Lexus LS500 #lexus #ls #500 #lexus

The Lexus LS (レクサス・LS, Rekusasu LS) is a full-size luxury sedan (F-segment in Europe) serving as the flagship model of Lexus, Toyota's luxury division. For the first four generations, all LS models were powered by V8 engines and were predominantly rear wheel drive. In the fourth generation, Lexus offered all-wheel drive, hybrid and long wheelbase options. The fifth generation switched to using a V6 engine, with no V8 option and only one length was offered. As the first model designed by Lexus, the LS 400 debuted in January 1989 and the second generation debuted in November 1994. The LS 430 debuted in January 2000 and the LS 460/LS 460 L series debuted in 2006. The LS 400 and LS 430, badged Toyota Celsior (Japanese: トヨタ・セルシオ, Toyota Serushio), were sold in Japan until the Lexus brand was introduced there in 2006. In 2006 (for the 2007 model year) the fourth generation of the LS 460 appeared. The first mass-produced eight-speed automatic transmission and automatic parking system debuted. In 2007, V8 hybrid powertrains were introduced on the LS 600h/LS 600h L sedans. Development of the LS began in 1983 as the F1 project, the codename for the secret flagship sedan. At the time, Toyota's two existing flagship models were the Crown and Century, models that were exclusive to the Japanese market and had little global appeal to rival international luxury brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Jaguar. The resulting sedan went through a five-year design process, cost over US$1 billion, and premiered with a new V8 engine and numerous luxury features. The Lexus LS was intended from the start for export markets and the Lexus division was created to sell and service the vehicle internationally. The original LS 400 debuted with strong sales and contributed greatly to the successful launch of the Lexus marque. Since production began, each generation of the Lexus LS has been built in the Japanese city of Tahara, Aichi. The name "LS" stands for "Luxury Sedan", although some Lexus importers prefer to refer to it as "Luxury Saloon". The name "Celsior" comes from the Latin word "celsus", which means "high" or "exalted"

Added 24 May 2026