1999 Lexus LS 400
High-Tech Engineering Features
Combine With Old-Fashioned Craftsmanship

By Joanne Brickman

History: Although Lexus, Toyota's luxury car division, wasn't established until 1983, the company's history dates back to 1926 when Sakichi Toyoda founded Toyoda Automatic Loom Works. His son Kiichiro later diversified into automobile manufacturing, thus laying the groundwork for today's Toyota Motor Corporation. The Lexus name and "L" logo first appeared in America at the 1988 Los Angeles Auto Show. The next year, the company debuted their LS (Luxury Sedan) 400, along with the ES (Executive Sedan) 250, at the Detroit and L.A. Auto Shows. The first LS 400 hit dealer showrooms in September 1989 as a 1990 model. The press loved the car immediately, bestowing numerous awards including Motoring Press Association's "Best Imported Car of the Year 1990." Buyers liked the car, too. The first year's sales exceeded the 60,000 sales goal by more than 3,000. The original LS 400 was so well received, the automaker did not come out with a second-generation model until 1995. The LS 400 was given a redesign in 1998, so the changes for the 1999 model are few: minor upgrades to interior trim levels, daytime running lights added as standard equipment, and a color revision.

Vehicle Type: five-passenger, four-door mid-size sedan, rear-wheel drive

Base Price: $53,605 ($495 destination charge)

Test Vehicle Price: $59,570

Engine: 4.0-liter, V8, 290-horsepower with continuously Variable Valve Timing, intelligent (VVT-i)

Transmission: five-speed automatic transmission

Fuel Economy: 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway

Safety Features: driver's and front passenger's airbags; front seat-mounted side-impact airbags; three-point safety belts for all seating positions and height adjustable front shoulder belt anchors; front seat belt pretensioners w/Force Limiters; daytime running lights; adjustable headrests for all seating positions, including rear center seat; Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) w/Integrated ABS and Traction Control