Lexus took the wraps off its LS Concept in Tokyo on Tuesday to showcase the automaker’s big plans for its flagship sedan.
The car — which is about as long as a 1995 Cadillac DeVille Concours — boasts a hydrogen power plant to drive all of its wheels, an “advanced human interface” to recognize hand gestures, and a spindle grille the size of Rhode Island.
The concept shows the direction Lexus designers may take for its future full-size sedan, including floating L-shaped lights in front and back.
According to the automaker, many of the car’s styling cues could make it into the production version of the LS, which is slated to arrive sooner rather than later to catch up with competitors such as Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, who’ve all introduced new versions of their full-size sedans within the last four years.
“Lexus wants to surprise and evoke emotion with its distinctive design and forward-thinking technology. For us, it is more than just a car, and we should exceed conventional imagination. The LF-FC expresses our progressive luxury and high-tech vision of a not so distant future,” Tokuo Fukuichi, Lexus International President, said in a statement.
In its concept, Lexus’ sedan exhibits more coupe-like proportions than the automaker has shown. The gently sloping windshield and long hood aren’t reciprocated in the rear quarter (which borrows a lot from the IS, I say).
Although the hydrogen powertrain and massive tail lights may not make it into a future sedan, it’s likely that interior details and the Lexus LS-FC’s overall shape could survive into the production model.
F***in’ A, now offer me a gas version with two doors and a front bumper.
“about as long as a 1995 Cadillac Deville”
Which is the CORRECT size for a real luxury car. Hell the K-body Deville 4.9 and D-body Fleetwood were the last real Cadillacs, well of those that worked.
If it wasn’t for the ride and the bumper, you’d be a good candidate for a BMW 6 Series.
I do like the Six Series but like most people fear the post warranty period. On the Lex, not so much.
That grill is actually bigger than Rhode Island.
Yes, but you can grate a really huge piece of cheese on it.
Actually, I sorta like it.
It kind of like tactical cyclone fence in a sexy fishnet sort of way.
Does a physical model actually exist, or is the “concept” purely digital?
I’d whiz on that grille if I could be sure it wasn’t electrified.
“It looks like a nice grill-
–
-for me to poop on!”
Mr. Regular, is that you?
This could really put a dent on S Class sales…providing they can WOW everyone with a high-lux enough interior, and gee wiz options to truly impress the demographic they are going for…by looking at what I see so far, it would make for a tough decision over the S Class. Like trying to decide which supermodel to sleep with. LOL
Well, if it stays 209 inches long, I won’t be replacing my 2008 LS with one in a few years! That is, unless I move somewhere with a bigger garage. That’s a full foot longer than my car.
The rich and wealthy are sitting on the edge of their seats waiting for this barge you can bet.
Hydrogen. Why?
It seems to me I could run these things on methane. I’m just one asparagus breakfast omelette, one pizza lunch, one chili dinner and three double shots of bourbon from running one of these all night.
Fart collector cushions connected to the powertrain is all I’d need.
Four collector cushions and three friends with bean burritos – instant sport version.
Because hydrogen is about greenwashing and pleasing the CARB.
Compliance cars will, henceforth, be hydrogen cars!
Electric and natural gas vehicles are probably what my grandchildren will grow up with. (My older son in 5.)
That was satirical. I had to ask why in order to make the free methane play.
I am tickled that someone read the post and actually made a serious comment on it.
Gold star for me.
I wonder if The Onion could use an automotive writer…
Lexus – take the hint. Get rid of Remote Touch. NO ONE likes it.
I want to like Lexus, because they’re the few luxury cars that aren’t a downgrade from the Toyotas in my driveway as far as reliability is concerned…
But those “spindle grills” are just plain hiddious. It evokes emotion, but it,s not a good one.
I thought that the point of luxury cars was that you didn’t have to make tradeoffs the way you do downmarket. The engineering proverb is that you can make tradeoffs OR throw money at the problem. Why is it, then, that with luxury cars, you make tradeoffs AND throw money at the problem? For instance, if you won’t a premium or luxury car that’s as reliable as a beater Toyota, you must also accept a hideous grill ripped from the face of The Predator? SMH
I’m curious as to what current and former LS owners think. I’ll start.
I bought mine because of its high technology, reputation for reliability, emphasis on comfort, and timeless understated elegance. I always get the impression that if you’re buying midsize luxury sedan, you’re no more than 1 product cycle away from status anxiety and the itch to trade-in for the latest and greatest. Whereas with the LS, what you’re really buying into is the idea that there are products that transcend the ephemeral that is today’s luxury market.
That said, the money is in the ephemeral disposable luxury car, so no wonder they had to abandon their core values and chase after the 36 month lease crowd. That means no more quiet luxury and more polarizing design. I’ll get used to it, but I’d rather have a Toyota Crown Royal or Century.
Herringbone wood trim, like an old Victorian house!
Other than that, I’d leave the rest. Too close to the Mirai.
There’s a 1959 Invicta calling, it wants its grille back.
DO NOT ANGER THE ’59 BUICK!