Photo: Lexus
The Lexus range is currently a mish-mash of old and new models, and while that generally is the case for any other carmaker out there, the very edgy design (both figuratively and literally) of the latest cars just makes it that much more obvious for the Japanese manufacturer.
Some of the old models have had facelifts that try to bring the visuals on par with the newer ones, but it's not really fooling anyone. Some of the models are desperately showing their age, but at least as far as the LS luxury sedan is concerned, that won't be the case for long.
Our spy photographers have already caught the car testing in production guise, which meant the official launch could not have been too far away. Today, Toyota's posh brand came out and announced the 2018 LS will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show to be held next January in Detroit.
The new model is still mostly shrouded in secrecy, but some aspects did manage to transpire. For instance, we know it will use the company's all-new global architecture for luxury vehicles (GA-L), employing a longer version than the one underpinning the LC 500.
A Lexus official warned everybody that the interior is going to take us by surprise, but in a good teaser fashion, he didn't go into any more details. Latest Lexus cars have sported a pretty unique interior designs, but the LS should offer something more. A lot more, actually.
Expect the usual array of gasoline and hybrid powertrains, only this time we could get a turbo V6 as well. The fifth generation LS is in line to benefit from a 10-speed automatic transmission, which should boost the sedan's fuel efficiency accordingly.
A fuel cell version is also rumored, and considering the LF model - with which we've already established the new LS will share its platform - makes use of one, that doesn't sound too far-fetched. Toyota may be beginning to invest in battery-powered vehicles, but it'll be a while until it can use such technology for a car the size of the LS.
Speaking of dimensions, the Lexus LS should be 5,225 mm (205.7 inches) long and 1,900 mm (74.8 inches) wide, and also boast a wheelbase of over 3,000 mm (118 inches). These figures make the new LS longer than a standard S-Class and just 2 cm (0.8 inches) shorter than a long-wheelbase one. That's a proper limousine right there.
Any other questions you might have on the LS will be answered in January after its official presentation at the 2017 NAIAS.
Our spy photographers have already caught the car testing in production guise, which meant the official launch could not have been too far away. Today, Toyota's posh brand came out and announced the 2018 LS will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show to be held next January in Detroit.
The new model is still mostly shrouded in secrecy, but some aspects did manage to transpire. For instance, we know it will use the company's all-new global architecture for luxury vehicles (GA-L), employing a longer version than the one underpinning the LC 500.
A Lexus official warned everybody that the interior is going to take us by surprise, but in a good teaser fashion, he didn't go into any more details. Latest Lexus cars have sported a pretty unique interior designs, but the LS should offer something more. A lot more, actually.
Expect the usual array of gasoline and hybrid powertrains, only this time we could get a turbo V6 as well. The fifth generation LS is in line to benefit from a 10-speed automatic transmission, which should boost the sedan's fuel efficiency accordingly.
A fuel cell version is also rumored, and considering the LF model - with which we've already established the new LS will share its platform - makes use of one, that doesn't sound too far-fetched. Toyota may be beginning to invest in battery-powered vehicles, but it'll be a while until it can use such technology for a car the size of the LS.
Speaking of dimensions, the Lexus LS should be 5,225 mm (205.7 inches) long and 1,900 mm (74.8 inches) wide, and also boast a wheelbase of over 3,000 mm (118 inches). These figures make the new LS longer than a standard S-Class and just 2 cm (0.8 inches) shorter than a long-wheelbase one. That's a proper limousine right there.
Any other questions you might have on the LS will be answered in January after its official presentation at the 2017 NAIAS.
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