The Lexus LS, a pioneering model for the luxury car manufacturer, is being retired from the UK range after 35 years. Across five generations, the LS was a leader in the industry, from construction techniques and handling performance to incorporating electrified powertrains, advanced safety systems, and sophisticated onboard luxury. As the original Lexus, it set the foundation for every subsequent Lexus model, the brand announced.
The LS was the vehicle that launched the Lexus brand – owned by Toyota – in the USA in 1989, arriving in the UK the following year. It was the culmination of an unprecedented development program that involved thousands of designers, engineers, and technicians over six years. This “Circle F” (flagship) project was initiated by then Toyota chairman Eiji Toyoda and led by the experienced Ichiro Suzuki as chief engineer. The mission was to develop the world’s finest luxury performance saloon: the “pursuit of perfection.”
Every aspect of the car, from its 4.0-liter quad-cam V8 engine to the feel of the leather used in the interior, was rigorously examined, from the drawing board to numerous prototypes and millions of miles of road testing. This meticulous attention to detail and takumi craftsmanship have remained central to Lexus’s identity, and are key to the delivery of the brand-defining omotenashi hospitality.
The main goals were for the vehicle to be fast yet efficient, quiet yet lightweight, and elegant yet aerodynamic. The ambition was not simply to rival the best from other manufacturers – primarily European – but to surpass them, Lexus said. The results were unveiled at the 1989 Detroit motor show ahead of a global launch in the summer.
The response from the media and public was overwhelmingly positive. By the end of the year, Lexus had reached its ambitious target of 16,000 sales in the United States. This success served as a springboard for the brand, which recorded one million vehicle sales in the US within the next decade.
In the UK, the LS was Lexus’s sole model for the first three years of its market presence. Supported by a groundbreaking approach to quality and customer service, it successfully established the Lexus name, selling over 12,700 units during its lifespan.
The legacy of the LS can be seen in every model in the extended Lexus range. It was the first to implement radar and camera-based safety and driver assistance features. These were later adopted, extended, and improved in the Lexus Safety System+ that is featured in current Lexus vehicles. The LS also introduced the world’s first eight-speed automatic transmission and was the first car to benefit from laser welding techniques, leading to a significantly more rigid construction design. It has also been a design leader, introducing Japanese aesthetics and applying traditional Japanese craftsmanship to vehicle styling, from the lines of the bodywork to the hand-finished interiors.
Lexus stated, “In 1989, the Lexus flagship was a saloon in the best traditions. Times and tastes change, so the flagship of the current UK model range is the Lexus LM, a one-of-a-kind ‘luxury mover.’ Building on the heritage of the LS, it offers personalized luxury of the kind usually found in private jets: full-horizontal reclining seats, a precision-controlled cabin climate; and a fully integrated 48-inch ultra-widescreen monitor.”
