What Does the New Toyota Crown Mean for the Next-Generation Lexus GS?


Toyota has just released a next-generation Crown sedan exclusively for the Japanese market, making it the second such model I’ve posted about this week. However, unlike the Toyota Century, this new sedan might actually make an impact on the Lexus lineup.

There has been much discussion on the future of the Lexus GS, and that makes the Toyota Crown very important indeed. The two models have shared platforms and engines since 1993, this new Crown has been extensively redeveloped. It now uses a modified version of the GA-L platform from the new Lexus LS sedan & LC coupe, and the same hybrid powertrain also offered on both Lexus flagships. For all intents and purposes, this Toyota is already a Lexus underneath the sheet metal.

Not to discount the additional development required, but the Crown offers a basic shell that could be used for a next-generation Lexus GS. Exterior and interior styling would have to change, but then that plays exactly into the brand’s strengths. It should be noted that Lexus no longer needs a second mid-size sedan, but the GS could be refactored into a four-door coupe and be elevated to a more prestigious (and lucrative) segment.

It may all be in the timing, as Lexus has brought out three new cars (LC, LS, ES) into a market that prefers SUVs and crossovers. There’s been an understandable shift in priority for the brand, with the focus now shifting to the UX and the fast-tracked production version of the LF-1 Limitless crossover. But the pendulum will swing back at some point, and with the Toyota Crown, Lexus can easily have a new GS just waiting in the wings.

Lexus GS: Fourth Generation
Comments
According to Autiguide the Crown uses the same platform as the GS, so maybe there is some hope the GS won't be cancelled?
According to Autiguide the Crown uses the same platform as the GS, so maybe there is some hope the GS won't be cancelled?
This cannot be Lexus, when you look at the front face. It seems to be Toyota or some other Asian automaker.
This cannot be Lexus, when you look at the front face. It seems to be Toyota or some other Asian automaker.
This cannot be Lexus, when you look at the front face. It seems to be Toyota or some other Asian automaker.
This cannot be Lexus, when you look at the front face. It seems to be Toyota or some other Asian automaker.
This cannot be Lexus, when you look at the front face. It seems to be Toyota or some other Asian automaker.
This cannot be Lexus, when you look at the front face. It seems to be Toyota or some other Asian automaker.
This cannot be Lexus, when you look at the front face. It seems to be Toyota or some other Asian automaker.
This cannot be Lexus, when you look at the front face. It seems to be Toyota or some other Asian automaker.
This cannot be Lexus, when you look at the front face. It seems to be Toyota or some other Asian automaker.
This cannot be Lexus, when you look at the front face. It seems to be Toyota or some other Asian automaker.
This cannot be Lexus, when you look at the front face. It seems to be Toyota or some other Asian automaker.
This cannot be Lexus, when you look at the front face. It seems to be Toyota or some other Asian automaker.
This cannot be Lexus, when you look at the front face. It seems to be Toyota or some other Asian automaker.
This cannot be Lexus, when you look at the front face. It seems to be Toyota or some other Asian automaker.
This cannot be Lexus, when you look at the front face. It seems to be Toyota or some other Asian automaker.
This cannot be Lexus, when you look at the front face. It seems to be Toyota or some other Asian automaker.
I concur with everybody. That's the next-gen Toyota Crown.

AutoGuide's writeup actually first identified it as the next Lexus ES, but were somewhat unsure. An update at the end of their article notes that it's more than likely the next Crown.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/...paign=my.is_breaking&utm_source=my.is20170629

At any rate, it is some sort of Toyota/Lexus product. Most if not all of their Nürburgring testers bear those DAU 068x plates.
I concur with everybody. That's the next-gen Toyota Crown.

AutoGuide's writeup actually first identified it as the next Lexus ES, but were somewhat unsure. An update at the end of their article notes that it's more than likely the next Crown.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/...paign=my.is_breaking&utm_source=my.is20170629

At any rate, it is some sort of Toyota/Lexus product. Most if not all of their Nürburgring testers bear those DAU 068x plates.
I concur with everybody. That's the next-gen Toyota Crown.

