"About the only company that does a better job is possibly Honda"
I'm not so sure about that. Toyota seems to let out early what it wants to let out early. Civic pictures were out early, and there are already pictures of the '07 Accord. Compare that to say, the '07 ES 3xx, where there's about as much info as what goes on inside Area 51.
It looks very nice... although who ever knows with such a small glimpse.
See, now that was very smart for toyota to do. This gives away nothing, yet suggests that the car will be very sleek.
I would agree that toyota is very secretive. Just think about the fact that we have nothing except a headlight picture on a car coming out next year! Amazing.
For some reason merc1's picture shows more of the grille than the version on the Lexus site. It is also more clearly a cgi not a literal 'picture'. But anyway, one thing I note is that the top edge of the headlight is nearly in-line with the top edge of the grille. I thought that having the top of the grille start lower down than the top of the headlight was part of the L-finesse theme (see the IS and GS for instance) so maybe they're backing away from or re-interpreting the L-finesse thing.
BTW which MB did they copy the rhomboid design from? (Inside joke for people who've been on these forums a long time.)
I see where you are coming from... but I see a connection between the earlier post:
If you look at the arrows I added, you will see that though not exact, there are some striking similarities (especially that line coming off the headlight). I think this is pretty close to the real thing, but who knows (the grilles are certainly different).
"Saturn has posted a teaser site of its forthcoming Outlook midsized SUV. Already."
Thats not really all that surprising. While there's been a lot of hoopla about the Sky and Aura, Saturn still has NOTHING in showrooms to write how about.
looks even closer to the headlight. Notice the line going down here exactly matches, as does the metal grille. The number of lights doesn't match, but it is very close. What a stunning car, especially fromt the front.
Since Ken and Kevin haven't seen fit to provide us more details in advance of the Oct 19 press conference, I am inclined now to accept your theory about those two guys.
Thanks syswei. And I am very inclined to accept your pix as the next LS. Note also this is the first pix where we get a glimpse of the interior.It may very well be the real thing.Grill looks exactly like what you'd expect in a high-end lux car (not that low end grill as spy sketches had) and those wheels are gorgeous. Great balance between a lux and sport look. Maintains the old style in its own way (grill and front) and at the same time redefines the car completely. Also lends itself very well to a LWB edition which this car will look great in. Stunning car. If this is the car it's going to be hotter than hot.
Hello again Wow, I never expected our country’s magazines have obtained first hand information on the production-ready LS so early. Nevertheless, since they have already got an upper hand on the information channel, I am very interested to read the article myself before going to the pre-screening session on next Tuesday, the 18th. -Would you mind Mr. syswei, to tell me the name of the publication of whom publishes the article since I want to also get on hold of this article today (if possible). If I am not able to do it today, may-be it would be great for you to scan the written portion of the article so I can translate to any individuals who don’t understand Japanese. My initial impression: Like what ljflx said in his post I was also very impressed with the overall design of the new LS vehicle as continues to carry it’s strong elegant heritage while adding light touches of modernization to reflect it’s progression from the pervious generation. However I was a bit concern with the vehicle's back mirror since it was position in a fairly low-angle that I fear it might compromise rear visibility of the driver. Other than that, I was completely satisfied with the vehicle and I can imagine Mr. Mercedes is scratching their heads right now, wondering how they can possibility to compete such a refined vehicle with their new S-class? Sorry that I was a bit rush on my message that I have very little time to edit it!
I'm assuming the press conf and revelation of the LS is Oct 19 Tokyo time. Therefore that would be minus 13 hours for E.T. if I'm not mistaken. Hopefully we would be able to see the official photos on Oct 18 evening, E.T. at the earliest.
