I'm only talking about "appearance" difference. Not options, etc.

For weeks I've been saying that I really can't see any difference (in external appearance) between the 460 and 460L. But, in closely studying the side by side (side) shots in the brochure I just got, I'm sure I've found that difference.

The BACK DOOR is wider. And, that would make sense because the extra 4.8" is supposedly in the back seat.

The distance from the front door handle to the nose looks the same. And, the distance from the back of the rear door window, to the tail, looks the same. So, it's not a longer "tail end" as I had imagined.

Anyone else seen these side by side (side) comparisons?

Big Jimm
So. Fla.

 

Yes ... the primary purpose of the stretch "L" version is to lengthen the leg room for rear passengers.

Some say side benefits include sleeker look and in a lesser sense, better ride.

 

This picture makes it seem really obvious, but in more real-life photos, it can be hard to tell. But indeed the area to spot is the rear doors.

 

BINGO!

That's the pic I was talking about.

Big Jimm
So. Fla.

 

about exterior i really don't expect much difference except a larger rear door

 

It's not hard to spot since the top of the back door curved down almost immediately for the short version.
I saw a lot more of the short version of the new S class than the long version when I was in Europe the past 2 weeks, a few of them taxi's in Denmark. And like the new LS, it looks a little weird compared to the long version.

 

Yes, all the increase in length is in the back door and window. Will not be easy to quickly spot the difference especially in a moving vehicle. Having looked at quite a few pictures, I think the best way is to look at the difference in length and shape between the front and rear windows. The 460 front and rear windows are symmetrical and of similar length where the 460L rear window is clearly longer than the front and has a different shape as Lex pointed out.
Using this method I believe that the pictures of the black or dark blue LS on page 3 and 4 of the following link represent the 460L and not the 460 as they have labelled them.

http://pressroom.lexus.com/Images?p=...ria=%2B07LS460

 

i can only imagine how the swb s class is like, must be funny