Lexus Launches Advanced Technology Pack Option For New IS Premier

Lexus is giving its new IS customers the opportunity to add a suite of advanced safety features and driving aids to their vehicle with an additional option pack.

Available exclusively for the flagship Premier versions of the new IS 250 and full hybrid IS 300h, the pack – a build-to-order option priced £1,540 – provides four additional systems: –

• Pre-Crash Safety system (PCS)
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Lane Departure Assist (LDA)
• Automatic High Beam (AHB)

Pre-Crash Safety system

The PCS system uses a millimetre-wave radar sensor that operates over a 20-degree scanning radius to detect obstacles in the vehicle’s path, even when cornering.

Using a number of sensors, a pre-collision computer monitors vehicle speed, steering angle and yaw rate inputs to help determine in advance whether an impending collision is unavoidable. If there is a high risk of a collision, PCS will alert the driver with a buzzer and warning on the multimedia display, activate the Pre-Crash Seatbelt pretensioners, and, when the driver begins to brake, provide Pre-Crash Brake Assist to supplement the braking effort. If the driver does not brake and a collision becomes inevitable, the Pre-Crash Brake will automatically apply the brakes to reduce impact speed.

Adaptive Cruise Control

The Adaptive Cruise Control works in two modes: constant speed control and vehicle-to-vehicle distance control. Working at speeds above 31mph (50km/h), the constant speed control operates just like a conventional cruise control system.

The vehicle-to-vehicle distance control can differentiate between vehicles directly ahead, and those in an adjacent lane. It uses the PCS millimetre-wave radar sensor, allied to constant speed, decelerator, follow-up and accelerator controls, to automatically slow the car, match the speed of the vehicle in front and, once the road ahead is clear, accelerate back to the previously selected cruising speed.

Lane Departure Alert

The Lane Departure Alert system monitors road markings using a camera mounted on the rear-view mirror. If it detects the vehicle is deviating from its lane without the turn signals being used, it alerts the driver by sounding a buzzer and showing a warning on the instrument display.

Automatic High Beam

The Automatic High Beam function for the headlamps maximises night-time visibility by automatically switching to low beam when the system’s camera detects the lights of an oncoming vehicle, or one travelling ahead. This means the high beam can be used for the safe maximum amount of time.

ENDS