Lexus has lost the plot - the new LS Concept.

[DarkSpace6383]

I am not kidding. THIS is the new Lexus LS concept. It is a 6 wheeled minivan. Lexus has pretty much said they are going all in on the radical luxury philosophy. If this does come to production imo it should be coming as the Lexus LV (V for van). Then save the LS badge for the solid state battery era and release something similar to the audi grandsphere concept (which I think is the main way something like that can survive).

 

[spwolf]

Ford has been naming various different vehicles with their old brand names, and it does not work if it does not match the expectations.

So LS being Maybach of minivans will never work since thats not what people want from LS.

 

[DarkSpace6383]

Ford has been naming various different vehicles with their old brand names, and it does not work if it does not match the expectations.

So LS being Maybach of minivans will never work since thats not what people want from LS.

Yeah true. Hoping that the 6-wheeled concept doesnt come to production. I think as a 4-wheel rival to the upcoming Mercedes VLS it could work though, provided they dont disrespect the LS name, and its instead called the LV or something. They may even make an actual version that competes with Maybach under the Century brand, now that its independent rather than just a toyota sub brand. I feel like there are ways to go about this that could work. The current method isnt one of them.

 

[Levi]

The rear wheels are smaller than the front. Imagine it is FWD….

 

[mediumhot]

Here's a freebie for Toyota product planners: make a Japanese toilet available worldwide brand it Lexus LS WC and you can bet it will be the most comfortable and advanced piece of throne we ever set on. Take that Cielo!

 

[Rydo]

From LF-FC, one of the best looking vehicles I’ve ever seen, to this. Lexus are now toilet level to me. No big sedans. New ES looks dire. LC cancelled. Bleurgh.

I love the Alphard and LM as well, but this is just bad.

 

[DarkSpace6383]

From LF-FC, one of the best looking vehicles I’ve ever seen, to this. Lexus are now toilet level to me. No big sedans. New ES looks dire. LC cancelled. Bleurgh.

I love the Alphard and LM as well, but this is just bad.

If this comes as a regular 4 wheeled van called the LMV im all for it. However, to use the name LS is sacrilege.

 

[DarkSpace6383]

This is what will be the design direction for the next generation of Mercedes S-Klasse, as confirmed by Mercedes. Coupe version also hasn't been ruled out. They are really embarrassing Lexus and the next "LS" right now.

 

[spwolf]

This is what will be the design direction for the next generation of Mercedes S-Klasse, as confirmed by Mercedes. Coupe version also hasn't been ruled out. They are really embarrassing Lexus and the next "LS" right now.View attachment 10611

Yes, next S class will be a coupe with tiny interior and huge hood meant for V16.

No trunk either.

All confirmed by Mercedes.

 

[DarkSpace6383]

Yes, next S class will be a coupe with tiny interior and huge hood meant for V16.

No trunk either.

All confirmed by Mercedes.

I said design direction, not form factor. The next Mercedes S-Klasse will follow this design style/direction. I never said it would be this form factor. However, there are rumors pointing to them bringing back the S Class Coupe so theres that.

 

[ssun30]

This is not what people want from a LS. But the better question to ask is "how many people want another LS sedan".

Lexus is clearly optimizing for different markets for maximum growth. They think the TX and LX have NA and GCC covered reasonably well. So naturally their focus is on markets with strong chauffer car sales. And if LM is doing so well in Asia as an upscale Alphard, it only makes sense for them to completely replace the LS (their "flagship") with a minivan. The LM is no longer big enough for the Asian market - people now want 3-row all-VIP seating, not 2-row VIP or 3-row with captain chairs. These are essentially the Asian equivalent of Escalade ESV/Grand Wagoneer L, but with even more space. Lexus certainly doesn't want to give up this most lucrative market to their Chinese competitors. The Alphard-based MPV will probably move downmarket as the EM.

There's very little doubt this "luxury space" will be the most comfortable and most luxurious Lexus ever the same way the new ES BEV will be the most comfortable Lexus sedan ever. Name is its only problem but also the core problem. If they revive the LF1 concept as a GA-L based 2-row CUV and call it the LS, there would be much less hate.

 

[DarkSpace6383]

This is not what people want from a LS. But the better question to ask is "how many people want another LS sedan".

Lexus is clearly optimizing for different markets for maximum growth. They think the TX and LX have NA and GCC covered reasonably well. So naturally their focus is on markets with strong chauffer car sales. And if LM is doing so well in Asia as an upscale Alphard, it only makes sense for them to completely replace the LS (their "flagship") with a minivan. The LM is no longer big enough for the Asian market - people now want 3-row all-VIP seating, not 2-row VIP or 3-row with captain chairs. These are essentially the Asian equivalent of Escalade ESV/Grand Wagoneer L, but with even more space. Lexus certainly doesn't want to give up this most lucrative market to their Chinese competitors. The Alphard-based MPV will probably move downmarket as the EM.

There's very little doubt this "luxury space" will be the most comfortable and most luxurious Lexus ever the same way the new ES BEV will be the most comfortable Lexus sedan ever. Name is its only problem but also the core problem. If they revive the LF1 concept as a GA-L based 2-row CUV and call it the LS, there would be much less hate.

