LEXUS HISTORY BRAND CARS INNOVATIONS 1983 August 1983. At a secret meeting More than 400 prototype Over 1,400 engineers and 2,300 in Japan, Toyota’s Chairman Dr vehicles are built, 100 are crash technicians rise to Toyoda-san’s Eiji Toyoda sets a challenge to a tested and more than 4.3 million challenge. team of strategists, engineers and test kilometres are driven in Japan, designers: “Can we create a the USA and Europe. Sixty designers, 24 engineering luxury car to challenge the very teams, and 220 support workers best?” are engaged on the “F1” project. Every detail was exhaustively thought through – build tolerances were at least twice as accurate as competitors. 1987 In May 1987, four years of development time and many full- sized clay models later, Lexus executives sign off on the final LS design. 1988 The brand name ‘Lexus’ is chosen to represent luxury and high-end technology. (Early suggestions included Alexis and Lexis.) 1989 The Lexus brand is born The first LS 400 is launched, At the Lexus Tahara plant in incorporating hundreds of new Japan, the welding process for the patents and setting new standards LS 400 is fully automated, making for quality and value. Almost welds 1.5 times stronger than 3,000 are sold in the first month those on conventionally welded after launch. vehicles. 1990 Lexus is launched in Europe with a On the LS 400, aerodynamic single model range: the LS 400. considerations lead to the underside of the vehicle having a smooth floorpan and a number of special fairings to direct airflow. This gives the LS 400 class- leading underbody aerodynamics. 1 / 6 BRAND CARS INNOVATIONS 1991 Lexus starts its dominance in JD A new coupé, the SC 400, is Power customer satisfaction launched for the American surveys in USA, becoming the first market. Its design is the work of brand to win the ‘triple crown’ of the CALTY centre in California. sales satisfaction, initial quality and being rated overall top brand for customer satisfaction. Lexus becomes the USA’s number one luxury import brand, outselling BMW and Mercedes- Benz. 1993 The new Lexus GS 300 is launched in Europe at the Frankfurt Motor Show. 1995 The second-generation LS 400 is The second-generation Lexus LS launched. The philosophy of 400 is also the first production car steady evolution of Lexus cars was to feature a collapsible steering evident in its design. column. This patented innovation features a corrugated shaft coupling to absorb primary and secondary impacts in the event of a collision. 1997 A V8 4.0-litre engine with VVT-i is used in the HPS concept car. This intelligent valve technology revolutionises efficient yet high- performance driving. 1998 Lexus becomes the USA’s top- The RX 300 is launched creating The RX 300 4x4 is fitted with a selling luxury brand for the first a completely new market segment V6 3.0 litre VVT-i engine and an time, outperforming domestic – the luxury SUV automatic transmission with manufacturers Cadillac and Power, Normal and Snow modes. Lincoln. The European-specification LS 400 becomes the first car in the world to have satellite navigation fitted as standard. 1999 . The IS 200 compact sports sedan IS 200 features the best of Lexus is introduced; the first Lexus innovation and engineering, model to be specifically including aluminium driving pedals developed for the European and chronometer-style market. instruments and the first use of LED rear lights. 2000 . The first generation RX 300 goes Air suspension debuts on the new on sale in Europe LS 430, in a system that maintained vehicle ride height regardless of the number of passengers or load level. It can be raised by 20 mm for uneven roads and automatically lowered at high speeds to improve aerodynamics. 2 / 6 BRAND CARS INNOVATIONS 2001 Lexus receives its first JD Power & Lexus’ European model range The SC 430 is equipped with an Associates gold award in the UK. expands to five cars with the elegant, all-weather aluminium launch of the SC 430 coupé- hardtop that can be retracted in convertible. Its sleek lines and 25 seconds. classic styling were created by the Lexus European Design Centre (ED²) in the South of France 2002 In Germany, the IS sedan achieves Without the support of Akio a customer satisfaction index of Toyoda, President and Member of 86%, the highest score of all cars the Board of the Toyota Motor listed in the JD Power survey. Corporation, the legendary Lexus LFA supercar may never have This year sees Steven Spielberg been built. Approached for ask Lexus to help design a car for support in 2002 by the vehicle’s Tom Cruise to drive in his creators, Chief Engineer blockbuster movie, Minority Haruhiko Tanahashi and the late Report, a film set in 2054. master driver Hiromu Naruse, Toyoda-san quickly became the LFA’s primary champion 2003 An all-new RX 300 goes on sale Technology highlights on the in Europe. second-generation RX 300 include air suspension, intelligent By June 2003, Akio Toyoda, Adaptive Front Lighting, an Chief Engineer Haruhiko automatic tailgate and Park Assist. Tanahashi and the late master driver Hiromu Naruse, were already test driving LFA prototypes. 