Battle betwen generations Lexus LS
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: MI
the original LS I think definitely made more of a stir than the genesis did, Mercedes and BMW execs weren't too happy that their big heavy hitters were being undercut and outperformed by this new fancy Toyota
the W140 was rushed into production because of how much the LS exceeded their expectations, and extra features were rushed to try to get the S class back ahead of the LS
but anyway since prestige is all about public perception I'd probably have to concede that the LS in 1989 was probably a bit down on prestige lol
the W140 was rushed into production because of how much the LS exceeded their expectations, and extra features were rushed to try to get the S class back ahead of the LS
but anyway since prestige is all about public perception I'd probably have to concede that the LS in 1989 was probably a bit down on prestige lol
I deleted that entry, as it was an opinion, not an objective observation. The W140 took 9-10 years to develop from 1981 to 1990/91. It wasn't rushed in the least, it was late by 18 months, if not 4 years!
BMW was more influenced by Lexus than MB, as LS quickly affected early research & planning of the E38 7 in 1989-90, later launching in November 1994 for North America. BMW are the ones that commented on the LS being "sold" at below cost.
Exactly, but all that might change.
Last edited by Carmaker1; Mar 5, 2020 at 02:31 PM.
Lead Lap
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Lexus Fanatic
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Lexus Fanatic
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p.s. I still remember article in Auto Bild in early 90's about LS400 - they called it cheap barge that is imitating S class miserably, and that it wallows so much that it might be unsafe to drive on windy roads.
Lexus Fanatic
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Lexus Fanatic
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I would be shocked if we saw a 6LS in 2024. Refresh 5LS sure, but I bet we dont see a 6LS until closer to 2027.
Lexus Fanatic
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i wouldnt be so sure... supposedly facelift of some kind is coming next year. but who knows really. I would guess that aside from LS-F coming, next gen will cater more to Chinese market that still buys sedans heavily.
I dont think we will see another LS. Maybe an abortion like a very souped up ES bearing the LS badge, but Lexus is no longer committed to building a true flagship.
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Lexus Fanatic
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From: Maryland
I don’t think they will cancel the LS. The LS is iconic for Lexus, and even if they don’t sell great here they do elsewhere.
Lexus Fanatic
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I agree with Henry that keeping the LS is critical, although there is little question that the brand's bread-and-butter vehicles have become the ES and RX, not the LS. But the LS basically defined the Lexus brand for the first several years of its existence.
Lexus Test Driver
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From: Long Island
i remember clarkson criticizing the LS essentially for being 'too good' and therefore lacking the
but believe me i'm definitely not only relying on wikipedia for that, if you google wolfgang peter w140 you get a few results saying that he was fired over how the w140 was excecuted, although like you said that could've all stemmed from the original incorrect myth
Lexus Fanatic
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The point is if the ES and RX define the brand, then the brand is no longer competing with MB and BMW
Racer
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although its nice and everything, i think the LS500 is kind of a weird car and if history repeats itself it could end up like the LS430 with only a 5 year cycle.
i predict a next generation LS in 2024, hopefully looking like the LF-FC concept with a V8 under the hood.
i predict a next generation LS in 2024, hopefully looking like the LF-FC concept with a V8 under the hood.
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Last edited by tex2670; Mar 6, 2020 at 11:55 AM.