Performance Test: The 2018 Lexus LS 500 F SPORT vs Mercedes S560 AMG Line

krew

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Performance Test: The 2018 Lexus LS 500 F SPORT vs Mercedes S560 AMG Line

18-03-01-lexus-ls-vs-mercedes-s-class.jpg


Which is the better handling flagship?
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PeterF

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impressive. Although Justin Bell is clearly a Lexus fan and has worked for Lexus in other video car comparisons. Nonetheless, I am convinced by the AMCI statements of accuracy.
 

Gecko

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Obviously a nice promo piece for Lexus, but I'd like to have seen the acceleration results as well ;)
 

meth.ix

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Obviously a nice promo piece for Lexus, but I'd like to have seen the acceleration results as well ;)
True, but Lexus probably requested for handling performance tests to be conducted over speed because the AMG Line and F Sport packages both offer superior handling over the regular model. Acceleration and downright speed isn't the main focus of both vehicles. Maybe a future LS F and S 63 would be good for that test.
 

PeterF

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Obviously a nice promo piece for Lexus, but I'd like to have seen the acceleration results as well ;)

True, but Lexus probably requested for handling performance tests to be conducted over speed because the AMG Line and F Sport packages both offer superior handling over the regular model. Acceleration and downright speed isn't the main focus of both vehicles. Maybe a future LS F and S 63 would be good for that test.

True but the AMG will out accelerate the LS; more HP and lighter as well. So maybe not including acceleration was intentional by Lexus. Still, the handling aspect is very impressive nonetheless. These 2 cars are truly outstanding. But the LEXUS, a little better on the handling :) :)
 

Serpens

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I see no mention of whether the Benz had Magic Body Control- that would affect handling. Also interesting they left acceleration out.

Either way good showing for Lexus.
 
D

DDas

Okay, I know we are all Lexus fans here, but WOW that LS looked remarkably better than the SClass in terms of design. Seeing it swerve through the cones and those sexy lights contrasting with the gray sky just proved how underrated Lexus's styling is and how overrated Mercedes's styling is.
 

zeusus

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At first I thought it was unfair because it was the F Sport then I saw it was the AMG Line and was pleasantly surprised!
 

ssun30

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The good takeaway here is that the LS500 F-Sport has suppressed stability control intervention, giving a more neutral response. An overly restrictive TC/SC and resulting understeer is a common complaint about last generation Lexus F-Sport vehicles (in particular the IS350 since it is expected to be a nimble car).
 

Axel

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Okay, I know we are all Lexus fans here, but WOW that LS looked remarkably better than the SClass in terms of design. Seeing it swerve through the cones and those sexy lights contrasting with the gray sky just proved how underrated Lexus's styling is and how overrated Mercedes's styling is.

I am also presently surprised by how good the LS look near the presence of the S class. Wow S class never looked so old until now
 

Levi

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German cars are overrated. In reality, cars never were that different if similar costs / price.
 

Gecko

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This probably sounds trivial, but I wish Lexus would offer a wood trim option on the LS F Sport - preferably black, be it polished or open pore. I'd have a fundamental problem buying a $100k LS that didn't have a speck of wood on the interior. As much as I love the car, that interior doesn't quite look the price point without wood, IMO.
 

mediumhot

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Kind of irrelevant considering F-Sport will end up being a single digit fraction of total LS sales while real wheel steering package will end up being a fraction on top of a fraction. Maybe few dozens of people annually across the globe will shell out extra $10,000 for F-Sport with Dynamic rear steer.

And like Gecko has said stripping F-Sport of all the luxury features and veneers inside makes this one hell of a challenge to sell. Who says people don't want brown seats with mahogany inside mid to big sporty driving sedans?
 

RAL

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Okay, I know we are all Lexus fans here, but WOW that LS looked remarkably better than the SClass in terms of design. Seeing it swerve through the cones and those sexy lights contrasting with the gray sky just proved how underrated Lexus's styling is and how overrated Mercedes's styling is.

I'm thinking the same thing ... the S Class' styling comparatively seems almost out-of-date. Despite the lean caused by the maneuver, I was struck by the sheer beauty of the LS F in the video at 3:47

And I know I am more conservative, but I think the LS would be near-perfect if the spindle were toned down just a bit to better correlate with the car's overall styling, most especially compared to the back end. Also, I agree with @Gecko and @mediumhot, thinking the LS F needs some dark open pore wood at this price point.

But yeah, the performance and the design of this LS is cutting edge amazing!
 

Gecko

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And like Gecko has said stripping F-Sport of all the luxury features and veneers inside makes this one hell of a challenge to sell. Who says people don't want brown seats with mahogany inside mid to big sporty driving sedans?

Bingo - this would be my dream car. LS 500 F Sport with Caviar exterior with Nobel Brown interior.

Totally omitting the nicer trim options on a sports edition car is for Camrys. Luxury is about choice. F sport could stand to be expanded a bit, and quite frankly, I wish it was an option package that could be applied to any car vs. a standalone model.

Cutting the exterior options to shades of gray + red, with only two interior options and no upgraded trim is just not a very "luxury flagship" move, IMO.
 

spwolf

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Kind of irrelevant considering F-Sport will end up being a single digit fraction of total LS sales while real wheel steering package will end up being a fraction on top of a fraction. Maybe few dozens of people annually across the globe will shell out extra $10,000 for F-Sport with Dynamic rear steer?

For all of the Lexus vehicles, F-Sport models are significant parts of the sales. I dont expect it to be much different for LS.

And it does not have to be F-Sport anyway - LS500 AWD outhandled and outgunned everything on MT track.
 

Ian Schmidt

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Someone on the UX thread mentioned the up-top DRLs as looking bad on that car. In this video they look a million times worse on the S-Class. Gives it the appearance of an elderly man with caterpillar eyebrows.
 

spwolf

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Someone on the UX thread mentioned the up-top DRLs as looking bad on that car. In this video they look a million times worse on the S-Class. Gives it the appearance of an elderly man with caterpillar eyebrows.

Yeah, S looks pretty old next to the LS.
 

corradoMR2

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Okay, I know we are all Lexus fans here, but WOW that LS looked remarkably better than the SClass in terms of design. Seeing it swerve through the cones and those sexy lights contrasting with the gray sky just proved how underrated Lexus's styling is and how overrated Mercedes's styling is.


Totally agree. I have a newfound admiration for the LS now!
 

mikeavelli

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I've driven the S550 sport (not 560) quite a bit and now have seat time in the LS F-Sport. The LS F-Sport is shockingly good, it really really surprised me. The Benz just isn't sporty at all, it's a nice wonderful cruiser even with the sport pack.


Kind of irrelevant considering F-Sport will end up being a single digit fraction of total LS sales while real wheel steering package will end up being a fraction on top of a fraction. Maybe few dozens of people annually across the globe will shell out extra $10,000 for F-Sport with Dynamic rear steer.

And like Gecko has said stripping F-Sport of all the luxury features and veneers inside makes this one hell of a challenge to sell. Who says people don't want brown seats with mahogany inside mid to big sporty driving sedans?

The F-Sport cars have always sold better than predicted for Lexus. In reviewing the LS option packages the rear steer package includes a bit more but it is 9k. I would surely option it out with it.

I agree the F-SPort should have more interior options. There are only two colors inside, you can't get the luxury package again and I would prefer a carbon fiber interior and not the aluminium. Whereas with the Benz there are like 100 combos in any trim level.