shafee

autospies is reporting that Lexus has decided to update the sedate design of the LS earlier than anticipated. Not only is the exterior reportedly significantly more handsome but the engine is to be a 5 liter V8 with enough horsepower to compete with similar powerplants from Japan and Europe.
The car is to be introduced in Spring/Summer of 2003 and will be a 2004.
Whether Lexus/Toyota will compete with the AMG and M divisions of MB and BMW with a supercharged or Turbo version is anybody's guess.....I doubt it though since they are very conservative.

Being satisfied with the status quo is a recipe for failure as Mercedes learned a decade ago. Lexus has shown that it knows how to build a luxuriou and reliable vehicle. It must now show that it can build such a vehicle with some spirit as well. If it can do so, it will finally put to rest the one criticism that has been routinely hurled at it, that it's cars lack passion.

If Lexus maintains that they are involved in "the passionate pursuit of perfection", well then now they have the chance and indeed the obligation to show the automobile enthusiasts around the world that they mean what they say.

VVT-i

Very good info Shafee and let's hope Lexus will do it. Now they are more concern about making the brand name as a "Luxury", than performance.

Kaban

I hope they won't change the LS that soon, if they do then the current model will get a big hit in price depreciation.

drink300

I agree. It seems un-Lexuslike to release such a significant model change in the third year. Doing this will make the car suffer a serious hit with regards to depreciation. This is one of the major reasons Cadillacs depreciate so greatly. They change their model ines constantly in the name of "innovation".

drink300

LS007

I don't see how they could keep the interior size (leg room, head room etc.) the same or better while making the LS have a lower profile (or sporty appearance). It would be better to see Lexus introduce it as a new model, like the LZ500 for a super luxury sports sedan. In the future the only way for us 6'5" people to get interior space will be in a SUV.

rcf8000

I agree. One of the great advantages of the LS430 over the competition is front seat headroom. Maybe some style was sacrificed to achieve this, but it's a good tradeoff.