The Lexus LS is a full-size luxury sedan that serves as the flagship model of Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota. Four generations of the sedan have been produced, all equipped with V8 engines and rear-wheel drive. Since 2006, all-wheel drive, hybrid, and long wheelbase variants have also been offered. The original Lexus LS 400, the first Lexus to be developed, was introduced as the luxury marque's debut model in 1989. Following the initial model, subsequent redesigns included the second generation LS 400 in 1995, LS 430 in 2001, and the LS 460 / LS 460 L series in 2006. A domestic market version of the LS 400 and LS 430, badged the Toyota Celsior was sold in Japan until the Lexus marque was introduced to the country in 2006. For the 2007 model year, the fourth generation LS 460 debuted the first production eight-speed automatic transmission and an automatic parking system. In 2007, V8 hybrid powertrains were introduced on the first Lexus LS Hybrid models, the LS 600h / LS 600h L sedans.
The Lexus LS began development in 1983 as the F1 project, the code name for a secret flagship sedan effort. Following an extended five-year design process at a cost of over US$1 billion, the resulting sedan premiered with a new V8 engine and multiple luxury features. The Lexus LS was intended for export markets from its inception, and the Lexus division was formed to market and service the vehicle internationally. The original LS 400 debuted to strong sales, and was largely responsible for the successful launch of the Lexus marque. Each successive iteration of the vehicle has ranked as the best-selling flagship luxury sedan in the United States.
Since the start of production, each generation of the Lexus LS has been produced in the city of Tahara, Aichi, in Japan. In U.S. consumer publications, Lexus' flagship model is recognized as one of the most reliable vehicles ever built, having held the top ranking in J.D. Power and Associates' U.S. Vehicle Dependability Survey for fifteen consecutive years (1994–2009), and receiving Consumer Reports' highest rankings for vehicle dependability
First generation (UCF10)
In August 1983, Toyota chairman Eiji Toyoda initiated the F1 project ("Flagship" and "No. 1 vehicle"; alternatively called the "Circle-F" project), a clandestine effort aimed at producing a world-class luxury sedan for international markets.[1][2] The F1 development effort did not have a specific budget or time constraints, and the resulting vehicle did not utilize existing Toyota platforms or parts.[3][4] Instead, chief engineer Ichiro Suzuki sought to develop an all-new design, aiming to surpass rival American and European flagship sedans in specific target areas, including exterior aerodynamics, cabin quietness, overall top speed, and fuel efficiency.[5] During development, 3,900 F1 personnel built approximately 450 flagship prototypes and 900 engine prototypes,[6] and logged 2.7 million kilometres of testing on locations ranging from winter Europe roadways, deserts in Arizona, Australia, and Saudi Arabia, to U.S. highways and wilderness areas.[7][8]
late 1985, designers presented the first exterior study models to F1 management, featuring a sports car-like design with a low-slung hood and narrow front profile.[9] By 1986, the sedan used a three box design with an upright stance, more prominent grille, and a two-tone body.[9] Extensive modeling and wind tunnel tests resulted in a low drag coefficient for a conventional production vehicle of the time (Cd 0.29).[10] For the passenger cabin, materials selection tests evaluated 24 different kinds of wood and multiple types of leather for two years before settling on specific trim combinations.[11] By 1986, the Lexus marque was created to support the launch of the flagship sedan,[12] and the vehicle became known as the Lexus LS.[7] Following eight design reviews, subsequent revisions, and over US$1 billion in development expenses, the final design for the production Lexus LS 400 (chassis code UCF10) was approved in 1987.[6]
In January 1989, the LS 400 made its debut as a 1990 model at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.[13] U.S. sales began in September 1989, followed by limited exports to Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.[14] The LS 400's new 4.0 liter 1UZ-FE 32-valve V8 engine, capable of 190 kilowatts (250 hp) and 353 newton metres (260 ft·lbf) of torque,[15] linked to a new four-speed automatic transmission with electronically-controlled shifts.[16] The chassis used an independent, double-wishbone suspension setup,[17] and an air suspension system was optional.[18] The LS 400's 0–100 kilometres per hour (62 mph) time was 8.5 seconds, and its top speed was 250 kilometres per hour (160 mph).[19] Compared to the rival BMW 735i (E32) and Mercedes-Benz 420 SE (W126), the LS 400 had a quieter cabin, with 58 dB at 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph), higher top speed, lower drag coefficient and curb weight, and avoided the U.S. gas-guzzler tax.[20][21][22]
The LS 400 was among the first luxury sedans to feature an automatic tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with SRS airbag, power adjustable shoulder seat belts, and an electrochromic rear-view mirror.[23][24] The five-passenger cabin included California walnut and leather trim, power-adjustable seats, and soft-touch controls. A back-lit electroluminescent gauge cluster featured a holographic visual effect, with indicator lights projected onto the instrument panel.[23][25] The memory system stored the driver's seat, side mirror, steering wheel, and seat belt positions. Available luxury options included a Nakamichi premium sound system and an integrated cellular telephone with hands-free capabilities.[16][26][27] The LS 400 further contained some 300 technological innovations to aid smooth operation and silence,[16] including fluid-damped cabin fixtures,[28] vibration-insulating rubber mounts,[29] airflow fairings,[30] and sandwich steel body panels.[29]
