Video: The 2018 Lexus LS 500 from the Driver’s Seat

My problem with the V6 and the turbochargers is that every time (when comparing another vehicle’s new 6-cylinder engine to its old, naturally-aspirated V8 engine),...
Someone says: "There is no lag."
I: "Yes, there is."
One says: "It is nearly undetectable."
I: "Yes, it is." (It is all relative when compared to the overall power of the engine, and that initial moment of hesitance just does not feel right. Even using the onboard computer to artificially create a flat torque curve does not solve the problem.)
One says: “It is more powerful and uses less fuel.”
I: “That is because it is newer, and more fuel is still needed to mix with the additional oxygen forced into the engine.” (I would prefer cylinder deactivation.)

Maybe Lexus actually did something magical to a smaller and turbocharged engine, but I am doubtful because I have heard that before from everyone (including Lexus).

A turbocharged V6 is noisy when a naturally-aspirated V8 is not. It is muffled when a naturally-aspirated V8 is not. Essentially, it does not have the characteristics that make people lust after a naturally-aspirated V8.

Then again, I tend to hear and feel more than the average buyer. Heck, I am one of the few who thinks the IS, GS, outgoing LS, and RX are too sporty (that is euphemism for "the ride is a bit rough"). I understand that Lexus needs to make what sells to exist as a company, but I wish Lexus would create its own version of the new Toyota Century [and an amazing, thoroughly-redesigned LX on a body-on-frame chassis)!

I am glad that you enjoyed the RWD car. AWD obsession is like the obsession over smaller engines with turbochargers. Everything looks great on paper, but in the real world, nothing beats RWD with a naturally-aspirated V8, V10, V12, etc.

Gecko

We've all been telling you this for months - @Carmaker1 and others have laid out the design timelines and production decisions in previous threads.

My point is I'm not buying it. Goes against everything they've done over 30 years, particularly over the last 4-5 redesigns.

He said one thing, before the redesign, and Lexus did something else. The LSF with 800HP is easy to forecast, so I knew that 2 years ago. He never said, before the redesign, Lexus would make half the concept now, use the LS as a placeholder, then complete the promise later with a better model, which wouldn't make sense anyway. And there is no good reason for Lexus to do things that way, all of the sudden.

Especially with the LS, they wouldn't be that scatterbrained about a design direction. I guess there is only one way to find out who is right....
BD

Gecko

We've all been telling you this for months - @Carmaker1 and others have laid out the design timelines and production decisions in previous threads.

My point is I'm not buying it. Goes against everything they've done over 30 years, particularly over the last 4-5 redesigns.

He said one thing, before the redesign, and Lexus did something else. The LSF with 800HP is easy to forecast, so I knew that 2 years ago. He never said, before the redesign, Lexus would make half the concept now, use the LS as a placeholder, then complete the promise later with a better model, which wouldn't make sense anyway. And there is no good reason for Lexus to do things that way, all of the sudden.

Especially with the LS, they wouldn't be that scatterbrained about a design direction. I guess there is only one way to find out who is right....
BD

Gecko

We've all been telling you this for months - @Carmaker1 and others have laid out the design timelines and production decisions in previous threads.

My point is I'm not buying it. Goes against everything they've done over 30 years, particularly over the last 4-5 redesigns.

He said one thing, before the redesign, and Lexus did something else. The LSF with 800HP is easy to forecast, so I knew that 2 years ago. He never said, before the redesign, Lexus would make half the concept now, use the LS as a placeholder, then complete the promise later with a better model, which wouldn't make sense anyway. And there is no good reason for Lexus to do things that way, all of the sudden.

Especially with the LS, they wouldn't be that scatterbrained about a design direction. I guess there is only one way to find out who is right....
BD

:expressionless::expressionless:

:expressionless::expressionless:

:expressionless::expressionless:

GuoxJason

I am glad that you enjoyed the RWD car. AWD obsession is like the obsession over smaller engines with turbochargers. Everything looks great on paper, but in the real world, nothing beats RWD with a naturally-aspirated V8, V10, V12, etc.

I strongly prefer the AWD version of the outgoing LS, and not just by a little bit (basically: it's too heavy to do anything fun with in RWD form, so the AWD version is way more fun/less stress on twisty roads). I'm looking forward to sampling the 5LS in various forms.

GuoxJason

I am glad that you enjoyed the RWD car. AWD obsession is like the obsession over smaller engines with turbochargers. Everything looks great on paper, but in the real world, nothing beats RWD with a naturally-aspirated V8, V10, V12, etc.

I strongly prefer the AWD version of the outgoing LS, and not just by a little bit (basically: it's too heavy to do anything fun with in RWD form, so the AWD version is way more fun/less stress on twisty roads). I'm looking forward to sampling the 5LS in various forms.

GuoxJason

I am glad that you enjoyed the RWD car. AWD obsession is like the obsession over smaller engines with turbochargers. Everything looks great on paper, but in the real world, nothing beats RWD with a naturally-aspirated V8, V10, V12, etc.

I strongly prefer the AWD version of the outgoing LS, and not just by a little bit (basically: it's too heavy to do anything fun with in RWD form, so the AWD version is way more fun/less stress on twisty roads). I'm looking forward to sampling the 5LS in various forms.

thanks @krew for the article, really nice... i wonder hows safety tech compared to competition from real life experience, as well as old safety sense?

thanks @krew for the article, really nice... i wonder hows safety tech compared to competition from real life experience, as well as old safety sense?

thanks @krew for the article, really nice... i wonder hows safety tech compared to competition from real life experience, as well as old safety sense?

mikeavelli

I also just can't understand why the graphics are so, just old, compared to the Germans. You jump into a Lexus from a new German car and the NAV and graphics seem like ten steps back. They really need to focus on making it more modern.

