Lexus LS 460/LS 460h

NSL · 10-03-2005, 08:05 PM

Full article here: TheCarConnection

Lexus' new flagship sedan has been spied. Caught on a testing run at a filling station in Kingman, Ariz., the new LS mules reveal more about the future of the Toyota brand's big four-door.

Among the test fleet of four vehicles, there was also the current LS430, nicely parked next to the prototype of its replacement. At first sight one might not notice the difference between the two cars, but looking closer it is quite obvious. The new one on the left has bigger tires, is wider, and parts of the body look handmade. Also note the fender bulges front and rear, needed to cover the extra-wide tires mounted on large-diameter wheels. Along with the Lexus cars they had company from a BMW 7-Series and a Mercedes S-Class, which were included in the test fleet to give a direct side-by-side driving comparison of the Lexus with its top competitors.

The replacement LS sedan is expected to have a 4.6-liter V-8 engine, which would naturally result in the car being renamed as the LS460. Along with the more powerful engine will come the usual improvements to luxury, safety, and electronics that Lexus builds into each new vehicle.

Lexus will also offer a hybrid version of the LS460. The hybrid version is rumoured to be named the LS600h, and will combine Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive with a V-8 engine.

The 2007 Lexus LS460 is expected for fall 2006, and the hybrid model will likely be introduced several months later. The computer rendering above shows what the production model might look like.

NSL · 10-03-2005, 08:06 PM

Additional pics..

Hypersonic · 10-03-2005, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NSL

I can see elements of the Audi A8 - particularly the rear end - but also there is a strong BMW influence in this design. I find this interesting, when Lexus first launched their LS400 in the late 1980's, it was clearly a Mercedes-Benz imitator.

But the car in the spy shots is far more Benz-like, which means it will probably be closer to the actual design.

BTW, I heard that Toyota are considering a Phantom/Maybach competitor - does anyone have more information on that?

MoSs AMG · 10-03-2005, 11:38 PM

who will buy a toyota that costs more than 100 000$?

Mr. Mercedes · 10-04-2005, 01:37 AM

Lexus is moving far beyond the tarted up Toyota stage. While that was once true, it simply does not hold that well anymore. I am hugely looking forward to this new LS. It's set to premiere at Tokyo right?

Hypersonic · 10-04-2005, 02:43 AM

I have posted these before but..........

The most prestigious Japanese car is not a Lexus - they are the Toyota Century and the Nissan President. These cars are made primarily for the Japanese market and are big status symbols there.

Toyota Century

NISSAN PRESIDENT

I know what you're thinking.......................

.....right?

Alx · 10-04-2005, 10:09 AM

It looks like a plumb 2006 Toyota Avalon (btw i think the Avalon looks awesome!), but i really expect more, they really need to give the LS a big make over to compete with competition. Too many beautiful new models are coming out from the competition they really need to come out with something stunning, not a facelift.

As for the H versions, they are the way to go! Impressie power and little gas! Big deal!

Mirage77 · 10-04-2005, 11:19 AM

The LS will look much more sportier, aggressive and a whole lot more macho for sure. The competition like the 7 and the W221 are all 'muscular' cars, so to speak. And deriving from the new GS and IS, I'm expecting an awesome car from Lexus.

Just wondering, why don't they do a LWB version of the LS?

Snake Vargas · 10-05-2005, 07:25 AM

I suppose that Toyota Century is a motorised equivalent of the horse drawn carriage, or the Swiss Guard, if you want to look at it that way. Sure it looks old and clunky, and the handling is likely to be nothing beyond 'competent' at best (the power should be 'adequate', though

), but that'd be missing the point.

Plus, that "LS" mule on the track is a Toyota Crown Royal from Japan. It's been on sale there for a fair while. It is not how it will look. And I doubt highly that the artist's rendition will be that close, either, for better or worse.

I'm looking forward to what Lexus will do with its newfound design direction - do their own thing, or rehash old themes..

Mr. Mercedes · 10-06-2005, 10:23 PM

Presenting the new LS460:

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

I'm guessing these are EXTREMELY unflattering photographs. So I'm going to withhold judgment for now. But wow look at that kerb weight, E-class 5-series territory. This car is probably packing some serious technology.

