Almost unnoticed, this is already the fifth generation of Lexus, born with mad effort, clearly different from its predecessors (picture). For a long time, people have stopped worrying about the quality of the car and/or its surroundings. The first luxury Toyota should not be a failure. The creators say today, luxury is changing. Music is more emotion than quality.

Of course, this does not apply to a car from 93,000 euros on, in Japan, by the way, significantly cheaper. The quality is self-evident. But one sees newness in the search for lifestyle, e.g. compared to its predecessor. Gone is the realization that the upper class is fundamentally more conservative. The brand includes an extraordinary world of experience. It promotes 'creative disciplines', so every year the Milan Design Week. Through fashion, art and music the perspective should be broadened.

However, the luxury has its price. The wheelbase is 35 mm longer than its predecessor in the long version. The Coupé Lexus LC also uses the new global platform for luxury vehicles, but 50 cm shorter. Despite using aluminum for suspension, hoods and doors it weighs at least 2,175 kg, depending on the equipment up to 170 kg more, plus 75 kg for the four-wheel drive version. The battery takes only 50 kg.

Here, the additional electric drive is used to keep the CO₂ values low and the performance high despite the transition from the V8 to the V6. The power of the two electric motors is not to be clarified in the thicket of total and SAE performance. Also the capacity of the battery is not experienced. It can be seen from the tank volume that this vehicle can not be moved over the long haul at the specified 6.2 - 7.1 l/100km. It is time that the EU rules for hybrid vehicles become more stringent.

Many technically interesting features: Just mentioned are the air suspension lifting the car at the entrance of people, the driving modes of the standard suspension, comfort despite run-flat tires. The Multistage system is interesting, in which the power of the two electric motors/generators is fed into the drive train via a continuously variable transmission. The combustion engine can do more without losing torque in the lower rpm range. Of course, all security is available except for certain assistants in the basic equipment. However, the airbag for reclining seats is only available in the Luxury Line (127,700 euros). 12/17