Video: The Lexus LS+ Concept Demonstrates Self-Driving Technology

If Lexus is applying their LC/5LS attitude towards this concept, there will be plenty of smiles in the enthusiast community. Here is hoping for the best! No more Sriracha-esque themed concepts please!

If Lexus is applying their LC/5LS attitude towards this concept, there will be plenty of smiles in the enthusiast community. Here is hoping for the best! No more Sriracha-esque themed concepts please!

It has to be an EV. I don't think TMC is comfortable with others stealing the headlines any more. First Honda, then Audi and Mercedes, and now Porsche. TMC has to demonstrate their commitment to BEVs and that their stand-alone EV department is actually doing something. And their home show can't be more appropriate for such a PR move. Maybe we will have a glimpse of their solid state cell prototype as well: it will be the biggest headline of the year.

It has to be an EV. I don't think TMC is comfortable with others stealing the headlines any more. First Honda, then Audi and Mercedes, and now Porsche. TMC has to demonstrate their commitment to BEVs and that their stand-alone EV department is actually doing something. And their home show can't be more appropriate for such a PR move. Maybe we will have a glimpse of their solid state cell prototype as well: it will be the biggest headline of the year.

ssun30

It has to be an EV. I don't think TMC is comfortable with others stealing the headlines any more. First Honda, then Audi and Mercedes, and now Porsche. TMC has to demonstrate their commitment to BEVs and that their stand-alone EV department is actually doing something. And their home show can't be more appropriate for such a PR move. Maybe we will have a glimpse of their solid state cell prototype as well: it will be the biggest headline of the year.

I would not mind EV in new GS body :)

ssun30

It has to be an EV. I don't think TMC is comfortable with others stealing the headlines any more. First Honda, then Audi and Mercedes, and now Porsche. TMC has to demonstrate their commitment to BEVs and that their stand-alone EV department is actually doing something. And their home show can't be more appropriate for such a PR move. Maybe we will have a glimpse of their solid state cell prototype as well: it will be the biggest headline of the year.

I would not mind EV in new GS body :)

ssun30

It has to be an EV. I don't think TMC is comfortable with others stealing the headlines any more. First Honda, then Audi and Mercedes, and now Porsche. TMC has to demonstrate their commitment to BEVs and that their stand-alone EV department is actually doing something. And their home show can't be more appropriate for such a PR move. Maybe we will have a glimpse of their solid state cell prototype as well: it will be the biggest headline of the year.

The only other option would be a fuel cell, and they've already done that with the LF-FC.

Also, if it's an EV, what's the model? Doubt it will be the LS or LC. I think we might get another "design study", perhaps similar to the LF-CC which combined the RC & IS into a single vehicle.

ssun30

It has to be an EV. I don't think TMC is comfortable with others stealing the headlines any more. First Honda, then Audi and Mercedes, and now Porsche. TMC has to demonstrate their commitment to BEVs and that their stand-alone EV department is actually doing something. And their home show can't be more appropriate for such a PR move. Maybe we will have a glimpse of their solid state cell prototype as well: it will be the biggest headline of the year.

The only other option would be a fuel cell, and they've already done that with the LF-FC.

Also, if it's an EV, what's the model? Doubt it will be the LS or LC. I think we might get another "design study", perhaps similar to the LF-CC which combined the RC & IS into a single vehicle.

There's a Car Advice interview with Paul Williamsen, Lexus’s manager of global strategic communications, and I thought this was interesting in regards to the Tokyo show:

Being a car company, and a very successful one at that, Toyota won’t miss out on selling EVs where they’re in demand, and they might even end up wearing Lexus badges, according to Williamsen.

“It’s not that we’re not working on EVs at all, and I think there is a place for them, just in cities, for some small, luxury vehicles for commuting,” he says.

Maybe we see another city car in the style of the LF-SA concept?

There's a Car Advice interview with Paul Williamsen, Lexus’s manager of global strategic communications, and I thought this was interesting in regards to the Tokyo show:

Being a car company, and a very successful one at that, Toyota won’t miss out on selling EVs where they’re in demand, and they might even end up wearing Lexus badges, according to Williamsen.

“It’s not that we’re not working on EVs at all, and I think there is a place for them, just in cities, for some small, luxury vehicles for commuting,” he says.

Maybe we see another city car in the style of the LF-SA concept?

krew

There's a Car Advice interview with Paul Williamsen, Lexus’s manager of global strategic communications, and I thought this was interesting in regards to the Tokyo show:



Maybe we see another city car in the style of the LF-SA concept?

I think we will see FCV as we heard already, ready for Olympics... and then we will see Toyota EV, which will obviously be separate model from Prius... that will have Lexus version.

