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

Gecko

You seem really burned by the omission of a V8. Truth is that Lexus new TT V6 is closer to Mercedes/BMW's V8s than their V6s, and the LS is lighter. If the V6 also allows for a better weight distribution - probably very close to 50/50, then I am on board with the V6.

I've been having a hard time with the extinction of the V8, but for some reason, I feel really good about this application. Think about 90% of LS buyers, and really, S Class and 7 Series buyers. They could get along just fine with 240hp.

415hp/442lb-ft is major power. It's going to feel like a V8. The torque is probably going to make it feel like Lexus' most powerful engine outside of the LFA's V10.

This is the first time that Lexus has delivered a higher horsepower engine that isn't torque deficient since maybe the 3UZ-FE.

Since owning the RC F and enjoying the 5L V8, to be honest, I'm more than fine with the new V6TT in the LS while keeping the V8 to the sportier more visceral LC. I bet the new V6TT is smoother, quieter, and with more low end torque (something the V8 is missing until about 3600 rpm), which is more appropriate in a serene premium luxury sedan. I bet if the 5L V8 was the engine, we'd be complaining about its age, etc.

A quick note to point out regarding nomenclature. We now see that Lexus may or may not incorporate "t" or "tt"in their car names. This opens the door to future speculation on new car name registrations that do not have any "t" in it. I'm fine with that since the LS 500's name is far better suited in terms of lineage and prestige over an "LS 350tt"! :)

As for future V8s in the LS... I'm definitely still wanting one in it but I like the idea of a V8TT exclusive to the LS F. :thumbsup:

Gecko

You seem really burned by the omission of a V8. Truth is that Lexus new TT V6 is closer to Mercedes/BMW's V8s than their V6s, and the LS is lighter. If the V6 also allows for a better weight distribution - probably very close to 50/50, then I am on board with the V6.

I've been having a hard time with the extinction of the V8, but for some reason, I feel really good about this application. Think about 90% of LS buyers, and really, S Class and 7 Series buyers. They could get along just fine with 240hp.

415hp/442lb-ft is major power. It's going to feel like a V8. The torque is probably going to make it feel like Lexus' most powerful engine outside of the LFA's V10.

This is the first time that Lexus has delivered a higher horsepower engine that isn't torque deficient since maybe the 3UZ-FE.

Since owning the RC F and enjoying the 5L V8, to be honest, I'm more than fine with the new V6TT in the LS while keeping the V8 to the sportier more visceral LC. I bet the new V6TT is smoother, quieter, and with more low end torque (something the V8 is missing until about 3600 rpm), which is more appropriate in a serene premium luxury sedan. I bet if the 5L V8 was the engine, we'd be complaining about its age, etc.

A quick note to point out regarding nomenclature. We now see that Lexus may or may not incorporate "t" or "tt"in their car names. This opens the door to future speculation on new car name registrations that do not have any "t" in it. I'm fine with that since the LS 500's name is far better suited in terms of lineage and prestige over an "LS 350tt"! :)

As for future V8s in the LS... I'm definitely still wanting one in it but I like the idea of a V8TT exclusive to the LS F. :thumbsup:

The official Lexus Europe news release is up now:

http://newsroom.lexus.eu/with-the-all-new-2018-ls-lexus-reimagines-global-flagship-sedan/

Not much new, but I did spot what are either new tidbits or just stuff I missed from skimming the USA and Global releases:

The 3,125 mm wheelbase is 35 mm longer than the current LS long-wheelbase model.

Compared to the current LS, the new model is about 15 mm lower, while the hood and trunk are approximately 30 mm and 41 mm lower, respectively.

The official Lexus Europe news release is up now:

http://newsroom.lexus.eu/with-the-all-new-2018-ls-lexus-reimagines-global-flagship-sedan/

Not much new, but I did spot what are either new tidbits or just stuff I missed from skimming the USA and Global releases:

The 3,125 mm wheelbase is 35 mm longer than the current LS long-wheelbase model.

Compared to the current LS, the new model is about 15 mm lower, while the hood and trunk are approximately 30 mm and 41 mm lower, respectively.

Well guys, I am by no means a regular on here but the LC, LF-FC and believe it or not, as a 25 year old, the LF-SA concept have sparked my interest in Lexus as a brand. I currently own a 2007 Honda Legend, or Acura RL, so do like a luxury barge. Here are my thoughts.

