sarkleshark

Any news on the 2004 redesign and avalibility?

Lvangundy

Nobody has any confirmed details. A few online reports mentioned drawings of the new LS to look similar to the current MB S series styling.

A few guesses on options are a 5.0 V-8, AWD and most likely options some of the new cars have, i.e. reverse camera.

squarehat

Somebody in the RX forum posted about how they were told by a dealer that it would have "the same lights as the new RX" Not sure whether this means projectors, more specifically the projectors that steer with the car, or whether this is just a rumor.

drink300

I just picked up my new 03' LS430 tonight and had a good talk with the GM of the dealership. He says that there will be no major redesign for 2004. The 2004 model will, however, have these items:

-A minor facelift to make it look less "boxey"
-All Wheel Drive Option
-360 HP 5.0 Litre V8
-Night Vision similar to GX470

drink300
2003 LS430 Nav/Lev Parchment w/Ecru Interior

AsianGirl007

iTrader: (1)

I haven't heard anything officially yet. I only know that it's going to be "re-skinned", which is car lingo for a minor change to keep it fresh and up to date. Definately not a major redesign.

theanimala

Here is what AutoSpies has to say on this, and I have to say they have been very accurate in the past...

As you already know, the Spies prediction of a reskinned 2004 LS430 is about to come true.

After meeting at the shows with the right Lexus people here's what they shared with us.

It is DEFINITELY getting a full re-skin for the 2004 model year and it will show up sometime in October of this year.

The most consistent description of what it will look like is very similar to the original concept sketches of the current generation MB S-class (click here to see original article).

The most radical change is said to be the front headlights, which will be much less conservative and similar to the lights in our picture above of the ES300. Long and swoopy across the hood is what we're hearing.

It will also be the first LS to offer and all wheel drive option! YES!

When we asked our source if AWD will be available on other Lexus cars their answer was and we quote: "Any application it makes sense on, we will consider an AWD option (as a pakage) to be competitive".

It will remain an LS430 in 2004 and not be an LS500, until the full restyle of the next generation car appears, in 2006 or so.

We also hear the next generation will be a long wheelbase stretch version of the car, ala MB S-class.

If you contact your dealer and they play dumb, make sure you mention the Auto Spies know that they saw video and pictures, during their dealer meeting in San Francisco, last November.

We're REALLY looking forward to seeing this vehicle.

The only criticism we've ever had of this car, is the ultra conservative styling.

If Lexus fixes that, LOOK OUT!

howiedoit

iTrader: (9)

hmm...i like the look of the current LS though. i hope the changes are chosen carefully.

GSquicksilver

i don't get it. the ls430 came out in 2001. how come they're changing the design so fast? man, just 3 years for one design? normally luxury cars have a 8 to 10 year cycle.

AggieLS

I too like the current but won't mind tweaking the body a little bit to lose some of the box look.

retrodrive

I really dislike how the new ES looks although they sell like hotcakes. If they do the same to LS I would really be disappointed though.

AsianGirl007

iTrader: (1)

Yes, Lexus is very good about car designs that last. They are so beautiful that people hardly ever get that "new car itch". Normally there is a minimum 5 years in between each re-design. In some cases it is longer....the SC400/SC430 took 10 years before a major redesign! Just goes to show you what "Kaizen" can do.......

E55AMG

You have GOT to read this link:

http://www.imakenews.com/autospies/e...39066,11004901

Enjoy.

drink300

Thanks for calling me a poor sap, but, it appears that you are terrible journalists. I'm no sap. I'm a 21-year old self made millionaire. I trust my dealership for one reason: I also own a business, which means I lease all of my luxury cars. Since I am such a good customer, the dealer lets me trade in and "bump up" my lease to new model whenever I want. No charges, no fees. We have an arrangement. So, if what you say about 2004 LS430 is correct, I'll just "bump up" to the new model!

You call yourselves autospies, and tell the world that you are "covering the car industry, and have spies everywhere". Yet, when it comes to writing an eye catching headline story, you steal a post from clublexus.com and tell everyine how stupid one of your readers is. Get a life. That's not journalism!

drink300

Lexus of Manhattan

:eek: I can't believe they published that..I never really liked autospies, IMHO. Let's talk about the "accurate" pictures they showed all of us of the next generation GS, or in reality, more like a photoshopped ES? WAKE UP!!
Ed

drink300

Thanks Ed.

I wasn't bothered by Autospies posting something I wrote, but more concerned over their lack of anything but "talk and rumors".

Yes, it is likely that the LS will get a "re-skin" in 04'. DUH!! They did the same thing in 92, 95, 98, 01....hmmm...let's see...the next logical year to do a makeover is 2004. Three year increments. Very obvious, even for this poor sap!

Here is what I would like to see: A posting on the homepage of autospies.com of the percentage of every real "prediction" that came true since autospies went online. And I'm not talking about what they saw at the autoshows, or press photos and stories of the new cars. I am talking about predictions made before ANYONE knew something new was on the horizon.

drink300