The Long Wait for the Next-Generation Lexus LS


In an interview with Car Advice, Lexus International vice-president Mark Templin discussed the delay in releasing the next-generation LS flagship sedan:

“[The next-generation LS] is overdue, and I’ll admit that,” Templin said. “When Akio [Toyoda] asked me to come here four years ago, we created a plan, and that plan included a lot of different things and you can’t do them all at once.

“It’s a huge priority, but the LS is the most sophisticated car in our line-up, and you don’t want to bring a new LS to market until you’re ready for it,” Templin said, suggesting that there’s some big technological advancement for the new-generation car, which may not launch until 2017.

While the current LS did receive a major update in 2012, the basic platform and powertrain are now ten years old — this is a significant deviation from previous generations of the LS, which were replaced every six years.

The extended development period of the next-generation model is a double-edged sword — it’s given Lexus the time to build something special, but there’s also serious pressure to deliver a class-leading experience in one of the toughest segments in the industry. The LF-FC concept has given us a hint at what’s to come, but will it be enough?

FutureLexus LS: Fourth Generation
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    Lasse J. Nordvik
  • November 11, 2015
For the most part the current LS doesn't show it's age,but the hybrid's CVT does,having the rubber band response of a second generation Prius. Am I looking forward to the next LS? Oh,boy yes!! But I don't mind a bit that they're taking their time. When a model generation lasts that long, the new one has to be a huge step forward,and I suspect the new LS will be just that.
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    DOC4Lex
  • November 11, 2015
Take your Time Lexus , we now understand the value of waiting for a Flagship product , it was clearly demonstrated in the LFA which is a master piece of engineering 10 years in development was worth it. Lexus you must command the industry not the other way around. Respect
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    BOSS
  • November 11, 2015
"you don’t want to bring a new LS to market until you’re ready for it", I hope they're ready!!!
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    Spunky D
  • November 12, 2015
Courtesy of Motoring Australia an interview with Mark Templin re the next LS ""But Japanese premium brand's BMW 7 Series rival could be worth the wait as turbo V8 firms When Lexus revealed the shiny new LF-FC limousine concept at last month's Tokyo motor show, it was widely understood to preview the next-generation LS flagship. Lexus executive vice president Mark Templin insists the big, imposing concept does not preview the new LS, but admits a new Lexus limousine is increasingly late to the party that the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and – soon – BMW's new 7 Series are revelling in. "It is overdue, I'll admit that," he stated in Tokyo, before confessing that other vehicles that generate more profit for the brand have been the focus. "When Akio [Toyoda, head of Toyota] asked me to come here four years ago we created a plan. And that plan included a lot of different things. And you can't do them all at once. "The first stages of the plan were to unify our design language and change every one of our products in less than two years to have a new design language." He said the company has achieved these goals while adding "more emotional cars, more F Sport cars," and more high-volume SUVs such as the new RX and all-new NX mid-sizer. The current LS is almost a decade old and has been on sale in Australia since 2007, but despite the wait for its successor, Templin said a new LS remains a "huge priority". "It's the most sophisticated car in our line-up. You don't want to bring a new LS to market until you're ready for it. So when we do bring the LS to market, you'll see it'll be a fantastic car," he said. So when will the next Lexus LS break cover? "We don’t have any announcements to make about the next LS yet," said Templin in terms of launch timing, but he did confirm it would deliver advancements in styling, performance and technology. "In markets like the US and Australia people buy these cars because they want to drive them. They need to be fun to drive too." With a car that can be expected to tip the scales north of two tonnes, it's going to need plenty of mumbo to be fun – which is where a new V8 could enter the equation, potentially turbocharged if it's to meet ever-tightening emissions controls. Asked if the next LS could get a turbo V8, Templin grinned "maybe". He later confirmed that Lexus would not scrap V8 power for the foreseeable future. "We really like the V8 in our F performance cars right now. So yeah, I can see us having V8s for a considerable period time. For great big SUVs like the LX too. I don't see us walking away from V8 anytime soon."
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    corradoMR2
  • November 12, 2015
I'm hoping the LS is out in one year from now as a MY '17. I'm a huge fan of the LS including the current gen, but the S-class, XF, 7-series, and Tesla are stiff competitors.