And it wont be small city car, those things dont sell... it has to be either something like Corolla/Camry or Rav4. If they are smart, they will do something between Rav4 and Highlander with some nice range.

krew

There's a Car Advice interview with Paul Williamsen, Lexus’s manager of global strategic communications, and I thought this was interesting in regards to the Tokyo show:



Maybe we see another city car in the style of the LF-SA concept?

I think we will see FCV as we heard already, ready for Olympics... and then we will see Toyota EV, which will obviously be separate model from Prius... that will have Lexus version.

And it wont be small city car, those things dont sell... it has to be either something like Corolla/Camry or Rav4. If they are smart, they will do something between Rav4 and Highlander with some nice range.

Internally all I see to get is a lot of excitement. Not a clue what it could be.

Internally all I see to get is a lot of excitement. Not a clue what it could be.

I am convinced that the LS-FC, is what will debut at Tokyo. The 240B programme ES, will NOT debut at any show this year. Maybe Chicago or NYIAS 2018. L.A. is possibly RX-L. The UX is likely Geneva or Beijing. NYIAS 2019 is likely the LX replacement.

NAIAS 2018 favours an F model possibly.

I am convinced that the LS-FC, is what will debut at Tokyo. The 240B programme ES, will NOT debut at any show this year. Maybe Chicago or NYIAS 2018. L.A. is possibly RX-L. The UX is likely Geneva or Beijing. NYIAS 2019 is likely the LX replacement.

NAIAS 2018 favours an F model possibly.

Carmaker1

I am convinced that the LS-FC, is what will debut at Tokyo. The 240B programme ES, will NOT debut at any show this year. Maybe Chicago or NYIAS 2018. L.A. is possibly RX-L. The UX is likely Geneva or Beijing. NYIAS 2019 is likely the LX replacement.

NAIAS 2018 favours an F model possibly.

LS-FC is a little dull, honestly. And why introduce it as a concept when the LF-FC already exists?

Agree with you on the timing of the other vehicles -- I can see next-gen ES being a dual Beijing/NYC debut, similar to the NX. NAIAS is a mystery, but it will be something big. Always is.

Carmaker1

I am convinced that the LS-FC, is what will debut at Tokyo. The 240B programme ES, will NOT debut at any show this year. Maybe Chicago or NYIAS 2018. L.A. is possibly RX-L. The UX is likely Geneva or Beijing. NYIAS 2019 is likely the LX replacement.

NAIAS 2018 favours an F model possibly.

LS-FC is a little dull, honestly. And why introduce it as a concept when the LF-FC already exists?

Agree with you on the timing of the other vehicles -- I can see next-gen ES being a dual Beijing/NYC debut, similar to the NX. NAIAS is a mystery, but it will be something big. Always is.

krew

LS-FC is a little dull, honestly. And why introduce it as a concept when the LF-FC already exists?

Agree with you on the timing of the other vehicles -- I can see next-gen ES being a dual Beijing/NYC debut, similar to the NX. NAIAS is a mystery, but it will be something big. Always is.

Well, then why did Lexus out of the blue trademark "LS-FC Concept" in the spring and since then has had nothing to show for it, the past 6 months? Until maybe now that is.

Toyota trademarked FT-4X around this time last fall, which debuted in New York roughly 6 months later in April. It sounds like I am being unusually pessimistic, but after the Siracha sauce nonsense last year, I wouldn't put it past them.

For all we know, "FC" could have much different meaning. Maybe that would explain these LS-related rumours. We heard about LC-F, then that went quiet. Now it's LS-F. The next generation IS was rumoured to be previewed soon by one of BMW's two marketing "insiders" very recently, something I barely just remembered. I have to look for his quote ASAP, just to reconfirm what I heard.

I think NAIAS would be the performance models, but shown very early like is the case with F models.

krew

LS-FC is a little dull, honestly. And why introduce it as a concept when the LF-FC already exists?

Agree with you on the timing of the other vehicles -- I can see next-gen ES being a dual Beijing/NYC debut, similar to the NX. NAIAS is a mystery, but it will be something big. Always is.

Well, then why did Lexus out of the blue trademark "LS-FC Concept" in the spring and since then has had nothing to show for it, the past 6 months? Until maybe now that is.

Toyota trademarked FT-4X around this time last fall, which debuted in New York roughly 6 months later in April. It sounds like I am being unusually pessimistic, but after the Siracha sauce nonsense last year, I wouldn't put it past them.

For all we know, "FC" could have much different meaning. Maybe that would explain these LS-related rumours. We heard about LC-F, then that went quiet. Now it's LS-F. The next generation IS was rumoured to be previewed soon by one of BMW's two marketing "insiders" very recently, something I barely just remembered. I have to look for his quote ASAP, just to reconfirm what I heard.