I think I should clarify the message a bit; our pre-screening session would take place on the 18th afternoon (Tokyo time) at 1:30pm sharp. So we have a day advantage before the press can actually see it in photographs while we have the luxury to see the vehicle in person before it officially opens to the public and the media on the 22nd. Essentially what the pre-screening session would look like is try to imagine it as a regular auto show where people can come and look at different brand cars exhibit on different sections of the building. However it's only open for invited members from large coroperations, government dignitaries and individuals from the rich and famous community in Japan. So it is more like a high profile gathering if this is the way you might want to interput it as.
kiyonaga, If you get a hold of the magazine for translation, or when you attend the pre-screening, can you let us know any information available on the proposed transmission for the LS460 or LS600h:- 6, 7, or 8 speed auto, CVT or IVT thanks Jack27
We have something like that in Detroit known as the industry preview days, however the media gets an inside look even prior to them. The famous, rich and government officers here come on the friday before it opens to the public for a chartiy preview (tickets are something like $500 dollars).
I didn't do the scan and don't know the name of the source magazine, sorry. I like the look of the car in the magazine but I'm not convinced that it is the real thing. We'll know soon enough.
We look forward to hearing all the details from you in a few days.
First post. 04 LS owner. That is not the real LS. Just look at the interior. It is from the existing LS. The seat is the same and the middle storage box is the same too. Therefore, the whole article loses its credibility with me.
Although the doe-eyed 1998 model was probably the best-looking LS, this seems just as swollen as the current generation.
The rear-end styling ties in with the New IS' look, but the rear bumper is too rounded, and the backlight extends too far, making the rear deck too short, limiting trunk access.
But the gigantic round headlights aren't even close to the concepts striking beams. I think that pic is a guesstimation. Hoping LF-S style in LS proportions, with some height added for easier entry for the fogies.
I miss the higher beltlines of the 1st-gen LS. The greenhouse has gotten bigger and bigger, at the detriment of true luxury car style.
Looking for a 300C without the Extra Starch. Similar to a Audi A8.
Syswei's pic makes it seem like headroom was a top priority. With the fogies that normally buy this car, maybe entry-exit is #1, as stepping down into a car and bending at the mid-section is not as viable an option for Boomers.
Maybe the Avalon can be Toyota's Boomer-mobile, and the LS can be much less Buick? Maybe? Pretty Please? With sugar on top?
Well well ... look what we have here ... basically the exact same background, confirming that LS is merely a cheap chop. Also the fact that the magazine has interior photos of the *current* LS also does nothing but hinder it's credibility.
I find it funny that so many of you would seriously believe that to be the next LS. It looks like a Mazda 929. Also the front looks too bland and the headlights are too similar to the new GS. Furthermore, the rear looks too similar to the current ES.
Lexus has teased us that the new LS will be a big splash, and that includes it's design. That chop is anything but a big splash.
Remember that the LS is Toyota's most top secret project right now, so naturally the chances of a chop actually being accurate is almost impossible.
When people were waiting for the new IS to premiere, there were chops and spy shots as well, but none of them got it right.
Have some patience, and wednesday, all should be revealed.
remember, another year to get here and then full price for a while....i`l stick to the plan on the`audi......the lexus will be a winner no matter how it looks, as the quality is the deal tony
It is a chop but some of those chops are accurate to a certain extent like the shape of the grille, headlights, mirrors..etc. I don't see a 929 resemblance at all.
About the chops of the IS, one magazine did got it right before the IS was unveiled @ the Swiss Autoshow. I believe the picture autoexpress posted is the most accurate and will be fairly close to the real deal. But you are correct...all of us have to be patient. I guess everyone of us are just too excited about this.
