1990 Lexus LS400 Test Drive

In 1988 and in order to break into the luxury car market, especially in the United States, Toyota created a new brand; the new company was called Lexus. The Lexus range was limited but the cars were loaded with almost every conceivable extra. The mainstay of the range was the LS400. A large, five seater saloon, the LS400 had smart, though slightly bland looks. In order to ensure good US sales, a large (by Japanese or European standards) capacity V8 engine was used. Displacing nearly 4.0 liters and with DOHC, the new all-alloy engine gave a healthy 250 hp at debut. Japanese build, quality and reliability, allied to transatlantic styling and without a recognizably Japanese brad name meant it was a great success, especially in the states.