• Can't quite make my mind up on the styling. The front look great from some angles and then awful and stuck on from others. The rear is a huge disappointment...just a refresh of what we have, not all-new like LF-FC was.
• Colour of LF-FC not shown and can't quite see if its being offered yet, in my opinion one of the things that made the car.
• Huge HUD looks incredible in that photo, goes beyond just a silly little speed readout and one or two other things.
• Infotainment hard to gauge, but some shots it still look dated. Lexus want to predict what customers will demand they say in their Press Release...so why are they still insisting on no Apple CarPlay? If it's anything like the rubbish in current Lexus vehicles, it's dead in water vs Merc/Audi.
• Overall, total disappointment when compared to the gorgeous LF-FC, but then I was told to keep my expectations low as LF-FC came way after 5LS was basically finished.

Well guys, I am by no means a regular on here but the LC, LF-FC and believe it or not, as a 25 year old, the LF-SA concept have sparked my interest in Lexus as a brand. I currently own a 2007 Honda Legend, or Acura RL, so do like a luxury barge. Here are my thoughts.

• Can't quite make my mind up on the styling. The front look great from some angles and then awful and stuck on from others. The rear is a huge disappointment...just a refresh of what we have, not all-new like LF-FC was.
• Colour of LF-FC not shown and can't quite see if its being offered yet, in my opinion one of the things that made the car.
• Huge HUD looks incredible in that photo, goes beyond just a silly little speed readout and one or two other things.
• Infotainment hard to gauge, but some shots it still look dated. Lexus want to predict what customers will demand they say in their Press Release...so why are they still insisting on no Apple CarPlay? If it's anything like the rubbish in current Lexus vehicles, it's dead in water vs Merc/Audi.
• Overall, total disappointment when compared to the gorgeous LF-FC, but then I was told to keep my expectations low as LF-FC came way after 5LS was basically finished.

CIF

Regarding interior simplicity, I don't think Lexus has ever gone overboard in terms of interior complexity in previous LS generations, so not sure how much this applies to the LS here.

The 3LS was verging on it, with the stacks of buttons on either side of the screen (which became, properly, elements *on* the screen in the 4LS).

CIF

Regarding interior simplicity, I don't think Lexus has ever gone overboard in terms of interior complexity in previous LS generations, so not sure how much this applies to the LS here.

The 3LS was verging on it, with the stacks of buttons on either side of the screen (which became, properly, elements *on* the screen in the 4LS).

mikeavelli

Its a new color called "Manganese" per KREW at the show......

The LS in Atomic Silver will be mind-blowing. I'm sure you will buy one in two weeks :D

LOL, if it were out, yes. My eye is on the LC or the next Supra but that's another discussion for another time :D

mikeavelli

Its a new color called "Manganese" per KREW at the show......

The LS in Atomic Silver will be mind-blowing. I'm sure you will buy one in two weeks :D

LOL, if it were out, yes. My eye is on the LC or the next Supra but that's another discussion for another time :D

A Lexus UK blog post ( http://blog.lexus.co.uk/dynamics-of-the-all-new-lexus-ls/ ) says that "...the new LS has a wide and low design and is only offered in long wheelbase form." Thus, it's safe to say that the notion of a SWB Lexus LS is now dead, and that Lexus intends to follow the future Cadillac playbook in offering only a single wheelbase per car line, versus the Germans' SWB/LWB strategies.

A Lexus UK blog post ( http://blog.lexus.co.uk/dynamics-of-the-all-new-lexus-ls/ ) says that "...the new LS has a wide and low design and is only offered in long wheelbase form." Thus, it's safe to say that the notion of a SWB Lexus LS is now dead, and that Lexus intends to follow the future Cadillac playbook in offering only a single wheelbase per car line, versus the Germans' SWB/LWB strategies.

Joaquin Ruhi

A Lexus UK blog post ( http://blog.lexus.co.uk/dynamics-of-the-all-new-lexus-ls/ ) says that "...the new LS has a wide and low design and is only offered in long wheelbase form." Thus, it's safe to say that the notion of a SWB Lexus LS is now dead, and that Lexus intends to follow the future Cadillac playbook in offering only a single wheelbase per car line, versus the Germans' SWB/LWB strategies.

Thanks. In the USA, the 7 and S are now LWB only. The A8 is LWB only and the S8 is SWB. The Panamera is SWB and LWB. Quattroporte as well. The Genesis as well.

GS will have to grow substantially next generation.

Joaquin Ruhi

A Lexus UK blog post ( http://blog.lexus.co.uk/dynamics-of-the-all-new-lexus-ls/ ) says that "...the new LS has a wide and low design and is only offered in long wheelbase form." Thus, it's safe to say that the notion of a SWB Lexus LS is now dead, and that Lexus intends to follow the future Cadillac playbook in offering only a single wheelbase per car line, versus the Germans' SWB/LWB strategies.