Thank you vasia, finally someone with some sense! I am excited to find out what the next LS will look like. There is nothing wrong with dreaming even it is for a week or so. The three light headlight shown by Lexus is a hint of a high tech look and looks great and is signature Lexus. I hope it is not LS460 with 350HP but is LS500 with 400HP. If the 3.5L has 306HP and GS450 has 350, then the LS should have 400HP. IMO, 350HP does not represent "1989 all over again" because back then BMW did not even have a V8! Now the 750iL has 360HP. Maybe the V10 from the LF-A with 500+ HP fits in the LS with a modest 400HP! However, for Lexus to make a bold statement that it will be "1989 all over again" they have to back it up with more than a big engine and a L-Finesse design. They have to have so many standard and optional features for about 70K for the stretched version to make it the hit they want. If they don't I will not buy it and I say that as owner of 4 Lexuses. I am talking about a trick suspension that is both super comfy and gets rid of the annoying body roll (somebody mentioned Bosch), a super MarkLevi even better than today's, a driver seat that is comfortable not the horrible seat in the current LS, an "i-Drive" that is easy to work with to complement the touch screen, the gear shifter has to go (i.e. 7 series and new S) with paddle shifts, a park assist system and back up camera that really tell you what is going on around you- 360, headlights that light the road unlike the ten foot lights now, a fully integrated blue tooth phone like the audi Q7 and other goodies that make doing business in the car a breeze and that can take all our gadgets and integrate it into one, a dash that is not ordinary (S class copied the cheap looking 7 series but Lexus can do a lot better), rear view mirrors that use cameras (like the LF-S), Leather interior that covers everything from the seats to the arm rests with luxurious colors, leather on doors and even the dash, a four seat option that gives everything to the rear passengers including TVs and fold out tables, Bentley should be the bench mark of the interior not BMW and MB, I would love to see Audi type Alcantara for the roof lining and other appropriate places, wheels/tires that are wide and substantial, transmit ion that tops today's 6 speed (hard to do!), Dynamic cruise control that virtually drives the car and other self guided assist systems such as the Q7 blind spot warning, a nice thick steering wheel with simple controls of all essential functions, power doors and trunk, steering feel that is a bit heavier than current LS on freeway speeds but softer on slower speeds with a better on center feel. I can go on and on. It is all about luxury and power and performance are part of that luxury. With the Lexus 1 class service, it is an ingredient for success. Lexus listen to us and finally give us the car that we have been waiting for since 1989 or you are going to loose us.
Yup! It would be nice to have those. But 400hp is stretching it. 360 is reasonable for it's class. Correction: The suspension is developed by Bose the loudspeaker company not Bosch.
I hope we see the Bose suspension in 2007 but I think the odds are against it. I think the technology is still 3-5 years away from being integrated into production vehicles.
Regarding the IS, the magazine that got it "right" posted actual photos of the new IS days before the premiere. They were more than just chops.
On that note, from what I hear, the autoexpress shots are fairly accurate. The rendering of the rear is supposed to be quite accurate, while the front is apparently "toned down", and in reality looks more aggressive. I don't know about the sides though.
The biggest problem with the shots from the Japanese mag, apart from being an obvious chop of the current LS, is that we do not see any sort of L-finesse lines on the LS.
The autoexpress rendering at least has some L-finesse styling.
On carspyshots, an insider has posted that the new LS will have drop down monitors and foot rests available. Don't know the full credibility of these comments, but wednesday will come soon enough to see if it is true.
"On carspyshots, an insider has posted that the new LS will have drop down monitors and foot rests available. Don't know the full credibility of these comments, but wednesday will come soon enough to see if it is true."
That sounds like something that would be in a LWB version, like the XJ VP. I dont think a standard wheelbase would have enough room for things like foot rests.
That post did say it was for the LWB, and also said the seats would individually recline. I thought they would reserve such features for a 150k Bentley-fighter, if they're going to make one.
I dont think we'll see anything like that just yet. Lexus needs to prove it can sell sedans at 80 and 90K before it can even think about developing a 150K car.
out in late April. When I questioned that date, and said that while it had been rumored, it was now mostly being discounted, he went over and talked to another rep who agreed that April was the time and said that it had been announced at some sort of dealers meeting in California. Anyone else hearing this from any other sources?
Well, a 150K LF-A and a 150K super sedan are two entirely different things. Acura has been selling a 90K supercar for 15 years, but there's absolutely no way they could sell a 90K Acura sedan.
For whatever it's worth I was told a while back - probably a year or more ago - that the next LS could be out as early as March 2006. So obviously this timing strategy has been heavily discussed in Japan. The dealer at that time told me that the reason was simple. They didn't want the MB S-class to have any head start on the new LS. I had posted this a long time ago, probably on the current LS board. I had discounted it in the past year but apparently it's a distinct possibility again.
I don't think Lexus would have any trouble at all selling a $150K lux sedan. They'd probably underestimate the market. I actually think they'd have a harder time selling a $150K sportscar. The sedan is expected and amid some of the real rich folks I know - hoped for and soon! The sportscar though needs a brand that shows it is serious about the sport side. Right now everyone knows full well how serious Lexus is about the lux side.
