New-look Lexus LS lobs early

Lexus’ heavily facelifted LS limousine has emerged in all its glory at least a day ahead of its official global reveal in California, at around 1:30pm Australian Eastern Standard Time tomorrow.

Full exterior images of the upgraded 2013 Lexus LS460 and new LS460 F Sport – but no interior or LS600hL hybrid shots – have been leaked across the internet by enthusiast website ClubLexus.

They show drastically revised front and rear styling, with the former adopting the Japanese luxury brand’s new ‘spindle’ grille and the latter featuring lower rear diffuser and slimmer tail-lights that now arch over the number plate, leaving only the roof and doors unchanged.

Lexus revealed the first official images of the new-look LS late last week in response to two leaked images that emanated from China earlier in the week.

More images and first official details are expected to be revealed tomorrow, when Lexus will issue full details of the flagship model’s new interior and, potentially, powertrain upgrades.

From what we can see through the windows, however, the revised LS will feature a much larger display screen above the air-vents on the centre stack, making it likely to follow the lead of the new GS large sedan, which features a huge 12.3-inch colour dash-top monitor.

The facelifted LS makes its Australian debut at the Sydney Motor Show in October and goes on sale here late this year – around the same time as BMW’s facelifted 7 Series.

Globally, Japan’s Mercedes S-Class rival will again be available in both short- and long-wheelbase LS460 guise, powered by a 4.6-litre V8, as well as long-wheelbase LS600hL hybrid form incorporating a 5.0-litre petrol V8.

This time, however, both versions of the top-shelf Lexus model will also be available in more aggressively styled F Sport guise, with the four-model Australian line-up expected to comprise SWB LS460 and LS460 F Sport, and LWB LS600hL and LS600hL F Sport variants.

Expect the refreshed LS to also form the basis of the first model from Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG), in the form of a wild new twin-turbo rear-drive super-limo that develops about 500kW and features an aggressive bodykit, lower ride height and seamless-shift gearbox.

Stay tuned for more details tomorrow.

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