Lexus Is Preparing A Sportier LS For The New York Motor Show
Lexus is about to reveal a ‘more engaging’ version of its LS 500 luxury saloon, and we can’t help but frustrate ourselves with an annoying loop of reasoning as to why.
The LS 500 F Sport will be a sportier-looking, sharper-handling version of the big saloon built to rival the likes of the Audi A6 S line and BMW 7 Series M Sport in North America. With the LS 500 and LS 500h taking care of business on the comfort side, the F Sport will be for buyers who want to sacrifice some outright ride quality in favour of extra style.
Our beef with this is that ever since the LS 400 of the 1990s, the Lexus LS has been the go-to car for Rolls-Royce refinement on a relative budget. It’s a king among comfortable cars, so on one hand we ask: why bother tarnishing or muddying an image built up over 25 years? On the other hand, of course, the Germans have proved that people will pay extra to be less comfortable as long as they know they’re on the biggest wheels…
Sales of the revised LS are due to start at the end of this year, and it’s not yet confirmed whether the current V8 hybrid LS 600h will remain, or be replaced by the all-new V6-linked LS 500h. The latter has almost 300bhp from the petrol engine alone, pushing out well over that figure when combined with the on-board hybrid electrics, so Lexus may choose to can the 600.
The new LS 500 F Sport will take its first bow on April 12 at the New York International Auto Show.
Comments
Now let’s wait for the leaked image article
Audi A6 rival?
Don’t you mean A8 RIVAL
Matt Kimberley
Ah, but will this fit in an RX-7?
Lexus has done a fantastic job with the LS. Every generation has been a more perfect version of the last. The LS is always big, always reliable, and always has a NAV8 standard - until now. The small but diehard LS community was devastated when it was revealed the much anticipated new LS will feature a turbo v6 for the first time. I would happily take a performance loss to preserve the legacy. The LS was never meant to be sporty anyway. It’s supposed to be quiet, smooth and look devilishly handsome in black. Save the 0-60 stuff for the GS.
Thank you! Someone knows what the LS is.
I WANT RB AND ROTARY SWAP!!
I can already see fake exhaust end….
The LS is an incredible car. On the lwb, standard ottoman witb shiatsu massage and 4 zone infrared computer regulated climate control, as well as a fridge and radio control.
we need a v10 in heeere