The Lexus LS is a full-size luxury sedan that serves as the flagship of Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota. The Lexus LS, 4yh generations of Sedan have been produced, all equipped with V8 engines and the rear-wheel drive, although since 2006 all-wheel drive, and long wheelbase variants have also been offered. The original Lexus LS 400, was the first Lexus to be developed, introduced as the debut model the premium marque in September 1989. redesigns Subsequent included Lexus LS second-generation 400 in November 1994, the Lexus LS 430 in January 2000, and LS 460 / LS 460 L 2006 series A version of the domestic market of the Lexus LS 400, Lexus LS 430, badged as Toyota Celsior, sold in Japan until the Lexus marque was introduced in 2006. The fourth generation Lexus LS 460 debuted the first production eight speed automatic transmission and automatic parking system.

Development of the Lexus LS began in 1983 as the F1 project, the name of a secret code flagship sedan effort. The sedan resulting in five years followed an extended process design for over US $1 billion, and premiered with a new V8 engine features multiple luxury. The Lexus LS was intended from its inception to export markets, and a division Lexus in the market and car care of the earth. The original Lexus LS400 debuted to strong sales, and is primarily responsible for the successful launch of the Lexus marque. From the beginning of production, each generation of Lexus LS has been produced in the city of Tahara, Aichi, Japan. The Lexus LS stands for “Luxury Sedan”. However, others Importers Lexus to use the name backronymic, “Luxury Saloon”.

Lexus LS First Generation (XF10)

In August 1983, the chairman of Toyota Eiji Toyoda initiated the F1 project, an effort to secretly aimed at producing a world-class luxury sedan for international markets. The development effort F1 did not have a specific budget or time constraints, and leading car did not use the existing Toyota platforms or parts. Instead, the chief engineer Ichiro Suzuki sought to develop an all-new design, aiming to surpass rival American and the European flagship sedans in target areas, including aerodynamics, cabin peace, world top speed, and fuel efficiency.

The Lexus LS, five passenger cabin included California walnut and leather trim, power-adjustable seats and the soft-touch controls. A back electroluminescent gauge cluster lights featured Holographic visual effect, the indicator lights on the instrument panel. The memory stored in the driver’s seat, steering wheel, side mirror and seat belt positions. Luxury options included Sakamichi premium sound system and wireless integrated hands-free capabilities.

In 1994, the Lexus LS 400’s US base price exceeded US $50,000, a figure that had gradually risen since the inception of the car. Customer demand for the car shifts in foreign exchange rates contributed to the increase in the price. The expansion of the international Lexus LS asset to Toyota, as Japan had entered a recession in 1991, later became what was called the collapse of the Japanese asset price bubble or “bubble economy”. Production of the first LS generation ended in September 1994 to make way for the production model of the second generation of October.

Lexus LS Second Generation (XF20)

The second-generation Lexus LS 400 (UCF20) debuted in November 1994 (for model year 1995) with a long wheelbase and the same specifications as the original model. Public unveiling the car at the festival gala held at the San Francisco Opera House in California. The sedan was equipped with a new 4.0-liter 1UZ-FE V8 engine, producing 194 kilowatts (260 hp) and 366 newton meters (270 ft·lbf) of torque. Inside Lexus LS, over 90% of the formation of the LS 400 was new or rebuilt, increased sound insulation, suspension updates, strengthened body structure, and improved brakes. The model was 95 kg (209 lb) lighter than its predecessor and can be achieved better fuel economy. The 0-100 kilometers per hour (62 mph) time improvement of 7.5 seconds.

Development of the second-generation Lexus LS 400 was introduced after the launch of the worldwide first generation. Given the successful reception of the first model generation and a high level of customer satisfaction and its design, to express the qualities of the original LS 400 with its successor was one of the goals the chief engineer chief Kazuo Okamoto. Besides, the most significant change was the increase in wheelbase length mm (1.4 in) 36, which leads to more interior space additional 66 mm (2.6) of the rear seat legroom.

The Lexus LS 400 received upgraded interior features, varying from two-zone climate controls to cupholders rear. A newly patented seat cushion design, such as the suspension of the car, a perennial lightweight internal coil springs and stabilizer bars to improve comfort. One of the first-dash CD of money was offered as an option. The safety enhancements included enlarged crumple zone, three-point seat belts at all positions, and the latest collapsible steering column.

In August 1997, the first laser production adaptive cruise control on a car Toyota introduced on the Celsior version (Japan only) It only speed control using the control throttle and downshifting, but did not use the brakes. Because laser technology limitations, it is not working in bad weather.

