mmarshall

Shambler, though, pointed out that the market for softer-riding vehicles is not as out of style as some believe. He was correct.....the manufacturers just aren't addressing it. And, not only that, the age-group that tends to have the highest-percentage of their disposable income to spend on new cars (late-50s-early 60s, just before retirement) tends to prefer cruisers over bruisers.

Like I said, though, I have no idea how the new Continental and CT6 will do on the road, so I'll hold some comments on them....(but I hope they both do better than the XTS and MKS...I wasn't impressed with either).

Also, don't misunderstand me....I'm NOT opposed to sport-oriented sedans by any means (in fact, I've enjoyed driving or reviewing some of them myself, and thought the world of the last-generation BMW 335i with hydraulic steering). But the market has become so saturated with them that, outside of a few models I've listed above, It's become difficult to find much else. Consumer Reports has also commented on that.

Toys4RJill

Yes the market has become saturated and that is true. Perhaps that is why MB is changing its AMG Sport into just AMG. Perhaps they see the market changing.

I understand that you like soft riding, and there is probably some market for them. But the industry has moved to a more driving feel and sport look, the auto industry also set a record for auto sales in 2015. So what are they missing?

Stereorob

will we get this car? hahahahahahahano.!! now way this awesome and beautiful car will ever make it to production. and if it does the production model will be watered down and stupid looking.

what a shame. this is beautiful. I really like this one.

SW17LS

FYI...this is the production car. It's not a concept.

Stereorob

Huh?! wow I thought just concept

SW17LS

No, the real production car was introduced at Detroit.

TangoRed

The car on the first page is the concept, the car in post #140 is the production version with the same colors.

mmarshall

A large part of that 15.7M record year, though, was in trucks, SUVs, crossovers, and other types of vehicles which don't have much bearing on what we were discussing.

Toys4RJill

Which further supports the notion that people do not want softly sprung suspensions.

Rhambler

I think there's a difference between a "softly sprung" car vs a quiet and comfortable vehicle, which was what I was inferring when I quoted that article. At least the image I have in my head is indeed of those old luxobarges that had more body roll than a cruise ship. I don't think any of these quiet, comfortable vehicles that squash noise, vibration and harshness to nothing can fit that category. My LS doesn't roll like a 70s Lincoln, but it is much more quieter and serene by that theme.

I desire quiet and comfortable. I'm not old. I've had my share of BMWs and "sports" cars that frankly didn't do anything for me while I was stuck in rush hour traffic, which constitutes the bulk of my driving. Got sick of feeling every rut in the road, dodging potholes like they were the plague and having thuds so loud that they vibrated my fillings when I didn't.

I want that comfortable ride to work and I just got a brand new LS. I like that tank-like vault that insulates me. I'm somebody!

Toys4RJill

But how many cars are like the LS? Most of the Lexus models have moved away from the Lexus LS theme. Some of them even pump simulated sound into the cabin to make the sport them more pronounced. Not sure if the LS Fsport does this.

SW17LS

Lexus doesn't pump simulated sound in. They use an intake sound generator that creates a real intake note and directs it back at the cabin. The LS F Sport has two actually. The base LS doesn't use one.

Every car doesn't have to be the same. Just because other cars aren't like the LS doesn't mean the LS has to be like other cars. I have no issue with the LS and ES continuing to be ride focused cars while the rest of the range moves more dynamic in direction.

What I don't want to see is the LS become more like say a 7 Series than an S Class in terms of ride. The good news is modern suspensions can make cars sharper without the ride trade off you always used to have.

As for being floaty, it's true that the LS isn't really a floaty car, never has been. It's actually pretty firm, it is just very smooth, refined with very low levels of NVH which contributes to its great ride.

Rhambler

Oh I agree, I think Lexus is trying to reinvent itself, capture that emotion, illicit that lust that so many people fall for when buying a car.

What the article I quoted states--and what I was trying to imply--was that there is a market for cars that put noise, vibration and harshness on the top shelf. That people do value comfort, tank/vault-like qualities and that they will pay handsomely for it.

You should read the article I linked about the Lincoln and their new "theme" which Lexus, at least at this point, has cornered for all intents and purposes.

SW17LS

That's why Lincoln and Genesis are targeting that space, they see a void they can fill.

Toys4RJill

I read the article that you posted, it was a good read. From what I got from it, the market for luxury cars is going to change in a few years, right now it's all about sport and handling. I also think as the article pointed out that self driving features is going to balance out the need for F-sport type handling.

But right now, what is selling for the most part is sport and a firmer ride. Things may change.