Lexus
Lexus is the Japanese car maker Toyota's Brand name for its line of luxury vehicles. Lexus branded-vehicles are sod in North America, Middle East, Europe, Africa, Latin America, Asia and Oceana; in the United States. Lexus is the highest selling brand of luxury cars. Until 2005, Lexus vehicles were sold under the Toyota marque in Japan ntil its introduction there that year
Lexus IS300
Just as the LS targeted Mercedes' S-class and , according to many beat it quite nicely the IS targeted BMW's 3 series, albeit less effectively, with sales around 20% of the small BMWs. the IS300 is smaller than the BMW, with a fairly right rear seat, but its comfort level is higher, albeit not in the same class as the ES and LS.(The Lexus IS300 is sold as the Toyota Altezza in Japan, where the Lexus Brand was recently introduced; but even the LS was sold as a Toyota in Japan.)
Lexus LS400 and Lexus LS430
The Lexus LS started out as the F1 project in the early 1980's. The engineering team, headed by Shoiji Jimbo and Ichiro Suzuki, included 60 designers, 24 engineering teams, 1,400 engineers, 2,300 technicians and 220 support people. Tehy were already well into the design of a new, high-end luxury car when the first market research study in the United States was conducted for the project (in 1985). Jimbo himself attended focus group and interviewed dealer, while a separate team of five people studied lifestyles and design concepts in Laguna Beach, California. Shortly afterwards, in July 1985, the first running prototype was built. An incredible 450 running prototypes wee to be made, with Toyota apparently sparing no expense to beat Mercedes and other luxury automakers.
By 1986,test were being conducted on Germany's Autobahn and on American roads. Prototypes spent ten months being studied on American roads. In mid 1987, the final design was approved-after unusually large number of presentations to management(eight). Roger Penske, who was to buy a Lexus dealership, traveled to Japan to test-drive one
ES 250
Camry's 156 hp V6. This car was not offered in Japan, but shared much with a Japanese-market Camry hardtop variant. The ES250 was a hastily conceiveThe first ES (codename VZV21) debuted in 1989 as the ES 250 (the 250 denoting a 2.5 L engine) with thed and reskinned Camry in order to avoid introducing the Lexus nameplate with one model, the LS400.
ES 300 (VCV10)
Completely redesigned for 1992 and now based on the VCV10-series Toyota Windom, the model was renamed the ES 300 to reflect the half-liter bump in engine displacement. This second generation was significantly larger and more curvacious (as was the Camry) and sported a 185 hp engine. The 1993 ES 300 was the last Lexus sedan to offer a 5-speed manual transmission until the IS300 was introduced.
ES 300 (VCV20)
The third generation (designated MCV20) appeared in 1997 with a 200 hp 3.0 L V6. It featured a design which was evolutionary from the VCV10, and featured a more rakish profile, sharper body lines, reflector instead of projector headlights, and a more luxurious interior. The new ES was also slightly longer but weighed slightly less than the previous generation. The power rating would grow to 210 hp in 1999, and the model would receive a slight facelift in 2000.
ES 300/ES 330 (MCV30)
A year after the Lexus IS became Lexus's entry-level car, an upsized, fourth generation ES (designated MCV30) debuted in 2002, possessing, among other enhancements, a more luxurious interior and a drive-by-wire electronic throttle. Now that the sport end of the market was covered by the new Lexus IS, the ES became even more of a luxury car and dropped any sporting pretensions. In 2003, for the US and European markets, a new 3.3 L engine producing 225 hp (later revised to 218 hp) replaced the old 3.0 L unit and the car was renamed as the ES 330 (the ES 300 is available in the MCV30 body style in the Middle Eastern and Asian markets). In 2005, the ES received a facelift with new front and rear fascias, clear taillights, projector headlights, and a redesigned grille.
ES 350
The fifth generation ES debuted at the Chicago Auto Show in February of 2006. It arrived at dealerships in late April, 2006 as a 2007 model.
The new ES, now called the ES 350, features the first use of a six-speed automatic transmission in a front wheel drive Toyota vehicle along with its sister car, the Toyota Camry V6. The engine is the 272 hp (203 kW) aluminum 3.5 L 2GR-FE V6 engine with variable valve timing. Toyota estimates that this combination will accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in less than 7 seconds. Fuel economy is estimated at 21 mpg (11.2 L/100 km) in the city and 30 mpg (7.8 L/100 km) on the highway.
The vehicle features anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist as well as stability control and traction control. Other new features include a three-panel glass sunroof, radar-based adaptive cruise control, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a parking-assist warning system. A keyless entry and ignition system which does not require the electronic remote to be taken out of the driver's pocket is now standard.
