle,” and they’re not far off. With a total capacity of 50 liters (42 in the main compartment, and four in each of the two side pockets), the Speedway Duffle (above) is designed as an all-purpose stuff-and-go pack.

It’s made from the same 1000D fabric as the rest of their bags, with a fully waterproof main compartment. (I’ve tested it, and it really is waterproof.) The main zip is heavy duty, with a chunky anchor on the end to get your fingers around, and stretch panels to help you close it when you’ve over-packed.

Features include a hidden pocket with a small lanyard for securing keys, and two compression straps running over the top. They tighten via a system that uses sliding buckles, and leaves no tailing straps. The base of the duffle is a heavy-duty quilted affair, so you can bet it’ll stand up to abuse.

The side pockets fasten with elasticated toggle closures, which I find a bit fiddly. To be honest, I would have loved this pack without the side pockets, as they tend to billow when empty and take up precious space when you’re loading the bike.

But it’s the versatility of the Speedway Duffle that has me hooked. Behind the side pockets are hidden compartments that stow a pair of carry handles. And behind the hefty base panel are backpack straps. It takes a couple of minutes to set them up, but once you’re done the pack actually functions surprisingly well as a backpack.

That’s mostly because those straps have the same rotating clavicle hinges as their bona fide backpacks. And Velomacchi also include size markings on the straps—so if you know what works for you, setting the pack up second time around is quicker. There’s also a sternum strap with a magnetic closure.

The Speedway Duffle’s also designed to mount to the back of your bike. Velomacchi include four tie-down straps—each with an aluminum buckle that hooks into a corresponding nylon loop at the base of the pack. It takes a little while to set up but once that’s done, it’s a neat and effective system.

The nylon loops are tough, so you can tie it down tight. And even though it felt like I could shift it around a bit with of force, it seemed to stay put on the road—provided I packed and mounted it in a balanced way.

My biggest gripe? With all these carry options, I would have liked a shoulder strap too. But I’ve already used the Speedway Duffle on the back of a bike through the Bavarian alps, on family weekends, and as a backpack on a small local airline with lenient carry on restrictions. Recommended. [Buy]

Images by Wesley Reyneke and Tom Jeffries.

from Bike EXIF https://ift.tt/2tISHST

Automoblog Book Garage: Ford Model T Coast to Coast

Ginormous pancakes at the Viking Grill, the first Casey’s General Store, and a top secret World War II base: all on the itinerary for author Tom Cotter and photographer Michael Alan Ross in Ford Model T Coast to Coast. The book is a retelling of their cross-country adventure: a nearly 4,000-mile journey through the heart of America in a 1926 Ford Model T named “Something Special.”

Slow Ride

Ford Model T Coast to Coast is really about people and the connections they share with their communities. Cotter and Ross ask what happens when cars are completely autonomous? This is the very premise of the book. Will we lose not only the thrill of driving, but the ability to relate to our fellow humans?

“Sure, the built-in GPS system will get us to our destinations efficiently, but in the process it will also bypass the little treasures we can discover in out-of-the-way places,” Cotter writes before departing out across 13 states on the famous Lincoln Highway. “The fast roads bypass all that is unique about America.”

Photo: Michael Alan Ross.

Human Touch

In Ford Model T Coast to Coast those unique people and places include Bob and Debbie Altizer, proprietors of the Lincoln Motor Court which takes visitors back in time; Kyle Bond who after following in his father’s footsteps, is keeping a small Nebraska town on the map; and Jimmy Jaynes who makes the massive pancakes at the Viking Grill.

We meet them and so many more “keepers of the flame.”

Maintaining the old Model T for the 4,000-mile journey was not without its challenges, but for Cotter and Ross – and for those who appreciate a Sunday drive any day of the week – it’s worth it. As technology continues to progress, we may not have many more opportunities like this.

Ford Model T Coast to Coast: A Slow Drive across a Fast Country is available through Amazon and Motorbooks.

Photo: Michael Alan Ross.

Author

Cotter is the founder of the Cotter Group, an automotive public relations and marketing agency representing some of the biggest names in NASCAR, IndyCar, drag racing, and road racing. In his early years, he was an auto mechanic and salesman, later heading the PR department at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Cotter’s work has been featured before in our Book Garage series, 50 Shades of Rust and Cuba’s Car Culture being among our favorites.

Photographer

Michael Alan Ross is a photographer who sees what turns enthusiasts on about cars. His work has been featured in advertising campaigns, auto magazines, and corporate photography collections in the United States and Europe.

Ford Model T Coast to Coast Gallery

from Automoblog.net https://ift.tt/2IEISu4