Lexus’s flagship sedan, the LS, is finally getting driver assistance technology befitting its status. The all-wheel-drive versions of the 2022 Lexus LS 500h will come with a new system called Lexus Teammate when the sedan hits dealerships this fall.
The assistance system corresponds to Level 2 on the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) vehicle automation scale. This means it offers a high level of driver assistance but still requires an attentive driver at all times. Currently, there are no fully autonomous cars for sale, and this system falls well below that threshold.
Teammate, which won’t be available on the rear-wheel-drive LS 500h or the non-hybrid LS 500 model, will debut with two main features: Advanced Drive and Advanced Park. Lexus did not explain why only the hybrid gets the system.
Advanced Drive will allow the car to accelerate, brake, and steer to stay centered in its lane and maintain a safe following distance from other cars on the road. It will also be able to negotiate lane changes, navigate certain interchanges, and operate in traffic jams, according to Lexus. The automaker calls it “partially hands-free and eyes-on-the-road operation.”
Advanced Park will control steering, acceleration, braking, and shifting to forward or reverse when parking parallel or backing into a parking space. Cameras and sensors will provide a bird’s-eye view so the driver can check the vehicle’s position, said Lexus. No details were provided about the sensor array, but cutouts in the front fenders and front bumper indicate the location of additional sensors, likely radar.
Pricing and other information about Lexus Teammate will be detailed closer to the launch of the 2022 LS 500h this fall. Note that the LS has just received an update for the 2021 model year.
