CleanMPG Forums - Lexus Wins Innovation Award for Its New A/C Tech in the All-New 2013 GS 450h

First honor of surely many to come for its high-efficiency S-Flow system.

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Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - June 18, 2012

2013 Lexus GS 450h - At $58,950 (unchanged from the previous generation) and rated at 29/34 mpgUS city/highway, it is the mid luxury segment’s new “Best in Class” offering.

During the CleanMPG Preview of the 2013 Lexus GS 450h, we briefly touched upon the all-new A/C technology incorporated within:

“Standard equipment includes a new energy-saving auto climate control system called S-Flow utilizing an occupant-detection system to focus airflow only to areas actually occupied in the 2013 GS.”

Last week, Lexus received its first industry innovation award for this all-new air conditioning technology that uses much less power to deliver the level of comfort. The S-flow system, introduced in the new GS 450h full hybrid sedan, has been recognized in the first honors to be presented by the Automotive Interiors Expo.

The A/C system in the GS 450h is designed for both excellent cooling performance and hybrid efficiency. Thanks to new nano technology, it can also deodorize the cabin while at the same time moisturizing the skin and hair of anyone on board. Yeah it gets a bit personal, doesn’t it ;)

The award recognizes the technology that could easily be transferred to more Lexus models in the future.

The system uses sensors to detect when the front passenger seat is occupied; if it isn’t, it automatically closes all the vents serving that seat. The same applies to the rear seats, when the S-Flow button is switched on.

2013 Lexus GS 450h – S-Flow A/C with nano tech

It measures the ambient temperature outside and inside the car to determine the optimum level of A/C required, and also calculates a target airflow volume for each seat. When the system has to work hard – when cooling down in summer or heating up in winter – it operates all around the cabin until the desired temperature has been reached and stabilized. At that point, it then adjusts automatically to focus heating or cooling only around the seats that are being used.

Another innovation in the system’s design is the use of air purifying nano technology. This operates automatically when the system is switched on, releasing minute nano particles – negatively charged ions wrapped in water molecules – through the driver’s dashboard air vent.

These nano ions can clean the air and eliminate odors by attaching themselves to airborne particles and molecules. They can also deodorize the seats and roof lining to create a cleaner cabin environment. And because nano moisture content is about 1,000 times that of conventional ions, they can also have a moisturizing effect on human skin and hair.

I am sorry I did not experience the system during my few minutes behind the windscreen of the GS 450h earlier this year but will again hopefully at this fall’s MAMA Fall Rally in Chicago.