An image consulting firm came up with 219 possibilities of a name. Alexis was an early front-runner for the brand’s name. After some discussion, it was modified        first to Lexis and then to Lexus.

Lexus  is the luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Toyota. Lexus originated from a corporate project to develop a new premium sedan, code-named F1, which began in 1983 and culminated in the launch of the Lexus LS in 1989.

 

Headquarters Nagoya, Japan

ls

The Lexus LS  is a full-size luxury sedan (F-segment in Europe) serving as the flagship model of Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota. For the first four generations, all LS models featured V8 engines and were predominantly rear-wheel-drive. In the fourth generation, Lexus offered all-wheel-drive, hybrid, and long-wheelbase variants. The fifth generation changed to using a V6 engine with no V8 option, and only one length was offered.

xf10  1989-1994

As the first model developed by Lexus, the LS 400 debuted in January 1989 with the second generation debuting in November 1994. The name "LS" stands for "Luxury Sedan", although some Lexus importers have preferred to define it as "Luxury Saloon". The name "Celsior" is taken from Latin word "celsus", meaning "lofty" or "elevated".

 The production standards used on the Lexus LS were eventually adopted by the manufacturer for other vehicles; in 2007, the assembly of Toyota Corolla economy cars used the same panel gap measurements as the LS 400 did eighteen years earlier.

Lexus XF10 (youtube.com)

xf30  2001-2006

The third-generation Lexus LS 430 (UCF30) debuted in 2000, introducing a new body design with a host of new interior and technological features. The interior design was inspired by the guest room of the luxury hotel (Imperial Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton) and the seat was inspired by the first class seat of British Airways and Japan Airlines.

The LS 430 was one of the first gasoline V8 vehicles to be certified as an Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle. 

In every year of production, the LS 430 was the most reliable luxury sedan in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Survey 

Lexus XF30 (youtube.com)

xf40  2006-2017

Debuting in late 2009 for the 2010 model year, the revised LS 460 and LS 460 L included restyled front and rear fascias, side mirror turn signals, and new wheel designs. New technology included automatic high beam lights, a self-repairing clear coat for the exterior paint, and an optional pre-crash detection system.

The Sport model received the Sport Direct Shift transmission, also found in the Lexus IS F, with downshift rev-matching capability and manual mode.

Lexus XF40 II (youtube.com)

xf40  2012-2017

Lexus released an official photograph of its restyled XF40 series in July 2012. The substantial update incorporates the new Lexus corporate fascia, comprising the "spindle" grill and consequently sees the fitment of a redesigned hood, reshaped front fenders and headlamps, plus a new bumper. These styling revisions see the retention of the side profile and doors, including rear fenders. Thus, the newly designed tail-lamps, trunk lid, and rear bumper are only partially modified. For the first time, an F-Sport variant is being offered. 

Lexus XF40 III (youtube.com)

xf50  2017-present

Developed under the 200B program, the fifth-generation LS made its debut at the January 2017 North American International Auto Show.[154][155] This model was previewed by the LF-FC concept that was first shown at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show.[156] It is the second Lexus model to be built on GA-L platform, after the LC grand tourer. Dubbed as LS 500 (VXFA50/55), it is the first LS to be powered by a V6 engine. The 3.4 liter twin-turbo V35A-FTS V6 produces  415 hp and 600 N⋅m of torque.

Lexus XF50 (youtube.com)

gs

The Lexus GS  is an executive car sold by Lexus, the premium division of Toyota. The same car had been launched in 1991 as the Toyota Aristo in Japan. Designed as a performance sedan competing in the mid-luxury class, the GS slots between the compact executive IS and large/flagship LS, and shared its chassis with one of Toyota's longest-running nameplates, the Toyota Crown premium sedans until 2011.

gs/aristo S160  1997-2004

The Lexus GS  is an executive medium size car. The same car had been launched in 1991 as the Toyota Aristo in Japan. For non-Japanese markets, it was release as the Lexus GS in February 1993. It continued using the Toyota Aristo name for the Japanese market until January 2005.

Designed as a performance sedan competing in the mid-luxury class, the GS slots between the compact executive IS and large/flagship LS, and shared its chassis with one of Toyota's longest-running nameplates, the Toyota Crown premium sedans until 2011. Four generations of the GS have been produced since 1993, each available with six-cylinder engines and rear-wheel drive. V8 engines were also offered in all generations, and all-wheel drive and hybrid versions debuted in 2005.

Lexus GS S160 (youtube.com)

gs450h  S190   2006-2011

Production of the third generation began in 2005, without release of an equivalent Toyota Aristo, as Toyota had introduced the Lexus channel to Japan and sought to align all world markets using Lexus as their luxury brand worldwide. The third generation GS was the introductory Lexus model for the marque's new L-finesse design philosophy, indicating the future direction of the Lexus lineup.

The hybrid GS 450h joined the GS line in 2006 and was the first mass-production rear-wheel drive luxury hybrid car.

