Rumormill: Lexus developing sporty LS460 SZ
According to a report from Japan's Best Car Magazine, Lexus is working on a new performance version of its LS460 luxury sedan. Oddly, the publication says that the amped-up luxury sedan will not carry the 'F' designation that we would expect (as affixed to the automaker's only other performance car, the IS F).
Instead, the new LS460 will reportedly get an SZ suffix, and we have no idea what those letters may stand for, if anything. Included in the transformation will be a full body kit with a new black chrome grille, an uprated Brembo braking kit and a new set of BBS alloy wheels.
There's no word on what may power the super sedan, but retaining the LS460 designation leads us to believe this may just be a styling, handling and braking package. Interested? Start saving now – the new Lexus LS460 SZ will reportedly go for $94,425 (JDM) if it does indeed ever hit the market. Hat tip to Andrew!
[Source: Best Car via 4WheelsNews]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
blah 6:08PM (6/23/2009)
Wouldn't mind seeing a slightly tuned down version of LF-A's V10 in this big'un. Ought to give the S63 AMG a run for its money.
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Affalterbach 7:35PM (6/23/2009)
A high-revving, comparatively low-displacement engine in Lexus' heaviest sedan? No, a mega-torque enlarged V8 (maybe the Tundra's 5.6 l) will be better.
Quantumphysics 10:32PM (6/23/2009)
2010 E Class offers more.
S-class offers ALOT MORE.
artandcolour 6:09PM (6/23/2009)
as far as price goes, you really can't go by the JDM price. every mfr prices their cars according to the individual markets the car are sold in. if we had to pay the exact same price for British or European cars, as their home market buyers do, the prices of those cars would double in the US overnight.
if this is truly just a body kit and wheels, the price will probably be about $2500 more than the 'normal' LS460.
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why not the LS2LS7? 6:11PM (6/23/2009)
New brakes, rims and a kit aren't going to turn this into a "super sedan".
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Suzie 6:22PM (6/23/2009)
Exactly. Cadillac meticulously engineers the CTS-V to conquer the 'ring and its performance sedan rivals. Toyota meticulously engineers a new grille and body kit.
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Affalterbach 6:45PM (6/23/2009)
Moral of the story: you can get away with anything, if you have a clean image. Public perception is everything.
At the end of the day, Cadillac's CTS-V will appear as 'polluting' and 'unreliable' while this Toyota will be reliable and thoroughly-engineered.
Aznauto 7:04PM (6/23/2009)
IS 350 is superior in every way except for size compared to CTS fyi. Cadillac is at least generation or two behind Lexus. Surprised GM did not can Cadillac would be surprised if it makes it past 2012.
konatown 7:18PM (6/23/2009)
@AZNauto
Yes, superior in every way that is unrelated to driving. The IS is built on a pathetic platform and has terrible driving dynamics.
Other than that small are, yes, the IS is superior to the CTS.
Affalterbach 7:33PM (6/23/2009)
@Aznauto
In build quality, maybe. But in materials used, fuel economy, interior space, legroom and sportiness, no. I should know this since I have cross shopped both of these cars.
In any case, the much more comfortable CTS-V will run rings around the uncomfortable IS-F.
JDM Life 8:13PM (6/23/2009)
IS350 > CTS
Looks better, faster, more luxury, handles better, better reliailty, better build, more technology...a pearl white IS is real life is stunning....the CTS is not pretty with its huge truck like grill...the cts looks good but its not sexy and sleek like the IS. This even gets better and and faster with the F-Sport parts.....damn the IS is good.
IS-F and CTS not in the same category....thats like CTS vs M3....bigger more powerful sedan. People who compare them are wasting time. Might as well say 335I vs F430...
IMO the IS is one if not the best looking sedan to date...which is backed up buy its high popularity and it was ranked highest ranked entry premiuim vehicle with the G series and CTS coming after.
hashiryu 8:28PM (6/23/2009)
Exaclty this...the CTS is pretty much the size of the GS/E/5 series..... just because it sells at a cut rate price does not mean that is should be compared to entry level sedans.
JDM Life 8:39PM (6/23/2009)
@ hashiryu
Im glad you understand...these domestic fanboys are so eager to bring up the CTS-V when you talk about the IS-F. When they are not even in competition...guess they like picking on cars smaller and less powerful then them
XD.
Danimal 9:42AM (6/24/2009)
Whether they are in the same class or not people will cross shop the 2. And why anybody would pick the Lexus Vagina-mobile is a mystery to me. We laugh out loud when we see men driving that car.
anonymous j 1:33PM (6/24/2009)
I'm inclined to believe that anyone that thinks a certain car will reinforce his "manliness" in severely lacking in other departments and has quite a few insecurity issues.
Infra 12:19PM (6/25/2009)
@Affalterbach
"In build quality, maybe. But in materials used,"
Aren't these generally the same thing?
"fuel economy,"
The IS wins here, sorry.
"interior space, legroom"
Different size classes, not a valid comparison. Additionally, I don't want or need the extra space.
"and sportiness"
I doubt you drove an IS with the Sports Package (you usually have to specifically ORDER a car that way, the reason being Lexus knows their stereotypical buyer, as evidenced by the fact they sell the most luxury cars in the US). Beyond that, a relatively inexpensive and easy to install (60 minutes top) set of F-Sport Sway Bars immensenly improves the driving dynamics.
The CTS is a good value for the size of car you get, but it also hurts when Cadillac has nothing to offer at the 3/C/IS/A4 size.
Duncan 6:54PM (6/23/2009)
SZ = Sport Zagato?
At least, it did when Alfa Romeo last used those letters. Not sure how that makes any sense for the biggest, fluffiest Lexus, though.
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inline6 7:23PM (6/23/2009)
Szechuan?
nighttime__ 9:43PM (6/23/2009)
The JDM MKIV Supra had different versions, SZ (NA) SZ-S (NA with six speed getrag suspension etc) RZ (TT) RZ-S (six speed getrag, suspension and 40kg lighter) and the GZ which was the Automatic TT.
so i'm guessing i just wrote that out for nothing because i'd rather talk about the Supra than this damn thing.
minh 7:10PM (6/23/2009)
This should be called Lexus LS-F. Otherwise they wasted money creating the F-Line.
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