Toyota rolled out its new Lexus LS models, including the LS 460 (pictured), in Tokyo this week. The Lexus brand is relatively new in Japan, and Toyota is hoping to make a major splash there with the new models. (Photo courtesy of Toyota)

TOKYO — Six months after it was shown as a thinly disguised concept at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, the next-generation Lexus LS luxury sedan came out publicly for the first time in Tokyo today.

This wasn't the official launch, however. It was merely a preview of what's to come and, for the benefit of the Japanese audience, a roundup of everything that's been displayed at the Detroit, Geneva and New York auto shows this year.

The new Lexus LS flagship sedan is a hugely important and symbolic car for the brand in Japan. Lexus sales only began here last summer and have noticeably underperformed to date.

Lexus dealers in Japan can't wait to get their hands on the new LS to get the Lexus bandwagon truly rolling. Previous LS generations have sold through Toyota dealers in Japan as the Toyota Celsior. So the arrival of the new premium LS and switch to Lexus branding means expectations are way higher than normal.

Japan gets three versions of the new LS: the rear-wheel-drive LS 460 with a 4.6-liter V8 (380 hp), and the techno powerhouse all-wheel-drive LS 600h with 5.0-liter V8 hybrid (430 hp) in either standard or stretched-wheelbase forms.

What this means to you: The LS has set the Lexus benchmark for years in the United States, but now it's time to see whether it can cut it in Japan's lucrative luxury market and frighten Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Jaguar in the process.

Source: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...cleId=110199#2

 

interesting, so in japan they don't have ls460L but they have the 600h and 600hl. i think now it matches what's said on lexus side huh