Lexus GS S190 (youtube.com)

SC

sc 430 Z40 cabriolet  2001-2010

The Lexus SC  is a grand tourer that was built from 1991 through 2010. It features a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive design and seating for up to four passengers. The first-generation SC debuted as the V8-powered SC 400 in 1991.

This second generation. from 2000 on, was powered by a 4.3 L V8 engine with variable valve timing (VVT-i). This engine was the same model as that found in the  Lexus LS. The SC 430's V8 could produce 288 hp, allowing the coupe to go from 0–100 km/h in 6.2 seconds.

Lexus SC430 (youtube.com)

lx

The Lexus LX  is a full-size luxury SUV sold by Lexus, a luxury division of Toyota since January 1996, having entered manufacturing in November 1995. It is Lexus' largest and most expensive luxury SUV. Four generations have been produced, all based heavily on the long-running Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs.

According to Lexus, the "LX" name stands for "Luxury Crossover". However, some Lexus importers use the backronymic name, "Luxury Four Wheel Drive".

lx570 J200  2007-2010

In 2007, Lexus debuted the 2008 model year LX 570 at the New York International Auto Show. It was a complete redesign, and the first version to be debuted before its expected Land Cruiser counterpart. The design was by Shinichi Hiranaka who also did the design update approved in 2010. It has a new UL EV-II certified 5.7 L 3UR-FE V8 engine. Power output is 383 hp with 546 N⋅m of torque. The more powerful engine helps give an increased towing capacity of up to 3900 kg. The engine is tied to a six-speed sequential-shift automatic transmission with an all-new 4WD system which uses a Torsen center differential. Development began on both the Land Cruiser (J200) and Lexus LX equivalent in 2002. The final design was approved in 2004, with testing being conducted into early 2007 on development prototypes and late 2007 on pre-production models. The LX platform has logged 240.000 test kilometers through subtropical forests, the Australian Outback and American deserts.

In 2009, the LX 570 received J.D. Power's top score in its Initial Quality Study.

Lexus LX J200 (youtube.com)

lx600 j310 2021-present

The fourth-generation LX was unveiled on October 13, 2021, which is based on the J300 series Land Cruiser. Unlike the corresponding Land Cruiser, the fourth-generation LX is available in North America. For the first time, two twin-turbocharged V6 engines are offered instead of V8s: a 3.4-liter gasoline unit for the LX 600, and a 3.3-liter diesel unit for the LX 500d, both mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The "F Sport" trim is offered for the first time, replacing the previous "Sport" trim. The "VIP/Executive/Ultra Luxury" trim with four individual seats is also available. The "Offroad" trim with three locking differentials is available exclusively in Japan.

Lexus LX J310 (youtube.com)

lfa

 

The Lexus LFA is a two-seat sports car manufactured by Lexus, the luxury car division of Toyota. It is the second model in the F marque line of performance vehicles from Lexus, following the IS F, and also the first standalone Lexus F model. According to Lexus, the "A" in production LFA name stands for the "Apex" of the LF line of cars.

 

set of lfa in black and white   Lexus LFA (youtube.com)

lfa 2010-2012

The production version of the Lexus LFA features a 560 PS V10 engine developed in collaboration with Yamaha exclusive to the car and a body made from carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP). CFRP materials account for 65 percent of the LFA's body composition by mass.

The LFA went into production in late 2010.

Only 500 total cars were made for worldwide markets, with only 20 produced each month with a base price of $375,000. Each car had to be custom ordered to the customer's specifications. Each LFA was hand-built by a dedicated production team of engineers and specialists at Toyota's Motomatchi plant in Aichi, Japan.

The Lexus LFA is powered by a 72-degree bank angle 4.8 L  V10 engine equipped with Dual VVT-i carrying the 1LR-GUE designation with a maximum output of 560 PS.  This 72-degree angle allows for even firing from the pistons without the use of a split-journal crankshaft, thus improving engine efficiency as well as lowering the overall weight. The LFA reaches a top speed of around 325 km/h.

The gearbox built by Aisin is a six-speed single-clutch automated manual transmission actuated with paddle-shifters. Lexus initially sought to use a dual-clutch transmission, but decided that the shift feel was too smooth.

During the LFA's production, each vehicle received an individually numbered plaque, indicating the unit's place in the production run. Each LFA V10 engine carried the signature of the specialist who assembled it.

A circuit-tuned variant debuted in 2012, and was one of the most expensive Japanese road cars ever built. Production ended in December 2012 with 500 cars produced, the final car being a Nürburgring Package model.

In February 2016, Lexus' European boss Alain Uyttenhoven confirmed that there would be no new LFA replacement in the near future.

As of 2020, Lexus still had four unsold LFAs after selling three LFAs in 2019. However, two were sold in March 2020 and another in September 2020. Still, an LFA remains unsold even though the car's production ended in 2012.

IS

is 350  xe30  2014-2022

The Lexus IS  is a compact executive car sold by Lexus since 1999. The IS was originally sold under the Toyota Altezza nameplate in Japan from 1998 (the word Altezza is Italian for "highness"). The IS was introduced as an entry-level sport model positioned below the ES in the Lexus lineup.