I agree with most of what you said. I think the LS should be something akin to the audi grandsphere concept car (maybe slightly higher, to appeal to the SUV crowd). Maybe releasing that flagship MPV the LMV makes sense, but by all means add more to that segment. It could be almost like a standard and extended model LM. I think the LF1 concept was trying to be Lexus's version of an Audi Q8 or Porsche Cayenne, and I still think they should try and target that segment, in addition to my idea of what an LS could/should potentially look like. They could base the two cars probably on the same platform (??).

Also on top of those models, having the LX focus more on luxury rather that offroad should be something for Lexus to consider. It can still have offroad potential, but they need to start properly gunning for Range Rover, X7, GLS, and Escalade stateside. This means making it truly luxurious like the other two, offering better amenities, and a lot more space. The LX is tiny compared to it's competitors right now.

 

[sl0519]

I agree with most of what you said. I think the LS should be something akin to the audi grandsphere concept car (maybe slightly higher, to appeal to the SUV crowd). Maybe releasing that flagship MPV the LMV makes sense, but by all means add more to that segment. It could be almost like a standard and extended model LM. I think the LF1 concept was trying to be Lexus's version of an Audi Q8 or Porsche Cayenne, and I still think they should try and target that segment, in addition to my idea of what an LS could/should potentially look like. They could base the two cars probably on the same platform (??).

Also on top of those models, having the LX focus more on luxury rather that offroad should be something for Lexus to consider. It can still have offroad potential, but they need to start properly gunning for Range Rover, X7, GLS, and Escalade stateside. This means making it truly luxurious like the other two, offering better amenities, and a lot more space. The LX is tiny compared to it's competitors right now.View attachment 10628

This looks gorgeous~~if only this is the next LS...

 

[DarkSpace6383]

This looks gorgeous~~if only this is the next LS...

Yes absolutely. I feel like with enough public pressure we could atleast get a name change. I watched the livestream even the japanese ppl were shitting on toyota for calling this the LS and its their domestic market.

 

[Falcon]

There's very little doubt this "luxury space" will be the most comfortable and most luxurious Lexus ever

Is it gonna be built on the upcoming gigacasted Lexus platform?

the new ES BEV will be the most comfortable Lexus sedan ever

Even more comfortable than the LS500 with air suspension?

If they revive the LF1 concept as a GA-L based 2-row CUV and call it the LS, there would be much less hate

I think there would still be hate because it's yet another iconic nameplate turned into a crossover. Also I think Lexus is going to introduce a flagship crossover in the form of an LF-ZL or a Lexus version of the Land Cruiser Se. It would sell very well here in the GCC. They desperately need it to better compete with the likes of Range Rover etc...

 

[sl0519]

Even more comfortable than the LS500 with air suspension?

Lol no. Everyone who’s actually sat in one knows, it’s basically a Camry/Crown on stilts. Same platform, same feel, just with a Lexus badge pretending it’s premium. If it didn’t have that badge, that chassis is pretty much on the same level as what you’d find in a Nissan or Honda. They even cheaped out on aluminum suspension lol. Don’t even compare this thing to an LS500 - that’s an insult.

 

[Gecko]

We already know exactly what people want in a Lexus flagship vehicle:

... but Akio killed it because it wasn't an easy copy/paste on a RAV4 platform with a 20 year old V6.

 

[Gecko]

Lexus certainly doesn't want to give up this most lucrative market to their Chinese competitors. The Alphard-based MPV will probably move downmarket as the EM.

Are we sure China is Lexus' most lucrative market?

I am not so sure... they are breaking sales records in North America with a lineup 90% based on Toyota crossovers and SUVs that print cash with incredible margins. Overall sales volume is also much greater than China. In a world with no LS, LC, GS, or RC, everything Lexus is selling is Toyota-based with incredibly high margins, and they're selling a ton of them.

My .02: I think Toyota has already turned their eye towards the Chinese market as their priority and other global markets will simply have to pay the price, but I am not sure that is really the right strategy -- or at least could have done much better with better localization for key models.

 

[mediumhot]

This is not what people want from a LS. But the better question to ask is "how many people want another LS sedan".

Lexus is clearly optimizing for different markets for maximum growth. They think the TX and LX have NA and GCC covered reasonably well. So naturally their focus is on markets with strong chauffer car sales. And if LM is doing so well in Asia as an upscale Alphard, it only makes sense for them to completely replace the LS (their "flagship") with a minivan. The LM is no longer big enough for the Asian market - people now want 3-row all-VIP seating, not 2-row VIP or 3-row with captain chairs. These are essentially the Asian equivalent of Escalade ESV/Grand Wagoneer L, but with even more space. Lexus certainly doesn't want to give up this most lucrative market to their Chinese competitors. The Alphard-based MPV will probably move downmarket as the EM.

There's very little doubt this "luxury space" will be the most comfortable and most luxurious Lexus ever the same way the new ES BEV will be the most comfortable Lexus sedan ever. Name is its only problem but also the core problem. If they revive the LF1 concept as a GA-L based 2-row CUV and call it the LS, there would be much less hate.

The most luxurious Lexus to date is LY650 and I don't see them topping that with a six wheeler.

 

[DarkSpace6383]

The most luxurious Lexus to date is LY650 and I don't see them topping that with a six wheeler.

2 completely different markets.