VIDEO: Volvo follows Toyota and Lexus with S60 self parking system

Toyota and Lexus Rock with their self parking system and now Volvo follow Toyota/Lexus. I wonder who next to followed or should I says Copy? Off course Lexus also the "First" to come out with the "Eight" Speed with 2007-2008 Lexus LS 460HL.

Lexus

Thank you for the Correction BH, I was in a hurry when I wrote that. Thank you again, So it the LS460 and LS460L that will carry an 8-speed auto.

"LEXUS Rock"

ah..ha..ha..ha..

Lexus

I would rather own and drive a Lexus or BMW anyday than a Volvo. Funny how everyone says Japanese cars look like Pokemon, but it rake in Billions, and I mean two digit in billion of U.S. dollars, wonder why? here the answer "Dweeb" because the maker of that anination know their customers that they are targeting . Like all the Japanese auto industry; they know their clients need and provided. Do some research before talk smack "Dweeb"

Lexus

"Sorry" 12ax7 I did Not know you still have your "PMS" period Circle, it the first of the month so I thought your done. Secondly, when you done with your "Puberty" than come back and talk to me. You know what, here the deal when you can Afford to buy a Lexus GS450H or BMW 650 than talk to me. Go back and play with your Barbie and Ken Toys Sonny...Or your GI Joes or whatever. Isn't it pass your bed time yet? Lexus Rock

Lexus

Okay...I'll be the second one on this post to talk about what the farking article was about.

Self parking systems....should only be for very old people. If your under say 70 (give or take), your an absolute idiot if you have this on your car AND YOU USE IT. I know it might come standard, but you can still choose to not use it.

If you can't park. Get out of the car and give your keys to someone else.

Well, everybody that has driving license should be able to do the parallel parking. Yep! that's true.

But no one denies that it would be a really tough job if you try to park in the place that you've never been to before. The height of the girder and gap between the cars make you feel uncomfortable everytime you park, right!? That's why we invented the parking assistance sensor to help us in the parking lot.

So, isn't it just better if we have the car that can park itself???

ARE THEY BRINGING THIS TO THE US!?

I see the use, but it is not really for me.

Anyone know who was the first to do this? I know Autospies reported on the BMW self-park feature in February 2006.

http://www.autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=6611&categoryId=1

Gotta love the auto park feature. No more parking accidents that can result in the driver getting sued! Yay! Just tell whomever you crashed into that it was the cars fault (i.e. whatever manufaturer)and they can get the bill!!! Hmmmm...I see litigation in the future. Finally a new idea from Japan (ToyLex). Defintely a luxo only option. I would not want another 500lbs of equipment stuffed into my sports car so it can help me park.

No offense to anyone here, I thought car are made specially old and retire people? Volvo are great car but Lexus is in a much Higher League that. That is why Lexus try to compete with Big boys, the like of BMW,MB and Audi, Lexus is in that Category my sonny little friends. By the way 12ax7 if you are looking for the Barbies and Ken club, notice it not here. Why don't you "12ax7" Behavior and be a Good boy and go play with your Hotwheel.

Notice this response for "12ax7" Hey if you don't like Toyota or Lexus or BMW or MB, Like you can afford it, LOL:) fine go a buy a Volvo when you get your License and make sure you get that self parking feature;) Everyone has difference taste if volvo is your cup of tea than buy it.

Lexus

I actually remember a video on here a while back, even before Lexus of BMW offering a self park system in Europe on its 3 series....I heard they were not offering it here because of insurance.... Is this right? If so BMW was first I suppose....now if you mean for sale in the US, than I guess Lexus would be.

Firstly, I would like to start off by saying, "Congrats!". You may, or may not have, gone to a private school - whoopdeedoo. One thing is to go to a private school and apply the knowledge; another thing is to go to a private school and sincerely think you can apply the knowledge (what little you probably have) when you really can't.

Next, Lexus is not viewed as a young pretender in Europe. Some may view it that way, but not all certainly. Lexus has a very good reputation there for its reliability and luxury; it is not viewed as sporty yet. There are several stories about how Lexus' name was derived and I wouldn't be the first person to say you are an idiot if you know definitively that that was 'the' way that it was derived. Thus ends the sermon? You condecending little twerp! Do you realize how bad that makes you look especially when you DON'T know what you are talking about? I feel sorry for you.

Awful fake wood... You are - by far - one of the most uninformed people to be presenting a sermon on Lexus. The wood is not fake, Rupert, and each car's wood is all cut from the same tree and finished by Yamaha.

Oh, and I love how you write out "Private English Education". Private and Education is capitalized, but why? Hmmm, questionable. Also, you write, "I think you are the childish one, you are practically pulling his hair..." However, I think the proper punctuation you are looking for is a semicolon; you might learn that in grade school. Also!... For anyone who knows anything about gems, lets just say Lexus is cubic zirconia, and only the stupid (YOU, RUPERT!) or poor buy an imitation." With all your HIGH education (you must have been high when you went to English class to think you have proper grammar or use punctuation properly), you don't realize that "lets" in the context of the sentence should read "let's", as in "let us". Need I say what else was wrong with that sentence? I will let you go to your English tutor to figure that one out if you aren't blushing already with insecurity and embarrassment.