Lexus LS Third Generation (XF30)

The third-generation Lexus LS 430 (UCF30) debuted in January 2000 at the North American International Auto Show 2001 model, introduced new body design and a host of new features in the interior of technology. It was the first US market Lexus with adaptive cruise control (called Dynamic Laser Cruise Control). It employed a sensor Dar and was able to activate the brakes for deceleration. However, because of laser technology limitations, it is not working in bad weather.

The Lexus LS 430 featured walnut wood interior trim on the dashboard and upper doors, and semi-Aniline leather oscillating air conditioning vents. GPS navigation system was completely rebuilt. A liquid crystal display with a screen on the upper center console served as an interface. LS First voice controlled navigation. First system featuring DVD (CD-ROM) maps on a luxury sedan.

The Lexus LS 430 first went on sale in the US with a base price starting at US $ 55,000, ranging up to US $ 70,000 when equipped. At the end, the LS 430’s pricing encroached European rivals as Lexus became able to command a higher premium prices for its vehicles. Sales for the Lexus LS 430 was published previous generation, production exceeded 140,000 units.

Lexus LS Fourth Generation (XF40)

Development of the fourth generation Lexus LS began in 2001, the design process is carried out under the Yo Anantha from 2002 to 2004 when the production of the final design freeze. In October 2005, Lexus premiered a hybrid concept car gasoline-electric, LF-Sh (Lexus Future Sedan hybrid), at the Tokyo Motor Show, irrespective of the following publicly Lexus flagship with the first version of the concept. The fourth models’ technical specifications shown in detail at the Geneva Motor Show in February 2006 A hybrid version, the LS 600h L (UVF46), was the first at the New York International Auto Show in April 2006. At its introduction in 2006, it won the Car of the Year prize in Japan for the second time.

The development of the LS 460 and its variants, led by the chief engineer Moritaka Yoshida, began as Lexus was shifting its strategy design towards a more diversified product system, and the new-car starts largely focused on global markets. Plans called for the LS next-generation distinguish itself than the previous models in terms of design and technology. A “Super LS” model, priced above US $100,000 ultra-luxury class, also considered. Besides, the Lexus LS received styling cues of new design direction Lexus’, called L-Finesse.

The inner Lexus LS 460 gained a push-button start, thin-film, music track display, and many luxury options, ranging from hard disk drive GPS navigation system and the song library to a heated steering wheel and XM NavTraffic. The standard equipment included power 16-way driver 12 way front passenger seats and lumbar adjustment and seat heaters, premium sound system, leather upholstery, power moonroof, and pass-through body. The climate control for the first infrared temperature sensors in the car, it also featured ceiling air diffusers. An “Executive” seating package on the L LS 460 included a system of rear-seat DVD entertainment, table Swivel tray, and shiatsu massaging the Ottoman seat.

Lexus LS 2012 (present)

Lexus released the official picture of the restyled its XF40 series in July 2012. The substantial update includes a new Lexus corporate fascia, make up the “spindle” grill and as a result you see the fitment of a hood, reshaped front fenders and headlamps, plus a new bumper. These styling updates see the retention of the profile of the side doors, including the rear fenders. Thus, the newly designed tail-lights, trunk lid, and bumper to rear is only partially modified. For the first time, such as the F-Sport will be offered. Sinoe particle oil has also been incorporated which reduces tears after periods of time in air-conditioning.

Lexus LS Sales and Production

In its largest market, most of all, the US, the Lexus LS was the top-selling flagship luxury sedan the first 15 years of the 17 following its debut. In Japan, the next largest market for the Lexus LS, the introduction of the 2007 Lexus LS 460 attracted 12,000 pre-orders, and Lexus LS has been successfully sell its class. After the introduction of the LS 460 and expanded the launch of Lexus’ global in 2007, the sale of the flagship Lexus have increasingly come from outside the traditional US the brand’s strong. By 2007, the Lexus LS ranked second in the world in a collective sales, next to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class ’85 .500 units, and 71,760 Lexus LS Sedans sold around the world, and a total of over half from outside the US market. In 2008, US sales fell 42% between the end of the 2000 recession, mirroring the decline in the overall market luxury car.

The Lexus LS has not sold as well as in Europe, where Lexus has small brand recognition, image, and developing a dealership network. In European markets such as the Czech Republic, the Lexus LS has ranked the back of the Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW in the flagship luxury car sales. Automotive analysts have suggested a possible reasons for the disparity in sales, as consumers European emphasis on the little car we can have more brand loyalty is a product of the domestic marques. In contrast, the Lexus LS has been ranked second in sales of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (and before rivals from Audi, BMW and Jaguar) in markets outside Europe, in South Africa.

Lexus LS 460 2016