This Week: Driving the All New 2018 Lexus LS Flagship

Alshamsi

I've been wondering about this since it was debuted...
I really don't think it will be offered only with 5 passengers, remembering the LF-FC concept, it had a 4 seat configuration.. could it be only offered with fuel cell LS ?

exactly...i think same you that the lexus LS500 have 4 seat but why dont introduce...im waiting for 4 seat(VIP)...in the LF-FC we saw 4 seta in this car...
im waiting to see 4 seat...lexus,im waiting.

ssun30

So how does the rear passenger space compare to the outgoing LS LWB? This is the most important point for the Asian market.


I just can't help nitpicking this common misconception but it's for you benefit to know: bigger brakes with more pistons won't help a normal road car stop faster because it is always grip-limited. The car can't stop faster than the tyres allow. The true benefit is less pad wear and smoother pedal feel, which benefits luxury vehicles a lot since deceleration will be less jerky.

not to mention that heavy car will not overheat its brakes at long mountain drives (can happen on many european and us roads).

What I read today is that this is basically similar to old LWB.

I believe the hybrid here does get the F-Sport option but it won't get rear steer....

Also here are some more paper comparisons. The LS500 lines up mighty well on paper compared to some of the most direct competitors.

2018 Mercedes S450 RWD
3.0L V6 biturbo engine
0-60 time: 5.1 seconds
EPA mileage: 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway
362 hp @ 5,500- 6,000 rpm
369 lb-ft @ 1,800- 4,500 rpm

2018 Mercedes S560 4Matic
4.0L V8 biturbo engine
0-60 time: 4.6 seconds
EPA mileage: 17 mpg city/27 mpg highway
463 hp @ 5,250- 5,500 rpm
516 lb-ft @ 2,000- 4,000 rpm

2018 BMW 750i RWD
4.4L V8 twin turbo engine
0-60 time: 4.6 seconds
EPA mileage: 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway
445 hp @ 5500–6000 rpm
479 lb-ft @ 1800–4500 rpm

2018 Audi A8 L 4.0L TFSI
4.0L V8 twin turbo engine
0-60 time: 4.4 seconds
EPA mileage: 16 mpg city/26 mpg highway
450 hp @ 5300-6000 rpm
444 lb-ft @ 1500-5250 rpm

2018 LS500 RWD
3.5L V6 twin turbo engine
0-60 time: 4.5 seconds
EPA mileage: 19 mpg city/29 mpg highway
416 hp @ 6000 rpm
442 lb-ft @ 1600-4800 rpm

2017 LS 460 RWD
4.6L V8 naturally aspirated
0-60 time: 5.4 seconds
EPA mileage: 16 mpg city/24 mpg highway
386 hp @ 6400 rpm
367 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm

I omitted most of the 6 cylinder variants of the competition because they are way too behind on power and torque. I included the Mercedes S450 because it is the only 6 cylinder competitor that approaches V8 power and torque levels.

So apples to apples comparisons here are hard. However I chose the closest competitors to list in terms of power, torque, and 0-60 times.

In this group comparison, the LS actually has the best fuel economy on paper. The 0-60 time of the LS is very, very competitive among this group. While it is down on hp with some competitors, the torque figure is extremely competitive as well. Impressively, the LS500 fuel economy on paper exceeds the slower and weaker Mercedes S450. Also despite the Mercedes S560 having a significantly more powerful engine, on paper the LS500 still has a better 0-60 time and better EPA fuel economy.

Also what an improvement the 5LS makes over the 4LS on paper.

Now we wait for driving impressions and full technical specs to come.

ssun30

I just can't help nitpicking this common misconception but it's for you benefit to know: bigger brakes with more pistons won't help a normal road car stop faster because it is always grip-limited. The car can't stop faster than the tyres allow. The true benefit is less pad wear and smoother pedal feel, which benefits luxury vehicles a lot since deceleration will be less jerky.

I never implied what you're explaining. I know how brakes work. Also as an experienced student of Toyota and their history, in this case I can tell the brakes are overbuilt to take lots of abuse, to be fade-resistant, to handle extreme conditions easier, and also like you mentioned, to have less pad wear and smoother pedal feel. This is classic Toyota/Lexus overbuilt design. Brakes that can handle much more than the tires can. Uninformed observers may say there is no need for this, but this is clearly the epitome of prestige luxury. Excessive, indulgent, overbuilt brakes...even in the standard non-F-Sport LS. Lexus put a lot of time and effort into the brakes, so in any conditions (including extreme conditions) 5LS owners don't have to sweat.

mikeavelli

I believe the hybrid here does get the F-Sport option but it won't get rear steer....

