Though some find the Lexus LS range a bit on the plain side for a flagship luxury sedan, there are also those that just can't get over the technological showcase that resides inside. For the 2010 model year, Lexus has refreshed the luxury sedan with new styling, an advanced telematics system and a new scratch resistant clear-coat paint developed by parent company Toyota.

The new scratch resistant paint is designed to restore itself after being deformed. According to Toyota, it also requires no special maintenance, prevents lustre degradation caused by scratches on the surface and helps preserve the original color and gloss of the car.

The advanced clear-coat uses a special ingredient that encourages closer molecular bonding. This in turn increases the coating’s flexibility and elasticity, which makes it more resilient to scratches and damage from acid rain and strong sunlight.

As with most technological advances in the auto industry, expect the latest features to filter across to more mainstream models in the not too distant future.

Toyota is far from being the pioneer in this field, however. In 2005, Nissan launched a similar coat that was designed to repair minor scratches on painted car surfaces. Called Scratch Guard Coat, Nissan’s special paint contained a high elastic resin that helped prevent scratches from affecting the inner layers of a car’s painted surface.

[Automotive World]