The first-generation Altezza (codename XE10) was launched in Japan in October 1998, while the Lexus IS 200 (GXE10) made its debut in Europe in 1999.

The IS designation stands for "Intelligent Sport.

Lexus IS 350 (youtube.com)

RC

rc350 f sport x10 2015-2022

The Lexus RC is a compact executive two-door GT coupé manufactured by Lexus, Toyota's luxury division. The RC which according to Lexus stands for "Radical Coupe" is a two-door coupé version of the Lexus IS (XE30). The RC is designated as the XC10 series. The RC borrowed styling from the LF-LC concept and was previewed by the LF-CC concept, being designed as a proposal by Pansoo Kwon from 2010 to early 2012 and approved by supervising designers Yasuo Kajino and Tatsuya Takei.

The RC has a shorter wheelbase than the Lexus IS (XE30) though it is longer overall.

As of January 2020, the trim levels are "Version L" and "F-Sport".

The RC 350 naturally aspirated V6 produces 314 hp at 6600rpm and 380 N⋅m at 4800rpm. While comfort and luxury were the aim of the RC series, sportiness was also part of the equation, although its heavy curb weight dampens the car's performance driving capability especially against the RCs direct competitors such as the BMW 430i and Audi A5.

The RC received its first facelift in August 2018.

The RC F is a high performance version of the RC. The vehicle was unveiled in 2014. The RC F features a 5.0 L (4.969 cc) 2UR-GSE V8 engine, developing a maximum output of 473 PS.

Lexus RC350 (youtube.com)

RX

rx al20  2016-2022

The Lexus RX  is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV sold since 1998 by Lexus.  Originally released in its home market in 1997 as the Toyota Harrier, export sales began in 1998 as the Lexus RX.  Four generations of the Lexus RX have been produced to date, the first being compact in size, and the latter three classified as mid-size. Both front- and four-wheel drive configurations have been used on the RX series, and several gasoline powertrain options, including V6 engines and hybrid systems, have been offered. In the Lexus model lineup, the RX sits below the larger GX and LX (Known as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and the Toyota Land Cruiser body-on-frame SUVs outside North America), and above the smaller NX crossover with a lesser displacement inline-four engine. The name "RX" stands for "Radiant Crossover".

Lexus RX AL20 (youtube.com)

lc

The Lexus LC  is a grand tourer. Based on the 2012 LF-LC Concept, it was revealed in 2016 in Detroit. It replaced the SC, which was produced from 1991 to 2010. It is the first Lexus model to utilize the GA-L platform, which, along with other components, is shared with the full-size  series LS sedan. According to Lexus, the name "LC" stands for "Luxury Coupe".

z100 coupe  2018-present

Four years after the concept's debut, the production model, dubbed LC 500, was introduced in 2016. It shares the same 5.0-litre 2UR-GSE V8 engine with the RC F and GS F with power slightly increased to 478 PS. It is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

A hybrid-electric model, dubbed LC 500h, was revealed in Geneva in February 2016. It is powered by a 3.5-litre 8GR-FXS V6 engine, a hybrid transmission, and a lithium-ion battery pack with a combined 359 PS output at 6,600 rpm, and an estimated 500 N⋅m (370 lb⋅ft) of combined torque at 3000 rpm. The battery has 44 kW and 1.1 kWh and can power the car for 6 km.

In 2021, the Japanese publication Best Car reported that the LC F performance coupe is scheduled for release in November 2021 with a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 engine producing 670 PS and 650 N⋅m torque, along with a double-wishbone suspension and 21-inch wheels.

The LC is built at Toyota's Motomachi facility, the same plant that produced the LFA. The factory was reconfigured for LC production, which included finishing the entire facility's interior in white. Many of the "Takumi" master craftsmen who built the LFA continue their work on different areas of the LC, including carbon fibre parts, leatherwork and paint.

The LC is the first vehicle to use Lexus' front-engine, rear-wheel drive platform, dubbed "Global Architecture – Luxury" (GA-L). It consists of various materials, including high-strength steel, aluminium, and carbon fibre. The GA-L platform would underpin future rear-wheel drive models, including the LS 500, which was introduced in January 2017.

Lexus LC Coupe (youtube.com)

z100 convertible  2019-present

The LC 500 Convertible, based on the concept car, was unveiled at the LA Auto Show on November 20, 2019. 

The LC Convertible is only available with a V8 engine: Lexus decided not to bother chopping the roof off the V6 hybrid version, because the batteries make packaging a folding roof tricky, and the weight doesn’t bear thinking about.

Its four-layer soft top roof can be operated at speeds of up to 50 km/h. Its features include a transparent polycarbonate wind deflector, neck heaters, and Active Noise Control (ANC) technology.

One of the only optional extras besides the deliriously vibrant colour palette is a Sport+ pack. It offers neck-heaters in the seats, upgraded leather upholstery and 21-inch rims. Style, comfort and exclusivity. That’s what the LC500 Convertible is all about.

Lexus LC Convertible (youtube.com)

1989-2023

2023-now