Video & Photo Gallery: 2018 Lexus LS 500 in Autumn Shimmer

too bad the windows were tinted :(

too bad the windows were tinted :(

too bad the windows were tinted :(

too bad the windows were tinted :(

Black Dynamite

It is reasonable to expect it to look something like the concept, not nothing like the concept. You trash the concept if the people reject it. This si clearly a "Plan B" design, and it is much less worthy of interest to me. And Lexus has a history of staying true to their concept's designs, and not throwing them away entirely.

If you want a cut-rate design, have at it. There is no good reason why they couldn't use the design of the concept and adjust the styling for production. It is unreasonable to expect the production car to look nothing like the concept, given Lexus' history, with the LC most recently.

This looks like just another luxury car, and after waiting 8 years, I think we deserve better. They pretty much told us last year to expect the best, and then they wimp out. Why go all in on the LC, and get all kinds of positive press for it, and then punk out here? Who was bashing the LF-FC Concept, in any way?
BD

I agree, but I just do not take the FL-FC into account now, it was "just" a concept, and I look at the new LS as if we had no concept. I think if you would not have seen the concept, it the new LS would not be that bad. The LC is once in a lifetime case (well two if we count the LFA).

But look at the Germans, remember how BMW went from VFL to 7 Series?

Black Dynamite

It is reasonable to expect it to look something like the concept, not nothing like the concept. You trash the concept if the people reject it. This si clearly a "Plan B" design, and it is much less worthy of interest to me. And Lexus has a history of staying true to their concept's designs, and not throwing them away entirely.

If you want a cut-rate design, have at it. There is no good reason why they couldn't use the design of the concept and adjust the styling for production. It is unreasonable to expect the production car to look nothing like the concept, given Lexus' history, with the LC most recently.

This looks like just another luxury car, and after waiting 8 years, I think we deserve better. They pretty much told us last year to expect the best, and then they wimp out. Why go all in on the LC, and get all kinds of positive press for it, and then punk out here? Who was bashing the LF-FC Concept, in any way?
BD

I agree, but I just do not take the FL-FC into account now, it was "just" a concept, and I look at the new LS as if we had no concept. I think if you would not have seen the concept, it the new LS would not be that bad. The LC is once in a lifetime case (well two if we count the LFA).

But look at the Germans, remember how BMW went from VFL to 7 Series?

Black Dynamite

It is reasonable to expect it to look something like the concept, not nothing like the concept. You trash the concept if the people reject it. This si clearly a "Plan B" design, and it is much less worthy of interest to me. And Lexus has a history of staying true to their concept's designs, and not throwing them away entirely.

If you want a cut-rate design, have at it. There is no good reason why they couldn't use the design of the concept and adjust the styling for production. It is unreasonable to expect the production car to look nothing like the concept, given Lexus' history, with the LC most recently.

This looks like just another luxury car, and after waiting 8 years, I think we deserve better. They pretty much told us last year to expect the best, and then they wimp out. Why go all in on the LC, and get all kinds of positive press for it, and then punk out here? Who was bashing the LF-FC Concept, in any way?
BD

I agree, but I just do not take the FL-FC into account now, it was "just" a concept, and I look at the new LS as if we had no concept. I think if you would not have seen the concept, it the new LS would not be that bad. The LC is once in a lifetime case (well two if we count the LFA).

But look at the Germans, remember how BMW went from VFL to 7 Series?

Black Dynamite

It is reasonable to expect it to look something like the concept, not nothing like the concept. You trash the concept if the people reject it. This si clearly a "Plan B" design, and it is much less worthy of interest to me. And Lexus has a history of staying true to their concept's designs, and not throwing them away entirely.

If you want a cut-rate design, have at it. There is no good reason why they couldn't use the design of the concept and adjust the styling for production. It is unreasonable to expect the production car to look nothing like the concept, given Lexus' history, with the LC most recently.