How about something as simple as memory buttons for the front passenger seat. MB and BMW have had these forever and Lexus has failed to do this for years, even in an Ultra Lux package that has all the rear seat features for $15K as an option. Who are they kidding. People didn't buy those vehicles to be driven around by someone else. It is a real hassle when my wife and I trade off as driver and passenger in our LS. It is a feature that probably cost them all but a $100 or so.
The 2005/6 Lexus ES, 2006 Lexus IS, 2006 Lexus GS have the passenger memory. But why not the flagship Lexus LS? I dont get Toyota, they should give their flagship cars all the options that they have so far. They should not be options but be standard. Lexus and Toyota need to update their cars with features, 5 years is a long time and some equipment should be standard. The Toyota Corolla needs to have ABS standard and every Toyota Vehicle should have traction/stability control standard (also the Lexus ES) Couldnt they just order models with more options and sell for the base price? It would make Toyota/Lexus a more desirable car and would definately increase the sales. They also need a signal indicator and the mirror, the Avalon Limited and Sienna Limited have them so why not a Lexus, it costs more. Why didnt they put them in when they designed the 2006 GS and IS. I wish Lexus would do things more like Honda/Acura.
On a more serious note, it is quite amazing that no pictures have been leaked yet! Toyota keeps a tight ship. Even the most sneaky, stealthy of people have to wait until the general population sees the car. You just know that the new LS will be 89' all over again, in a good way.
I don't think that any of the renderings will be close, especially the autoexpress one, or whatever it was that looked like a FWD Avalon. Quite the front overhang there for a RWD car...
Comments
I'm not so sure about that. Toyota seems to let out early what it wants to let out early. Civic pictures were out early, and there are already pictures of the '07 Accord. Compare that to say, the '07 ES 3xx, where there's about as much info as what goes on inside Area 51.
Full Article
M
It looks very nice... although who ever knows with such a small glimpse.
See, now that was very smart for toyota to do. This gives away nothing, yet suggests that the car will be very sleek.
I would agree that toyota is very secretive. Just think about the fact that we have nothing except a headlight picture on a car coming out next year! Amazing.
BTW which MB did they copy the rhomboid design from? (Inside joke for people who've been on these forums a long time.)
I believe that Lexus will have a press briefing on the 19th, 3 days before the show starts on the 22nd?
Anyway, we look forward to hearing details from you.
Welcome Kiyonaga.
If you look at the arrows I added, you will see that though not exact, there are some striking similarities (especially that line coming off the headlight). I think this is pretty close to the real thing, but who knows (the grilles are certainly different).
Then again, some automakers like to leak everything out at the auto show.
Saturn has posted a teaser site of its forthcoming Outlook midsized SUV. Already.
Thats not really all that surprising. While there's been a lot of hoopla about the Sky and Aura, Saturn still has NOTHING in showrooms to write how about.
How does the board vote?
Tony - I'd pass up that A8 and holdout a year.
I'll stick with my I35 because it was such a screamin' deal.
Wow, I never expected our country’s magazines have obtained first hand information on the production-ready LS so early. Nevertheless, since they have already got an upper hand on the information channel, I am very interested to read the article myself before going to the pre-screening session on next Tuesday, the 18th.
-Would you mind Mr. syswei, to tell me the name of the publication of whom publishes the article since I want to also get on hold of this article today (if possible). If I am not able to do it today, may-be it would be great for you to scan the written portion of the article so I can translate to any individuals who don’t understand Japanese.
My initial impression:
Like what ljflx said in his post I was also very impressed with the overall design of the new LS vehicle as continues to carry it’s strong elegant heritage while adding light touches of modernization to reflect it’s progression from the pervious generation. However I was a bit concern with the vehicle's back mirror since it was position in a fairly low-angle that I fear it might compromise rear visibility of the driver. Other than that, I was completely satisfied with the vehicle and I can imagine Mr. Mercedes is scratching their heads right now, wondering how they can possibility to compete such a refined vehicle with their new S-class?
