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Comments
Hopefully the hybrid will be AWD? I was surprised that the GS450h isn't AWD. I've been wanting an LS for 10+ years but still don't have one because of the lack of AWD.
A lane-change accident avoidance system would be nice (I think Volvo introduced one - it uses a camera system to figure out in an automated way if there is a car in the blind spot). Could be camera or radar-based.
Turn signal indicators on the side mirrors, as seen on MB and some US cars.
Rear DVD entertainment system should be either center-console mounted or headrest-mounted. Ceiling drop-down units restrict rear vision.
17" wheels standard, 19" as a low-cost option.
Factory-installed satellite radio.
I think that the GS450h wasn't AWD in order to keep the weight down, hybrid batteries already weigh a bit
DrFill
Yes, it makes sense to build in a capability to add WiMAX access.
Oh gosh, I know. A lot of those larger luxury sedans have pretty mediocre trunks. The regular A8 only has 15 cubes... less than a Camry.The XJ only has 16. A Maserati Quattroporte has 15 as well, but it's pretty The 7 series has 18 cubic feet, but the opening is a pretty narrow.
"I-drive"
Greater men than I have been driven insane by this thing. I had to help my uncle figure it out on his 7. Erg. I don't know about Comand, though.
That's interesting about adjustable sttering. Do cars have that?
]
http://www.auto-report.net/index.html?tm200501.html
I would like to recommend some changes to the future LS that others haven't mentioned. First, replace the timing belt with a timing chain. The point is that chains don't break under normal circumstance. Toyota made such a change to the current Camry with 4-cylinder engines. I understand that a chain will likely introduce more noise than a belt, but I think that can be taken care of by newer technology. Secondly, to make the new LS more user friendly, Toyota should make most or all programmable (or changeable) features such as changing door locking preferences, activating/de-activating daytime running lights, etc. owner-programmable so that each owner can make such changes him/herself without going to the dealership from time to time. Currently, Lexus will only provide 1 such free service after purchase. Lexus dealers won't like that because they'll make less $ but it's the customers that Toyota should be trying to please. Ultimately, potential customers decide whether to buy a Lexus or not, not the dealership. I would also like to see a feature to let owners program the ventilation fan to run for a number of minutes after engine shutdown. This feature will reduce moisture/mold buildup in the AC evaporator in the summer. I understand that these recommendations might be too late for 2007 model but I think they are good ideas to think about.
Solar-powered fan to keep interior temperatures down when parked on hot days.
2. Heated steering wheel. Maybe not possible with the wood part, but even the leather part would be better than nothing.
I want the water-repellent windshield glass to shed 8% more water.
That would be NICE!
DrFill
I disagree completely. (Listen up, Lexus....) A luxury car should be EASY to drive around, that's what makes it Luxury. If you want sport, get a BMW. The first Lexus I drive that requires two hands on the wheel to take an easy corner, I'm outta here and back into a Town Car, and I mean it!
I would love some way to keep the car cool during hot days. Gosh, I drive a black car with heavier tint, and the leather got really hot when it was 81 out today (typical Indiana spring day :mad: ) I think you can turn on the AC on toyota hybrids before turning the engine on, because it's battery powered or something. Not sure on that, but I thought I read that somewhere.
So the LS will be 460, eh? So will that be good for 300+ hp? Gee, I hope they don't go overboard...
I don't know how they could heat a wooden steering wheel.... although it would help with the cold weather startups.
How about a trunk that opens all the way like Mercedes? I always wondered why Lexus never bothered with that. Also, I'm not sure I like all the controls being through the touch screen. It would be nice to have a normal pop up screen like Infiniti and Volvo that comes up only when you're using the Nav. It would probably make the screen last longer. I'm not looking forward to the day the screen quits in my LS430. I can only bet it will cost around $1,000 to replace.
SV
Again, I'm not suggesting that the LS become a Sports car, just a few more clicks over to the steering and cornering of the S Class.
Lexus link - back from the dead?? - with or without the entry message ??? Why ????. :confuse:
What comparo did you see where the S-Class gave up some handling for a better ride? There were no suspension changes to the base S for 2003-2005. The better ride less handling theory certainly isn't true of a Sport package S, because when it has been compared it handled nearly as well as the 7-Series.
You're comparing apples and oranges to compare a base S with the sportiest LS and then tout that the LS handles better, it should if you're going to compare two differently equipped cars.
