The 2013 Lexus LS Is Coming July 30 - What SHOULD It Have To Take Down The S-Class, 7-Series, A8, Panamera, Etc.?

Agent00R submitted on 7/11/2012 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 10:31:35 PM

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Tag Links: toyota, lexus, ls

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As we posted up this morning, Lexus is set to show off its new, 2013 Lexus LS as of July 30.

While the lineup sounds familiar, with models like the LS 460, LS 460 L, LS 600h L, it also adds another with the LS 460 F Sport.

While the excitement seems mixed so far, there are a couple of points that have to be thought out a bit:

1) Will this LS be an ALL-NEW car or merely an update to work in the spindle grille?

2) What does the 2013 Lexus LS NEED to take down its rivals, namely the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series, Audi A7, Porsche Panamera and whatever else you can think of?

While the LS isn't a volume product, it is an icon as it was the first model of the Lexus brand.



The 2013 Lexus LS Is Coming July 30 - What SHOULD It Have To Take Down The S-Class, 7-Series, A8, Panamera, Etc.?

About the Author

Agent00R

"There are two opinions in this world. Mine and the wrong one." -- Jeremy Clarkson

— Agent00R (View Profile)


User Comments

lexusrox123

Mainstream will never consider this as the top dog of the class even if it ends up superior to the rest. "it doesn't have 'soul'", "it doesn't have a rich heritage", or other stupid crap like that. Comment above mine kind of illustrates the condescension towards the LS...

— lexusrox123 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/11/2012 11:51:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

Driver8

Well Lexus has it self to blame for that. Although it does have some halo cars (LFA - an engineering exercise that is widely regarded but hugely overpriced, and the IS-F which is an alternative but not better than the M3), it is generally a car for older people who don't really want driving dynamics and want reliability. Which is fine but they want a younger demographic. They are improving. The hybrid stuff hasn't matured enough.

Lexus has nothing to prove but they consistently demonstrate that they have a product that the rest of the world doesn't want - except for the US.

— Driver8 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2012 12:20:25 AM | | Votes: -4   

ThierryHenry14

Lexus only put this car out to steal market share...

@Aaron... you are kidding me right?

— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2012 2:01:22 PM | | Votes: -3   

LexSucks

Only Americans are dumb enough to like Lexus.

— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2012 5:41:59 PM | | Votes: -3   

enthusiastx11

it's not superior in any substantive way....the LS is not tops in acceleration, power, handling, ride, technology, styling or any other meaningful characteristic. it's does everything quite well and at a great value price relative to it's much more expensive competitors.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2012 8:23:09 PM | | Votes: -3   

LexSucks

WOW!!! I must have really hurt your feelings? Let it go. LOL!!!

— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 7/13/2012 1:21:39 PM | | Votes: -4   

enthusiastx11

they're raising the base MSRP by more than 10%?? that's shocking.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2012 8:24:14 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

lexworld

...We should expect what Lexus has been since day one and that is the Pursuit of Perfection. However, just give them products more plenty more power and excellent road dynamics and the loyal and new comers will keep Lexus on top where they belong.

— lexworld (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2012 10:27:55 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

Designer1

I double there will be a boost in power. The design will still be conservative, nothing fancy like some of their drawing for the LS, unfortunately.

Sportiness? naa this is purely a large luxury sedan, like the none sport S and 7 series. The F sport will ahhh have some firm suspension but to me I will still take it over the S, 7, or A8 any day any time, simply because it's a way way better built car, mechanically, quality, reliability, and comfort.

If I want a large sport sedan then we're talking the likes of AMG S models, the S8, etc... and the LS doesn't have something to complete with these.

— Designer1 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2012 11:40:56 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Mercedes

Clearly you have no clue about build quality. Just a sit in or drive of the S-Class reveals it to be a better built car with a solidity and heftiness lacking in the LS. The LS looks and feels like a really nice Toyota inside and out. Comfort? The S-Class rides just as good if not better, but with much better body control and handling. There is a reason why the LS has been beat in every comparison since 2007, it simply doesn't have anything on the competition anymore and the current LS is the best one yet.

