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Lexus made an LX ride-on for a child with cerebral palsy

Ride-on vehicles, or Power Wheels as many know them, are a perfect way for young children to experience driving and cars for the first time. Unfortunately, certain congenital disorders can prevent some children from having that from experience. Lexus, in collaboration with Givewith and the Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF), wanted to help reduce the barrier of access to fun mobility, and has created an LX ride-on specifically customized for a girl with cerebral palsy.  Six-year-old Finley Smallwood has the most common motor disorder that affects children, cerebral palsy. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cerebral palsy is "a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture." Because of this, she is unable to use ride-on vehicles the way they are currently built. Lexus was inspired by Finley to design and develop solutions that could get here into a car. The ride-on, which has the looks of a topless LX SUV, has several custom features. Finley has a tough time sitting for a long time, so Lexus added waist-high side padding and modified the seat. The LX ride-on also has an adjustable headrest, and a five-point harness to keep the driver safe, stable, and secure. Ingress and egress on current ride-ons can also be difficult, so Lexus lowered the vehicle and increased the size of the doors.  The largest change is the method of control. Because some children with cerebral palsy might not be able to use a foot pedal or have the strength to use a steering wheel, this ride-on doesn't have either. Instead, Lexus configured an armrest joystick to control the vehicle's direction and acceleration.   Lexus delivered the LX to Finley in March, which is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. For a video profile of Finley and a behind-the-scenes look at the vehicle's development, visit Givewith.com. Related Video:     Featured Gallery Lexus CPF Power Wheels Auto News Toys/Games Lexus

Lexus LS sedan will be quieter, more comfortable and smarter

Lexus made numerous updates to the LS in a bid to turn it into an even more comfortable cruiser. Unveiled online, the redesigned model gains a quieter cabin, new driving aids, and a handful of minor styling tweaks. Engineers turned their attention to parts of the fifth-generation LS that a majority of owners never think about in order to achieve a ride that's markedly quieter and smoother. They notably fitted a new solenoid to the adaptive suspension that reduces damping force, redesigned the motor mounts to prevent mechanical vibrations from entering the cabin, and changed the stiffness of the run-flat tires as well as the rigidity of the stabilizer bars. These changes come together to cement the sedan's positioning as the cushiest model in its category. Deeper stitch points and seat pads made with low-resilience urethane further enhance comfort, according to Lexus, but the biggest upgrades found inside are technology-related. The LS receives a digital rear-view mirror as well as a 12.3-inch touchscreen compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Users can also control the display screen and audio functions using their phone once they've paired it to the infotainment system. LS buyers in select markets will be able to order the company's Teammate technology. It's a semi-automated suite of driving aids that bundles lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control while allowing the car to change lanes and pass slower vehicles. It does not turn the LS into an autonomous car; it merely helps motorists when driving becomes tedious. The system can only be used when the right conditions are met, and Lexus hasn't announced plans to offer it in the United States. The latest generation of park assist technology is available, too. The visual changes are relatively subtle. Up front, stylists redesigned the lights and gave the bumper a new look. Out back, eagle-eyed car spotters will notice the lights and the lower bumper have been slightly revised. It's the same story inside, where the most noteworthy change is the addition of the aforementioned touchscreen. Lexus expanded the color palette with a shade of silver named Gin-ei Luster that stands out with a smooth, mirror-like finish.

2016 Lexus RX teased ahead of NYC show

The Lexus RX is one of the big players in the luxury crossover field, and the Japanese brand is giving us the first, shadowy look at the upcoming fourth-generation model. It debuts in just a few weeks on April 1 at the 2015 New York Auto Show. Lexus doesn't reveal anything technical about the plush CUV in its teaser, but the model does show off some interesting styling in the accompanying photo. In this shot, the rear pillar appears to incorporate the side window's glass into its shape in an intriguing way. You can also get a good look at the RX's wraparound taillights. Spy shots indicate the frontal design softens some of the ideas from the smaller NX, but the big, spindle grille and squinting headlights remain. The fourth-gen RX also reportedly uses aluminum for some body panels to shed weight. We expect to get the full scoop about it in New York. Related Video: 2016 Lexus RX To Make Its Global Debut Under the Bright Lights of the Big Apple: 2015 NYIAS March 20, 2015 TORRANCE, Calif. – March. 20, 2015 – Lexus will introduce the all-new 2016 RX at the 2015 New York International Auto Show. When the RX model launched 17 years ago, it defined a new luxury segment. Since then, it has dominated mid-size luxury utility vehicle sales. The fourth generation RX will make its global debut at a press conference in the Galleria at Jacob Javits Convention Center on Wednesday, April 1 at 9:10 a.m. EDT. The press conference will also be streamed live at https://new.livestream.com/LexusInternational/NY-2015. ###