Photo: Lexus
Even though the Audi e-tron quattro is confirmed to feature virtual mirrors, Lexus has the upper hand in this regard. The first production car with cameras and monitors instead of traditional side mirrors is coming next month in the guise of the 2019 Lexus ES for the Japanese market.
Plenty of countries are preparing for mirrorless technology, but Japan is ahead of the game as far as legislation is concerned. The framework has been adopted in July 2016, and Lexus is the first automaker to make use of the ruling in the Land of the Rising Sun.
The technology is called Digital Outer Mirrors, and even though the camera housings replicate the design of traditional mirrors, there’s more to this solution than meets the eye. First and foremost, superior forward visibility is complemented by a reduction in wind noise.
There’s also the enhanced view software, which displays the footage on the monitors inside the cabin in high quality even at night and inclement weather. Located in the area where the A-pillars meet the dashboard, the 5.0-inch screens “offer an expanded view” of the surroundings “by augmenting the display area during turns or when backing up.”
If we’re to find a fault with Digital Outer Mirrors, there’s no denying Lexus could have done a better job with the integration of those two displays. Audi is miles of the Japanese automaker ahead in this regard.
Lexus didn’t mention if this technology comes standard or as an option in the ES, nor did it announce the pricing for the luxury mid-size sedan. Now in its seventh generation, the ES will be produced in Miyawaka, Japan and Georgetown, Kentucky.
Apart from the evolutionary styling and more inviting cabin, the ES rides on the GA-K platform from the TNGA family. In this respect, the Lexus is joined at the hip with the Toyota Avalon.
The technology is called Digital Outer Mirrors, and even though the camera housings replicate the design of traditional mirrors, there’s more to this solution than meets the eye. First and foremost, superior forward visibility is complemented by a reduction in wind noise.
There’s also the enhanced view software, which displays the footage on the monitors inside the cabin in high quality even at night and inclement weather. Located in the area where the A-pillars meet the dashboard, the 5.0-inch screens “offer an expanded view” of the surroundings “by augmenting the display area during turns or when backing up.”
If we’re to find a fault with Digital Outer Mirrors, there’s no denying Lexus could have done a better job with the integration of those two displays. Audi is miles of the Japanese automaker ahead in this regard.
Lexus didn’t mention if this technology comes standard or as an option in the ES, nor did it announce the pricing for the luxury mid-size sedan. Now in its seventh generation, the ES will be produced in Miyawaka, Japan and Georgetown, Kentucky.
Apart from the evolutionary styling and more inviting cabin, the ES rides on the GA-K platform from the TNGA family. In this respect, the Lexus is joined at the hip with the Toyota Avalon.
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