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    Spunky D
  • November 14, 2015
LEXUS WATCH OUT Hyundai defends Genesis about-face Image 1 of 13 PrevNext Six-model family and growing luxury market behind Hyundai's stand-alone Genesis brand backflip Hyundai says its decision to produce a six-strong luxury car range is the reason behind its backflip on repeated denials it would establish Genesis as stand-alone global premium brand to rival Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar. The ambitious Korean giant last week announced it would do just that, promising six Genesis models by 2020 starting with the G80 (a rebadged version of the large Genesis sedan already sold here) and the G90, a replacement for the Equus limousine available in the US. An all-new mid-size sedan to rival the BMW 3 Series (G70) is expected to follow in 2017, along with a mid-size crossover, a large SUV and a sports coupe to replace Korea's existing Genesis Coupe. The G90 was officially previewed earlier this week and has also been spied testing (pictured) ahead of its Korean release in December, but the G80 will be the first Genesis model sold in Australia without Hyundai badges -- next year -- and is expected to be a facelifted version of the current Genesis spied recently in testing (pictured). Hyundai is yet to confirm which Genesis models will be available globally, and unlike Volkswagen's Audi brand, Toyota-owned Lexus and Nissan's Infiniti, Genesis models will continue to be sold via Hyundai dealerships. The significant announcement contradicts Hyundai insistence that Genesis would not become a separate premium brand, as it stated in 2012 and again in 2014. When questioned by motoring.com.au on the change in direction, Hyundai Australia public relations general manager Bill Thomas said the 2008 GFC had merely delayed the company's Genesis sub-brand plans. "There’s more potential in the global luxury car market, more experience with luxury cars, and more models on the way," he said. “Our luxury car program began in 2004 when Hyundai started work on first [BH] Genesis, which won North American Car of the Year in 2009. "When the global luxury car market shrank as a result of the global financial crisis, our plans for a separate brand were delayed. "Expansion of the Genesis range from two models to six gives us the opportunity to create a true stand-alone brand in an ever-expanding luxury car market, where before it wasn't practicable with only two models. "Six vehicles gives a broader customer base, and all of these customers demand and expect premium service -- we can provide that exclusive service more effectively with a true stand-alone brand, and match our competition better in the process." Speaking of the current (DH) Genesis, which succeeded the BH and is the first available in Australia, Thomas said: “Customers love the car. Based on that experience, and years of detailed market research, we have decided to move forward and launch a luxury brand. “We know some of our Genesis customers in Australia already think of it as a separate brand. It’s clear they have no issue with a separate Genesis identity and by making this decision, in a way we are supporting what’s already out there,” he continued. The move also contradicts assertions made by Hyundai Motor America CEO David Zuchowski to motoring.com.au last year. “We talked about it [a standalone brand] in the past; [but] we like what we’ve done now, and that is not really part of our discussions anymore,” Zuchowski said at the 2014 Detroit motor show. “The investment [to create a new brand] from a company perspective is tremendous. The investment from a dealer perspective is tremendous. The splintering at a brand-building effort is really impactful. “We actually believe that many of our competitors that have elected to go a different way and create a separate distribution channel for the premium products, might re-think that [if they] had that decision to make today,” he concluded. Large Genesis models are likely to be based – like Australia's current model -- on a bespoke front-engine/rear-drive platform, but with different wheelbases and all-wheel drive (which is already available in the Genesis sedan in other markets) for the large SUV. A smaller new chassis architecture could then form the basis of the mooted mid-size sedan, coupe and SUV – much like Jaguar's XE. As with its luxury brand rivals, there will be significant technical differentiation from Hyundai-badged product to further separate Genesis as a premium brand. All models will be designed by former Lamborghini and Bentley designer, Luc Donckerwolke, following his defection to Hyundai from the Volkswagen Group June this year. At this point, however, there has been no confirmation of which Genesis models will be produced in right-hand drive, but the Equus flagship will initially only be aimed at LHD markets like China, Russia, the US and Korea – where it's known as the EQ900 -- and the smaller three models are more likely to be beneficiaries of a profitable RHD business case. “We will certainly study the potential of every new Genesis for Australia,” Thomas concluded.

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