Now This I agree with. There is reason to complain about the graphics. I'm not understanding at this day and age, why they still look like they did 8 years ago.

mikeavelli

I also just can't understand why the graphics are so, just old, compared to the Germans. You jump into a Lexus from a new German car and the NAV and graphics seem like ten steps back. They really need to focus on making it more modern.

Now This I agree with. There is reason to complain about the graphics. I'm not understanding at this day and age, why they still look like they did 8 years ago.

mikeavelli

I also just can't understand why the graphics are so, just old, compared to the Germans. You jump into a Lexus from a new German car and the NAV and graphics seem like ten steps back. They really need to focus on making it more modern.

Now This I agree with. There is reason to complain about the graphics. I'm not understanding at this day and age, why they still look like they did 8 years ago.

RichieRich

Now This I agree with. There is reason to complain about the graphics. I'm not understanding at this day and age, why they still look like they did 8 years ago.

they look a lot better now, but they were dated then and new one is dated now compared to competition.

RichieRich

Now This I agree with. There is reason to complain about the graphics. I'm not understanding at this day and age, why they still look like they did 8 years ago.

they look a lot better now, but they were dated then and new one is dated now compared to competition.

RichieRich

Now This I agree with. There is reason to complain about the graphics. I'm not understanding at this day and age, why they still look like they did 8 years ago.

they look a lot better now, but they were dated then and new one is dated now compared to competition.

Thanks Kevin. I appreciate a review that only someone with your background and depth of feeling could write. I agree with you ... I think the 1989 pricing strategy is Lexus genius, especially now.

Thanks Kevin. I appreciate a review that only someone with your background and depth of feeling could write. I agree with you ... I think the 1989 pricing strategy is Lexus genius, especially now.

Thanks Kevin. I appreciate a review that only someone with your background and depth of feeling could write. I agree with you ... I think the 1989 pricing strategy is Lexus genius, especially now.

Great writeup Kevin. Love the caged animal analogy.

I want a V8 in a sports/GT car (LC) because I value an exhilarating engine/exhaust note, but a large luxury sedan (LS) my #1 priority is NVH/power/response. If this new TTV6/10-speed is indeed better than the prior V8/8-speed as many have written up, then it's a win for me. What Lexus did here with the LC and LS is truly brilliant.

Agree with the pricing strategy as it surely is intended to mitigate the new value-driven competition (Genesis) and the general downward spiral for sales in sedans. What is interesting to note is the LS undercuts the LC by $17K USD in the US, whereas in Canada today's LS starts already at 95K, expected to go close up to the LC currently at 102K.

Great writeup Kevin. Love the caged animal analogy.

I want a V8 in a sports/GT car (LC) because I value an exhilarating engine/exhaust note, but a large luxury sedan (LS) my #1 priority is NVH/power/response. If this new TTV6/10-speed is indeed better than the prior V8/8-speed as many have written up, then it's a win for me. What Lexus did here with the LC and LS is truly brilliant.

Agree with the pricing strategy as it surely is intended to mitigate the new value-driven competition (Genesis) and the general downward spiral for sales in sedans. What is interesting to note is the LS undercuts the LC by $17K USD in the US, whereas in Canada today's LS starts already at 95K, expected to go close up to the LC currently at 102K.

Great writeup Kevin. Love the caged animal analogy.

I want a V8 in a sports/GT car (LC) because I value an exhilarating engine/exhaust note, but a large luxury sedan (LS) my #1 priority is NVH/power/response. If this new TTV6/10-speed is indeed better than the prior V8/8-speed as many have written up, then it's a win for me. What Lexus did here with the LC and LS is truly brilliant.

Agree with the pricing strategy as it surely is intended to mitigate the new value-driven competition (Genesis) and the general downward spiral for sales in sedans. What is interesting to note is the LS undercuts the LC by $17K USD in the US, whereas in Canada today's LS starts already at 95K, expected to go close up to the LC currently at 102K.

RAL

I think the 1989 pricing strategy is Lexus genius, especially now.

Agree!

RAL

I think the 1989 pricing strategy is Lexus genius, especially now.

Agree!

RAL

I think the 1989 pricing strategy is Lexus genius, especially now.

Agree!

spwolf

thanks @krew for the article, really nice... i wonder hows safety tech compared to competition from real life experience, as well as old safety sense?

I can only really compare it to the Safety System + in my IS 300, and I would say the tech in the LS is much more confident. It was a bit disorienting at first for the car to have such a strong opinion on when to brake, but I'm sure it's something that would become second nature in short order.

Also, the Lane Trace Assist along with the Dynamic Radar Cruise is about as close to autonomy as I feel comfortable with at this time. I think Lexus made the smart play not overplaying their hand with this self-driving business.

According to Lexus executives (and I don't know if this 100% true) consumers don't really want autonomous cars. I would think the only people interested in the tech are the same people buying Teslas.

spwolf

thanks @krew for the article, really nice... i wonder hows safety tech compared to competition from real life experience, as well as old safety sense?

I can only really compare it to the Safety System + in my IS 300, and I would say the tech in the LS is much more confident. It was a bit disorienting at first for the car to have such a strong opinion on when to brake, but I'm sure it's something that would become second nature in short order.

Also, the Lane Trace Assist along with the Dynamic Radar Cruise is about as close to autonomy as I feel comfortable with at this time. I think Lexus made the smart play not overplaying their hand with this self-driving business.

According to Lexus executives (and I don't know if this 100% true) consumers don't really want autonomous cars. I would think the only people interested in the tech are the same people buying Teslas.