Lexus started out by getting the name of the model directly from the engine and its displacement. Going with a V6 and calling it the LS500 is a slap in face to the heritage really disappointed in Lexus here.

 

They broke the naming convention over a year ago.

 

And the 3rd gen still used a UZ engine, which got bigger but I think the power ratings were the exact same.

 

Times change. Get over it.

I believe Lexus is going to name all LS models as a LS500 regardless of engine size. I notice this LS500 does not say TT or turbo anywhere. Strange that is does not say LS500tt

 

Get over it? I don't have to do any such thing the LS should have a V8 in my view nothing Lexus can do to change that.

 

Nomenclature could be LS350tt, or LS500, but I find that the Germans all use "equivalent" capacities now, for example E300 as opposed to E200t.
.

 

so you basically just pointed out the problem. just because a car has 500hp doesn't mean it's insane because there are other factors like weight. having 500hp in a civic and i would call it insane too. but the truth is luxury cars are getting heavier and heavier due to all the insulation and wiring, so having 400-500hp sometimes isn't really that crazy at all.

and i would still argue the ability to accelerate is not the whole picture, the effortless and smoothness feeling is very important in the luxury car segment as well imho.

again prime example is the GLS. if you read motortrend, they state that the gls450 and gls550 virtually have the same 0-60 and quarter mile, but the gls450 is almost 100hp less. there are plenty of argument on this on mbworld too, but those who have experienced the two would easily tell you that while both might accelerate the same, the 550 is quieter, smoother, and more comfortable. so there is a difference there as well

with my gs350, i know the v6tt is not going to be slow, even though i think the 5ls won't be light. but i am still a believer that there is no replacement for displacement. and i think that would be my biggest worry if i were to consider the 5ls today.

and to talk about pointless, 20 years ago i am sure everyone would call anything with 350hp insane. but that all seems pretty normal these days. makes me wonder how i would feel 2 decades from now

 

I don't think Lexus is going to call it a LS350tt. LC500, LC500h, LS500, LS500h? All at the 500 level and all different power trains.

 

Well, the Panamera uses smaller 2.9 V6 turbos as base engines, so maybe Lexus is benchmarking that. Maybe there will be a halo LS with a twin turbo V8 and a gazillion horsepower to take on the S63, Panamera Turbo and other examples of wretched excess

I'm wondering about the hybrid though. Will it have a similar drivetrain to the LC500h? I'd prefer a plugin hybrid model that combines the V6TT with electric motors on both axles, like a Panamera 4 E-Hybrid.

 

Yeah, but that 2.9 liter also churns out an astounding 450 HP. Makes the larger 3.5 with 415 HP look pathetic.

But, even more importantly, it also offers a V8. The Porsche, who doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is, offers a V8. And both engines were "new" when the 2017 was introduced, so it's not unreasonable to put out TWO new engines upon release.

Is this Lexus pretending to be a Porsche? I find that laughable. This car should be setting its sight squarely at the S550. If it wants to go after a Porsche, it should do it in another model.

 

Agreed. When rumors swirled 2 years ago that the 5LS would target the Panamera, I facepalmed. Let the GS do that. Not the LS.

 

Putting T behind the three numbers is such a stupid economy brand move. I would understand UX 2.0t but UX200t just doesn't work. And while those numbers were displacement numbers ten years ago today they should have a meaning of the trim or positioning of the model in the lineup. LS500 is the king in the lineup together with LC500, no other model should have 500 in its name. That means GS400 or GS450 is the highest GS could go, IS300 or IS350 and so on. Models with 200 in its names should only bi compacts such as CT, UX or NX.

200 - compact
300 - small
400 - midsize
500 - flagship

That's it, second digit number can state the trim of the engine like IS300 (four cylinder turbo) and IS350 (six cylinder turbo)

 

I think Lexus is going to go to something like this.

 

And a halo car unattainable by mere mortals will be...

Over 9000!

Anyway, nothing wrong with pitting the LS against the Panamera. Judging by the much improved driving dynamics and crazy styling on new Toyotas and Lexii, TMC wants to put some spice into its products and not sell the same boring 3-box appliances.

 

Comes down to bragging rights. Realistically who needs more than 250 to 300hp, unless you have a behemoth like a Land Cruiser.