Also, why are they still running around with mules? Sounds like it will be any month now, that actual cars will be spotted. I have yet to understand how long it takes for Toyota to build design-spec prototypes.
This mule is one ugly ***********!
Well to me it's quite clear. On top of all the delays/restarts that we have hypothesized, the LS is getting an extended testing schedule, as it should. Yes they have for sure been testing the 5LS for quite a while now, but so far publicly only with mechanical mules, not final body prototypes. On top of that, the GA-L (TNGA) RWD platform has already seen plenty of testing for the LC, with the "Frankenstein" GS mule spotted a few years back. The LS will use a different variation of GA-L, but the LC testing has also helped the 5LS project.
I'm sure Toyota also has final-body 5LS prototypes testing in their secret locations by now, but not yet in public. Looking at the timeline overall, I'm thinking that the 5LS upon debut will have undergone real-world testing for about 2.5-3 years at least (if not close to 4 years) counting purely the testing of 5LS mules and prototypes. Then if you want to be technical, you could add a further 2 years or so of testing for the LC (in parallel), contributing to overall testing of the GA-L platform. So overall that's
a lot of testing for the 5LS, but this is the original Lexus flagship model, and expectations are very high. The 4GS for example was tested over 1.6 million kilometers overall. The original 1LS in comparison was tested about 2.7 million kilometers in real world conditions. I expect in total, that Toyota will have tested the 5LS easily over 2 million kilometers, if not close to 3 million kilometers like the 1LS, in real world conditions. In lab and bench conditions, millions of kilometers more of course, but what's key is real world testing.
The reason they're using this mule in public now all goes back to secrecy, as well as misdirection to the public and competitors. With an extended testing schedule, they're in no rush to start testing final body prototypes in public yet. However, this is still a great sign for us fans, because this simply means the car WILL debut sometime next year.
The one thing I'm a but surprised/worried about though, is why wasn't an S Class being tested alongside this mule? Testing against an A8 or 7 is fine, but they should be doing a ton of testing against the S Class most of all.
For those who think this mule is "just a 4LS" check the side by side comparison:
Look how much lower the hood is on the mule, not to mention longer. Look how much longer the decklid is as well.
It may be keeping some LS bodywork for camouflage, but this is a very different car indeed.
Bingo. This cleverly camouflaged Frankenstein-body mule has done its job very effectively, even if those of us with an experienced eye know this is a 5LS underneath. This has confused or fooled Autoblog, TFLCar to a small extent, and even seemingly some forum members here on TLE.
Let's not forget other small details like the awkward wheelbase, and mismatched Frankenstein fenders and quarter panels
.
Also, some extra bit of interesting information some may not know. TFLCar's team is typically located in Colorado. From the shots they grabbed of this mule, I can tell these were taken in Colorado. So therefore, Toyota is doing high-altitude testing in Colorado currently with that mule. In fact, that one tunnel shot looks like the Eisenhower Tunnel in Colorado, which is located roughly at an elevation of 11,158 ft (3,401 m) above sea level. This is the highest point on the Interstate system in the US, and one of the highest roads in the world. That is a brutal testing altitude for any vehicle, but part of Toyota's regular testing schedule.
