I'm afraid this is a very conceptual car that embodies little of what the new LS will look like. The rearseats looks impressive though and are where Lexus can trump the Germans. In fact, the LS offered Maybach-esque rear hospitality back in 2008.
It is very much a product of the 200B Toyota programme, aka 2018 LS500 and other variants (LS300t, LS250t, LS500h). As I said above, there was a 2018 LS prototype showing in 2014 of the new model. Though it has not been seen on any roads, it has been shown privately with severe NDAs in place. I do not believe Lexus dealers have seen the car yet, only a select audience since last year.
Design concept selection was roughly 2 years ago (late 2013?), if at that point in 2014. Yet, it barely comes out in mid-late 2017? Yikes! They are really serious, if willing to sit on a design that long.
As for the XF40 LS, they basically beat DaimlerChrysler to the punch by implementing such features in the LS, ahead of the W221. The W221 really couldn't encroach on the X240 Maybach, so it was thus not offered with such. To be honest, the current LS isn't terrible.
Just compare how much of a revolution it was compared to LS430 (XF30) and you'll how much it brought the LS forward. The problem they've had is being consistent with updates. What hurt the LS was the mediocre refresh in late 2009, followed by the belated late 2012 facelift. The latter being forced to hold down the house for 5 years, is what will kill the nameplate.
Infiniti's Q45 was meant to be succeeded by a 4-door Essence by 2011, which was killed circa late 2009-2010. Those that had seen full scale mock-ups, reported this 6 years ago.
Yes in the flesh it is definitely striking if a bit too much over designed in some details. But if we bring it down to the realistic issues cars face before going into production. Some elements are entirely not feasible.
The production car will learn from this concept but the end result will be brought into reality in regards to avantgarde details.
I saw it in Tokyo and loved it. I hate the rear, but expect that the actual design is better resolved and is just it developed up to advanced design form. Anyway, besides that, just like the G11 and VFL, the LS design was definitely frozen before the LF-FC was developed. Sometimes Lexus test a newly approved model for 2 years, before bringing it outside and then spending several more months before reveal.
Hmmmmm, if that is the next LS then Lexus is moving away from the S-Class, A8 and new 7-Series (emphasis on luxury) and they're going for the sportier side of the class, like the Panamera. This was rumored to be the case but I didn't believe it, but it appears to be true. Maybe they realize they can't out lux the S-Class (and now 7er) so they're changing directions? All speculation so far, but that is far more sporty than any LS has ever been, hell it looks sportier than the GS at least on the inside. Interesting. Can't wait to see the production LS now.
M
That will be a very long wait, unless they plan to do an early showing at Paris 2016 like they did in 2006 (January to Sept/Oct 2006).
Same here, at last Lexus is putting 100% into reinventing the LS. I am really interested to read what
@Carmaker1 has to say about this.
Oh, well thank you. I was amazed by what I saw last month, when I squeezed in sometime to visit Tokyo. The LF-FC is ridiculously large, that I have to wonder if this meant to ride the coattails of the X222 Maybach?
