When it comes to Toyota products, Burlapps' site is actually pretty reliable...somehow he has gotten images up of future Toyota products prior to alot of the big-wig auto sites.
The LS is one of the few Lexuses (Lexi?) that i still like. Yes, it has blatantly cribbed the 7er's line, but it's pretty damn worthy car. It's build quality is incredible. THe ML stereo is epic. For what it is, a large luxo barge, it does it job rather well. My only complaint are the interior details, something that I have echoed in the past, which are the obvious Toyota bits. Also the burl walnut wood just does not seem right. And there ought to be more customization options like MB's Designo or BMW's Individual program
Having seen the pics on Burlapp's sight, i'm not digging these changes. The rear lights look horrible and fussy, like a half-ass attempt to look artistic; the current looks elegant and simple. And the front lights look too big compared to the current set-up, which makes it look so chubby.
I liked where they were going design-wise. L-Finesse, while gimmicky-sounding, gave them some direction. I liked the GS and IS when it came out, but time has not been good to it. The LX, however, looks like Transformer, and that's not a compliment. The new RX looks like a face-lift of the old one. Now that I think about it, Centurion, you are right, their designs have been on a downwards slope these past few years. I think it's time that Lexus get some new designers. And designers who only design Lexi.