http://www.automobear.com/LexusInThe...entLuxury.html

 

Full of info!

 

dead link

 

Works for me

 

Beautifully written! Thanks for sharing.

 

don't know why he considers the current LS such a poor car (the article was written before the 04 refresh), compared to the original. I'm not saying the LS is above criticism but find some real flaws. Maybe he doesn't realize Lexus is a business to make profits, their investors expect profits.

I completely disagree w/a unified stying theme. If all the cars look the same what differentiates them, nothing.

Every Benz, BMW, and especially Audi look identical. Don't think they have such great styling departments either. MB showed they are incompetent at styling w/the Maybach, it looks exactly like any other Benz. There was nothing original about the interior or exterior. With the amts of vehicles Lexus is moving no need for unified styling, it is a bad thing. Once the new ES/IS/GS/LS Lexus better have unique looking vehicles.

The lack of technology is BS, Lexus is currently pioneering hybrid engine systems which will find their way on Lexus models soon enough.

My biggest beef w the 06 GS isn't the lack of styling, the interior is exactly where it should be...I'd say the RL's looks a little better. But the GS problem is its lack of power, these days running the same 4.3L is not good for image. The mags are going to focus on the slight hp deficit, even if the GS has better overall dynamics, acceleration, emissions, mpg, reliability. The GS430 should clean outmuscle everyone else, we all know Toyota is capable of building such an engine. Now Lexus will be replacing that V8 very soon, but at least update the engine.

Then he insults the SUV craze at Lexus. Lexus damn near invented luxury SUV's and nearly put Land Rover out of business. The Germans were bragging about how they will never build SUV's, Lexus is now dominating the luxury SUV market. They invented the RX car based SUV which now everyone is copying. Lexus focused on the SUV market, dominates the market, and is preparing to release completely redisigned cars.

 

i guess the ls400 really was the first car to have tilt/telescoping steering wheel, at least according to this article. i remember a thread awhile back about that subject.

also, i just noticed that the chief designer of the ls400's name is ichiro suzuki

 

CaMiro (from Car and Driver Forums) wrote that article and the photos were taken by Christian Wimmer (CAWIMMER430 on C&D), and I know both quite well. I am also the "Michael" who added those comments in the end. I must mention that Miro was the one who added the "until recently" at the end of the section about the Japanese leading the Germans in technology.

-Michael-

 

I didn't agree with the tone of the article and positively laughed at some of the "suggestions." Sure, many of us whine about not having a AMG or ///M fighting division, but we don't go out of our way to question or dissect the strategies or major decisions of the most successful car company in the world.

 

i was wondering how they handled that first recall....

CEO

 

Interesting read. As mentioned, some areas I can agree, others not quite. Given Toyota, volumes could be written to give insight into these cars and the corprate plan.

 

Good read, thanx for the link