10-03-2005, 08:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
NSL Where's the pub? Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 506 My Mood: Thanks: 135 Thanked 162 Times in 80 Posts Blog Entries: 1	Lexus LS 460/LS 460h Full article here: TheCarConnection Lexus' new flagship sedan has been spied. Caught on a testing run at a filling station in Kingman, Ariz., the new LS mules reveal more about the future of the Toyota brand's big four-door. Among the test fleet of four vehicles, there was also the current LS430, nicely parked next to the prototype of its replacement. At first sight one might not notice the difference between the two cars, but looking closer it is quite obvious. The new one on the left has bigger tires, is wider, and parts of the body look handmade. Also note the fender bulges front and rear, needed to cover the extra-wide tires mounted on large-diameter wheels. Along with the Lexus cars they had company from a BMW 7-Series and a Mercedes S-Class, which were included in the test fleet to give a direct side-by-side driving comparison of the Lexus with its top competitors. The replacement LS sedan is expected to have a 4.6-liter V-8 engine, which would naturally result in the car being renamed as the LS460. Along with the more powerful engine will come the usual improvements to luxury, safety, and electronics that Lexus builds into each new vehicle. Lexus will also offer a hybrid version of the LS460. The hybrid version is rumoured to be named the LS600h, and will combine Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive with a V-8 engine. The 2007 Lexus LS460 is expected for fall 2006, and the hybrid model will likely be introduced several months later. The computer rendering above shows what the production model might look like.

10-03-2005, 08:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
NSL Where's the pub? Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 506 My Mood: Thanks: 135 Thanked 162 Times in 80 Posts Blog Entries: 1	Re: Lexus LS 460/LS 460h Additional pics..

10-03-2005, 11:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
MoSs AMG Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bell California , USA Posts: 1,328 My Mood: Thanks: 64 Thanked 54 Times in 38 Posts	Re: Lexus LS 460/LS 460h who will buy a toyota that costs more than 100 000$?

10-04-2005, 01:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mr. Mercedes Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 1,285 Thanks: 96 Thanked 77 Times in 52 Posts	Re: Lexus LS 460/LS 460h Lexus is moving far beyond the tarted up Toyota stage. While that was once true, it simply does not hold that well anymore. I am hugely looking forward to this new LS. It's set to premiere at Tokyo right?

10-04-2005, 02:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
Hypersonic Aficionado Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 5,381 Thanks: 864 Thanked 761 Times in 464 Posts	Re: Lexus LS 460/LS 460h I have posted these before but.......... The most prestigious Japanese car is not a Lexus - they are the Toyota Century and the Nissan President. These cars are made primarily for the Japanese market and are big status symbols there. Toyota Century NISSAN PRESIDENT I know what you're thinking....................... .....right? Last edited by Hypersonic; 10-07-2005 at 05:10 AM.

10-04-2005, 10:09 AM	#7 (permalink)
Alx 007 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: -Poconos, PA.- 2005 Aston Martin DB9 Posts: 5,458 My Mood: Thanks: 886 Thanked 551 Times in 224 Posts	Re: Lexus LS 460/LS 460h It looks like a plumb 2006 Toyota Avalon (btw i think the Avalon looks awesome!), but i really expect more, they really need to give the LS a big make over to compete with competition. Too many beautiful new models are coming out from the competition they really need to come out with something stunning, not a facelift. As for the H versions, they are the way to go! Impressie power and little gas! Big deal!

10-04-2005, 11:19 AM	#8 (permalink)
Mirage77 The Doughnutman. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 5,438 Thanks: 1,473 Thanked 1,225 Times in 722 Posts	Re: Lexus LS 460/LS 460h The LS will look much more sportier, aggressive and a whole lot more macho for sure. The competition like the 7 and the W221 are all 'muscular' cars, so to speak. And deriving from the new GS and IS, I'm expecting an awesome car from Lexus. Just wondering, why don't they do a LWB version of the LS?

10-05-2005, 07:25 AM	#9 (permalink)
Snake Vargas Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 1,201 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Lexus LS 460/LS 460h I suppose that Toyota Century is a motorised equivalent of the horse drawn carriage, or the Swiss Guard, if you want to look at it that way. Sure it looks old and clunky, and the handling is likely to be nothing beyond 'competent' at best (the power should be 'adequate', though ), but that'd be missing the point. Plus, that "LS" mule on the track is a Toyota Crown Royal from Japan. It's been on sale there for a fair while. It is not how it will look. And I doubt highly that the artist's rendition will be that close, either, for better or worse. I'm looking forward to what Lexus will do with its newfound design direction - do their own thing, or rehash old themes..

10-06-2005, 10:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mr. Mercedes Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 1,285 Thanks: 96 Thanked 77 Times in 52 Posts	Re: Lexus LS 460/LS 460h Presenting the new LS460: - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER I'm guessing these are EXTREMELY unflattering photographs. So I'm going to withhold judgment for now. But wow look at that kerb weight, E-class 5-series territory. This car is probably packing some serious technology.

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