MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

Never seen this pic of the LF-Gh before...and to be quite honest, it might be the best shot yet. It looks extremely muscular and aggressive here - both things I never really saw in the other photos. Front fenders are huge

TRDFantasy

If the GS wheelbase doesn't increase, so what? Why does Lexus HAVE to increase the wheelbase? Really, why? Because the Germans have done so? The 5 Series is very close to the 7 Series in size. By continually increasing wheelbase and length, the 3 Series will soon be like the 5, the 5 will be as big as a 7, and the 7 Series might as well be called the 9 Series at that point.

Bigger is NOT always better. The GS should remain a midsize, and the IS should remain a compact sedan. There needs to be a clear size differentiation between the IS, GS, and LS yes. But that doesn't mean they all have to keep getting bigger. A bigger wheelbase helps in some situations like road comfort, but it seriously hinders a car in other aspects like handling and agility.

Even if the 4GS has the same wheelbase as the 3GS, first off that doesn't mean it will be the same platform. It could be a new platform or heavily revised platform, and Lexus may have their own reasons for keeping the same wheelbase. Secondly, with more efficient packaging and design, the legroom and headroom in the 4GS could definitely be better than the 3GS even with the same wheelbase.

Last but not least, lets wait for the production 4GS to debut so we can see what the actual wheelbase is before making assumptions.

Brian@Vossen

Okay I thought it was just me I also never saw that pic b4 and thought "wow looks great".

In regards to weight let me add that I think BMW and everyone is figuring out in regards to luxury cars, 99% of the consumers don't care about weight. They care about other things. ALso cutting weight is very expensive for a car brand. Lets all be honest here, none of the cars in this class is a lightweight. Maybe one or two is relatively speaking but they all mostly weigh over 4000 lbs which is well, tons.

Mr. Burns

The pic is a screenshot (photoshopped with door handles and mirror) from the LF-Gh video Lexus launched with the concept:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uULLn7TZano

The video also has shots of the car in movement (~5:50), and the car has a lot of presence on the road. I am adamant that if they keep true to the concept the 4GS would be in competition for the best looking car in the segment. Throw in a high tech class leading interior with leather stitched dash (unlike either Audi, Mercedes or BMW), competitive performance, leading quality and customer service and it will be formidable competition. Desirability is the one thing most Lexuses lack, and if that is addressed then the main reason to buy German goes out the window.

STIG

I agree. That looks epic!

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i don't think they HAVE to increase the wheel base, and i don't think anyone says longer wheel base is ALWAYS better. you are right that if they are able to utilize space and be creative with design, current wheel base is fine. car has to look proportional, that's purely cosmetic. it seems like 4gs will once again get longer? so with the same wheel base that means more overhang. not the end of the world, again, if they are able to do the rest of the design right. but from a first shot, and especially how they fail so miserably with the use of space in 3gs, it's definitely a crucial topic.

one thing remains true is that we don't know what the final wheel base is on the 4gs. the concept to me is a reference. very true when the 4gs is out we will know how everything plays out.

and yes, i think from that angel the concept looks good. very bulky, i like that

xioix

There are ways to increase interior size without increasing wheel base, such as pushing the engine front more, and having and longer front over hang, or pushing the rear more backwards and having more rear overhang.

spwolf

a lot of wheelbase on F10 went into engine placement behind front axle, and not interior space. Which is good for handling, but then again it is 4000+lbs car.

Lexus definitively has to address rear headroom and trunk space (especially for hybrid) for 2012 model.

I heard Lexus regional rep tell me that for GS450h trunk doesnt matter as it will be used as 2nd car, statement that seemed ridicilous by me (and I told him) and obviously they realized that since they increased the space for 2008 MY, but it was still not good enough.

If you cant have at least 14-16cuft in such large car, you are doing it wrong.

spwolf

you can not-care about weight on paper, but you will care about it when you drive the car, your mpg will be worse, your acceleration will be slower and you will notice every pound in the tight curves.

and then you will go into lighter car and notice how much nicer it is... just like everyone says that E60 is a lot sportier drive with much better feel than F10, which has dulled out responses and drive.

I know my GS350 AWD never liked tight curves, and it is 3900lbs car.

rocks

Here's my two cents, Lexus needs to implement a bigger trunk as well as more head room and fold down seats on this model. As have been said these features are a must for a midsize luxury sedan. The weight debate is irrelevant since we are talking about Lexus here. Remember this is not the IS-F....As for BMW, they have made a car that while looks better than the previous one is a fail in terms of driving dynamics. Lexus GS was never coveted for its driving dynamics; however, BMW has now turn the F10 into a Lexus GS which is even more reason for me not to desire owning it. Driving dynamics was probably the only advantage the 5er had over the GS. As it stands now, there really is no advantage in buying the F10 when the 4GS will be cheaper and rides about the same. Now, if you want a nice drivers car in this class you have no other choice but Infiniti, a brand that I never really cared for and as such would never purchase.....

rominl

iTrader: (4)

agreed. but the 3gs suffered big time on front cabin shoulder / head room, rear cabin space in every dimension, and also the trunk. i guess that pushes things in one direction but then again, the 2gs was not bad at all, very spacious. so i always blame lexus for their wrong use of space in the 3gs.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

mmkay, but isn't e60 quite a bit shorter / narrower / etc. than f10?

i don't disagree with you that lower weight is better! but making things light with so much luxury and features is not only really difficult, it's expensive.

perhaps someone had that opinion but you know what they say about opinions.





it does? how so? and i think that a6 is much more elegant, sorry.

it seems muscular in a dodge charger or e60 way, which are too macho / in your face for me.



no doubt all true. lighter cars are just way more fun to drive, especially if they're well balanced.

yes well, no disrespect to your car, but the suspension (with big front wheel gap too for some reason) just never seemed tuned for the chassis.

here's to hoping the 4GS looks good, handles good, is quite a bit lighter than the f10, and sells well!

Mr. Burns

It looks more RWD because there is more of a gap between the front door and the axle. As for the A6 being elegant, I disagree. I'm not a fan of the C-pillar area, the integrated spoiler or the style of crease they've chosen to use for the belt line. You either pinch it out like BMW or do a slight bend in the metal like Lexus. The style Audi's chosen (and Mercedes seems fond of as well) looks cheap and ages fast IMO.

At least it will have some presence going down the road, something the current one lacks IMO.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

can't agree more.

2gs - 14.8 cu.ft.

3gs - 12.7 cu.ft.
w211 - 15.9 cu.ft.
e60 - 14.0 cu.ft.

w212 - 15.9 cu.ft.
f10 - 14.0 cu.ft.

you can see what a huge step back it is on the 3gs.

also, it's more than just numbers on paper. the overall shape is important too.

spwolf

F10 is bad too i guess... 2007 GS450h i think had 8.x cu. ft. :-)

MB is MB, always had big trunks...