I'll pile on by saying that in 2017 there is just no excuse for cheap plastic in a car that is anything other than the most bargain basement model. How much more can "good" plastic cost, $5 per car? OK, maybe $10.
Just speculating, but it could be purely a weight decision. Better quality plastics are likely denser and would add to the overall weight of the car. Being that IRS added so much weight this may have been a way to not only keep costs down but also weight.
Yes, it is clearly bigger, and I think that is my main gripe with it. The first S550 grill was pretty perfect in my opinion, aggressive but not obnoxious. Somehow the front of the '18 seems more droopy. I like the more defined edges, but something about it makes it seem like the front end sags... can't really put my finger on it though.
The S550.1 headlights sweep backwards on the top, and the side/rear comes up and they meet at a point.
Agreed, it is partially that, but if you look at the comparison on the first page, the ".2" all of the defining points on the front are pulled down and out (fog lamps area, grill bottom, plastic between the openings and lower grill). That combined with the more flat hood I think all adds up to give it that saggy front end look. It would be worse, IMO, if they had not made the lines on the front more crisp and added the shiny-ness to the black in the grill.
Walk through any parking lot. The upturned headlights are prevalent from Prius, Accord, Fusion, Accent, you name it. I would describe the 2018 more of "meets in the middle" since the whole light is somewhat angled up. This is more in line with BMW headlights. Compare a 2005 5 series to a 2015 5 series. I like that Ford is deviating from the pack a bit.