Thanks. In the USA, the 7 and S are now LWB only. The A8 is LWB only and the S8 is SWB. The Panamera is SWB and LWB. Quattroporte as well. The Genesis as well.

GS will have to grow substantially next generation.

I agree with what people are saying about we expected more. When you are forced to wait 11 years for a new design, you expect something to shock you. Personally, I was hoping for an LC sedan. This is not that. I do find it gorgeous, but yes, it's very underwhelming. The rear design is a poor replica of the ES and Avalon. The headlights...oh, man the headlights...I just do not understand the separate DRL Lexus has been doing. The LS is suppose to be elegant and the headlight ruins that. The shape also was too Nissan/Buick to me. I'm a fan, but I just wish it was just one step higher than what we received. It's like this should have come out in 2012 as a 2013 model. It worries me that we may now have this model for another 11 years. Did anyone see the (potential) Altima concept? It's already looking as good as the new LS. In conclusion: gorgeous car, but poorly executed.

I agree with what people are saying about we expected more. When you are forced to wait 11 years for a new design, you expect something to shock you. Personally, I was hoping for an LC sedan. This is not that. I do find it gorgeous, but yes, it's very underwhelming. The rear design is a poor replica of the ES and Avalon. The headlights...oh, man the headlights...I just do not understand the separate DRL Lexus has been doing. The LS is suppose to be elegant and the headlight ruins that. The shape also was too Nissan/Buick to me. I'm a fan, but I just wish it was just one step higher than what we received. It's like this should have come out in 2012 as a 2013 model. It worries me that we may now have this model for another 11 years. Did anyone see the (potential) Altima concept? It's already looking as good as the new LS. In conclusion: gorgeous car, but poorly executed.

Where's the new LS that's suppose to debut, it's suppose to look like the LF-LC? This is the LS that was suppose to be shown at the 2012 NAIAS.

What is so bold about this LS? Lexus has lost it's way since the very first model to feature the F-Mesh Grille, the 3rd Gen IS F Sport, now they seem too caught up in putting spindle grilles on everything, and it is starting to look boring. (And the refreshed versions of the F-Sport IS and GS look awful, btw.) This design is not polarizing in the least. It looks good, it doesn't hurt my eyes, but it certainly doesn't keep my eyes on it. There's nothing radical about it, it looks nothing like the LF-FC, the profile on the LF-FC is incredible, the interior is not what I was expecting either. This thing is a disappointment.

Hopefully the Toyota Supra is unveiled and it isn't ugly.

Where's the new LS that's suppose to debut, it's suppose to look like the LF-LC? This is the LS that was suppose to be shown at the 2012 NAIAS.

What is so bold about this LS? Lexus has lost it's way since the very first model to feature the F-Mesh Grille, the 3rd Gen IS F Sport, now they seem too caught up in putting spindle grilles on everything, and it is starting to look boring. (And the refreshed versions of the F-Sport IS and GS look awful, btw.) This design is not polarizing in the least. It looks good, it doesn't hurt my eyes, but it certainly doesn't keep my eyes on it. There's nothing radical about it, it looks nothing like the LF-FC, the profile on the LF-FC is incredible, the interior is not what I was expecting either. This thing is a disappointment.

Hopefully the Toyota Supra is unveiled and it isn't ugly.

As with any new Lexus vehicle, pictures don't accurately capture exterior styling, so despite personally being a bit underwhelmed exterior-wise, I wouldn't judge it fully until seeing it in the metal on the roads.

Looking at the press conference again from Jeff Bracken, it is indicated that the V6 engine is "all new". So that sounds like it is not a GR design, but certainly one of the new TNGA modular engines. Also to further expand on the electric wastegates of this new engine, after further thought, this is actually a very exciting little tidbit hidden in the press release. Toyota has for years done a lot of research on electric turbos, with nothing to ever show for it. Now though, with electric wastegates, this new engine has at the very least, partial electric assistance for the turbo system. This is exciting because of the potential for having very little or no turbo lag at all, as well as improved reliability.

The biggest thing that I hoped for from the 5LS, which it seems so far will not be offered, was a possible "super luxury" package, above anything existing, to further elevate the LS. Also it looks doubtful that the 5LS has anything equivalent to the Magic Body Control on the S Class, but we'll see.

As with any new Lexus vehicle, pictures don't accurately capture exterior styling, so despite personally being a bit underwhelmed exterior-wise, I wouldn't judge it fully until seeing it in the metal on the roads.

