A huge milestone for Lexus. I don't expect anything less than the utmost in luxury, customer-oriented vehicles within the company's lineup. I do feel Lexus will continue pushing not just F-sport but also the F marquee. It is important to keep vehicles like the IS F and LFA fresh in consumers' minds, as it adds to the competition. I remember five years ago when the IS F was not even introduced, and people I knew who had Ms and AMGs were raving about how Lexus didn't have a single performance vehicle in its lineup. Now, the F (IS F and LFA) and F-sport variations have been created and quite frankly well received. A GS F, I believe, should be next, given how much praise the M5 and E63 AMG have been given. Frankly, I know I might be the minority of the group, but I think there should NOT be an LFA II. I have heard that the current LFA owners were a bit peeved about the idea of a second batch of future LFAs, when Lexus had marketed this concept as "only 500 produced." I know I'l probably get some arguments over this, but LFA II simply doesn't have the same aura as when the LFA originated in 2010. I love that Lexus has expanded its lineup and integrated a more sport-based perspective into its vehicles, and would like to see more of what it has upcoming not only for this upcoming momentous occasion but also beyond. 25 years... FTW!

 

Bingo! That Avalon life cycle template was my reference as to when to expect the 5th generation LS. I try my best not to make Toyota references when discussing premium/RWD Lexus models, but I've always felt that the Avalon had an invisible connection to the LS with it being the Toyota brand's flagship sedan. I think what we saw with that and the 2013 LS is a case of internal reevaluation on premium product offerings, thus delaying next generation models. I'd really like for them to bring a very ground-breaking LS to the table, that proves immune to justified criticism. Apparently some people have already seen the next generation LS privately, but are mum about its details for legal reasons and didn't respond to any questions. Before I assumed they were referring to the 2013 model, but clearly they meant a vehicle due in a few years.

 

I'd like to see a V12 LS and a new SC.

 

While I also thought the same as you guys are for the Avalon, there was also a suspicion in my head that was sorta confirmed by the Chief Engineer on Autoline that said Toyota almost killed the car. The 2011 Avalon seemed more or less like a stop gap while they decided on what to do with the car. Avalon's Chief Engineer said they started work on the 4th Gen in late 2009 and the 2011 refresh came out in February 2010, so clearly there was no Avalon in the works while they refreshed it for 2011.

The LS might very well follow the same template, but likely under different circumstances.

 

I wouldn't read too much into that. Toyota does not make last-minute decisions like that on volume models. The Avalon is not some ultra-niche model.

I'm sure that at the high level of Toyota executives, the 2013 Avalon had been green-lighted earlier than late 2009.

 

not sure really why 25 years has much significance, but a new ground-breaking LS would be awesome!