First Impression: 2013 Lexus LS

Earlier this week Lexus revealed the new look of the flagship LS sedan to the world in my hometown of San Francisco. It’s merely coincidental but this is almost the same place I first saw the LS 400 over 20 years ago, just across the street at the Moscone Center.

I had the opportunity to attend the 2013 Lexus LS reveal entitled the Lexus Laws of Attraction event which was the official 2013 Lexus LS Global Reveal. The star of the show was the newest offering to the LS line, the LS 460 F SPORT and the new signature spindle grille. Of course we all know there was the LS 460 Sport package which came out for 2010. For 2013 Lexus has finally decided it was time to define the F SPORT line up and add the flagship LS into the mix. This newest 4th generation LS refresh has over 3000 new parts inside and out, but we won’t have the time or space to name all 3000+ parts so lets check out the goods…

Bold new lines are added to the front end. There are new muscular buldges in the hood and fender lines.The LS F Sport gets the special mesh grille while the regular models stick to the traditional horizontal grille design. The center part of the bumper fascia stays charcoal gray across the line to highlight the look of the spindle grille.

 New LED headlamps (high & low beam) are now available outside the LS 600hL. These new headlamps feature LED turn signals and a really sharp and integrated LED tube to act as daytime running lamps.

 The headlamp washers finally sit flush with the bumper cover:

 LED projector fog lamps are now available. Note the larger brake duct inlet next to the fog lamp.

 This is the new and aggressive stance of the new LS F Sport. It sits 10mm lower than a standard LS…finally!

 New F SPORT badges are placed on the front fenders:

 Although a carryover, this is a refreshed 19″ 10 split-spoke wheel. Instead of being just a clearcoated machined aluminum finish they are also accented in charcoal gray. If you look past the wheels Lexus finally put their logo on the Brembo calipers.

The front and rear fascias of the F SPORT are all one piece and integrated, meaning no more tacked on spoilers! The rocker mouldings are beefier and have a stronger look:

The all LED tail lamp assemblies are new for the LS and Lexus. It features the signature L swoosh which first appeared on the LF-Gh concept a few years back. Not only are the brake lamps LED, the turn signals and back up lamps are as well!

Just like the 4th Gen GS, The LS F SPORT gets an AWD version:

Inspired by the 4th Gen GS, a new lower valence with vortex generators are standard for the LS F SPORT. Like the GS F SPORT, the lower valance is painted charcoal gray. The exhaust bezels are trimmed from the previous but retain the signature LS look.

Like the GS, vortex generators are added key points around the LS to reduce drag. They can be found on the tail lamps, front door mirrors and the lower rear valence.

Michelin Energy MXV4 S8 are standard on the LS F SPORT AWD.

Preliminary specs of the LS F SPORT:

The 4th generation LS was introduced in 2006 as a 2007 model. The Sport model was introduced in the 2010 during the first refresh of this generation LS. Now that the sport model is officially labeled, the LS is now the flagship of the F SPORT line up. 
Despite the leaks of LS photos that have surfaced last week, I am very pleased with the new exterior and interior updates especially in F SPORT trim. The LED lighting, the lowered ride height, the bold new face along with the signature spindle grille are great. But there was one thing that I hoping for that this LS would gain, and that would be for more power. For 2013, the LS gets an increase of 6 hp bumping the 4.6L V8 to 386 hp. That’s basically a 1 hp per year increase for the 6 year old 1UR-FSE. I’m afraid that those looking for more power in a flagship sedan may look at the European offerings or even the 429 hp Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec. Perhaps with the new LS drive dynamics, it may change opinions. We’ll have to wait and see.

What do you think of the new look of the 2013 LS? Do you like or dislike it? Share your thoughts HERE! >>