The fourth and current generation Lexus LS has been with us since 2006, as a contender in the full-size luxury segment. Although it was revised and improved in 2009 and 2012, it’s well overdue for a replacement.

Over the past decade, it has gone up against at least two generations of German luxury automobiles (BMW, for instance, offered the E65, F01, and G11 7 Series for sale throughout the LS’ lifespan).

So, naturally, a replacement for the car maker’s flagship is in order, and according to Lexusenthusiast, Japan’s MAG-X made a rendering of the future LS – with design influences borrowed from the LF-FC concept showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show last year. Not only that, but the Japanese magazine claims that the new LS will be available for purchase as early as May 2017, debuting in production-spec at the Detroit Auto Show in January of the same year.

Not much is known about Lexus’ future luxury titan, but it’s believed the vehicle will be built on the company’s new global architecture, and will be offered with V8 and V6 gas and hybrid powertrains – as Toyota trademarked the LS500 and LS500h nameplate last year.

Render image courtesy of MAG-X; Lexus LF-FC concept pictured

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