It takes a guitar and a supercomputer to built a luxury car

At the North American International Auto Show, Lexus announced this fall it introduces the third generation of its flagship sedan, the 2001 LS 430.

To achieve a high level of aerodynamics, Lexus engineers tested the LS 430 in the same wind tunnel used in the development of Japan's legendary bullet trains. Fine tuning of airflow around bumpers, fenders, floorpan, mirrors and even the angle of the front grille bars contributed to the LS 430's unprecedented aerodynamic efficiency, which virtually eliminates wind noise, making the LS 430 even quieter inside than its benchmark predecessors. In addition, the ultra-low Cd helps keep fuel consumption about the same -- even with the increased engine displacement and performance. Lexus was able to achieve the impressive wind tunnel performance despite raising overall height by 2.4 inches.

In building the new LS 430, Lexus used a supercomputer to digitize the precise surface design of the body. The unit of measure used was 1/1000 of a millimeter, ten times more precise than the typical 1/100 of a millimeter unit used by other car companies. The result is more-precisely stamped sheet metal for better fit and assembly quality. While Lexus has won the J.D. Power and Associates five-year Vehicle Dependability Study every year it has been eligible, the company made what it considers 57 major improvements for even longer-lasting durability.

In Search of True Luxury Before designing the LS 430, Lexus designers and engineers studied luxury and craftsmanship outside the automotive realm. They visited five-star hotel rooms, including presidential/royal suites for national guests, and surveyed first class aircraft cabins and luxury jet interiors. They also observed high-end jewelry/watch makers and guitar makers at work.

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