The Taste of Lexus Safety Seminar gives both automotive journalists and consumers the opportunity - and know-how -- to drive "it" like they mean it.
The seminar features 2006 vehicles like the GX 470 and the GS 430 that are equipped with the newest safety and performance technology, and provides participants with professional drivers who demonstrate how to slide through slaloms and panic brake into reflective foam (among other techniques). With top-of-the-line technology and highly-trained professionals lending their knowledge, there's no way to bite off more than you can chew.
Whether on road or off, Lexus has all the right features for fun. With electronic steering that changes its sensitivity in relation to the speed of the car, there is less probability to over- or under-steer. Vehicle Stability Control (VCS) is designed to reduce skidding on tight corners, while Traction Control (TRAC) dictates engine output and brake pressure to control acceleration and wheel slip. Both reduce the chance of the driver losing control of the car.
Laser beams are no longer a concept of the future. Lexus has made them a reality and will soon make them a standard feature on all their automobiles. The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is just what it sounds like; it slows the car without having to manually adjust the cruise control. The radar recognizes the distance of the car ahead of you, and slows to match the speed of that car. Once the car changes speed, or moves out of the way, the cruse control will resume bringing the vehicle to the original speed. This allows the driver to sit back and relax without disengaging the cruise control, but -- similar to all other electronically controlled features -- the driver should not rely on it wholly.
That same radar system constantly scans ahead for possible debris, or cars. This Obstacle Detection system helps the driver recognize a possible danger. If an obstacle is detected, the car will first alert the driver with a simple beeping noise. Then if the driver starts to apply pressure to the brakes, the car will apply more brake pressure, as appropriate, before the driver gets a chance to apply full pressure. This also engages the pre-tensioners in the safety belts, securing occupants and lessening the severity of an injury on impact.
The only downside? This feature doesn't work so well in overcast whether. At the seminar, the radar didn't recognize the reflective foam the instructors used as the object to be detected. But if the obstacle had been as large as the back end of a car, the radar would recognize the danger even through fog.
At The Taste of Lexus program, perspective buyers are shown how to push the cars a little further, how to gas the accelerator and how to stomp the brakes. This is important; being able to really test a car before making a purchase can help the driver gain a better understanding of the car's limits and boundaries, and whether they like what they are experiencing.
The driver might also get a short lesson in why a car performs a particular way. Better knowledge of a car helps drivers to better control them, resulting in fewer accidents. At the seminar, we were told to try to spin the car -- what dealership would ever let you do that? -- but it's a trick. The Lexus corrects itself, before and sliding occurs.
Along with innovative safety features, Lexus has created more ways to enjoy their cars. On the GS 470 with KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System), the stabilizer bars adjust each wheel to the terrain, which gives a smoother ride while off-road. The range of movement allows one wheel to stretch to the ground and continue to give traction. On many other SUVs, a wheel might miss the ground altogether, dangerously reducing traction and increasing slippage. From the driver's seat, it almost seems as if the top of the car is stiff and barely moving, while the wheels and axles are moving with incredible flexibility and control. It's like sitting in the middle of a teeter-totter - everything around you is moving, but you're still level. The result is incredible comfort, and, again, super control.
The Taste of Lexus is an annual event, with separate dates for the press and consumer. After lunch, both press and consumers are given a tutorial on Lexus product features, history and upcoming ideas. Then participants are directed to the course, where drivers get behind the wheel and feel the car working. A trained driver sits in the passenger seat and narrates, making sure the driver knows exactly what to do and when to do it. This gives the driver the ultimate knowledge, hands-on, with the peace of mind that comes with having a teacher to guide them in a low-stress, high-fun environment.
This year, Taste of Lexus was held at the Dodger Stadium in Anaheim, California. The weather was beautiful in the morning, but started to fog up around 4 p.m., and this tested the Obstacle Detection system to its limits. However, it was a fortunate turn of events - it gave us a chance to drive in different conditions, making the test drive all the more authentic to real life. Through this seminar, Lexus truly gives participants a chance to taste exactly what's on their menu - and that menu's full of thrilling gourmet goodies that are as fun as they are functional.
For more information on the Taste of Lexus, visit TasteOfLexus.com or Lexus.com.