Anyways, all grammar aside, anybody who dismisses buyers of the Lexus brand as having "no class", "no imagination", "stupid", "poor", among many other things, is clearly wearing ignorance on their sleave.

It is fine that you don't like Lexus. It is hard to change an opinion after you have been brought up a certain way and have developed an engrained mindset.

You might be talking about Toyota when you mention the fake beechwood. What model/year etc are you talking about? Lexus has some of the best wood trim around. My friends 745i has some of the ugliest I've seen; I thought it was fake!

12ax7, when you graduate from Junior high and get your license make sure to get the Volvo. And oh, yeah, don't forget to get the self parking feature ok. Once more thing the Barbie and Hotwheel toy is not included, so you have to goes to the Kids department for that ok. What Dweeb..... go get a real ride like Lexus or BMW.

Lexus

Hi! Rupert, is it ok If I call you Ruperto,LOL:) why don't you make me stop. I can go on this website and write my opinion on Lexus, Toyota or BMW in anyway that I like it. This is America where freedom of speech is part of my right my little friend. Rupert when you and your little friend 12ax7, test drive a "real car like the IS350 or 330 series, than come talk to me.

And for your information, Lexus has the "BEST" interior design out there. Do some research before your talk about Lexus.

Ah..ha.ha.ha.ha..ha..:)

Lexus Rock

Lexus

Hey! Rupert and 12ax7 Lexus Rock and if you two want respect here show some respect. Well I have enough of this nonsense, I'm going to the Aston martin and the new M3 blog to post my response.

"Lexus has the best interior in it class"

Lexus for Life

Can someone explain the problematic issues that these systems will make. I just have 3 issues of concern, how accurate is the calculation. If the space is too narrow or too short, will the system be able to stop? I have seen videos of the BMW one and also the Toyota one, all of which seems to have given quite a margin of space left for the car. We know in real life city street parking isn't as idealistic.

Second of all is the liable issue, who is responsible if the vehicle with this self parking system hit a pedestrian or another vehicle. The driver could easily blame it on the system for miscalculations etc.

Last, I am pretty sure that parallel parking is part of the driver's training/examination procedure in many places around the world. Wouldn't this system defeat the purpose of a skilled driver. Eventually all cars woudl propell and move/park itself and there wouldn't be any "drivers" left.

As with some unrelated comments to this blog/topic. I am not sure if Lexus would have the "best" interior, since as far as I know the "wood" and "aluminum" you see and feel inside any lexus is infact PLASTIC. Not sure how immitation material would be considered better...

I am sorry to spill the beans for you, but lexus interiors are infact plastic. i dunno where did Mike get his Inside scoop of the manufacturing process for lexus's wood trim finished by yamaha. But if u read the Brochures carefully it states the "wood trim" as "wood grain effect" finish. Meaning it is plastic immitation of wood. Even the NEW IS, RX, ES etc all uses Wood grain effect. If you would like more proof, all other manufacturers including infiniti, states its source of wood by name and/or county of origin: Brazilian Rosewood. Second of all, I hope you have also noticed that the "metal/ aluminum" inside any lexus is actually metallic coated plastic. A simple test it to feel them yourselves. Naturally Cool and extremely Hot under sun/ hot weather. If you don't believe me, please go through a Physic's textbook and look at the rate of heat transfer b/w PLASTIC and METAL.

"naturally cool and extreme hot under sun/ hot weather" is refering to the real aluminum or metal inlays.

Plastics are not as cool in the shades (feel warm/ room temperature) and it doesn't feel as burning hot under heat.

You are full of it.

I totally agree with your comments on the parking system, but your comments regarding the wood in Lexus' is ignorant at best. Sure, the metallic finished trim is painted plastic, but so it is the same on most cars in its price range.

From Lexus.com regarding the IS, "Adding to the metallic-finish accents is an available new wood trim: auburn bird's-eye maple."

R&T has this to say about the IS 250 AWD: "The interior is absolutely first-rate in materials and styling, from the supple leather seats and terrific-feeling steering wheel to the superb wood trim and soft-touch dash — the interior alone might be reason enough to buy the IS."

Wood trim is wood. I mean, one thing is to say that you have read somewhere that something is something else, another is to actually go and see the wood itself or look at an official document.

Have you went to a Lexus dealership and looked at the wood trim in any Lexus cars? GS, ES, LS, IS, RX, GX, LX,... NONE USE FAKE WOOD!!! Talk about conspiracy theories.

All reviewers of cars tout Lexus as having the finest materials in the industry and now a couple badge snobs show up and say that Lexus uses fake wood and you expect to hold any weight. God help us all.