I think NAIAS would be the performance models, but shown very early like is the case with F models.

In response to Hyundai Motor Group's Genesis G70, he said:

Hmmm. Apparently @ Tokyo next month Lexus will show a concept said to "experience" the next IS.
The segment is becoming crowded

In response to Hyundai Motor Group's Genesis G70, he said:

Hmmm. Apparently @ Tokyo next month Lexus will show a concept said to "experience" the next IS.
The segment is becoming crowded

This can be believed, on the premise that like the LS and LF-FC, they had to show to the public they were still commited to renewing the model line, but could not give away too much too soon.

My thread on Lexus through 2020, initially came from translating Lexus China internal documentation via dealers. Some of dates might be more belated for that reason. Usually design approval of a replacement parallels a mid-cycle update. The late 2016 IS refresh ties into Toyota's ability to complete evolution of the design into the next generation and maybe develop a concept to preview it over the last few months.

Anyway, the rest on both Toyota and Lexus from global suppliers, costly forecasting access info, engineering employees, and some internal documentation, being married together.

A reason why a good amount of them later on had stage of development listed, but in coded language (many acronyms).

We are either going to see an EV concept, LS-FC, or the next IS in concept form.

This can be believed, on the premise that like the LS and LF-FC, they had to show to the public they were still commited to renewing the model line, but could not give away too much too soon.

My thread on Lexus through 2020, initially came from translating Lexus China internal documentation via dealers. Some of dates might be more belated for that reason. Usually design approval of a replacement parallels a mid-cycle update. The late 2016 IS refresh ties into Toyota's ability to complete evolution of the design into the next generation and maybe develop a concept to preview it over the last few months.

Anyway, the rest on both Toyota and Lexus from global suppliers, costly forecasting access info, engineering employees, and some internal documentation, being married together.

A reason why a good amount of them later on had stage of development listed, but in coded language (many acronyms).

We are either going to see an EV concept, LS-FC, or the next IS in concept form.

Carmaker1

We are either going to see an EV concept, LS-FC, or the next IS in concept form.

why not GS? IS has just been updated as of July 2017 production.. new car cant be that near.
But GS? ES? ES will certainly be out next year, and GS might not be too far off... concept might have FC/EV powertrain but still herald new GS for instance... especially since Crown is there.

Carmaker1

We are either going to see an EV concept, LS-FC, or the next IS in concept form.

why not GS? IS has just been updated as of July 2017 production.. new car cant be that near.
But GS? ES? ES will certainly be out next year, and GS might not be too far off... concept might have FC/EV powertrain but still herald new GS for instance... especially since Crown is there.

Carmaker1

Well, then why did Lexus out of the blue trademark "LS-FC Concept" in the spring and since then has had nothing to show for it, the past 6 months? Until maybe now that is.

Not faulting your logic, just wondering the greater purpose. Fuel Cell version of an existing car is :relieved::zzz:

Carmaker1

We are either going to see an EV concept, LS-FC, or the next IS in concept form.

Next-generation IS is interesting, if a little premature. Have to figure the current model will be on sale for the next two years. Honestly, hoping for an EV.

Carmaker1

Well, then why did Lexus out of the blue trademark "LS-FC Concept" in the spring and since then has had nothing to show for it, the past 6 months? Until maybe now that is.

Not faulting your logic, just wondering the greater purpose. Fuel Cell version of an existing car is :relieved::zzz:

Carmaker1

We are either going to see an EV concept, LS-FC, or the next IS in concept form.

Next-generation IS is interesting, if a little premature. Have to figure the current model will be on sale for the next two years. Honestly, hoping for an EV.

spwolf

why not GS? IS has just been updated as of July 2017 production.. new car cant be that near.
But GS? ES? ES will certainly be out next year, and GS might not be too far off... concept might have FC/EV powertrain but still herald new GS for instance... especially since Crown is there.

I don't know, as I am only basing this on a quote from a Munich BMW insider in September. I did not expect to be so far along, if that's the case.

By the way, the IS was heavily updated in Q4 2016, a r3design in 3 years is expected. A concept for it, seems earlier than needed,

spwolf

why not GS? IS has just been updated as of July 2017 production.. new car cant be that near.
But GS? ES? ES will certainly be out next year, and GS might not be too far off... concept might have FC/EV powertrain but still herald new GS for instance... especially since Crown is there.

I don't know, as I am only basing this on a quote from a Munich BMW insider in September. I did not expect to be so far along, if that's the case.

By the way, the IS was heavily updated in Q4 2016, a r3design in 3 years is expected. A concept for it, seems earlier than needed,