AutoGuide's writeup actually first identified it as the next Lexus ES, but were somewhat unsure. An update at the end of their article notes that it's more than likely the next Crown.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/...paign=my.is_breaking&utm_source=my.is20170629

At any rate, it is some sort of Toyota/Lexus product. Most if not all of their Nürburgring testers bear those DAU 068x plates.
I concur with everybody. That's the next-gen Toyota Crown.

AutoGuide's writeup actually first identified it as the next Lexus ES, but were somewhat unsure. An update at the end of their article notes that it's more than likely the next Crown.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/...paign=my.is_breaking&utm_source=my.is20170629

At any rate, it is some sort of Toyota/Lexus product. Most if not all of their Nürburgring testers bear those DAU 068x plates.
I concur with everybody. That's the next-gen Toyota Crown.

AutoGuide's writeup actually first identified it as the next Lexus ES, but were somewhat unsure. An update at the end of their article notes that it's more than likely the next Crown.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/...paign=my.is_breaking&utm_source=my.is20170629

At any rate, it is some sort of Toyota/Lexus product. Most if not all of their Nürburgring testers bear those DAU 068x plates.
I concur with everybody. That's the next-gen Toyota Crown.

AutoGuide's writeup actually first identified it as the next Lexus ES, but were somewhat unsure. An update at the end of their article notes that it's more than likely the next Crown.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/...paign=my.is_breaking&utm_source=my.is20170629

At any rate, it is some sort of Toyota/Lexus product. Most if not all of their Nürburgring testers bear those DAU 068x plates.
I concur with everybody. That's the next-gen Toyota Crown.

AutoGuide's writeup actually first identified it as the next Lexus ES, but were somewhat unsure. An update at the end of their article notes that it's more than likely the next Crown.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/...paign=my.is_breaking&utm_source=my.is20170629

At any rate, it is some sort of Toyota/Lexus product. Most if not all of their Nürburgring testers bear those DAU 068x plates.
I concur with everybody. That's the next-gen Toyota Crown.

AutoGuide's writeup actually first identified it as the next Lexus ES, but were somewhat unsure. An update at the end of their article notes that it's more than likely the next Crown.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/...paign=my.is_breaking&utm_source=my.is20170629

At any rate, it is some sort of Toyota/Lexus product. Most if not all of their Nürburgring testers bear those DAU 068x plates.
I concur with everybody. That's the next-gen Toyota Crown.

AutoGuide's writeup actually first identified it as the next Lexus ES, but were somewhat unsure. An update at the end of their article notes that it's more than likely the next Crown.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/...paign=my.is_breaking&utm_source=my.is20170629

At any rate, it is some sort of Toyota/Lexus product. Most if not all of their Nürburgring testers bear those DAU 068x plates.
I concur with everybody. That's the next-gen Toyota Crown.

AutoGuide's writeup actually first identified it as the next Lexus ES, but were somewhat unsure. An update at the end of their article notes that it's more than likely the next Crown.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/...paign=my.is_breaking&utm_source=my.is20170629

At any rate, it is some sort of Toyota/Lexus product. Most if not all of their Nürburgring testers bear those DAU 068x plates.
I concur with everybody. That's the next-gen Toyota Crown.

AutoGuide's writeup actually first identified it as the next Lexus ES, but were somewhat unsure. An update at the end of their article notes that it's more than likely the next Crown.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/...paign=my.is_breaking&utm_source=my.is20170629

At any rate, it is some sort of Toyota/Lexus product. Most if not all of their Nürburgring testers bear those DAU 068x plates.
I concur with everybody. That's the next-gen Toyota Crown.

AutoGuide's writeup actually first identified it as the next Lexus ES, but were somewhat unsure. An update at the end of their article notes that it's more than likely the next Crown.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/...paign=my.is_breaking&utm_source=my.is20170629

At any rate, it is some sort of Toyota/Lexus product. Most if not all of their Nürburgring testers bear those DAU 068x plates.

J