Lexus LS460 F Sport: luxury flagship leaked ahead of US unveiling

The updated Lexus LS has been leaked online ahead of the luxury Japanese flagship’s official unveiling at an exclusive event in San Francisco next Tuesday.

The images, first published on Chinese website XCar, confirm the 2013 Lexus LS will benefit from a facelift that, as expected, sees it adopt the brand’s new signature ‘spindle’ grille first seen on the new Lexus GS, along with a revised headlamp assembly and newly designed tail-lights.

The model pictured is the new Lexus LS460 F Sport variant. It's distinguished by a unique black mesh grille, aggressive lower front air intakes, dark-tinted headlight and tail-lights, multi-spoke grey alloy wheels, and a contoured rear bumper with a subtle diffuser, while the giveaway is the ‘F’ badge on the front guard, which is visible in the rear three-quarter image.

The leak prompted Lexus to release its own official image of a dark LS460 F Sport on its Facebook page in the lead-up to the car's premiere (pictured top).

Lexus Australia, which is targeting a late 2012 or early 2013 launch for the revised flagship, is keeping mum on its updated Audi A8, BMW 7-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class rival until next week’s official unveiling. The local division’s core line-up is expected to retain the existing LS460 and LS600hL models, while also adding the performance-themed F Sport option to the range.

The interior of the updated LS is also set to benefit from a number of upgrades, including revisions to the upholstery, trim and infotainment systems.

Full details of the 2013 Lexus LS will be revealed on Tuesday. Stay tuned.