This looks like just another luxury car, and after waiting 8 years, I think we deserve better. They pretty much told us last year to expect the best, and then they wimp out. Why go all in on the LC, and get all kinds of positive press for it, and then punk out here? Who was bashing the LF-FC Concept, in any way?
BD

I agree, but I just do not take the FL-FC into account now, it was "just" a concept, and I look at the new LS as if we had no concept. I think if you would not have seen the concept, it the new LS would not be that bad. The LC is once in a lifetime case (well two if we count the LFA).

But look at the Germans, remember how BMW went from VFL to 7 Series?

Joaquin Ruhi

I understand that's the rationale that Lexus' new LS, BMW and Mercedes are using, but I guess I personally prefer the approach Lexus used with the NX 200t and Audi's (which uses the actual displacement in liters plus a "t" do denote boost in its badges beyond the A, Q or R model names) versus the arbitrary equivalencies. And now, at Lexus, "500" is just as likely to denote a 5-liter V8 as a 3.5-liter twin turbo V6. How do you tell them apart were Lexus to offer the 5-liter naturally aspirated V8 in the LS or the 3.5-liter twin turbo in the LC?

I think they are taking on a horsepower-/torque-related numbering system.But really, what the others are naming their cars is probably the most important factor. The marketing people would want an LS350 competing with an S550 (or whatever...too lazy to look up exact model names).

Joaquin Ruhi

I understand that's the rationale that Lexus' new LS, BMW and Mercedes are using, but I guess I personally prefer the approach Lexus used with the NX 200t and Audi's (which uses the actual displacement in liters plus a "t" do denote boost in its badges beyond the A, Q or R model names) versus the arbitrary equivalencies. And now, at Lexus, "500" is just as likely to denote a 5-liter V8 as a 3.5-liter twin turbo V6. How do you tell them apart were Lexus to offer the 5-liter naturally aspirated V8 in the LS or the 3.5-liter twin turbo in the LC?

I think they are taking on a horsepower-/torque-related numbering system.But really, what the others are naming their cars is probably the most important factor. The marketing people would want an LS350 competing with an S550 (or whatever...too lazy to look up exact model names).

Joaquin Ruhi

I understand that's the rationale that Lexus' new LS, BMW and Mercedes are using, but I guess I personally prefer the approach Lexus used with the NX 200t and Audi's (which uses the actual displacement in liters plus a "t" do denote boost in its badges beyond the A, Q or R model names) versus the arbitrary equivalencies. And now, at Lexus, "500" is just as likely to denote a 5-liter V8 as a 3.5-liter twin turbo V6. How do you tell them apart were Lexus to offer the 5-liter naturally aspirated V8 in the LS or the 3.5-liter twin turbo in the LC?

I think they are taking on a horsepower-/torque-related numbering system.But really, what the others are naming their cars is probably the most important factor. The marketing people would want an LS350 competing with an S550 (or whatever...too lazy to look up exact model names).

Joaquin Ruhi

I understand that's the rationale that Lexus' new LS, BMW and Mercedes are using, but I guess I personally prefer the approach Lexus used with the NX 200t and Audi's (which uses the actual displacement in liters plus a "t" do denote boost in its badges beyond the A, Q or R model names) versus the arbitrary equivalencies. And now, at Lexus, "500" is just as likely to denote a 5-liter V8 as a 3.5-liter twin turbo V6. How do you tell them apart were Lexus to offer the 5-liter naturally aspirated V8 in the LS or the 3.5-liter twin turbo in the LC?

I think they are taking on a horsepower-/torque-related numbering system.But really, what the others are naming their cars is probably the most important factor. The marketing people would want an LS350 competing with an S550 (or whatever...too lazy to look up exact model names).

Quite in-depth review of the exterior/interior of the new LS!



View attachment 2052

Quite in-depth review of the exterior/interior of the new LS!



View attachment 2052

Quite in-depth review of the exterior/interior of the new LS!



View attachment 2052

Quite in-depth review of the exterior/interior of the new LS!



