2013 Lexus LS Unveiling
07-18-12, 08:45 PM
#181
Lexus Champion
Courtesy of http://lexusenthusiast.com/2012/07/1...-teaser-image/
If this LS will be just an extensive refresh of the existing model - by all indications that's the case - then it will be decimated by the new S-class.
No new engines and refreshes rather than redesigns (especially on the flagship). What has Toyota/Lexus been doing for the last half decade? Compare what the Germans have done to what Lexus has done and it's clear the brand is in deep trouble. The competition is moving fast, relentlessly pushing new product and technologies year after year while Lexus drags its feet.
07-18-12, 09:18 PM
#182
Lexus Fanatic
Engine changes really does not mean much as Toyota/Lexus has not changed the engines on recent redesigns such as Camry, GS430, RX350, upcoming ES and upcoming Avalon. Even the last LS430 used the same 4.3 from the gen before it.
07-18-12, 09:18 PM
#183
Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 12,044
Likes: 0
Received 69 Likes
on
42 Posts
No new engines and refreshes rather than redesigns (especially on the flagship). What has Toyota/Lexus been doing for the last half decade? Compare what the Germans have done to what Lexus has done and it's clear the brand is in deep trouble. The competition is moving fast, relentlessly pushing new product and technologies year after year while Lexus drags its feet.
The only thing dragging at Lexus is engine upgrades. However, once they do upgrade them, I am sure it will spread across the lineup very quickly. It was the same with Mercedes who kept using the same 268 hp 3.5 liter engine for all their mainstream models when other carmakers were pushing out 300+ 3.5 liter V6s. They just responded last year (yes, in 2011 they were still using 268 hp!) and now every model has the new 300 hp DI engine.
07-18-12, 09:27 PM
#184
Lexus Champion
I wouldnt go that far. In the past three years, Lexus has pushed out a new RX, GX, CT, GS and soon ES. They greatly improved hybrid technology. Just because the LS is getting another refresh doesnt mean the whole brand is in "deep trouble."
The only thing dragging at Lexus is engine upgrades. However, once they do upgrade them, I am sure it will spread across the lineup very quickly. It was the same with Mercedes who kept using the same 268 hp 3.5 liter engine for all their mainstream models when other carmakers were pushing out 300+ 3.5 liter V6s. They just responded last year (yes, in 2011 they were still using 268 hp!) and now every model has the new 300 hp DI engine.
The only thing dragging at Lexus is engine upgrades. However, once they do upgrade them, I am sure it will spread across the lineup very quickly. It was the same with Mercedes who kept using the same 268 hp 3.5 liter engine for all their mainstream models when other carmakers were pushing out 300+ 3.5 liter V6s. They just responded last year (yes, in 2011 they were still using 268 hp!) and now every model has the new 300 hp DI engine.
07-18-12, 09:31 PM
#185
Lexus Fanatic
I wouldnt go that far. In the past three years, Lexus has pushed out a new RX, GX, CT, GS and soon ES. They greatly improved hybrid technology. Just because the LS is getting another refresh doesnt mean the whole brand is in "deep trouble."
The only thing dragging at Lexus is engine upgrades. However, once they do upgrade them, I am sure it will spread across the lineup very quickly. It was the same with Mercedes who kept using the same 268 hp 3.5 liter engine for all their mainstream models when other carmakers were pushing out 300+ 3.5 liter V6s. They just responded last year (yes, in 2011 they were still using 268 hp!) and now every model has the new 300 hp DI engine.
The only thing dragging at Lexus is engine upgrades. However, once they do upgrade them, I am sure it will spread across the lineup very quickly. It was the same with Mercedes who kept using the same 268 hp 3.5 liter engine for all their mainstream models when other carmakers were pushing out 300+ 3.5 liter V6s. They just responded last year (yes, in 2011 they were still using 268 hp!) and now every model has the new 300 hp DI engine.
07-18-12, 09:44 PM
#186
Super Moderator
I have been told too that it is indeed more than just a facelift.
Engine changes really does not mean much as Toyota/Lexus has not changed the engines on recent redesigns such as Camry, GS430, RX350, upcoming ES and upcoming Avalon. Even the last LS430 used the same 4.3 from the gen before it.