M
I will look for another dealer for my next lease.
I think if Lexus wants to maintain and expand their market share they had better study the needs and wants of the new emerging luxury class owner. The next generation to graduate into this class of car will likely be coming from Euro models and not from Caddy and Lincoln. They will have a different set of criteria and in my opinion will want a bit more feel in the steering as well as performance and handling ability. As I said earlier, in my test drives of all the luxo cars, I felt that the S achieved this best but I went for the LS due to reliability and price/value.
On a personal note, I was recently looking to replace my '01 LS430, and test drove an S500. I was extremely impressed with the S500's ride quality, especially surprising because it had the sport package. I also thought the S500 seemed like a hotter car acceleration-wise than the LS430. But in the end I bought a new LS430. There are just too many negatives associated with the S500, in my mind. One of them is price, of course, but I would have bought the LS430 even if the S500 had been the same price.
M
"Lexus will stretch flagship sedan. LS 460 also will offer industry's first hybrid V-8. To match luxury competitors, Lexus will offer a long-wheelbase version of its redesigned flagship, the LS 460, when it arrives in fall 2006. Soon after, a hybrid version of the vehicle will debut."
http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102210
Note the long-wheelbase model will be the LS 460L, and the hybrid will be called the LS 600hL (because it will have power equivalent to a 6.0-liter engine).
Absolutely true, but at 100k I think the potential market size is pretty thin, no matter how attactive the vehicle. If I were Lexus I'd want to push hard with hybrid while the competition is struggling to catch up technologically...meaning make hybrid fairly accessible/affordable in each model range. So if a base 2007 LS were at 60k (just guessing), I'd make the cheapest hybrid no more than 80k (3-4k for the hybrid feature and the rest in "required options").
My e-mail was loaded today with RX hybrid messages from either Lexus or my dealer. So I called them up and said I don't give a damm about the RX, but tell me what is going on with the LS. That's what I got which remains very consistent with what I was told about 5 weeks ago.
This is very similar to 2001. In the LS400 days nav and Nakamichi were not common and the premium cars were the norm and big sellers. The LS 430 changed all that and made the Nav/ML become the big seller and the premium car became the cheap fringe LS car. Though fewer were made plenty were available because not many wanted it. I walked in to my dealer from time to time and the premium LS was the only car around a few times - because demand for it was lacking. The true mistake Lexus initially made in 2001 was underestimating the demand for the $71K ultra. That car was impossible to get because it was in high demand.
The price, $60k for standard LS, $65k for LWB, will be justified just in the better styling (it can't be any more understated, unless they stop making emblems!)
The engine will be more powerful, which will help sales.
The car will have new exciting features, like a guy in the trunk who makes a New York/2nd Avenue-style Pastrami Sub!
The Euro/Sport suspension will be tighter. The interior is bigger.
Selling almost 3 LS for every S or 7, there is room to move up, but anything over $70k will reduce volume noticably. The can sell 20000 at $70k. They are over 30000 now, and the car is 4 years old.
They won't go that far up at the base, with the GS430 stickering at $51k.
Anything more than $10k above that would surprise me.
The LWB better be 65% of the mix.
They can sell 5000 hybrids EASY at $90k! :P
DrFill
The LWB will add another $5k.
Considering the hard times the S and 7 have fallen on, it might be a good time to attack!
With sexier style, around 350HP, and more model diversity, plus an improved market presence, and interest in expanding the brand upmarket, a $5-7k price increase maybe justified.
DrFill
http://www.automobilemag.com/news/0410_bose/
Obviously not for 2007, but further down the road. It sounds very promising to me.
The article was posted on another Edmunds board greenbelt, "High End Luxury Marques" #9300, 8 May 2005 8:35 am
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/55833/lexus_muscles_in.html
And that's a god thing. Kudos Lexus!
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I realize that most of your comments relate to the upcoming LS. But since you seem to have an inside track, wondered if you had heard anything definitive about the 2006/7 Camry - particularly as it relates to the hybridization process. (Yes, i know this is the wrong board, but didn't think you frequented the Camry message boards)
Any idea if they will hybridize the I4 or V6 or both??
Anyway, thanks for any info you may have heard - and if you don't have any info, we all still appreciate all your feedback on the upcoming LS. Thanks again.