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2003 Lexus LF-S Concept

Sneaking a Peak at the Next GS

Theres often so much in a name. Take the Lexus LF-S that debuted at the Tokyo motor show in the fall for instance. What does LF-S stand for? Lexus Future Sedan: if thats not a hint Im not an automotive reporter.

OK, most likely a few things will give way when Lexus debuts its next-generation GS next month, but if the Japanese luxury brand manages to move the design forward from concept to reality relatively unchanged, the GS will also go to the top of the charts.

Lexus unveiled its LF-S at the Tokyo auto show this fall, along with a sport tourer dubbed LF-X that looks identical to the HPX concept which debuted much earlier in the year.

Compared to the extreme modernism of new BMWs, the staid convention

Unveiled at the Tokyo auto show this fall, the LF-S is expected to be the basis for the future GS. (Photo: Lexus)

of Jaguar or the classic albeit somewhat generic styling of Mercedes-Benz, Lexus looks to be moving toward an elegant yet futuristic approach to its future GS, more on the lines of Audis design philosophy but nevertheless quite original.

This refreshing approach could spell havoc for competitive luxury brands. After all, with stellar performance now a factor in the majority of the brands current crop of products, superb fit, finish and quality of materials, and best in the business

Lexus looks to be moving toward an elegant yet futuristic approach to its future GS. (Photo: Lexus)

reliability looking to continue forward, the lack of a distinctive brand identity to set all of its models apart from rival carmakers is the only attribute keeping its mainstream cars from cleaning up.

It would help if that distinctive character look is also undeniably attractive to the largest portion of the sport sedan demographic as well, which should be the case for the LF-S. The new concept is much more aggressive than anything saleable Lexus has introduced up to this date, with narrow headlight slits that make it look like its up to no good at all. The fenders ease rearward following

When viewed from the side, the LF-S actually appears very coupe-like. (Photo: Lexus)

graceful shoulder lines that extend the entire length of the car, matched by parallel lines that start at the innermost point of the headlamps and rise upward along the much taller hood lines, finalizing at a pair of slender integrated side mirrors and resultantly abbreviated A-pillars. Due to the raised hood the windshield appears extremely short, but nevertheless fits the overall design well.

From the side the LF-S appears coupe-like, which has as much to do with its rearward sloping roofline, raked back window and seemingly nonexistent C-pillars as its complete lack of door handles, the latter the brands SmartAccess (remote sensing keyless entry and startup) technology as used

From front to back the LF-S design stirs inner emotions with similar effectiveness as the original SC 400 did when introduced in 1991. (Photo: Lexus)

on the LS 430 (and Toyota Prius) taken to the extreme.

The new concept looks even more coupe-like from behind. Sculpted taillights meld into the complex corner curves as if holding the entire superstructure together. Theyre smaller than the current oversize tail lamp trend, giving the cars rear end a simple elegance not seen often since classic European cars of the 1960s. The smaller lights make for a larger are for sheetmetal and composite body panels though, which could have been overly heavy to the eye if not for a raised valance with integrated underbody air ducting and what looks like a rear diffuser. The tail end treatment is capped off with what might be the largest Lexus insignias yet. From front to back the LF-S design stirs inner emotions

The LF-S features an all-wheel drive high-output 32-valve DOHC V8 hybrid system. (Photo: Lexus)

with similar effectiveness as the original SC 400 did when introduced in 1991 as a 1992 model, a car that still looks sensational today.

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