LUXURY THAT NEVER GOES OUT OF FASHION (some text hidden) --NONE--

BY JONATHAN CROUCH

Introductionword count: 99

It wasn't so long ago that the big European carmakers could rest easy about the Japanese threat in the luxury saloon sector. All right, so the Orientals made excellent small cars, superb high performance coupes and creditable luxury saloons. One thing they'd never be thought of though, was a force to challenge Mercedes, BMW or Jaguar. All that changed in 1990 with the arrival of Toyota Corporation's Lexus LS400, at a stroke redefining quality and refinement in its sector. The folks at Stuttgart, Munich and Coventry couldn't believe it; the Japanese had got it right pretty well first time.

Modelsword count: 25

Models Covered: FIRST GENERATION LS400: 1990-1994 4.0 8CY SALOON SECOND GENERATION LS400: October 1994-1997 4.0 8cy Saloon THIRD GENERATION LS400: October 1997-2000 4.0 8cy Saloon

Historyword count: 183

The LS400 was launched in the UK in June 1990 as a one-specification model. It had a brand-new 4.0-litre V8 engine which set new levels for smoothness and refinement. All cars featured a state-of-the-art automatic transmission that made even the best Mercedes-Benz automatics seem suddenly second best. There was a minor upgrade in October 1991, when the vanity mirrors were given illumination - believe it or not. A passenger airbag was fitted from January 1993 and this model also received a slightly remodelled grille. The replacement second generation LS400 looked very similar, though it was an all-new car, and it arrived in October 1994. Neither car has sold in particularly high numbers, so finding a good selection of used examples may prove a little difficult. Late in 1997, a much-modified but still similar looking third generation car appeared. Changes centred on revised frontal styling, along with a more powerful V8 engine, now with variable valve timing, a new five-speed automatic gearbox and some technology delights such as a 'touch screen' navigation system. The LS400 was finally replaced by the LS430 late in 2000.

What You Getword count: 147

A good-looking, beautifully built executive limousine. These really are excellent cars, even today. Performance is also good, though acceleration is not as brisk as some of the bigger Mercedes, BMWs, Jaguars or Audis. It's all so smooth and silent, though. Some have criticised the dashboard design as being a bit bland but wood trim finished by piano maker Yamaha and what many consider the best factory-fitted audio system of any car made go a long way to compensate for the fact there are no more dials than in a Corolla. Standard equipment was extensive - to the point where options consisted only of carpet mats, a first aid kit or a towing pack. Air-conditioning, electric windows, remote central locking, leather upholstery, electric sunroof, electric mirrors and seats with memory and a CD autochanger were all part of the package and the third-generation cars also have satellite navigation.

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