doubt it.

There's no good reason to release the GS a year before the 3IS

I think lexus plans to neglect the 3GS with no further exterior updates before the 4GS arrives in 2012, just as they neglected the SC.
Sounds like design overhaul coming in 2012 simultaneously for both IS and GS, and will sell as 2013 models.

The GS is already the poorest selling lexus sedan, so there's no incentive to update anything since it won't boost sales anyway.

They didn't update any exterior styling for the 2011 model, and it wouldn't hurt to drag it out through the 2012 model year.


it's probably up early because it's the easiest webpage to update.
there were almost no changes to the 2011 model. some options became standard.
all the pictures stayed the same.
the webmaster only had to change a little text on the page.

 

All the rumors and insider word says that people have already seen the interior and exterior of the next-gen GS. That means the car is close to finished. I would find it really strange if Lexus dragged out the current gen for another year and released the next-gen as a 2013 vehicle.

Releasing the next-gen GS and next-gen IS a year apart makes a lot of sense. Doing so prevents the cars from taking away attention from each other. It also helps to minimize any early build quality and production issues.

Plus, the redesigned ES might also be debuting in 2011 as a 2012 model. We don't know for sure yet.

Toyota has gone back to its roots and is taking its time on new products to ensure high quality. Releasing two or three redesigned Lexus sedans in the same model year doesn't make sense under the new approach Toyota has.

I don't see how that makes sense, given the 2011 ES and 2011 LS pretty much remain unchanged for the most part. Changing their pages on the Lexus USA site is nothing more than changing some text as well, and yet the 2010 models are still on the page.

 

This report did not reveal a thing and is typical marketing BS. Since Lexus's inception, most forcasters have said the same thing..."...will get more sporty." In reality, this is the standard protocol for all car companies to use. Everyone wants to pitch sportier cars, but conservative is what actually sells and produces numbers. The CT grille example was the giveaway. All it has are some sharper, bent corners. That does not make a car sporty. The 2011 ES got the same update, and it's hardly "sporty." What will likely happen is a shift in styling themes that modernize the car and make it look a bit more edgy. Not much more.

 

If the CT grille is supposed to be some harbinger of change then I'm not too excited.

 

wow, I would think common sense would dictate the EXACT OPPOSITE. If a model's not selling well, then there must be a reason, and you'd better address that asap, or plan on dropping the model altogether.

Then again, who knows what Toyota is thinking based on some of their past decisions. I do however, have hope for the future, as a car enthusiast is now in charge. I think in 5 years, the Toy/Lex lineup will be much more appealing than it currently is.

 

not if the new model is not completely ready.

 

The GS is still fresh looking IMO but it's slow to sell because, let's face it, it's been around for a while. An updated grille may improve sales slightly but it's still a bit behind the pack because nearly everything else in the class is new gen. Nevertheless, I'd be happy to own one myself.

 

Totally agree. They've already stiffened the ride up a little in the current versions, much less the future ones.

 

No...like it or not, the whole industry, with few exceptions, DOES seem to be getting excessively sport-oriented, even with traditional luxury cars. It is getting harder and harder every year (but still not impossible) to find truly conservative, soft-riding cars that don't have stiffer suspensions, lower-profile tires, or excessively aero-styling. Even big Buicks and other American luxury cars now ride slightly stiffer....and the really soft ones like the Roadmaster, Fleetwood, Town Car, etc....have been dropped.

 

Lets also remember that the GS has never really had aggressive leasing. It simply is not a car to lease and as we know at least 50% want to lease. We know that Lexus is in the 30% range while the Germans are literally twice as high. I don't have financials but maybe selling less is better than leasing more.

I agree. Can't say I am too thrilled with the pointy chrome grill ends on it and the new RX or the HS grill or the new hybrid grills.

These gotdamn designers need to understand that understated and classy is fine. Not every car and brand needs to look different for the sake of it.

 

Totally agree, Mike. A perfect example is the styling on the new Hyundai sedans...Accent, Elantra, and Sonata. There was nothing wrong with the way the old ones looked (and I thought the old Sonata was quite handsome), but all three are being radically changed in the styling department (along with the Tuscon as well), IMO, needlessly so.

Back to Lexus, here is, IMO, arguably the best Lexus interior ever done...the ES330. Even some LS interiors have been hard-pressed to beat it. Lexus, IMO, has not "improved" on this one yet.

 

I'm not very optimistic about the design language at Lexus. Not a big fan of the CT and even the new RX seems like a step back from the previous generation.

I'm with 1SIC. Lexus needs to get back to the "futuristic classy" designs that were so good in the 1990's. I think Audi is doing the best job at this. Their cars are the best looking on the road and they age so well.

Lexus needs to not try to chase after BMW in the sportiness race. BMW is the best at this and Lexus can excel in the luxury, smooth, and classy race. They need to go back to the amazingly well engineered cars that are so well built and quiet that will embarrass the German competition.

But make it look good, above all else.

 

Agreed. But those classy cars of the 90's are today, by many people considered "frumpy", "conservative", and are scorned. But I'm with you on this one...they beat many of the newer "improved" designs.

Yep. To go forward, sometimes you have to look back.

 

I think Lexus got it right with the RX and the current IS. The "arrowhead" grilles on both vehicles I think are good. The CT grill on the other hand is quite plain. Hopefully the 4GS grille is closer to the RX grille than it is to the CT grille.

 

I dont know how the rest of you feel, but to be honest, I don't like any of the new designs by Lexus. All the previous models were gorgeous. Before I could look at the car and I would like it right away, right now I have to stare at it for 20 mins just to find something to like. I really hope that the next GS/IS/ES and LS will not end up in the hands of master who designed an HS/GX and the RX. Although, the new RX is ok compared to HS and the new GX......