Whether Mazda develops rotor, Toyota develops LFA, or Japanese automobile brands pursue the championship in the world, these stories all reflect the Japanese concept of putting all your eggs in one basket and obsessing over the dead end, which is the embodiment of Japanese extreme "craftsman spirit". It is difficult for us to evaluate the idea, but in the end, the Japanese showed their success to the world.
Recently, Lexus released a brand-new official map of Lexus LS model, which once again refreshed people's cognition of oriental luxury. As the flagship model of Lexus family, LS is the perfect embodiment of Toyota's top luxury in the East. Although the strength of German luxury brands is too strong now, it is difficult for Lexus to compete with them, but Lexus once had its glory, so let's review how this representative model originated and developed to this day.
The Development Course of Lexus LS Series Cars
1.？ First generation LS
Code XF 10, 1989-1994.
1In August, 1983, Toyota Yingzhi, then the chairman of Toyota, announced the launch of the luxury car project named "Circle-F", also known as "Flagship-1" to build a luxury car from scratch. This project has two most striking features. Without the limitation of R&D cost and R&D cycle, a luxury brand car that surpassed all the cars on the market at that time was born. At best, this concept is "craftsman spirit", at worst, it is success or death psychology. And such a design concept, as it turns out, Toyota has indeed built a luxury car with very high standards.
After six years, Toyota officially released the Lexus LS400 at 1989 Detroit Auto Show. Although the appearance of the first generation LS retains the horizontal and vertical design style of automobiles in the 1980s, it has begun to move closer to modern design ideas in details, and a large number of circular arcs have been used to deal with the body, which not only reveals the humble and restrained low-key luxury style of orientals, but also makes its wind resistance coefficient create an amazing achievement of only 0.29Cd at that time.
The first generation of LS is equipped with the newly developed 4.0L code 1UZ-FE? The V8 engine has a maximum power of 245 HP and a peak torque of 350 Nm, matching the 4-speed automatic gearbox. At that time, such power performance was not inferior to that of rivals at all, and the fuel economy of the first generation ls model was higher.
The first generation of LS brings more shocking performance to consumers because of its excellent quietness and smoothness. The first generation LS adopted a cost-free electromagnetic suspension system, which greatly improved the comfort of the vehicle. At that time, Lexus also filmed the advertisement of Champagne Tower, piled 15 goblets filled with water on the hood of LS400, and increased the speed of the goblets to 232 km/h on the horsepower machine, but the water in the goblets did not overflow, which fully reflected the riding comfort of the first generation LS models.
The interior and configuration of the first generation LS model are also very luxurious, with a large number of walnut and leather materials and a large number of electronic adjustment functions, and the failure rate is very low.
Such a high-level LS400 dwarfs many European and American luxury models and is deeply loved by European and American consumers.
1992 modified the first generation, with little change in appearance, mainly adjusting the chassis and configuration, improving the handling performance and making the car more comfortable.
2.？ Second generation LS
Code XF20, 1994-XF20
1994 replaced the LS for the first time, but it looks more like a mid-term redesigned model, and the appearance of the second-generation LS has not changed much compared with the first-generation model. However, because the wheelbase of the second generation LS has been lengthened, the body size and proportion have to be redesigned. From this perspective, it is still in line with the positioning of the replacement model.
In addition, the interior and configuration of the second-generation LS have also been upgraded accordingly. The interior is decorated with more solid wood materials, which enhances the luxury inside the car. In addition, the second-generation LS is the world's first model equipped with multi-disc CD multimedia system, and its technical configuration is still outstanding.
In the power part, the second-generation LS adopts 1UZ-FE engine and new VVT-i technology. The maximum power is increased to 264 HP, the peak torque is increased to 365 Nm, and the transmission system is replaced by a new 5-speed automatic gearbox.
1997 Lexus launched the second-generation LS modified model, with obvious changes in the front face and more modern design style. It is also from this model that more and more people in China know the brand of Lexus, and according to the characteristics of the times, this LS model is called "Millennium LS". After modification, the power of the second generation LS engine is increased to 284 HP and the peak torque is increased to 398 Nm.
3.？ Third generation LS
Code name XF30, 2000 -2006
In 2000, the third generation LS was officially listed. The third generation LS model adopts a brand-new design language, which is completely different from the previous two generations. This generation of cars adopted a more modern design technique and used more curves to outline the body, but the overall feeling of the body was still relatively square, and the simpler and smoother design ideas were also popular elements in the world at that time. Still reveals a low-key sense of luxury,
In the interior part, the change of the third generation LS is very obvious, the overall design is more modern, and the shape is similar to that of Toyota 12 Crown model in the same period. Configuration has also been upgraded, such as touch-screen multimedia central control panel with navigation function, seat heating massage, headlight follow-up steering and other technological configurations.
In the power part, the third generation LS was replaced by 4.3L? The V8 engine has a maximum power of 28 1 horsepower and a peak torque of 4 17 Nm, which is matched with a 5-speed automatic gearbox. With such excellent dynamic performance and excellent chassis, the third generation LS still has good comfort and smoothness.
In 2003, Lexus introduced a modified model of the third generation LS. In terms of appearance, the modified model is sharper, especially the headlights are more angular, and the lens structure is added inside, which makes the appearance of the whole vehicle sharper and more dynamic.
4.？ The fourth generation LS
Code XF40, 2006 -20 17.
In 2006, the fourth generation LS went on the market. This generation of models adopts the family-style design language of Lexus L-Finesse, and the overall appearance is very elegant and dynamic, and the details are also exquisite and luxurious.