Engine changes really does not mean much as Toyota/Lexus has not changed the engines on recent redesigns such as Camry, GS430, RX350, upcoming ES and upcoming Avalon. Even the last LS430 used the same 4.3 from the gen before it.
07-18-12, 10:14 PM
#187
Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 12,044
Likes: 0
Received 69 Likes
on
42 Posts
Well the LS is Lexus' flagship. The current one is a 2007 model, the current S-class is a 2006 model. S-class is getting fully redesigned and will no doubt be debuting a ton of new technologies and innovations. Will the LS redesign be on the same level as the S-class in regards to change and upgrades? It should be if Toyota/Lexus are moving at the same pace as Mercedes.
07-18-12, 10:25 PM
#188
some people need to brush up their lexus history
i don't care if lexus is freshening up the exterior and / or interior and call it a FMC, if it's still the same chassis, suspensions, drivetrains, etc... i don't see how it's a "new" car. have fun carrying over those same general items for another 6 years and see how it's going to go against the s class, which is going to be completely redesigned for 2014 MY. don't tell me small changes on suspensions over the years, if that's the case isf has been on its what, 5th generation by now? it has suspension upgrades EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
i don't mind lexus trying to stick with the same design for another 2 years to space out the release from other lexus models, but if they stick with pretty much the same car and just different packaging but give it a new generation name, that's just an odd ball in my eyes.
of course, we know in 12 days so we will know. but what i can say? more than a few actual car guys up in the lexus chain that i know of? they all say there are changes inside and out, but it's essentially a big facelift
i don't care if lexus is freshening up the exterior and / or interior and call it a FMC, if it's still the same chassis, suspensions, drivetrains, etc... i don't see how it's a "new" car. have fun carrying over those same general items for another 6 years and see how it's going to go against the s class, which is going to be completely redesigned for 2014 MY. don't tell me small changes on suspensions over the years, if that's the case isf has been on its what, 5th generation by now? it has suspension upgrades EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
i don't mind lexus trying to stick with the same design for another 2 years to space out the release from other lexus models, but if they stick with pretty much the same car and just different packaging but give it a new generation name, that's just an odd ball in my eyes.
of course, we know in 12 days so we will know. but what i can say? more than a few actual car guys up in the lexus chain that i know of? they all say there are changes inside and out, but it's essentially a big facelift
07-18-12, 10:28 PM
#189
Well the LS is Lexus' flagship. The current one is a 2007 model, the current S-class is a 2006 model. S-class is getting fully redesigned and will no doubt be debuting a ton of new technologies and innovations. Will the LS redesign be on the same level as the S-class in regards to change and upgrades? It should be if Toyota/Lexus are moving at the same pace as Mercedes.
if the S class came out in 2006 and there will be a new model in 2013, then the LS should come out in 2014, no? So they are two years early with this refresh, and I am sure they are on schedule for the 2014 debut. It probably wont be able to compete with the S class just yet, but with each successive generation, the LS has bridged the gap.
w221 also went on sale about the same time as 2007 MY. here in the US 2007 was the first MY for w221. basically both s class and the ls came out the same "year". both cars got facelift for 2010 MY, so essentially they have been on the same pace all along.
w221 had a lot of gadgets, but the ls460 also had tons as well. if anything, first few months the sales of ls were incredible (of course, also because of much lower price of swb).
07-19-12, 08:52 AM
#190
Lexus Champion
To clear up the confusion:
This is NOT a Full model change or an all new generation. Rather, this will be a facelift.......albeit a "major" one. So yeah, major facelift............but still uses the USF model code.
Anyways, we'll see how things go by next week
This is NOT a Full model change or an all new generation. Rather, this will be a facelift.......albeit a "major" one. So yeah, major facelift............but still uses the USF model code.
Anyways, we'll see how things go by next week
07-19-12, 08:59 AM
#191
Lexus Test Driver
This is the second facelift for this model now. 2007 was the new body style. 2010 was the first facelift. 2013 is the second facelift... When it the new model coming out...?