LS 400 (UF20)
For the 1998 model year, the UF20 IV LS 400 was introduced. New interior amenities included retractable rear headrests, wood accents on the leather-bound steering wheel and gear selector, and a navigation system with a concealed antenna. A new "jam protection system" for the vehicle's windows was designed to reduce the risk of possible injury by preventing the windows from closing if an object came in between the window and the door frame. Door window controls were also added to the vehicle remote control.
Exterior updates included new five spoke wheels as well as redesigned rear view mirrors that reduced the amount of wind noise. The automatic headlights were now equipped with a delay feature that allowed the headlights to remain on while the occupants exited the vehicle.
The revised LS 400 featured Toyota's new 290 hp VVT-i UZ engine mated to a smooth five-speed automatic transmission. The drivetrain improvements not only enabled the 3,890 lb sedan to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds but also improved the vehicle's fuel economy
LS 460 (UF40)
Introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, a redesigned LS will arrive for the 2007 model year. Based on the LF-Sh concept vehicle, the new LS will use either a 4.6 L V8 producing 380 hp (283 kW) and 370 ft•lbf (502 N•m) or a hybrid V8. An 8-speed automatic transmission will be the world's first. The car's complex electronic and safety systems have been shown in detail [2] at the Geneva Motor Show in February, while the hybrid version had its debut at the New York Auto Show in April 2006.
New high-tech options on the LS 460 will include a 19-speaker "Reference Surround Sound System" with an 8 GB hard drive, front and rear climate-comfort seats, and a 4-zone climate control with an air purifier. A new automatic parking system with a push-button starting feature, as well as the 8-speed automatic transmission will both be standard features.
The 2007 LS will also mark the first time the car is sold as under the Lexus marque in Japan — the Lexus brand was launched there in 2005 as part of Toyota's vision to make Lexus a 'global luxury brand.'
Lexus RX 300/RX 330
The Lexus version of the Harrier, the RX 300, made its debut in America in 1998. The only engine and drivetrain combination available was the 3.0 L 1MZ-FE V6 and either front or four wheel drive.
The first-generation Harrier continued largely unchanged until November 2000, when the 2.2 L 5S-FE engine was replaced by the 2.4 L 2AZ-FE 4-cylinder engine, producing 159 hp JIS (117 kW) and 221 Nm (163 ft•lbf). Again, the new engine was offered with either front wheel drive or four wheel drive. The change in engine also meant a change in model code, which was now ACU10 for the front wheel drive version and ACU15 for the four wheel drive version. A small facelift was also performed on the Harrier. 2000 is also the year where the Lexus RX 300 first went on sale in Europe and Asia. The distinguishing feature for those versions of the RX 300 is a different rear light cluster and larger wheels. The front wheel drive version was not offered in either Europe or Asia.
Lexus SC300/400
The SC 300 and SC 400 were mid-sized coupes available in the United States with a 3.0 L inline 6 2JZ-GE(225 hp and 210 ft•lbf, SC 300) or a 4.0 L V8 1UZ-FE (250 hp and 260 ft•lbf, SC 400). In Japan, an additional engine choice was a 2.5 L twin-turbo inline 6, good for 276 hp on the Toyota Soarer 2.5GT-T/TL. The V8 1UZ-FE motor, also used in the LS 400, was reported to have cost over US$400,000,000 in research and development. In 1996, the SC400's engine design was upgraded to 260 hp from 250 hp. In 1998, both the SC300 and 400 were upgraded with VVT-i and thus the ratings were raised to 290 hp/300 ft•lbf of torque for the SC400 and 225 hp/220 ft•lbf of torque for the SC300. Tests conducted on the new engines showed an acceleration for the SC400 of 0-60 mph in 6.0 seconds, and for the SC300 an acceleration of 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds.[1] [2]
The SC 400 was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1992. It also made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1992 through 1995. The first generation Lexus SC was considered far ahead of its time, which is why it lasted for nearly 10 years without any major changes while comparible cars were being re-designed every 3-4 years.
Lexus SC430
Lexus showcased its new sports convertible, the SC 430, at the Paris Motorshow in 2000, and the car entered production the following year. Power was provided by a 4.3 L 3UZ-FE V8 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.]
Lexus designers from Europe and Japan worked together to create the convertible's sleek, streamlined design. The car features a retractable aluminum hardtop, all-leather interior, and 18 in alloy wheels. It can seat four and has a base price of US$63,825.
Competitors include the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, BMW 6 Series, Jaguar XK8, and Cadillac XLR. |