So does BMW (M-Sport). So does Mercedes (AMG). So does Audi (RS). So does Jaguar (SVR). So does Infiniti (IPL). So does Cadillac (V-Series).

 

What I just now seeing this white F Sport realize I don't care for is the gap between the hood and the grille a'la the 13+ ES. I hate that aspect of both the ES design and this design. I didn't;t really notice it in the other pics I guess because of the color, this color just makes that hood seam stick out like a sore thumb IMHO.

 

Interior looks really nice and I definitely dig the updated lines, but I still can't shake the attraction to S-class. By all means, this 2018 facelift really blows 7-series and A8 out of the water, but S-class just seems to hold a permanent crown in the executive class for me.

Sorry, but S-class for me over the LS.

 

quite panamera'ish - not a bad thing.
front wheel gap is bad though.

 

I agree, dollar for dollar but the S Class is a lot more money. Modestly equipped an S550 4 Matic for me is $113,000. If the LS500 is that expensive Lexus is nuts.

 

Couldn't agree more. It is the biggest turnoff about the 13+ES and now it is here.

 

It just looks like a regular line, especially if you compare it to other lines on the car, its not any bigger than it should be.

 

I'm not saying it is, I'm just saying that having that hood seam not be at the top of the grille makes that line stick out to me, whereas before it was hidden in the transition between the grill and hood.

It created two visual breaks where before there was only one. For me, I would see this whenever I walked around the front of the car.

 

F-Sport interior:

 

Exactly what I was thinking, although Lexus' pricing point on the LS has been competitive enough from what I have seen thus far. However, with the introduction of the F-sport package, <100K may no longer be an option.

 

Not impressed with the F-sport package. It takes a special car and makes it boring, especially from inside. I hate monotonous black interiors.

 

you can get it in Circuit Red if you want

 

Initial impressions for me is that I really like the look of it.

 

that's traditional Lexus
the real life Gao would be bigger from the press pictures!

 

Not really feeling that interior. It's too ornate and all those overlapping layers and crevices will be a cleaning nightmare. The whole blown glass thing just seems unnecessary. Perhaps it translates better in person and will feel opulent. Based on photos, I find the interior stuffy rather than regal (and already dated in some respects with that guitar-string dash). The exterior in white looks more like a candidate for the next-gen GS rather than the Lexus flagship, especially in the rear. It doesn't look terrible but in white it looks like an immature car rather than a refined flagship, especially the Z-shaped headlights. I do agree about the curious hood line, gives the impression that the front bumper is going to fall off. Am curious how everything comes together in person. Perhaps I will be blown away by the driving experience later...hopefully so.