Sorry that I was a bit rush on my message that I have very little time to edit it!
T. Kiyonaga
Essentially what the pre-screening session would look like is try to imagine it as a regular auto show where people can come and look at different brand cars exhibit on different sections of the building. However it's only open for invited members from large coroperations, government dignitaries and individuals from the rich and famous community in Japan. So it is more like a high profile gathering if this is the way you might want to interput it as.
T. Kiyonaga
thanks
Jack27
We look forward to hearing all the details from you in a few days.
The rear-end styling ties in with the New IS' look, but the rear bumper is too rounded, and the backlight extends too far, making the rear deck too short, limiting trunk access.
But the gigantic round headlights aren't even close to the concepts striking beams. I think that pic is a guesstimation. Hoping LF-S style in LS proportions, with some height added for easier entry for the fogies.
I miss the higher beltlines of the 1st-gen LS. The greenhouse has gotten bigger and bigger, at the detriment of true luxury car style.
Looking for a 300C without the Extra Starch. Similar to a Audi A8.
Syswei's pic makes it seem like headroom was a top priority. With the fogies that normally buy this car, maybe entry-exit is #1, as stepping down into a car and bending at the mid-section is not as viable an option for Boomers.
Maybe the Avalon can be Toyota's Boomer-mobile, and the LS can be much less Buick? Maybe? Pretty Please? With sugar on top?
DrFill
1. It has to be in Tokyo.
2. It has to be befre Next Summer.
3. The photo is real.
But my question is, what is the different from 2006 LS? They look the same too me.
Well well ... look what we have here ... basically the exact same background, confirming that LS is merely a cheap chop. Also the fact that the magazine has interior photos of the *current* LS also does nothing but hinder it's credibility.
I find it funny that so many of you would seriously believe that to be the next LS. It looks like a Mazda 929. Also the front looks too bland and the headlights are too similar to the new GS. Furthermore, the rear looks too similar to the current ES.
Lexus has teased us that the new LS will be a big splash, and that includes it's design. That chop is anything but a big splash.
Remember that the LS is Toyota's most top secret project right now, so naturally the chances of a chop actually being accurate is almost impossible.
When people were waiting for the new IS to premiere, there were chops and spy shots as well, but none of them got it right.
Have some patience, and wednesday, all should be revealed.
About the chops of the IS, one magazine did got it right before the IS was unveiled @ the Swiss Autoshow. I believe the picture autoexpress posted is the most accurate and will be fairly close to the real deal. But you are correct...all of us have to be patient. I guess everyone of us are just too excited about this.
350HP.
21/28 MPG (with cylinder deactivation, .26 CO., and 8-speed auto)
Voice activated EVERYTHING (trunk, stereo volume, temperature, cruise, etc.)
Sport Suspension w/19". ($3k)
$65k.
Sunroof standard. If you want ML/NAV/Illum Scuff Plates/Lexus Link/Power Trunk Closer/Bosch Suspension, pay more. Top out at $85k
Just don't paint another Buick LaSabre! Just don't.
DrFill
On that note, from what I hear, the autoexpress shots are fairly accurate. The rendering of the rear is supposed to be quite accurate, while the front is apparently "toned down", and in reality looks more aggressive. I don't know about the sides though.
The biggest problem with the shots from the Japanese mag, apart from being an obvious chop of the current LS, is that we do not see any sort of L-finesse lines on the LS.
The autoexpress rendering at least has some L-finesse styling.
On carspyshots, an insider has posted that the new LS will have drop down monitors and foot rests available. Don't know the full credibility of these comments, but wednesday will come soon enough to see if it is true.
That sounds like something that would be in a LWB version, like the XJ VP. I dont think a standard wheelbase would have enough room for things like foot rests.
On a more serious note, it is quite amazing that no pictures have been leaked yet! Toyota keeps a tight ship. Even the most sneaky, stealthy of people have to wait until the general population sees the car. You just know that the new LS will be 89' all over again, in a good way.
I don't think that any of the renderings will be close, especially the autoexpress one, or whatever it was that looked like a FWD Avalon. Quite the front overhang there for a RWD car...