Proving that some manufacturers do listen to their customers - and are able to take constructive criticism from motor correspondents - Lexus Ireland is introducing a retuned suspension for its SC 430 model to dampen the harsh road conditions here. Since its launch last July, 49 of the €107,745 Lexus coupés have been sold in Ireland.
All current customers have been contacted and Lexus has offered to fit the new specification suspension and tyres - at no cost.
It is also scheduling test drives with existing owners in a car with the retuned suspension to allow current customers to choose whether or not they wish to have the retuned suspension and tyres fitted to their own cars.
The retuned suspension will be standard on cars ordered for 2003 delivery. It consists of shock absorbers and coil springs with revised characteristics, together with the installation of conventional (as opposed to run flat) low profile tyres. The customer can opt for a space saver spare and /or an inflator kit.
According to Lexus, the overall effect of the new retuned suspension is to dampen the impact of harsh road conditions, thereby reducing the level of shock transmitted to the car, leading to greater comfort.