Carmaker1

I figured this would be the only explanation, as no one would undertake delaying a replacement and not plan to wow the industry. Otherwise a late 2013 LS redesign would have just sufficed instead of the 2012 facelift. Efficiency and performance seem to be a key focus, which sounds like Akio Toyoda's typical ideal's. I trust at least Toyota/Lexus not to make the same damaging mistakes that Jaguar once did under Ford ownership.

Ford canceled a state of the art XJ in 1990 that was due in 1994 (I6, V8, V12 engines) and replacing it with a heavy facelift (X300) that lasted another 8-9 years. The "replacement" (X350) came way too late. Jaguar has yet to fully recover from that terrible decision, even with the "trendy" exterior of the X351 variant (2010-17). The next model in 2017 will long eradicate that problem and truly all-new.

Congratulations on your new W222 by the way, as it's a lovely car from what Ive experienced here and there the past 9 months. Although an excellent and trend-setting redesign, it is possible the next S-Class might be the largest S-Class revolution since the W140 and W220 (the latter was a negative one).

TangoRed

I agree cmk1 on all points. I'm excited for the next S-class to reap the benefits of the MRA platform.

Carmaker1

No one seems to be interested in speculating what the next LS will look like, but only what it will have. I am thinking it might be a very tasteful revolution with evolutionary cues, in still utilizing the spindle grille. I am going to spend the next few weeks of my "limited" free time sketching and drafting my own proposals for it in AutoCAD, since no mags have done so yet.

Also maybe a GS-based 4 door coupe. Never considered any of this before, due to conflict of interest.

Any ideas?

The W220/W221/W222 are all related to each other to some percentage, unlike the W140 and W126. The XF40 at least shares nothing with the XF30 LS430, so one can understand why it's better to have a 10-year life cycle.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

the ls is already a great looking vehicle. like the s-class this last time around, maybe all the ls needs is a big makeover exterior-wise vs. a completely different design.

i'm sure whatever lexus decides it will be at least decent looking, but it will be the tech, the telematics, the safety, and the drivetrain that will make the difference. is the adaptive suspension more advanced? is the nav (finally) best in class or competitive? will an inevitable hybrid version be a lot less porky with a more useful trunk than the current (and still amazing) LS600hL?

spwolf

interestingly enough, Lexus Europe heads at NX introduction said that LS wont get 4cly options but might get Fuel Cell powertrain when they make one powerful enough (2020's and beyond).

mmarshall

The basic shape of the 911, of course, goes all the way back to 1964........and the VW's Beetle's basic shape to 1936. So much for the idea in autodom that whatever doesn't change dies.

LexBob2

It doesn't apply to all cars. Just a very select few.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

while we can see some design cues in the 911 from way back to today, the cars really are completely different.

the same can be said for the mustang, the beetle like you said, and a few others, but not many.

for me, almost all car design does not age well. i believe car makers and designers/engineers do a great job of obsoleting old designs. a lot of it is technological of course, there's materials and manufacturing methods that simply didn't exist decades ago.

mmarshall

Sure they are different under the skin (way different), but my point is that unlike some of the claims that are often made, car-styling does not have to evolve or die. I've seen MANY styling changes made just for the sake of change, without any real good coming out of it.

Unlike the Beetle, the Mustang radically changed its classic 1960s styling in 1971, and, despite some hints here and there, did not truly return to it until about 8-10 years ago. The Beetle, of course, was not sold at all in the U.S. between 1979 and 1998, and, when it returned, it had some of the classic Beetle shape, but was a completely different liquid-cooled FWD platform under the skin.

Mr. Burns

Designs aging well is dependant on how well the core basics like proportions are done. The formula for proper proportions changes little, but not everyone follows it.

GiantsFan

iTrader: (9)

Make sure to watermark it

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

i have no idea what you mean, there's always been vehicles of all shapes, sizes, and proportions. no idea what you mean by 'core basics' or 'proper proportions'.

yowps3

The pre-facelift XF40 LS was arguably the most L-finesse oriented Lexus. But the 2IS, 3GS & previous ES also had heavy L-finesse influence.

I hope Lexus cuts back a little on aggression and puts greater emphasis on elegance..

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

agreed.

but the f/f-sport / non-f split is their strategy to have more and less 'aggressive' designs.

Mr. Burns

This is proper proportions:



Yes the body lines and graphics are old by today's standards, but the proportions have changed little.