Lexus trademark filing gives us hints of what the future LS will be like

Before the end of April, Lexus filed for a trademark with the name “LS-FC Concept” that’s for use on “automobiles and structural parts thereof”.

Does this mean that we will finally see the rumored hydrogen-fueled LS model? It has been years since the rumour started. We had learned that an LS model is soon to make its debut after the launch of the LF-FC concept, which was supposed to be a preview of the next-generation LS.

If the rumours are true, then the LS would use a variant of the Toyota Mirai powertrain, with an all-wheel drive that has four separate electric motors powering each corner. The company hasn’t been sharing details regarding this issue just yet.

Since the filing was done in the United States, the LS-FC is likely going to make its debut there. There has been no update when the debut will happen though. But it can either be at the Monterey Car Week which focuses on wealth and auto enthusiasm, or the much bigger Los Angeles Auto Show scheduled this December.

We are guessing that the LS Fuel Cell will go into production (because of the filing that was made), and when it does, it would be Lexus’ technological flagship. The Japan based luxury automotive company did announce last year that they plan to have the production model ready by the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

The next generation LS will not only be an example of what Lexus is capable of. And apart from the high tech powertrain that it will be built with, the sedan will probably feature the company’s newest semi-autonomous driving system as well.

Earlier this year at the Detroit Auto Show, Toyota’s luxury segment revealed the 5th generation LS 500. The luxury sedan came with a massive grille on its face, with taut lines that reflect how the brand is moving towards a more creative design. The LS 500 came with a 3.5-liter biturbo V6 that can produce 415 horsepower (309 kilowatts) and 442 pound-feet (600 Newton-metres) of torque, combined with a 10-speed automatic that sends power to the rear wheels. With this engine under the hood, the sedan can go from zero to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) in just 4.5 seconds.

Customers also have a choice to get an electric version that is the LS 500h. The electrified version comes with a 3.5-liter V6 and a set of electric motors that produces a total output of 354 horsepower (264 kilowatts). Though it doesn’t accelerate as fast as its non-electric sibling, it still runs pretty quickly at 5.2 seconds from 0-60.