Since its 1989 production debut, each generation of the Lexus LS has been manufactured in Tahara, Aichi, in Japan.
Lexus will hold the World Premiere of the new Lexus LS flagship sedan at an invitation-only event in San Francisco on Monday 30 July at 8:30 PDT. The V8 powered rear-wheel drive luxury car is among the most reliable and durable vehicles ever built.
The 2013 LS, now in its fifth generation, will be available as the LS 460, LS 460 L long wheelbase, LS 600h L hybrid sedan and the all-new LS 460 F SPORT.
The original Lexus full-size sedan – the 1990 model LS 400 – caught the Germans by surprise with its combination of high quality, silky smooth ride, and a price that undercut competing Mercedes-Benz and BMW sedans by $10,000 or more.
Aside from the aggressive, snout, er grille, the Lexus redesign is essentially conservative.
Initially dismissed by the Europeans, the success of Lexus ultimately forced improvements in quality and a lowering of prices by Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. The Japanese brand’s success has also prompted an expanding list of joint ventures with BMW.
The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at a long-term strategic collaboration in four fields: joint development of a fuel cell system, joint development of architecture and components for a future sports vehicle, collaboration on powertrain electrification and joint research and development on lightweight technologies.
The agreement follows the memorandum of understanding announced by the two companies on 1 December 2011. (See BMW and Toyota to Jointly Research Lithium Ion Batteries) Current production Toyota hybrids use nickel metal hydride batteries, an older but thoroughly proven technology. Toyota has been reluctant to use the newer, more expensive technology, much loved by environmentalist, but shunned thus far by mainstream car buyers. Nevertheless, Toyota is introducing its first generation of lithium ion batteries in the Prius Plug-in hybrid just on sale in the U.S.
See:
- 2013 Lexus ES 350 Starts at $36,995, Hybrid at $2,750 Premium
- NHTSA Prompted Latest Lexus Recall after Web Complaints
- Toyota Adds 150,000 Lexus Models to Deadly Floor Mat Recall. NHTSA Says Filing Lacks Required Info. Another Cover-up?
- BMW Group and Toyota Motor Expand Collaboration
- First Drive – 2013 Lexus ES 350 and ES 300h Hybrid Sedans
