rx8wannahave

Now I can't afford this car nor am I a grandpa car shopper, but if the next LS looks like this I can tell you that Toyota seems to be on the right track...style wise, check it out.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...cleId=108452#3

babylou

Did you ever consider that "grandpa" may not have the same preference for styling as a proselytizing wanna have rice mobile with cartoonish features?

Japan8

But even the new Benz S-Class (I didn't realize you guys in the US didn't have it yet) is pretty radical looking. All the new BMW's... 7, 5, 3, 1 and Z... It's the current styling trend. Hell even Caddies are sharp and radical looking. Grandpa can either like it or lump it.

I think this is a good move for Lexus. About damn time they started their own family design... the IS, GS and now finally the LS.

therm8

Amazingly enough, it looks like an Avalon...

ECHO1

looks cleaner than the new beemers, not as boring as the new s-class, while still maintaining styling cues from previous generations. i think pops will be happy, as well as a few jr. execs. i wonder what they'll do with the engine, since the new 3.5l v6 puts out similar figures to the current 4.3l v8.

Japan8

New V8... which will also be used in the GS (I believe) as the Infiniti M kicks its ***. This engine will definitely find a home in the upcoming "M" version of the IS... maybe the new Supra as well.

ECHO1

any specs, photos? the 4.5l v8 in the M45 is rated at 335, not even sure if thats with the new sae certs. the v6 in the new IS is only 30 short of that (minus a litre). is nissan going with a redo as well?

Japan8

Nissan has the VZ 3.7L (longer stroke revised VQ) that is a possible base for the GT-R engine. 330ps/38 m*kg. It will be powering the next gen G37 (likely naming) sedan and maybe coupe as well. They will be based on the GT-R chassis according to a recent article I read. There is a possibility of a V8 option. Possibly 4 tip exhaust for the coupe. 18" rims with 19" in the upgraded suspension package and possibly 20" optional. Styling will be "M45-like".

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

It's hideous.

Toyota missed the class the day auto body design was taught.

rx8wannahave

^compared to what the LS was, how can you say that?

I really like BMW but let me tell you their butt's really look ugly, the newest one looks a bit better but I'm not feeling their style right now.

With the GS, IS, and now the LS...I think they improved their looks greatly.

Remember, I only say "grandpa" because these cars are normally built for comfort and luxury...with handling and balance pushed aside for even more comfort.

therm8

Bah, people are blinded by the shiny L. If that thing up there ^ had Toyota badges on it, no one would mention it. IT'S AN AVALON. Albeit with a few amenities. But its looks are all $25-30K car.

rx8wannahave

Well...I still think it's a HUGE improvement over the previous LS, now that thing was mehhhhhhhhhh!

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

Maybe 3% of auto bodies today are truly beautiful.

Maybe another 5% are pleasing to the eye, at a fundamental level.

In the end, the other 92% are completely lacking in any orginality or inspiration, and therefore all blend together into a seamless blob of sameness, or are offensive to look at (i.e. Evolution).

RX8-79

Pathetic attempt. This company is ruled by restraint and lack of originality. Typical toyota.

I wonder how much technology they'll steal from Benz's new S-class.

TRU681

Every company steal ideas from other companies! That's how it is & that's how it's continue to be. The new LS is a huge improvement from the old model. If I can afford another car right now, I would consider buying it.

mikeb

kinda plain looking to me

DARKMAZ8

YOu obviously don't understand what the ls model is about. Considering that most ls original owners are 60+ years old, the ls caters to them superbly. Comparing the avalon to the ls is meaningless. The avalon is fwd v6 with a semi luxurious interior. The ls is rwd v8 with the best interior Toyota/lexus can offer. Go sit inside and drive the current ls430 and tell me that it looks like a 25-30k car.

Don Vito

Toyota did such a good job on the new IS, and an ok job on the new GS, but they returned to their usual ugly and boring habits, and threw this crap at us.

therm8

They look identical on the outside. And very few people pay that kind of money to not impress. And it's not impressive from any angle that I'd ever look at it (ie fro the outside). I guess the "L" is impressive enough for most people.

The LS is a direct descendant of the Avalon. Most Lexus models are just revamped Toyota models. It's always been that way. I don't care who buys it, they pay an unnecessary premium for the "L", much like people do for the Sony badge in electronics.

DARKMAZ8

Actually if you compare option for option. The ls offers somewhat of a bargain compared to BMW and mercedes. The difference being that toyota/lexus has better reliability and gas mileage.

THe new Avalon is a great alternative to the ls but is an entirely different car. I don't feel your vibe on lexus is just a letter l on the hood. Sure, It's an american thing but the interior/options is where most of your $$$ goes when upgrading from a Toyota to a Lexus.

In fact, I find it hard to believe that people can put the ls cars down. It is the benchmark for the luxury sedan market.

therm8

I'll admit a bias against Toyota. I think they've gone beyond assembly line robots to robot engineers. The amazing lack of inspiration in their designs tops nearly every carmaker on the planet. But they've found the perfect market: the uninspired American driver. I'd buy an STS or Infinity M over the LS any day of the year. At least they look decent and actually have some semblance of driving excitement.

Christianv

Hardly. The bechmarks in this segment have always been and continue to be German - MBZ S class, to be precise. The S class is the car Lexus has always copied, though I see a bit of Bangle bootie in this design.

Ugly as they may be, one thing that can be said about the new S and the 7 is that they have presence, which is something no LS to date has managed. This one might be different. They got a nice looking package in the new IS (if a little bland). They might surprise me yet.

Dinhx8

Lexus didn't even exist in Japan until this year. So they have to be Toyotas. I.e., it doesn't mean its 'bad'. It is also worth noting that now, (just happened this year) that Lexus is a Japanese brand, you'll notice all their cars are getting redesigned. So it is becoming more that Toyatas are dressed down Lexus, rather than a Lexus being dressed up Toyota.

Your opinion on the cars is entirely up to you and I don't necessarily disagree, but just saying the whole 'its just a Toyota' line of arguing doesn't really mean much.

I don't think people pay an unnecssary premium. Well, some do, but its not a given. It doesn't mean the cars are identical. They are getting a different car with similar skin. I'd say the m45 is a diff car than the maxima, the g35 and all its relatives. As is the RL, the TL and TSX and Accord. They all differ, its more than a badge.

Whenver people, to their own right and opinion make fun of Lexus they always say 'its just a Toyota'. Well, thats how it is and that doesn't make it any worse/better (depending on your original opinion).

The TSX is a Jap Honda Accord, that doesn't make the TSX any less of a car.

Rhawb

Er, I never noticed carmakers chasing anything Mercedes, they always seem to be playing catchup with BMW. Maybe I'm wrong and I've missed a whole other side of the industry, but I very rarely hear of Mercedes leading its class, it's nearly always BMW.

therm8

Ah but Acuras no longer look anything like their non luxury counterparts. This wasn't true a few years ago, but now they actually differ quite a bit. An RL or TL looks very little like an Accord. Acura no longer really rebadges Hondas. Infinity is moving this way. The difference between Acura/Infinity and Toyota is that the Acura/Infinity cars are an enjoyable drive. There's no logical reason for Lexus to be more popular. Saying that a Lexus is just a Toyota is very true, just take a look at the cars. The same cannot be said for Acura and Honda, for the most part.