the launch of Lexus was complicated by Toyota's existing five domestic dealership networks,[31] several of which sold Japan-only luxury models, including the Toyota Crown and Toyota Crown Majesta.[32] During the LS 400's development, local dealers' requests for a Japanese domestic market version had grown,[9] and a right-hand drive, Toyota Celsior-badged version was introduced shortly after the LS 400's U.S. debut.[33] The Celsior, named after the Latin word for 'supreme', was largely identical to the LS.[33] Models came in either basic "A", upgraded suspension "B", or fully-equipped "C" trim specifications, and were sold at dealerships which also carried Japan-only Toyota luxury models.[32]
Adding incentive for early U.S. sales was a base price of US$35,000, which undercut competitors by thousands of dollars,[34] and brought accusations of selling below cost from rival BMW.[16] In December 1989, shortly after the LS 400's launch, Lexus ordered a voluntary recall of the 8,000 vehicles sold so far, based upon two customer complaints over defective wiring and an overheated brake light; all vehicles were serviced within 20 days, and the incident helped establish Lexus' customer service reputation.[16][35][36] By 1990, U.S. sales of the LS 400 had surpassed those of competing Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Jaguar models.[37] Production of the first generation LS 400 totaled over 165,000 units.[38] Years after its introduction, the LS 400 remained a reliable choice for a used car, making Consumer Reports' 2007 list of recommended vehicles which regularly last 320,000 km (200,000 mi) or more with proper maintenance.[39]
UCF10 II (1992)
Debuting in September 1992 as a 1993 model, the refreshed LS 400 (UCF10 II) was introduced with more than 50 changes, largely in response to customer and dealer requests.[40] The vehicle received larger disc brakes, wheels and tires, and adjustments were made to the suspension and power steering system to improve handling.[41] Stylistic changes included additional body side moldings, a revised grille, along with a greater selection of colors.[41] For the interior, passenger front airbags, an external temperature gauge, digital odometer, seat belt pretensioners, and chlorofluorocarbon-free refrigerant were added.[41][42] By 1994, the LS 400's U.S. base price exceeded US$50,000, a figure that had steadily risen since the vehicle's introduction. Customer demand for the vehicle and shifts in foreign exchange rates contributed to the increase in price.[43]
Industrial significance
The Lexus LS marked the first successful entrant of a Japanese manufacturer into the prestige luxury arena,[37] a market that had long been dominated by established European and American brands. By 1991, with the LS 400 its top-selling model,[124] Lexus had overtaken Mercedes-Benz and BMW in overall U.S. sales,[125] and in 2000 the marque passed Cadillac as the luxury sales leader in the largest automotive market.[126] Rival manufacturers responded with lower prices and added features.[127] In particular, Mercedes-Benz reorganized its operations, shifting to a targeted-cost process similar to Lexus production methods,[128] and dropped competing U.S. base prices by nearly 10%.[129] To rival the LS 400,[130] extra features were rushed for the launch of the 1991 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W140),[128][131] causing budget overruns and costing the job of Daimler-Benz chief engineer Wolfgang Peter.[130] Approximately five percent of 1989 LS 400 sales went to buyers employed by rival manufacturers, including GM, Ford, and Chrysler.[124] When the LS 400 was disassembled for engineering analysis, Cadillac engineers concluded that the vehicle could not be built using existing GM methods.[132] Industry publications noted the LS 400's precise panel gaps, and the subject became a common evaluation standard in road tests.[130] The LS 430's interior noise level was later used as a measure of cabin quiet.[133]
According to industry observers, the introduction of the Lexus LS reshaped Toyota's image from that of an "econobox" manufacturer to the builder of an automotive standard-bearer.[134][135] This stood in contrast to the predictions of early detractors, including rival manufacturers who dismissed Toyota as incapable of producing a competitive luxury vehicle.[135] Japanese contemporaries from the luxury divisions of Honda (Acura) and Nissan (Infiniti) had differing degrees of success;[136] the mid-size V6-powered Acura Legend initially sold well, but subsequent models (renamed Acura RL) performed below sales expectations;[137][138] the V8-powered Infiniti Q45 closely rivaled the LS 400 in specifications and price,[139] but was unsuccessful in sales (attributed to unconventional styling and marketing), leading to its discontinuation in 2006.[140] The success of the Lexus LS became a test case for mainstream manufacturers targeting upscale segments; by investing in a separate marque, Toyota was able to avoid the stigma attached to a mass-market brand charging premium prices.[141] The effect of the LS 400 on the automotive industry led Automobile Magazine to name the sedan to its "24 Most Important Vehicles of the 20th Century" list in 1996.[142
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