I've been waiting to see pics of this car, it's been due for a remodel. I think they did a good job on it, and that it will be a serious contender to the 5 series.

 

There's something about the styling of the recent Lexi that I really don't like. I'm not sure that I possess the proper terminology to explain it to you designer-types. Somehow it makes the cars seem bigger than they are, or at least it highlights how large they are in an unflattering way. Although I don't care for cars the size of an Accord/Taurus or larger, I do think it's possible for them to be reasonably attractive (examples: previous 5- and 7-series, Altima, Accord, A6). Something about the Lexus styling just screams boredom to me, though. Same goes for Infiniti. The only exception is the IS200 or 300 or whatever it is. Even the G35 seems horribly restrained to me in some hard-to-explain way.

 

The first thing I thought of when I saw this car was the Mazda RX-8. It has a very similar stance.

Lexus is finally getting their own design team independent of Toyota, finally their cards will have one cohesive look.

 

I was only mildly enthused about the current gen GS when it was released, however attending the NAIAS '04 press conferences, and seeing this '06 GS roll out, I was bowled over - this is what the 5-er was supposed to look like, IMO. They really nailed it on the styling, and of course the build quality is hallmark Lexus (aka virtually perfect). If it drives half as good as the E60, Lexus will have a knockout winner on its' hands.

Bravo Lexus!

 

" I do think it's possible for them to be reasonably attractive (examples: previous 5- and 7-series, Altima, Accord, A6)."

Well, it does look like an Altima from the side view.

" Even the G35 seems horribly restrained to me in some hard-to-explain way."

The G35 coupe was adjudged Car of the Year (by either Road and Track or Car and Driver).

 

>>Well, it does look like an Altima from the side view.<<

Yeah, but from the rear the Lexus has a hugely swollen lower lip that proclaims its ponderous mass.

>>" Even the G35 seems horribly restrained to me in some hard-to-explain way."
>>
>>The G35 coupe was adjudged Car of the Year (by either Road and Track or Car and Driver).<<

Well, OK. Why exactly should I care?

 

I think the G35 sedan and coupe are both an exercise in compromise. Nothing impressive about them whatsoever, regardless of the accolades they collected.

I hate that damn clock Infiniti sticks in the middle of the dash!!! lol

 

if you wanna see some really massive pics (1600x1200)

http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpap...S-2006-001.jpg

http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpap...S-2006-002.jpg

http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpap...S-2006-003.jpg

http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpap...S-2006-004.jpg

http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpap...S-2006-005.jpg

http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpap...S-2006-006.jpg

http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpap...S-2006-007.jpg

http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpap...S-2006-008.jpg

http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpap...S-2006-009.jpg

http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpap...S-2006-010.jpg

http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpap...S-2006-011.jpg

http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpap...S-2006-012.jpg

http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpap...S-2006-013.jpg

http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpap...S-2006-014.jpg

http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpap...S-2006-015.jpg

http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpap...S-2006-016.jpg

http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpap...S-2006-017.jpg

http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpap...S-2006-018.jpg

http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpap...S-2006-019.jpg

http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpap...S-2006-020.jpg

 

>>I've been waiting to see pics of this car, it's been due for a remodel. I think they did a good job on it, and that it will be a serious contender to the 5 series.
>>

It looks a bit more like the 1st generation GS - and that's a good thing. I always liked that car - a lot. Too bad we never got the version with the Supra TT 6 like they had in Japan.

BTW there is a reason the GS was always a bit "better" looking than the rest of the Lexus line: They didn't design it!!! It was a Giugiaro stling exercize shown at the '92 Geneva auto show. Lexis knew a good thing when they saw it and bought the design. I was so p!ssed when they came out with the 2nd generation one - they really messed up a great (Italian) design. The 2nd generation one was waaaay to gold-chain for me - especially with the special "gold trim" badges

This new one is a step in the right direction - nice. Much better than any other Lexus (IS300 comes a close 2nd).