Lexus LS: 4th Generation (2007-Present)

Welcome to a new feature here at TPP, the Wallpaper of the Week! From now on, every Wednesday will bring a brand new desktop image from every era of Lexus, from the ES 250 right down to the LF-A, and everything in between.

This first edition, which stands as one of my favorite desktop images of all time, is a visual progression through each Lexus LS model:

This desktop is pitch-perfect, right down to the dark-to-light paint colors. I love the sense of continuity, though it also illustrates just how radical the change from the LS 430 to the LS 460 really was.

Enjoy!

Looks like the rumor of an Lexus LS-F is growing some legs — Last week, I reported the possibility that an F-Sport variant of the Lexus flagship could be released in 2009, and now Autoblog has “confirmed” the speculation, along with some bonus IS-F sales news:

Hirokazu Koga, general manager of the Lexus Development Center and one of the men behind the IS F, told Autoblog that if the automaker goes forward with plans to create a GS F, an LS F could be in the cards.

According to two Lexus execs we spoke to, the IS F outsold both the Mercedes-Benz C63 and BMW M3 Sedan last month (we can’t confirm, since Lexus doesn’t break down sales of the IS by model), but if consumers are accepting the idea of a high-performance Lexus, than other models will surely follow.

The information from last week was much more specific, but one thing I found interesting was Hirokazu Koga suggesting the LS-F would be released depending on the GS-F’s success. In my mind, going forward with an F-variant on the current GS doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense, considering it’s the oldest L-Finesse model and, more importantly, it’s not selling very well. In that regard, an LS-F makes a lot more sense, particularly if the other rumor of a 2009 model facelift is true.

As for the IS-F outselling both the Mercedes C63 and BMW M3 sedan last month — that would certainly justify the renewed push to increase the F-model variants.

[Source: Autoblog]

When it comes to the release of the Lexus LS 460 AWD version, this picture says it all:

As expected, the LS 460 AWD was introduced at the Moscow International Auto Show today, and the folks at Autoblog have a full photo gallery of the model. The only thing? That AWD badge in the photo above is the only discernible difference from regular version.

That said, here are the more technical particulars:

The LS 460’s outstanding performance, sure-footed dynamic abilities and advanced active safety systems have been further strengthened by the addition of permanent all-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive system is a three differential configuration featuring a highly compact TORSEN® Limited Slip Differential (LSD) – shared with the LS 600h - which distributes drive torque between the front and rear axles with a 40:60 rear axle bias in torque distribution.

The LS 460 AWD will be on sale as from November.

It was only last week that we heard of Lexus’ plans to release an All-Wheel Drive version of the LS 460/L, and now it’s been confirmed for introduction at the Moscow International Motor Show:

The new model, to be sold along side the existing LS 460 and LS 460 L, features permanent all wheel drive system similar to the one found in the top-level LS 600h L. The AWD system uses three differentials and borrows the Torsen Limited Slip Differential from the LS 600h L to distribute power front and rear, for a 40/60 split.

The Moscow show opens August 28th (meaning more photos), with the LS 460/L AWD available to dealerships sometime during November.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Motor Trend has wrapped up their year-long stay with the Lexus LS 460L, which had its share of ups and downs:

…our staffers lauded the interior’s rich ambiance and excellent ergonomics, the buttery V-8’s power and acceleration, and the first-rate bumper-to-bumper build quality. And with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it didn’t force us to visit the gas pump that frequently. Over its year stay, the LS delivered an impressive 18.7 mpg, highlighted by a best tank average of 30.2 mpg.

As we spent more time behind the LS’s wheel, however, our admiration shifted to dissatisfaction…Complaints ranged from minor grumbles (”Side mirrors are too small”) to major grievances (”If you’re a driver, you’ll just find the whole experience numb and uninvolving. There is no emotion to this car. None”), all of which made us wish Lexus had produced more of a driver’s car than a curtailed limousine. “Too soft” and “floaty” were common notebook entries, as was, “more wind noise than I expected.”

I always find myself bristling when I read complaints about “numb steering” and “uninvolved driving”, but then I remember that I’m reading a car magazine and that’s what they do. Nothing’s perfect, after all. (But seriously, new tires and brake pads at 20K? The car’s a limousine, not a track-star.)

When the new BMW 7-series was introduced last week, there was certainly some criticism of the exterior, particularly in its likeness to the Lexus LS. When comparing the direct side profiles, I saw a passing resemblance, but couldn’t understand the big fuss. Then I saw this action montage:

That’s just unfortunate.

[Images assembled by chonnes04]