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Rhiannon12866

(222,072 posts)
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 12:08 AM Sep 2018

Lexus dumps side mirrors for sleek digital camera on next ES

Lexus is dropping traditional side mirrors for sleek digital cameras in what it calls an industry-first move to improve safety, visibility and cabin solitude.

The technology will debut in the redesigned ES sedan that goes on sale in October.

The camera-based system initially will be available only in Japan as the country streamlines regulations to allow for mirrorless vehicles.

Lexus will review market feedback from the ES deployment to determine whether to expand the system to other nameplates.

Mirrorless cars -- or vehicles that drop old-school glass mirrors in favor of video screens -- have long been proposed by stylists and engineers wanting sleeker looks and improved safety. They can also help improve a vehicle's fuel efficiency because the camera setups have lower wind resistance.


Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20180912/OEM04/180919888/lexus-dumps-side-mirrors-for-sleek-digital-camera-on-next-es



Lexus' camera-based mirrors will debut in the redesigned ES. The system initially will be available only in Japan. The brand will review market feedback to determine whether to expand the system to other nameplates.

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msongs

(70,170 posts)
3. samsung big rigs with tv screens on back to help ppl pass safely. here now...
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 12:31 AM
Sep 2018

they show oncoming traffic ( if there is any) ahead of the truck

5. Exactly how is that supposed to reduce wind resistance? It looks bigger than the mirror on my Jeep.
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 02:25 AM
Sep 2018

And saying that getting rid of the mirrors will improve gas mileage is disingenuous, to say the least. It's a benefit that probably shows up on a computer but not in the real world.

royable

(1,369 posts)
6. I have and need reading glasses, and don't wear glasses when driving since I can see long distance.
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 02:54 AM
Sep 2018

Without my reading glasses on, I can't read the fine print on my car's control center's screens, or see any detail in the video that displays when I'm backing up. I have to put on my glasses when backing up if I want to see the screen, and then I can't see long distance--out front, or in the rearview mirror or side mirrors.

So for me, this would be a very, very bad solution to a nonexistent problem. (I don't have or want bifocals.)

Nay

(12,051 posts)
7. Agreed. Those of us who have fine distance vision but need reading glasses are going to
Thu Sep 13, 2018, 10:04 AM
Sep 2018

find that looking at a screen is less than helpful.

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