Looking at the press conference again from Jeff Bracken, it is indicated that the V6 engine is "all new". So that sounds like it is not a GR design, but certainly one of the new TNGA modular engines. Also to further expand on the electric wastegates of this new engine, after further thought, this is actually a very exciting little tidbit hidden in the press release. Toyota has for years done a lot of research on electric turbos, with nothing to ever show for it. Now though, with electric wastegates, this new engine has at the very least, partial electric assistance for the turbo system. This is exciting because of the potential for having very little or no turbo lag at all, as well as improved reliability.

The biggest thing that I hoped for from the 5LS, which it seems so far will not be offered, was a possible "super luxury" package, above anything existing, to further elevate the LS. Also it looks doubtful that the 5LS has anything equivalent to the Magic Body Control on the S Class, but we'll see.

Ian Schmidt

Yup. If you've seen HGTV lately, you've noticed their designers all took an abrupt turn around 2014. Now, large clean surfaces with nothing breaking them up are in, as are grey colors and aluminum trim. To me, the 5LS fits all this to a "T". It's not an accident they're showing it in Atomic Silver (err, Manganese, as per Mike).

spot on ...

Ian Schmidt

Yup. If you've seen HGTV lately, you've noticed their designers all took an abrupt turn around 2014. Now, large clean surfaces with nothing breaking them up are in, as are grey colors and aluminum trim. To me, the 5LS fits all this to a "T". It's not an accident they're showing it in Atomic Silver (err, Manganese, as per Mike).

spot on ...

CIF

Looking at the press conference again from Jeff Bracken, it is indicated that the V6 engine is "all new". So that sounds like it is not a GR design, but certainly one of the new TNGA modular engines

I dunno. When the latest Toyota Tacoma was launched, descriptions of an "all-new" V6 were bandied about in the news releases, but it was ultimately just the dual-cycle FKS evolution of the 2GR-FSE. Until Lexus breaks its silence on the engine code, we can't really be sure whether this is an all-new V6 family or just a further GR evolution.

CIF

Looking at the press conference again from Jeff Bracken, it is indicated that the V6 engine is "all new". So that sounds like it is not a GR design, but certainly one of the new TNGA modular engines

I dunno. When the latest Toyota Tacoma was launched, descriptions of an "all-new" V6 were bandied about in the news releases, but it was ultimately just the dual-cycle FKS evolution of the 2GR-FSE. Until Lexus breaks its silence on the engine code, we can't really be sure whether this is an all-new V6 family or just a further GR evolution.

Joaquin Ruhi

I dunno. When the latest Toyota Tacoma was launched, descriptions of an "all-new" V6 were bandied about in the news releases, but it was ultimately just the dual-cycle FKS evolution of the 2GR-FSE. Until Lexus breaks its silence on the engine code, we can't really be sure whether this is an all-new V6 family or just a further GR evolution.

it will be another GR for sure, which does not mean it is not all new :)

Joaquin Ruhi

I dunno. When the latest Toyota Tacoma was launched, descriptions of an "all-new" V6 were bandied about in the news releases, but it was ultimately just the dual-cycle FKS evolution of the 2GR-FSE. Until Lexus breaks its silence on the engine code, we can't really be sure whether this is an all-new V6 family or just a further GR evolution.

it will be another GR for sure, which does not mean it is not all new :)

I was kind of dissapointed with exterior, which is good but not as awesome as concept... but we already knew from our friend car designer that concept was designed long after new LS was done.

After watching all the pics and seeing showfloor pics, it started to grow on me... interior is really good, details are crazy... did you guys notice ML speaker grille design? Or that next to the huge screen there is some kind of screen as well with some backlighting designes or something?

I am on vacation so cant post too many pics, but all the pics from the show, real life, are really nice.

Engine sounds awesome, UK press release says 0-62mph in 4.5s for AWD model.

I was kind of dissapointed with exterior, which is good but not as awesome as concept... but we already knew from our friend car designer that concept was designed long after new LS was done.

After watching all the pics and seeing showfloor pics, it started to grow on me... interior is really good, details are crazy... did you guys notice ML speaker grille design? Or that next to the huge screen there is some kind of screen as well with some backlighting designes or something?

I am on vacation so cant post too many pics, but all the pics from the show, real life, are really nice.

Engine sounds awesome, UK press release says 0-62mph in 4.5s for AWD model.

This design definitely has to grow on me, not really feeling that Q70/Altima rear. The new Camry looks very nice though!

This design definitely has to grow on me, not really feeling that Q70/Altima rear. The new Camry looks very nice though!