Just wondering, after the introduction of the '08 GS, that several stylistic and other exterior changes were undertaken, most notably:

1. Revised grille
2. Side mirror turn signal lights.

Does anyone think we will see these spread to the whole Lexus lineup with the refresh? Perhaps 2009 IS, 2010 ES/LS? We didn't see any of these signal lights on the LF concepts, but those all had camera side mirrors. I think it would be nice to match Mercedes/Acura/others with those side signal lights. Maybe they can add blind spot warning systems (but that's another issue).

But re: the grille...we saw a similar path with Audi, where they kept a traditional grille, and in the refresh changed it to this giant, 'waterfall'-esque grille that covers the forward bumper. Rather overdone IMO, although it is certainly brand-identifying and noticable.

However, Lexus seems to have done a similar thing, albeit not as brazen. The new GS grille is extended and forward, and juts into the bumper more than previously.

It reminds me that one criticism of Lexus when L-finesse came out was that the forward grille did not have a distinctive-enough identity; now M-B has the 3-pointed star, BMW the kidney grille, and Audi now this waterfall look. Perhaps Lexus has listened to those critics and is following suit?

I don't know if adding such a grille is a good idea to the IS/ES/LS; I would have preferred to make distinctive the look in a more flowing and smooth way; the new grille might work for the GS but I have doubts about the other vehicles.

Also, considering that the IS-F is coming out without such a grille (and before any refresh of the IS)...

Some pictures make the GS refresh grille look very different, others not so much...

 

honestly, i had a hard time figuring out what they changed on the bumper area. sure it looks better now imo, but its not like a total design overhall. I also think that if they chose to integrate side mirror turn signals, it should have been on the LS first, if not all the cars at once.

it better be on the new RX...i dont recall seeing them on the LX

 

Well, the IS should be next for a revamp, then the ES, then the LS.

That was the order they were released when remodeled...

 

I can't understand how they have omitted the turn signal mirrors for all these years. The front grille--I hope they don't expand that. They should take it away, in fact. More chrome on the grille, to me, just moves back to the "old man's car" style.

 

Lexus are already among the safest cars on the road. They don't NEED turn signals in the mirrors. I'm not for them, not against them.

The IS and LS and ES have the "jumbo" ears. The GS strangely does not. Though it might be my next car, i honestly don't know what the Lexus GS team really is thinking with this car. The update is the usual Lexus subtle (and growing on me) but the turn signals are there for what exactly?

Lexus vehicles I doubt will ever have the same grill. If anything, each line has its own grill theme.
SC-horizontal
LS-horizontal
ES-horizontal
IS-was horizontal, not waterfall
GS-waterfall
The trucks, not sure off the top of my head.

One thing amazing about Lexus, before L-finesse, they were easy to distinguish as Lexus even if they all looked different.

The Germans have now taken that cue, abandoning the 1 shape, 12 different sizes cars.

 

The new grille is horrible...just horrible

 

Not a fan of the new grill on the redesigned GS. To much chrome IMO and it just doesn't look clean. Its a mess (though light colors like silver or white hide the grill a little bit). Plus the grill looks like it is eating into the round inner headlight. I am sure we are going to see more of that design trait as the LF-Xh concept has this design feature as well.


Its not a bad idea, I just think the cars have to be designed with that grill in mind, instead of just slapped on like on the GS.






As for the mirrors, Lexus is really 5 years to late IMO. Played the heck out and really not needed.

 

Very interesting observation, GFerg! I did not notice that aspect also on the LF-Xh concept. I assume that the next RX will get the signal lights as well.

One of the reasons why I think they decided to integrate it, is because those signal lights seem to be a safety requirement in Europe and other countries...the Lexus models there get an extra fender turn signal light. It's fine, a little detail, but at times it looks tacked-on. Integrating it into the mirror is a nicer way of doing it, more visible as well.

The extension of the grille through the lights looks like a way of expanding the Lexus brand identity. They do now share a common grille, in so much as the general outline shape, and the fact that it is set lower than the headlight level. The horizontal/vertical bar shape is different though.

I had hypothesized that they might go for a twin-bar effect extending out the sides of the Lexus badge a la RX 400h, but that might be difficult to implement.

The 'previous' LF-A does have a rather featureless grille section (shades of 1SC?) but the 'V' shaped contours remind me of the redone front end of the GS.

 

I don't like it either. It looks worse on a black/dark color car, a white/light color car hides it somewhat.

 

Again, the Lexus GS team is freaking weird. The GS is supposed to be a sport luxury sedan and the car has more chrome than the LS!! Chrome on the headlights, windows, grill (huge), doors.....Chrome usually means luxury and non-sport.

There has been no Coach model, no Sport design model nothing. The GS 300 was gone after only ONE year. That made no sense, let it hang on two years...

Then they equip the GS 430 with AAAS a year AFTER it debuts, which means a year AFTER all the reviews for this class are done.

Amazingly, the car still exceeded and meets sales targets. Weird.

 

The front airdam is slightly different. The "bars" that separate the air dam from the foglights are slightly tilted. The foglight "base" has also been designed to flow smoothly into the tilted "bars". Also near the high beams, there's a slight extension. Quite subtle.

 

why wait another year for GS300?

 

Maybe it's going after the 'VIP' crowd.

 

The new grill is an afterthought just like the rest of the car. Seems as if little effort was put into the 3rd gen GS.

 

I think all the updated models for 08 which are the GS, RX, GX and redesigned LX shows that you will see more chrome on the vehicles. I don't have any problems with the new refresh except for the rims it looks somewhat cheesy now the ones on the 460.