View attachment 2052

Joaquin Ruhi

I understand that's the rationale that Lexus' new LS, BMW and Mercedes are using, but I guess I personally prefer the approach Lexus used with the NX 200t and Audi's (which uses the actual displacement in liters plus a "t" do denote boost in its badges beyond the A, Q or R model names) versus the arbitrary equivalencies. And now, at Lexus, "500" is just as likely to denote a 5-liter V8 as a 3.5-liter twin turbo V6. How do you tell them apart were Lexus to offer the 5-liter naturally aspirated V8 in the LS or the 3.5-liter twin turbo in the LC?

Truth is that Lexus has been doing this for a long time with hybrids: GS 450h with 3.5L V6, LS 600hL with 5.0L V8, IS/RC/GS 300h with 2.5L I4, etc. Pretty soon, everything is going to be F/I and that just creates another layer with naming.

Lexus LS 350t F-Sport AWD.

Omg. No!

Joaquin Ruhi

I understand that's the rationale that Lexus' new LS, BMW and Mercedes are using, but I guess I personally prefer the approach Lexus used with the NX 200t and Audi's (which uses the actual displacement in liters plus a "t" do denote boost in its badges beyond the A, Q or R model names) versus the arbitrary equivalencies. And now, at Lexus, "500" is just as likely to denote a 5-liter V8 as a 3.5-liter twin turbo V6. How do you tell them apart were Lexus to offer the 5-liter naturally aspirated V8 in the LS or the 3.5-liter twin turbo in the LC?

Truth is that Lexus has been doing this for a long time with hybrids: GS 450h with 3.5L V6, LS 600hL with 5.0L V8, IS/RC/GS 300h with 2.5L I4, etc. Pretty soon, everything is going to be F/I and that just creates another layer with naming.

Lexus LS 350t F-Sport AWD.

Omg. No!

Joaquin Ruhi

I understand that's the rationale that Lexus' new LS, BMW and Mercedes are using, but I guess I personally prefer the approach Lexus used with the NX 200t and Audi's (which uses the actual displacement in liters plus a "t" do denote boost in its badges beyond the A, Q or R model names) versus the arbitrary equivalencies. And now, at Lexus, "500" is just as likely to denote a 5-liter V8 as a 3.5-liter twin turbo V6. How do you tell them apart were Lexus to offer the 5-liter naturally aspirated V8 in the LS or the 3.5-liter twin turbo in the LC?

Truth is that Lexus has been doing this for a long time with hybrids: GS 450h with 3.5L V6, LS 600hL with 5.0L V8, IS/RC/GS 300h with 2.5L I4, etc. Pretty soon, everything is going to be F/I and that just creates another layer with naming.

Lexus LS 350t F-Sport AWD.

Omg. No!

Joaquin Ruhi

I understand that's the rationale that Lexus' new LS, BMW and Mercedes are using, but I guess I personally prefer the approach Lexus used with the NX 200t and Audi's (which uses the actual displacement in liters plus a "t" do denote boost in its badges beyond the A, Q or R model names) versus the arbitrary equivalencies. And now, at Lexus, "500" is just as likely to denote a 5-liter V8 as a 3.5-liter twin turbo V6. How do you tell them apart were Lexus to offer the 5-liter naturally aspirated V8 in the LS or the 3.5-liter twin turbo in the LC?

Truth is that Lexus has been doing this for a long time with hybrids: GS 450h with 3.5L V6, LS 600hL with 5.0L V8, IS/RC/GS 300h with 2.5L I4, etc. Pretty soon, everything is going to be F/I and that just creates another layer with naming.

Lexus LS 350t F-Sport AWD.

Omg. No!

mikeavelli

It's stunning in person. It's a complete 180 from past designs.

mikeavelli

It's stunning in person. It's a complete 180 from past designs.

mikeavelli

It's stunning in person. It's a complete 180 from past designs.

mikeavelli

It's stunning in person. It's a complete 180 from past designs.

meth.ix

too bad the windows were tinted :(

I could not share the interior. It's stunning. And I loved the color :)

meth.ix

too bad the windows were tinted :(

I could not share the interior. It's stunning. And I loved the color :)

meth.ix

too bad the windows were tinted :(

I could not share the interior. It's stunning. And I loved the color :)

meth.ix

too bad the windows were tinted :(

I could not share the interior. It's stunning. And I loved the color :)

Joaquin Ruhi

I understand that's the rationale that Lexus' new LS, BMW and Mercedes are using, but I guess I personally prefer the approach Lexus used with the NX 200t and Audi's (which uses the actual displacement in liters plus a "t" do denote boost in its badges beyond the A, Q or R model names) versus the arbitrary equivalencies. And now, at Lexus, "500" is just as likely to denote a 5-liter V8 as a 3.5-liter twin turbo V6. How do you tell them apart were Lexus to offer the 5-liter naturally aspirated V8 in the LS or the 3.5-liter twin turbo in the LC?

