LS Lexus LS SZ??? Possible Benz S63 AMG competitor?

[HighestOfHigh]

Though some find the Lexus LS series a bit on the plain side for a premium executive luxury sedan, there are also those that just can't get over its pleasing lines. Whatever camp you fall into, you're unlikely to change your mind for the 2010 model year, as new shots of the car leaked today show little is changing.

Updates are primarily visual, with the grille getting a tweak to match the newer HS 250h for the LS 600hL hybrid, along with side-mirror turn signals, new wheels and a slightly modified rear bumper/taillight combo, at least on the Japanese-market cars, which the images, leaked by a Japanese-language blog, depict.

The standard LS 460 keeps its current grille, but gets re-worked bumpers, head and tail lights, wheels and the turn-indicating side mirrors found on the hybrid.

A sporty 'Version SZ' (pictured above) is also depicted in the leaked brochure, though it isn't necessarily headed for the U.S. It gets a honeycomb-style grille, unique wheels, updated front and rear bumpers, and a paddle-shifted automatic gearbox.

Hit the link below for the full leaked brochure.



- Leaked: 2010 Lexus LS 460, 600hL And Sporty LS SZ - MotorAuthority

 

[Sunny]

I doubt people who buy an LS are looking for anything remotely sporty.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

To say that Lexus designs tend more toward the "evolutionary" than "revolutionary" would be like saying that Rasputin had a bit of a violent streak. Case in point: The new LS sedan, which the Toyota luxury division has apparently updated for next year in typical Lexus style. That is, incrementally different from the model it replaces, with styling tweaks barely visible to the naked eye. At least, not at first glance.

Early images of the redesigned flagship sedan come courtesy of The Lexus Enthusiast, which has managed to get hold of what looks to be a leaked JDM brochure for the vehicle ahead of its official launch. Visible changes made to the LS 460 and the gas-electric LS 600h include new front and rear bumpers and lights, turn signals integrated into the mirror housings, and of course, new wheels.

Inside, the cabin gets a mild refresh as well to integrate a night vision system into the instrument cluster, right in the middle of the speedo. There's also a customization program called L-Select, and the anticipated LS-Sport "Version SZ", characterized as an aggressive take on the luxury yacht with a more assertive aero package, wheels and grille treatment. That's about all we've got for now, but you can check out the scanned brochure in the gallery below.


- Leaked Lexus brochure reveals updated LS sedan — Autoblog

 

[Merc1]

Of course its the facelift, Mercedes does one so Lexus must do one. I wonder if this will be the U.S. market LS460 for 2010.

M

 

[mentir]

From what I could glean before dozing off, this sounds more like a sport or appearance package, rather than an actual performance upgrade.

 

[Merc1]

The White one looks pretty good though.


M

 

[NarutoRamen]

It's just a LS facelift that is labeled as SZ. If they were really gonna go after the AMG Benz then they would've used their "F" brand and it most likely would've been called LS-F.

 

[ateekt]

If they'll ever built a performance version of big Ls (& imo, they won't) it'll carry the F badge!

Ls is not doing good with the sale's figures & believe it, the Ls-F is the last thing on Toyota's mind!

 

[Shining Star]

This is no S63 competitor; it doesn't even look very sporty.

I'd take the S63 no question.

 

[NarutoRamen]

I'd take the S63 no question.

I doubt there is anyone on this board who will take the LS over the S63.