Long-Awaited 2018 Lexus LS Sedan Debuts in Detroit
Toyota’s luxury division is hoping to shake up the premium sedan segment once again with the redesigned 2018 Lexus LS.
Nearly three decades after the first LS was introduced at the Detroit auto show, Lexus took to the Motor City to introduce the fifth-generation version of its flagship sedan. Riding on a stretched version of the platform that underpins the 2018 Lexus LC coupe, the new LS looks every part the attention-grabber its predecessor was all those years ago.
The new platform allowed the car to be longer, lower and wider this time around, bellying the presence of a true flagship sedan. The 2018 Lexus LS rides on a wheelbase that stretches 123 inches (3,124 millimeters), approximately 1.3 inches (33 mm) longer than the current LS, while plenty of high-strength steel and aluminum was added to cut more than 200 lb (91 kg) from the car’s curb weight.
With an all-new twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine under the hood that makes 415 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque, Lexus claims the LS will run from a standstill to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds. Putting power down to the rear wheels is the same 10-speed automatic found in the V8-powered LC500, which features high gear ratios and equal shift intervals between each gear.
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Like the LC coupe, expect a hybrid version of the LS sedan to hit the market sooner rather than later — and one likely powered by the same combination of a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter engine and dual-drive electric motor.
On the safety side, the 2018 LS will feature a comprehensive suite of features, including an all-new function Lexus is calling Intuitive Pedestrian Detection with Active Steering. In a system the automaker is calling a world-first, the pedestrian detection feature will automatically apply the brakes and even steer around a pedestrian while keeping the car within its designated lane.
The 2018 Lexus LS is set to go on sale near the end of the year, according to the automaker. Stay tuned to AutoGuide.com for all the latest, including fuel economy and pricing.
Dan is AutoGuide.com's Road Test Editor, a long-suffering Buffalo Bills fan, and a car guy since childhood. He enjoys long walks on the beach and long drives just about anywhere the road, track or trail will take him. You'll see him driving around evaluating cars and in front of a camera talking about them. Dan is a member of the World Car of the Year jury.
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My god that spindle grille looks disgusting..... That feature alone must cost them 25-30% of potential sales. . . .