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One thing I noticed with these images versus the ones released in May is that the rear passenger window is different. The c pillar is different, too.
I can't tell if it's subterfuge on their part or if something changed, which isn't out of the question. In fact the general shape, especially the rear, looks much different between the two versions.
It's definitely an LS, though. It's too big and too similar in length to the existing LS to not be it.
From May: look closely at the side rear window shape.
July: the side rear window is different as with the C pillar.
If the May pictures are the current body, why would they feel the need to disguise it?
The front and rear of the May car looks different to me. The air dams on the front and the amount of indent on the rear.
Maybe the May pictures were for the 2017 with a revised front and new lights and the recent photos the 2018 on the new platform? It's either that or the May mule didn't have all of the new body panels and maybe they were just anxious to test the inner mechanics (like new engine) before these cosmetic changes were ready?
Because the May pictures are a test mule that incorporates elements of the new car and the old car. You can see that in the front and rear as you mentioned.
Is be shocked if we saw any cosmetic change before the all new platform.
These new pictures are the car being tested with the actual new body. A natural progression from the previous test mule.
I think that fender hump is just an illusion caused by the wind being caught there. These pictures are of a moving car.
I personally like the coupe look, but I agree that the rear quarter-panel window looks artificial. It could frankly be disguising. Even the quarter-panel window bar looks artificial.
Actually if you zoom in, that quarter-panel window bar just looks like tape. It could be just a fake out to throw off the shape of the rear window and real quarter-panel window bar is where the body cover begins, meaning there's some window behind the body covers.
Honestly, the shape looks more like the FC than anything else, especially the rear. There's also a distinctive shape around the front fender and wheel well, unless of course that too is disguised in a way to purporsely make it look that way.
In any case, I'm stoked. Can't wait to see what it looks like.
I think the latest pictures show the FC, which means that could indeed be the new LS, unless they disguised it to look like it to throw us off. Or, what we saw is the FC and maybe it's an entirely different car than the new LS?
Look at the shape and the rear windows. They are almost a spitting image. In fact, they are IMO.
That would be interesting if the FC is indeed the new LS. Going from concept to production that quickly is amazing.
Also, I distinctly remember seeing that weird indent in the rear of the first test mule, that looked nothing like the FC. It mirrors the indent on the FC.
The windsheld rake is more extreme on this latest one, it looks sleeker and lower. The rear decklid is even shorter than before. It would be really cool if it was a hatchback with fold-down rear seats. Yes, it would be a bit out of character, but totally practical and useful. I often wish for that functionality to allow carrying larger items, vs. having to use the other, less-comfy-on-a-trip vehicles...
Yeah, I guessed incorrectly a while ago that the new LS will look anything like the FC just because of the concept release date versus actual proposed release (too short). If what is coming is indeed a slight derivation of the FC, it will be amazing.
I also noticed the windshield rake is less than the concept, which makes sense as lowering the rake increases overall interior volume, so, on brochures or what have you, they can say x cubic feet versus y. It's also a bit more realistic, so that's an expected, real-world change. The trunk, though, is another matter entirely. I can't tell nor do I remember if Lexus mentioned the FC as a hatchback like the A7? Looking at the photo of the rear of the FC is hard to determine although the proportions are certainly ripe for it.
In either case, the trunk seems smaller. A hatchback will increase the space slightly, at least in the vertical direction so again, they can say, hey, we have X cubic feet of trunk space. In either case, I just hope to god they put in a spare. A full-size spare to boot like what I have now. I can't stand MB and BMW's insistence on run flats and no spare. Please Lexus, DO NOT DO THIS. Run flats suck and having no spare sucks even more. I'm grateful I have a full-size spare.
So, I'm pretty much dead set on getting one when my lease is up. I just want a 467 HP engine or whatever magical turbo wonder they may stuff in there (V8 of course). I may either lease again or just buy and the only reason I may lease again is so that three years later I can buy into a more later build date. I'm eventually going to settle on a car that I can keep for ten years.
Of course, this could all be a ruse or another car entirely.
07-29-16, 03:37 AM
