Lexus has released the first photo of its fifth-generation LS, a full-size sedan that Toyota’s luxury division plans to debut next month at the 2017 North American International Auto Show.
This is an important re-design for Lexus. The Lexus LS is the company’s flagship sedan; the LS 400 first debuted in Detroit 28 years ago and has since gone through several refreshes over the years. However, new entrants into this category and recent re-designs from competitors has cut into sales. LS sales in the U.S. are down 22.3% through November on a volume basis compared with the same 11-month period last year, according to results released by Toyota.
Toyota has developed a new architecture called GA-L—short for “global architecture for luxury vehicles.” This new platform is the foundation for Lexus’ next-generation vehicles. The LC 500, a two-door vehicle and the first Lexus to use this new luxury platform, debuted 11 months ago at the same show in Detroit.
The automaker is promising a “bold new look with a coupe-like silhouette” for the fifth generation version. The teaser photo that Lexus released Thursday provides a few hints. For instance, the grille is identical to the LC 500. However, the photo leaves out the top half and rear of the vehicle—the areas that have likely undergone the most significant change.