Hmm, weird then how this was seemingly omitted from the USA press briefing. You would think they'd mention this. That means the F-Sport option on the hybrid is totally region-dependent, and it doesn't get all the performance goodies available on the LS500 F-Sport.

CIF

Hmm, weird then how this was seemingly omitted from the USA press briefing. You would think they'd mention this. That means the F-Sport option on the hybrid is totally region-dependent, and it doesn't get all the performance goodies available on the LS500 F-Sport.

US does not get LS500h F-Sport?

Also, are we completely sure about 4.5s on 500? One reviewer pointed spec of 5.1s, was that hybrid?

and thanks for big comparo, appreciated.

spwolf

US does not get LS500h F-Sport?

Also, are we completely sure about 4.5s on 500? One reviewer pointed spec of 5.1s, was that hybrid?

and thanks for big comparo, appreciated.

I am basing this off the press briefing video bogglo posted. No LS500h F-Sport in North America according to the video, but mikeavelli says the hybrid here in North America should get the F-Sport option.

Yes from the video, 0-60 of 5.1 seconds is quoted for the LS500h. All the way back in January when the 5LS made its world debut, the press release then had already quoted a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds for the LS500 RWD.

Reviewers are wrong all the time lol.

You're certainly welcome. :)

CIF

I am basing this off the press briefing video bogglo posted. No LS500h F-Sport in North America according to the video, but mikeavelli says the hybrid here in North America should get the F-Sport option.

Yes from the video, 0-60 of 5.1 seconds is quoted for the LS500h. All the way back in January when the 5LS made its world debut, the press release then had already quoted a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds for the LS500 RWD.

Reviewers are wrong all the time lol.

You're certainly welcome. :)

ah, cool... and yes, they have different features based on regions, it will always be that way... for instance in europe, hybrid will be 90% of the sales, while in USA it will be 10% of the sales. On the other hand, we likely wont get everything for LS500.

spwolf

ah, cool... and yes, they have different features based on regions, it will always be that way... for instance in europe, hybrid will be 90% of the sales, while in USA it will be 10% of the sales. On the other hand, we likely wont get everything for LS500.

This should explain why the hybrid has the F- sport in other market.

S Class is beautiful, no doubting that. But I think the new LS is most certainly the most dynamic looking flagship luxury sedan.

They did such a great job with this car.

Gecko

S Class is beautiful, no doubting that. But I think the new LS is most certainly the most dynamic looking flagship luxury sedan.

They did such a great job with this car.

very nice pictures...thank you.
i cant say about lexus LS...I have not seen a Lexus LS beauty yet...its soooooooooooo beautiful.

for me, pictures dont do this car justice... it looks so much better in video and in real life locations.

Will there be 2-seater variant available?

meth.ix

Will there be 2-seater variant available?

2 seater...?

Gecko

2 seater...?

Sorry:D... I meant 4

CIF

Also unbelievable that they're having this 5LS preview at Skywalker Ranch! A very unique place for a media event.

There was only one LS we could take photos of on the property, and that was it -- no photos anywhere else. It was pretty intense.

CIF

No LS500h F-Sport in North America according to the video, but mikeavelli says the hybrid here in North America should get the F-Sport option.

No F SPORT hybrid available in North America.

Alshamsi

I've been wondering about this since it was debuted...
I really don't think it will be offered only with 5 passengers, remembering the LF-FC concept, it had a 4 seat configuration.. could it be only offered with fuel cell LS ?

Nothing was mentioned about a pure four-seat version, but I don't see it being a big deal -- the armrest is well integrated into the design and doesn't seem out of place at all.

I was really REALLY interested in a hybrid F-Sport. This is really disappointing for me and really changes some things. Pretty shocked it won't be offered here when there is a LC 500h.

USA Market
LC 500h
LS 500h
GS 450h and F-Sport
RX 450h and F-Sport
NX 300h
CT 200h and F-Sport (otw out)

I don't get it.

krew

There was only one LS we could take photos of on the property, and that was it -- no photos anywhere else. It was pretty intense.

Lot of patrols? :D

Tragic Bronson

Lot of patrols? :D

"These aren't the LS 500s you're looking for."

krew

"These aren't the LS 500s you're looking for."