Review: Lexus XF10 LS (1990-94)

Review: Lexus XF10.I LS 400 (1990-92)

Overview

Released in May 1990, the Lexus XF10 Series I (XF10.I) LS 400 was a large, luxury sedan. Manufactured in Japan, the rear-wheel drive Lexus XF10 LS 400 was powered by a 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine that was mated to an electronically-controlled four-speed automatic transmission.

Development

Development of the LS 400 commenced in late 1983 with the ‘F1’ (a conjunction of ‘Flagship’ and ‘No.1’) project initiated by Toyota chairman Eiji Toyota. Intended to compete with the class-leading Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7-Series, market research indicated that such a vehicle would require a separate brand and dealership network, leading to the creation of the Lexus brand.

When development of the LS 400 was completed in 1989, the F1 project had involved 60 designers, 24 engineering teams, 1400 engineers, 2300 technicians, 220 support workers and expenditure of over US$1 billion.

1UZ-FE engine

While the S-Class and 7-Series were available with a range of engines, the LS was solely available with Toyota’s 4.0-litre 1UZ-FE V8 petrol engine which had an aluminium alloy block and cylinder head, double overhead camshafts per cylinder bank (belt-driven), four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.0:1.

Dimensions and suspension

Styled by Kunihiro Uchida, the LS 400 was 4995 mm long, 1820 mm wide, 1425 mm tall and had a 2815 mm long wheelbase; kerb weight was 1750 kg. Furthermore, the LS 400 had independent, double wishbone suspension front and rear with coil springs, pressurised shock absorbers and stabiliser bars.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the LS 400 included a driver’s airbag and ABS.

Brakes

The XF10.I LS 400 had 276 mm by 28 mm vented front disc brakes and 291 mm by 16 mm vented rear disc brakes.

Features: LS 400

Standard features for the Lexus LS 400 included 15-inch alloy wheels with 205/65 ZR15 Dunlop SP Sports tyres, a seven speaker Nakamichi sound system (including subwoofer) with a CD player and six-disc CD changer (boot-mounted), climate control air conditioning, leather upholstery, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat and a four-way power adjustable front passenger seat, cruise control, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a power adjustable steering wheel (for rake and reach), power adjustable seatbelt shoulder anchorages, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, driver memory settings (for the seat, mirror, steering wheel and seatbelt anchorage point), California walnut interior trim, tinted windows and an alarm.

Review: Lexus XF10.II LS 400 (1992-94)

Overview

Released in August 1992, the Lexus XF10 Series II (XF10.II) LS 400 introduced a series of updates including 16-inch alloy wheels, bigger brakes, CFC-free air conditioning refrigerant and revised suspension and steering.

Visually, the XF10.II LS could be identified by its revised grille which had stronger horizontal elements (previously mesh-style) and additional body-side mouldings. Inside, changes included an ambient temperature gauge and digital odometer.

Safety equipment

Compared to its XF10.I predecessor, the XF10.II LS 400 was further equipped with a front passenger airbag and front seatbelt pretensioners.

Brakes

The XF10.II LS 400 had larger 296 mm by 32mm vented front disc brakes, though continued with 291 mm by 16 mm vented rear discs.

Features: LS 400

Standard features for the Lexus XF10.II LS 400 were extended to include 16-inch alloy wheels with 225/60 VR16 tyres, eight-way power adjustable front seats, a pollen filter for the air conditioner and automatic (light-sensitive) headlights.

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Lexus XF10 LS