The LS+ Concept Gets Unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Show

It's all new and very shiny

The hot topics in the auto world for the past few years have been EV vehicles and achieving full autonomy. Focusing more on the latter of those subjects comes this new concept that shows the brand's vision for the very near future of the flagship sedan. It's interesting that Lexus has taken the LS design that was launched not even a year ago and pushed it through a time portal of 2025 to give us a glimpse into the near future at Lexus. The polarizing spindle grille now almost becomes one with the car, the air vents that huddle right underneath the laser-powered headlights act as sunken cheekbones for quite a menacing visage. 

>>Join the conversation about the LS+ Concept and Level 3 autonomy right here in the forum.

Looking to the future

The new design of the LS+ Concept is based on the L-finesse language and what we could expect for the general direction of the vehicles in the coming years. That ginormous spindle grille up front gets a new trick as it now features active shutters that can be used to cooling and improved aero. The silhouette of the car flows like water right into a trunk-mounted spoiler that sits over laser lit taillights. In typical concept car fashion, the side mirrors are cameras that are tucked into protruding slivers from the front doors. 

>>Join the conversation about the LS+ Concept and Level 3 autonomy right here in the forum.

Laser lights can cut through the night

The aim of the extravagant flagship car is to be part of a plan that Lexus has dubbed Highway Teammate. That plan looks to eliminate the stress from long distance driving altogether with a level 3 autonomy. In addition to completing tasks like adjusting speed and maintaining safe distances, the car will also be able to merge, and change lanes. With more advances coming in the form of possible even tackling on and off-ramps all by itself. Exciting news for consumers is that if the press release stays true then that suite of tech features could be available as early as 2020. 

>>Join the conversation about the LS+ Concept and Level 3 autonomy right here in the forum.

A flagship for tomorrow

While not the Level 4 autonomy that so many brands are chasing, Level 3 would provide a car that is completely capable of making "safety critical functions" under certain traffic or environmental conditions. The driver's attention will still be needed in case there is a need for intervention at a moment's notice. Theses advancements by Lexus are admirable but other brands such as Ford are looking to leapfrog 3 and go directly to Level 4. Jim McBride, autonomous vehicle expert at Ford remarked, "We're not going to ask the driver to instantaneously intervene—that's not a fair proposition."

>>Join the conversation about the LS+ Concept and Level 3 autonomy right here in the forum.

What's the public opinion?

In 2020 when this tech would be introduced there will also be a city version named "Urban Teammate." The tech in the LS+ Concept would talk with a data center that would not only keep all of the software up to date by way of over-the-air updates ala Tesla but also allow the AI to learn about the environments you pilot it to. 

I'm really curious of what you guys think of this direction for Lexus? Would the brand be served if it set itself apart by staying Level 3 and letting drivers have a choice of driving or is Level 4 an unavoidable endpoint? 

Also, how about that styling? 

>>Join the conversation about the LS+ Concept and Level 3 autonomy right here in the forum.