Do your brain a favour and go to a Lexus dealership and look at the black bird's eye maple on a Lexus GS; it is gorgeous.

Again, from the Lexus.com website, "Depending on your interior color choice, the rich wood trim will be golden bird's-eye maple, black bird's-eye maple or red walnut."

Edmunds.com had this to say about the 2001 LS 430: "The interior is a nirvana of high-quality wood and leather." They also had this to say about the 2004 RX 330: "It's obvious from the moment you step inside, the wood is richer, the seats softer and the ride smoother." Again, an Edmunds.com commentary on the IS 350 compared to the 330i accompanied by a picture: "A combination of wood and metallic trim along with more soft-touch materials makes for a more luxurious cabin than the BMW."



It is funny that you mentioned reading the brochure carefully. I have an IS brochure sitting in my drawer, so, I pulled it out and read it. I believe that the word you were looking for was either "finish" or "accent", not "effect". The IS has "bird's-eye maple accents" and "metallic-finish".

R&T has this to say about the SC 430: "Looks aside, it’s an awesome engineering achievement, featuring a retractable hardtop and an interior with stunning wood panels that shift in sections to uncover controls." They also say this about the GS 430 when compared to the M45 and 545i, although scoring 3rd overall: "A modern, high-tech theme is prevalent throughout, the sweeping dash highlighted by machined aluminum gauge faces, a chrome-trimmed Start button and on our test car, dark maple wood accents. The center touch-screen interface isn't quite as user-friendly as the M45's, but is still miles ahead of the BMW's iDrive. And the beautifully sculpted seats strike the right balance between comfort and support, another area where the Lexus excels."

You should probably go tell all your buddies you told, "Lexus has fake wood", that you are actually very, very wrong.

I can find about 1 million more reliable sources (my eyes count too) that say that Lexus uses wood; beautiful and top-notch wood at that. I could probably find about 1 million people like you as well, that know absolutely nothing about Lexus that say they use fake wood. What would a stable person choose to listen to?

mikeg, don't waste your time with this dweeb, everyone here know that Lexus has the highest interior quality made out there in the auto industry. Even the fanatic, of BMW, MB and Audi fans know that Lexus has the best interior out there. Like it or not it the fact. 12ax7 and Rupert since you guys hate Lexus and other brand so much, that fine, go buy whatever you like. Stop trash talking about Lexus and making thing up.

Lexus for Life

I know that the metallic finished interior is not real metal. I brought that up already, but maybe if I didn't 100% acknowledge it, then sorry, I am now. In a light interior I love a nice, light beechwood. In a dark interior, dark cherry wood or black bird's-eye maple looks the best. In my opinion, it does not seem right to say that you don't like the interiors of Lexus' because you saw one with light wood. IIRC, most brands use light wood in light toned leather interiors. If you want to see a sexy interior, then take a look at a black leather GS 430 with black bird's-eye maple. SEXY!

Just for your info, I have visited the Lexus dealers quite frequently to see what they have instore. Also I have had several experiences with Lexus cars. In the past many of their cars (pre 2005 GS, ES, RX from an english site and another English/Japanese site) uses Plastic wood and recently Veneers (using a very thin piece of wood and laminate it onto a piece of plastic backing". This process as Lexus enhuastist and in an article states that it can resist heat better so it won't crack like other one piece real wood fixtures. It also saves costs and the environment as the article states.

First off i did some more research on found yes, Lexus does use these veneers. "wood" but is laminate veneer. The pieces of wood are 1-2mm in thickness, glued onto plastic backing and applied about 6 layers of coats/finishes to protect it. The only draw back to this finish is its plastic "feel"

Other cars like MB, Audi, BMW, Infiniti and Volvo all uses real wood. I also know that many car companies uses different techniques of applying their wood trims to be more durable whether it is with a plastic backing or the Lexus veneer approach. From a US site which was comparing the quality of the Recent RL, GS and Infiniti M, it states that under close inspection you can actually see where the veneer meets the plastic backing on the GS.

Second, as for the metal. many cars in the Lexus's price range uses real metal fixtures/inlays. the New BMW 3 series uses real aluminum and so does MB, Audi, Volvo and Infiniti. The first G35's metal was debatable since it was a mix fo real and fake metal (but after their upgrade 2 yrs after, ituses real metal). Also Some of Acura's cars actually uses real metal as well, take for instance the current TL. Just wanted to make clear that other cars in the same price range as Lexus does use real metal.

They also make enormous cutbacks in the parts that actually matter.

Lexus never used "plastic wood". I know for a fact that GS, ES, and RX all used real wood trim.

Reread the post and you will see I clearly asked the question, and stated a fact that this was not the first time a system similar was reported on autospies. I made no claims that anyone had it first. Maybe you need the glasses and read a bit better. Is you inferiority complex that bad, that when a question is asked that you need to wave your flag?

get off your toyolex high horse and crawl back under your rock. A question is a question not a challenge.