The LS sedan is where it all started for Lexus, and a new fifth-generation model is just a few weeks away. It’ll make its official debut at the Detroit auto show in January, 28 years after the the original LS400 was unveiled to the world at the 1989 Detroit show. A teaser image showing the LS’s front end and underlying chassis confirms that the new sedan will share its Global Architecture-Luxury (GA-L) rear-drive platform with the new Lexus LC coupe, and it gives us a bit of insight into its suspension setup.
Perhaps least surprising is the prominent spindle grille, recognizable from every other current Lexus model. Last year’s Lexus LF-FC concept (pictured below) supposedly previewed the design of this new LS. Based on this front-end view of the production car, the headlights and overall hood shape look similar to that concept sedan. If the 2018 LS keeps the basic dimensions of the 208.7-inch-long concept, it’ll end up sized similarly to the current long-wheelbase LS460L, which is itself within a few inches of the Mercedes-Benz S-class and BMW 7-series. Lexus could decide to follow the lead of those Germans and offer only the longer version of the LS in the United States; currently, both standard- and long-wheelbase LS460 sedans are sold here.
From what we can see of the mechanicals, the LS will share its basic suspension setup with the LC, meaning a double-ball-joint multilink design in the front and a five-link setup in the rear. The L...