Tuesday 31st July 2012

New Lexus LS: pics and details

Lexus reveals more about the sporty face of its new limo range-topper

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We've already shown you bits of the heavily revised Lexus LS, but today Lexus has revealed more pics and details of its latest limo flagship, including the new F Sport version.

Lexus says that it has made more than 3,000 changes to the current LS. The most obvious of these is the new Lexus 'spindle' grille, first introduced on the CT 200h last year and continued with the recent launch of the new GS range.

The tweaks go deeper than just visuals, however; Lexus says it has improved the driving dynamics, achieved better sound insulation and created more sophisticated and effective preventative safety systems.

In terms of dynamics, new production line techniques have improved torsional rigidity, while the LS's Adaptive Variable Suspension has what Lexus describes as 'a new four-wheel interlock control', which controls roll, pitch and heave vibration at all four wheels simultaneously.

Other handling upgrades include sharper steering, a tweaked braking system designed to encourage more immediate stopping power and a better pedal feel, and switchable driving modes - a 'Lexus first' - of Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport S and Sport S+.

F Sport models, meanwhile, include a ride height drop of 10mm, six-piston Brembo calipers at the front wheels, paddle shift gear levers, and even a Torsen LSD.

Oh, and there's also the de rigueur addition of a sound generator in the engine that amplifies intake noise into the cabin under acceleration...

The comfort aspects of the LS MO haven't been forgotten, though, and with everything from wind and road noise to new four-zone climate control being attended to, Lexus reckons the LS remains one of the quietest and most comfortable cars on the road.

Exact performance specs and pricing of the Lexus LS 460 and LS 600h are yet to be announced, but the cars will go on sale in the UK later this year.

 

[Draexin]

Hrm.. I usually like Lexusses (or Lexi?) but this one seems like a bit of a copy-paste job.
The side profile reminds me of a BMW and the front has just too much Audi-ness to it.

It's all very safe and uninspired imho...

[noclue]

Good stuff, this should push the old shape prices down further and offer up some bargains! Had as used LS430 and for everyday mixed road work driving it was one of the best cars I ever had (and quick).

[Caviar]

front grill, don't like it..somewhere between that alien character called 'the predator' and what men want from women...

[melvster]

Front grille is a bit overkill but apart from that, looks a really sleek design. Lexus seem to be the only manufacturer who are making more radically designed cars these days, by comparison the current 7 series is so dull to look at, basically a 5 series with an extra 8 inches added to the wheelbase.

[Frimley111R]

melvster said:

Front grille is a bit overkill but apart from that, looks a really sleek design. Lexus seem to be the only manufacturer who are making more radically designed cars these days, by comparison the current 7 series is so dull to look at, basically a 5 series with an extra 8 inches added to the wheelbase.

Yes. Assuming you exclude Jaguar and Mercedes....

[Froomee]

Look like a 7 series with a lexus grille to me...........................

[SAndals]

Love the new Lexus...

[JREwing]

Does anyone in Britain buy these? I barely see them, but I see plenty of XJs, S-Classes and 7-Series

[corcoran]

It's very.. AMERICAN looking, eh?

[Gary H 2008]

Mmm...

[XB70]

JREwing said:

Does anyone in Britain buy these? I barely see them, but I see plenty of XJs, S-Classes and 7-Series

The chap in the car spot next to me at home has an LS460 and I have a LS430. An LS600HL appears every once in a while on the next level down.

[Cheib]

XB70 said:

JREwing said:

Does anyone in Britain buy these? I barely see them, but I see plenty of XJs, S-Classes and 7-Series

The chap in the car spot next to me at home has an LS460 and I have a LS430. An LS600HL appears every once in a while on the next level down.

There are fair few of them in London used as Limo's.

[Ocellia]

Buy them? The Lexus Owners' site regularly has BMW/Merc owners saying "Why have you guys kept these (LSs) a secret?"
So they ARE appreciated.
And there is the cachet of driving something more select-and better in some respects) than the 'norm'?

I loved my Ser 3, then 4, LSs.

Only driving a Smart Forfour as downsized now.

[thewheelman]

JREwing said:

Does anyone in Britain buy these? I barely see them, but I see plenty of XJs, S-Classes and 7-Series

I believe their biggest market is the U.S. & the Middle East.

[BigAl80021]

I test drove an '04 LS430 while looking for my current car. I was well aware of the reputation the LS carried so I was curious to check one out. The ride and build quality of that car was seriously on another level, it felt like driving a tank with lazy boy seats. My problem with it was that to achieve that ride and solidity, the driver was taken almost completely out of the equation. It was a fantastic place to be, but the steering, brakes, and accelerator felt incredibly disconnected. It would be a terrific car for long distance commuting, but as a car to keep yourself entertained, it falls a bit short. Beautifully made and a wonderful engine however.

Edited by BigAl80021 on Tuesday 31st July 16:47

[tommy vercetti]

Looks ok, but but reminds me of other cars.

[bonecrusher]

damn.. another ugly goatee............

[Ali_T]

I really like these. If I were looking for a luxo barge, I'd put one high up the list, above ze Germans, though not quite above a Jag or, better still, Quattroporte.

[daveyc86]

SAndals said:

Love the new Lexus...

This shows how little you know.

Current shape LS, pre-face lift, was launched in 2006. The current shape 7 series launched in 2009.

Who copied who?

[drivin_me_nuts]

Now having seen the inner shots, a couple of things about this really really annoy me.

It's got that bloody stupid rocker mouse things required to operate the sat nav which is now so far away from the eye is actually harder to see the directions than the present one. The touch screen one in the current model is so easy to use. They made it worse.

Pet hate of mine, why is the lumber support only on the driver side. Very bloody annoying and cheap skate idea.