— Mercedes (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2012 12:10:52 PM | | Votes: -4   

Mercedes

This is shaping up to be a joke. If this is a just a warm over of the current car then the new S-Class is going to murder it. The current LS460 has had its lugnuts handed to it by the S550 since day one. The only area where the Lexus has been ahead is a point or 2 higher on the reliability chart and it still hasn't been perfect. Recalls for steering, engine and brake problems.

— Mercedes (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2012 12:07:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

Baby

Somebody need to get a clue in life...

— Baby (View Profile)

Posted on 7/17/2012 1:29:20 AM | | Votes: 1   

knowitall1985

The 2007 LS460 crushed the seven series (most buybacks in BMW history) and the overpriced S-class that started building Lexus interiors.

— knowitall1985 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2012 12:46:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

Mercedes

Yet another clueless Lexus fan. A Mercedes interior nothing like that generic mess you get in a Lexus.

— Mercedes (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2012 12:59:03 PM | | Votes: 0   

Willis

Lexus interiors are a joke. Terrible messed-up design and overrated materials. When I sit in a Lexus I feel like I am in a Toyota Avalon...

— Willis (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2012 6:53:01 PM | | Votes: -4   

knowitall1985

This year is just a re-fresh not a RE-DESIGN....

— knowitall1985 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2012 12:47:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

enthusiastx11

we know. sad for a model that's already 6 years old.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2012 8:25:49 PM | | Votes: -4   

Mercedes

The S-Class will be a new car with the same or a revised engine. Thing is the LS460's engine is already way behind in power and its still n/a when the class has moved on to turbos or supercharging so Lexus's engine is weak and outclassed. S550 just got a new engine for 2012 so it can keep the same 429hp/516lb-ft rating or improve upon that and be more than relevant for the class.

— Mercedes (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2012 4:17:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

enthusiastx11

the S-class coming next years is a TOTALLY new car, NOT a facelift like the LS that's been around since 2006 (without any noteworthy revisions).

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2012 11:02:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5   

ThierryHenry14

Mercedes, its actually a shame that you even compare an S-class to a Lexus LS, night and day, Mercedes, the standard bearer, Lexus, well, its a Lexus...

— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/13/2012 12:13:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

PLAY

It doesn't need much. It is already a superb car, it is simply at the end of its life cycle so demand for it is low.

— PLAY (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2012 7:24:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

enthusiastx11

it's lifecycle going on and on...this is hardly a new car. more like a new grille.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2012 8:21:26 PM | | Votes: -4   

enthusiastx11

the LS 'taking down' any of those cars is unlikely bordered on outright funny. the LS 'taking down' the panamera is hysterical beyond belief. who wrote such a stupid headline? have you actually DRIVEN these cars?

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2012 8:20:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

ThierryHenry14

agreed! hilarious...

— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/13/2012 12:14:19 PM | | Votes: -2   

david999

Unfortunately for many owners of luxury German cars, reliability has been their downfall that has let Lexus take market share away. I do not find anything appealing in the S-class that would outweigh its historically lousy reliability record. Nothing is more frustrating than to have a sensor go off in your $100k car that may mean another trip to the dealer. All the interiors of this class of vehicles are impressive, all ride a drive nice. The reality is that when one speaks to a service manager at one of these German car dealers, they all will tell you in confidence to buy a Lexus next time.

— david999 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2012 9:12:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

enthusiastx11

reality check: the S-class is one of the most reliable cars on the planet. how many 20 year old lexus do you see on the road? LOTS of 25-year-old 80s S-class rolling around.

PRICE has allowed lexus to move lots of sheetmetal. if the LS started at $95,000 like the S550 instead of $67,000, who would choose the LS? in EXACTLY what ways does the LS surpass the S-class? please.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/12/2012 11:00:16 PM | | Votes: -6   

ThierryHenry14

david999... how old are you? because what you just said shows that you have the mental capacity of a 10 year old, if that...

— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/13/2012 12:18:08 PM | | Votes: -2   

ThierryHenry14

enthusiastsx11... absolutely agree... if you believe your car is superior, you can demand a premium and set the price higher (after all, if your car is superior, then people would buy the car regardless of price and lets face is, Toyota is a business, looking to make profits). I mean, while we are at it, Toyota fans seem to believe in their products so much, why even make a car in a "class"? Just make your own segment, then you will become a standard bearer which everyone strides to become... Its exactly what they did with the HS250 and what a success... oh wait, they discontinued that... nvm...

— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/13/2012 12:22:31 PM | | Votes: -1   

Johnel

"Reality check: the S-class is one of the most reliable cars on the planet. how many 20 year old lexus do you see on the road? LOTS of 25-year-old 80s S-class rolling around.enthusiastx11"

That's because MB in the 80's didn't have all these electronic gremlins that keeps malfunctioning like the MB cars from 90's and up. The worst years for Mercedes were the 90's when they bought Chrysler their reliability sank into an all time low. BMW is by far far the worst in reliability. The Ultimate Driving Machine my ass, thats if it can stay on the road without breaking down, more like the Ultimate Unreliable Machine.

The only German Brand that are reliable is Porsche, where they are serious about their cars performing right.
Lexus came and changed the ways German built their interiors, the same way Honda NSX changed the ways Ferrari produced its car in making them more reliable.

However I must give credit where it is due, and Mercedes has worked hard to regain the quality it once had, since they offloaded Chrysler, but have still ways to go. German cars mechanicals are well engineered but as far as their electronics is concerned they suck big time.

As far as Build Quality & RELIABILITY

1) Lexus
2) Porsche
3) Audi & Mercedes are tied (Note that Audi's do have the best interiors bar none)
4) BMW

Also to those people who say MB BMW have heritage soul and been around for 100 yrs is BS!!!!! After 100 years you would think they would learn how to build a reliable car, until that happens it will mean NOTHING unless the car you build is reliable.

I find these German cars way too overrated and overpriced!!! Not to mention their Overpriced Options this and that , that should come standard in cars costing 95K and up, example want a Bang & Olufsen sound system add another $5000k. Save your $5000 and go read what owners of the new 2013 Mercedes SL class say and how they regret getting that option because the sound is no greater then the base sound system.

Also sick and tired of hearing the same crap about how well the German cars handle, yes they handle better then a Lexus, but be my guest go and drive and see how the German car handles on your American highways and roads you'll have Smokey up your ass giving you speeding ticket.

Besides the majority of people who buy these cars MB, BMW, Audi's, Panamera cars exceed the max imum speed limit we have on our North American highway and roads. The drivers that own all of these brands are not your typical drivers who would kick the shit out of their cars or take them to tracks.

The only way anyone here could truely appreciate these German cars handling, is if we drive them on the Autobahn. In North America we will never know what these cars are capable because our laws and highways don't allow it.

The perfect German car would be a joint venture German mechanical engineering with Japanese electronic engineering and those cars would be more reliable. End of my Rant

— Johnel (View Profile)

Posted on 7/13/2012 8:56:03 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

Monopoly

Great post Johnel!

— Monopoly (View Profile)

Posted on 7/13/2012 10:35:27 AM | | Votes: 4   

Johnel

In my post above i meant to say NEVER exceed in the 3rd last paragraph. Seriously we need an edit button here.

— Johnel (View Profile)

Posted on 7/13/2012 9:00:23 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

iamdabest1

I love German cars but the fact of the matter is Lexus needs to do nothing to beat the Germans..
the people who buy the LS460, buy it for a reason, the LOVE the car. It is extremely comfortable, very luxurious interior and reliable. A car in this class needs nothing more.
I work with many attorneys who have the ls460 and can afford bmw, audi, benz and the last thing they care about is alpina/ amg rims or performance.

— iamdabest1 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/13/2012 6:47:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

skytop

Maybe if the Lexless LS flies and produces 53 MPG on regular gas. Then and only then might it compete with the Beemer and the Merc.

— skytop (View Profile)

Posted on 7/16/2012 11:11:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

NISSANINFINITI

I CANT WAIT!

— NISSANINFINITI (View Profile)

Posted on 7/19/2012 11:44:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

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