Extensive modeling and wind tunnel tests resulted in a low drag coefficient for a conventional production vehicle of the time ( C d 0.29). By 1986, the sedan used a three-box design with an upright stance, more prominent grille, and a two-tone body. In 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. In May 1985, designers started work on the F1 project. The teams logged 2.7 million kilometres (1.7 million miles) of testing on locations ranging from winter Europe roadways, to deserts in Arizona, Australia, or Saudi Arabia, to U.S. During development, the 60 designers with 1,400 engineers in 24 teams, 2,300 technicians and over 200 support workers built approximately 450 flagship prototypes and 900 engine prototypes. 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 aerodynamics, cabin quietness, overall top speed, and fuel efficiency.

The F1 development effort did not have a specific budget or time constraints, and the resulting vehicle did not use existing Toyota platforms or parts. 1' vehicle alternatively called the 'Circle-F' project), as a clandestine effort aimed at producing a world-class luxury sedan for international markets. In August 1983, Toyota chairman Eiji Toyoda initiated the F1 project ('Flagship' and 'No. The name 'Celsior' is taken from Latin word 'celsus', meaning 'lofty' or 'elevated'. The name 'LS' stands for 'Luxury Sedan', although some Lexus importers have preferred to define it as 'Luxury Saloon'. Since the start of production, each generation of the Lexus LS has been manufactured in the Japanese city of Tahara, Aichi. The original LS 400 debuted to strong sales, and was largely responsible for the successful launch of the Lexus marque. The Lexus LS was intended from its inception for export markets, and the Lexus division was formed to market and service the vehicle internationally. The resulting sedan followed an extended five-year design process at a cost of over US$1 billion, and premiered with a new V8 engine and numerous luxury features. At the time, Toyota's two existing flagship models were the Crown and Century models – both of which catered exclusively for the Japanese market and had little global appeal that could compete with international luxury brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar. In 2007, V8 hybrid powertrains were introduced on the LS 600h/LS 600h L sedans.ĭevelopment of the LS began in 1983 as the F1 project, the code name for a secret flagship sedan. 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. A domestic-market version of the LS 400 and LS 430, badged as Toyota Celsior ( Japanese: トヨタ・セルシオ, Hepburn: Toyota Serushio), was sold in Japan until the Lexus marque was introduced there in 2006. The LS 430 debuted in January 2000 and the LS 460/LS 460 L series in 2006. The fifth generation changed to using a V6 engine with no V8 option, and only one length was offered.Īs the first model developed by Lexus, the LS 400 debuted in January 1989 with the second generation debuting in November 1994. In the fourth generation, Lexus offered all-wheel-drive, hybrid, and long- wheelbase variants. For the first four generations, all LS models featured V8 engines and were predominantly rear-wheel-drive. The Lexus LS ( Japanese: レクサス・LS, Hepburn: Rekusasu LS ) is a full-size luxury sedan ( F-segment in Europe) serving as the flagship model of Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota. Front-engine, all-wheel-drive (since 2006).

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