New Lexus LS to debut in Detroit

Fifth-generation Lexus luxury saloon will be the most advanced LS to date.

What's the news?

Next month's North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit will see Lexus present its new LS saloon.

This will be the fifth iteration of the luxury car since the first model debuted at the same event back in 1989, and will be based on the new global architecture for luxury vehicles (GA-L) platform. This also underpins the LC500 sports car, and will be used in an elongated form for the LS.

If the LF-FC concept is anything to go by, it will certainly look the part, and will mark a departure for the LS away from the traditional three-box saloon shape towards a more coupe-like profile. Powertrain options are expected to consist of hybrid choices from 2018, with hydrogen power on the horizon for 2019. Autonomous technology should also feature prominently, and this model will pitched as a technological and luxury flagship for the Japanese brand.

Its rivals will be the likes of the BMW 7 Series and Audi A8, and whilst its architecture won't allow it to achieve the relatively low weights of those cars, it should still be a step forward dynamically over the current model.

Published on: December 10, 2016