In the interior part, the fourth-generation LS is still a typical Lexus style, with a large area of solid wood decorative panels and a large area of leather materials, revealing the low-key and restrained luxury style of LS models. The configuration part has maintained a consistently high standard, in which the main driver's seat can be adjusted in 16 directions, the air conditioning system can sense the body temperature, and the entertainment system and folding table are added in the back row. The Mark levinson sound system makes the whole car more luxurious and comfortable.
Power part, equipped with LS460 1UR-FE? 4.6L？ The V8 engine, in which the rear-drive version can output 380 horsepower and the four-wheel drive version can output 360 horsepower, matched the world's first 8-speed automatic manual transmission installed on a production model at that time. LS600h top model is equipped with 5.0L? The V8 engine and motor constitute a hybrid power system with a comprehensive power of 439 HP, and the transmission system matches the E-CVT continuously variable gearbox.
In 2009, Lexus redesigned the fourth-generation LS model for the first time, and adjusted the details such as appearance and configuration.
In 20 12, Lexus made a mid-term change to the fourth-generation LS. The modified LS adopted the brand-new design language of Lexus at that time, and the front part adopted a large-area spindle-shaped mesh, which was more radical in style. The whole is younger and more sporty, and it is no longer a low-key and introverted style, which also marks the change of the overall design idea of Lexus brand.
5.？ The fifth generation LS
Code xf50,2017-up to now
The fifth generation Lexus LS was officially released in north american auto show on 20 17. The appearance of the fifth-generation LS still adopts Lexus family-style design language, and the front face adopts a large-area spindle-shaped front middle net. The internal structure is complex, and with sharp all-LED headlights, the front face has a strong visual impact. The fifth-generation LS model continues the design idea of pursuing fashion sense and sports sense in the later period of the fourth-generation LS, but the fifth-generation LS has a new understanding of oriental luxury, mainly reflected in the interior part.
The luxury atmosphere created by the fifth-generation LS model is very unique, which organically combines many elements belonging to the East with modern design. Leather, solid wood, glass and other materials complement each other, so that the exquisite luxury inside the car is well reflected. Among them, the crane feather folding cloth decoration and the light-cut glass decorative board on the door panel reflect the initial intention of Lexus brand not forgetting oriental luxury and the latest interpretation of "craftsman spirit" In addition, according to different models, ls can also choose up to 22 interior color schemes.
In terms of configuration, the five generations of LS are still very rich. The whole system comes standard with adaptive air suspension, matrix full LED headlights, 20-way electric adjustment for the main driver's seat, 0/8-way electric adjustment for the co-pilot seat, 12.3-inch LCD screen, electric suction door and driver assistance system.
In the power part, the LS350 model is equipped with 3.5L? V6 engine with maximum power of 3 18 horsepower. LS500 with 3.5T? V6 twin-turbo engine with maximum power of 4 15 HP. LS500H with 3.5L? The comprehensive power of the hybrid power system consisting of V6 engine and motor is 354 horsepower.
Recently, Lexus officially released the official map of the new LS model. The new car is a modified model of the fifth-generation LS, mainly aiming at the details of appearance and interior. The biggest change in the styling of the new LS is the headlights, which adopt a brand-new design and modeling, and the internal structure has also been adjusted, making the overall style sharper. In addition, the headlights also add an adaptive far and near light system, which makes the technology configuration of the new LS more comprehensive.
On the side of the car body, the hybrid model of the new LS adds a small radiator on the front fender to make the hybrid model more recognizable. In the rear part, the overall design of the new LS is basically the same as that of the current model, only the internal structure of the rear taillight is adjusted to make the rear part more recognizable.
In the interior part, the new LS still continues the design language of the current model, leather. Wood grain, glass and other materials have been preserved, showing a full sense of exquisiteness and unique oriental luxury charm. In terms of configuration, the new LS is equipped with Lexus new active safety system for the first time-Lexus teammate system (Lexus? Teammates), the system can realize automatic control of steering, acceleration/braking, automatic parking, shift assistance and other driving assistance functions, which improves the driving convenience and comfort of the new LS.
In addition, the new LS also optimizes the adaptive air suspension and improves other chassis components to make the driving comfort of the new LS more extreme. The power part, which has not been disclosed officially, is expected to follow the powertrain of the current fifth-generation LS.
Write it at the end
Building a luxury car and a luxury brand from scratch has achieved good results. It is hard for us to imagine how much pressure was behind Mr. Toyoda's decision in those years. It was the pursuit of the ultimate by Japanese automobile brands and the interpretation of the "artisan spirit", which made the Japanese automobile industry top.
The development history of Lexus LS model is more like the condensation of the development history of Japanese automobile industry. It has never been taken seriously by western countries, but it has devoted itself to research and perseverance. Finally, it makes the world sit up and take notice, and makes western countries accept oriental luxury goods. It is through continuous evolution that Lexus LS combines the essence of oriental luxury with modern design and constantly optimizes and progresses. It is through the concept of "artisan spirit" and Toyota's "Excellence" that it has evolved for 365,438+0 years and finally achieved Lexus LS, the top luxury representative in the East.
However, in today's top luxury car market, Lexus LS has been difficult to compete with Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Audi A8 in sales volume. It once had such a glorious history, but why is it far worse now? This is definitely worthy of Lexus reflection. I hope that the future Lexus can keep its original heart, move on and reproduce its glorious past.
This article comes from car home, the author of the car manufacturer, and does not represent car home's position.