Sorry but that's not how consumer perception works. If you visit Lexus's official website now, they've already gone as far as removing the "200t" moniker from the names of ALL models with the 2.0L turbo engine, replacing it with just the word "TURBO". "200t" just sounds that much inferior to the 328i and the C300, when they really are supposed to be competing at the same level, with a ~240hp 2.0L turbo I-4 engine (BMW's underrating practices notwithstanding). See for yourself:

NX TURBO:
http://www.lexus.com/models/NX

IS TURBO:
http://www.lexus.com/models/IS

GS TURBO:
http://www.lexus.com/models/GS

What makes Lexus' intention more obvious is the fact that the rest of the lineup retain the same numeric monikers (GS350, GS450h, IS300, IS350, etc.). It's because the 200t just sounds weak, when its performance really is on par with a 2.8L-3.0L NA engine. As cars are marketed towards regular consumers, not engineers, their names should reflect consumer perceptions, not engineer requirements. Most consumers only want to know a car's market position, not what's actually under the hood. This new, now industry-wide naming trend simply makes more sense for consumers, whether you agree with it from an engineer/enthusiast's perspective or not.

As for worrying about telling a theoretical 5.0L NA V8 LS500 apart from the 3.5L V6 TT LS500, it simply won't happen. There's too little marketing differentiator between the two to build both at the same time. The LS hybrid, on the other hand, has a clear differentiator being a greener alternative, so it can use the LS500h moniker even if it shares the same numeric designation.

Joaquin Ruhi

I understand that's the rationale that Lexus' new LS, BMW and Mercedes are using, but I guess I personally prefer the approach Lexus used with the NX 200t and Audi's (which uses the actual displacement in liters plus a "t" do denote boost in its badges beyond the A, Q or R model names) versus the arbitrary equivalencies. And now, at Lexus, "500" is just as likely to denote a 5-liter V8 as a 3.5-liter twin turbo V6. How do you tell them apart were Lexus to offer the 5-liter naturally aspirated V8 in the LS or the 3.5-liter twin turbo in the LC?

Sorry but that's not how consumer perception works. If you visit Lexus's official website now, they've already gone as far as removing the "200t" moniker from the names of ALL models with the 2.0L turbo engine, replacing it with just the word "TURBO". "200t" just sounds that much inferior to the 328i and the C300, when they really are supposed to be competing at the same level, with a ~240hp 2.0L turbo I-4 engine (BMW's underrating practices notwithstanding). See for yourself:

NX TURBO:
http://www.lexus.com/models/NX

IS TURBO:
http://www.lexus.com/models/IS

GS TURBO:
http://www.lexus.com/models/GS

What makes Lexus' intention more obvious is the fact that the rest of the lineup retain the same numeric monikers (GS350, GS450h, IS300, IS350, etc.). It's because the 200t just sounds weak, when its performance really is on par with a 2.8L-3.0L NA engine. As cars are marketed towards regular consumers, not engineers, their names should reflect consumer perceptions, not engineer requirements. Most consumers only want to know a car's market position, not what's actually under the hood. This new, now industry-wide naming trend simply makes more sense for consumers, whether you agree with it from an engineer/enthusiast's perspective or not.

As for worrying about telling a theoretical 5.0L NA V8 LS500 apart from the 3.5L V6 TT LS500, it simply won't happen. There's too little marketing differentiator between the two to build both at the same time. The LS hybrid, on the other hand, has a clear differentiator being a greener alternative, so it can use the LS500h moniker even if it shares the same numeric designation.