2004 Lexus’ L-finesse design direction is The LF-C concept makes its debut The RX 400h is launched – the unveiled, inspired by traditional at the New York Motor Show, world’s first luxury hybrid SUV. Its Japanese aesthetic values. establishing the hallmarks of the Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain new Lexus design direction, gives it the fuel consumption and incisive simplicity and advanced emission levels of a much smaller, technology. compact vehicle. 2005 This year the Lexus brand Lexus’ L-finesse design philosophy The second-generation Lexus IS launched in Japan and becomes is applied to new production becomes the world’s first car to be an instant success. In its home vehicles – the second-generation fitted with a twin-chamber front market, Lexus successfully IS and third-generation GS passenger airbag, designed to developed a network of 143 new sedans. deliver greater protection to the dealerships and trained2,000 neck and shoulders in an impact. high performing employees, from sales people on the shop floor to engineers. 3 / 6 BRAND CARS INNOVATIONS 2006 The LS 460, the fourth- The world’s first high-performance generation of the Lexus flagship luxury hybrid sedan is launched. sedan, is launched and features The GS 450h offers a unique the world’s first eight-speed combination of performance, automatic transmission. economy and low emissions. The new RX 350, replacing the Four world firsts in advanced RX 300 offers greater fuel safety technology are introduced economy, acceleration and with the new LS: Advanced improved driving dynamics. Obstacle Detection System, Emergency Steering Assist, Rear Pre-Crash Safety system and Driver Monitoring System. 2007 The LS 460 is voted “World Car The new IS F, the first of Lexus’ ‘F’- The LS 600h and LS 600h L take of the Year 2007”. marque cars is launched in Europe V8-powered Lexus Hybrid Drive at the Geneva Motor Show. technology into the super- premium limousine market. 2009 Lexus presents its LF-Ch hybrid The LFA team takes their V10 concept car at the Frankfurt supercar prototype to the Motor Show, signalling its interest Nürburgring in Germany and in launching its first model to compete in the legendary 24- compete in the European C- hour endurance race “to get more premium market. feedback on the production car,” as Akio Toyoda says. The LFA, Lexus introduces the third- which finishes an impressive 18th generation RX 350 and RX in the race, turning heads 450h, reinventing the vehicle that immediately, and prompting created the luxury SUV market. universal acclaim. The all-new IS 250C hard-top convertible and the all-new third- generation GS 460 go on sale. 2010 . World premiere of the CT 200h hybrid luxury compact at the Geneva Motor Show. 2011 A unique Lexus full hybrid LS The first LFA V10-powered Lightweight, balanced, powerful 600h L Landaulet featuring a production car arrives in Europe, and amazing to drive, the Lexus one-piece, transparent one of only 500 hand-built LFA supercar features advanced polycarbonate roof serves as the supercars that are planned for Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic official Royal Wedding car on the production. (CFRP) construction for its chassis occasion of the marriage of His and bodywork to deliver a light, Serene Highness Prince Albert II The CT 200h, the world’s first full incredibly strong and impact- of Monaco. hybrid luxury compact, becomes resistant structure. Lexus fifth hybrid to go on sale in Europe. 4 / 6 BRAND CARS INNOVATIONS 2012 The final Lexus LFA is completed World premiere of LF-LC on December 14, 2012, ending concept vehicle in Detroit which is the supercar’s production run of named best concept car in the 500 units. annual EyesOn Design Awards at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. A hallmark of Lexus design innovation, the sporty mesh of the Lexus signature grille is a daring visual statement that is now a brand-defining element on every Lexus. The feature is first introduced on the GS sedan establishing a new, stylish and provocative identity for Lexus. 2013 Located in Tokyo’s fashionable The third-generation IS sedan is Aoyama district, INTERSECT BY launched. LEXUS opens, looking beyond the traditional car showroom to give visitors a chance to experience the lifestyle around the Lexus brand without having to get behind the wheel. 2014 Lexus collaborates with the multi- The Lexus NX crossover and RC The Lexus Torque Vectoring facetted and highly talented F high-performance coupé are Differential (TVD) is the world’s will.i.am for the Striking Angles launched.