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Lexus ES 250/300

1991

The first Lexus ES ever made was the ES 250. Almost 18,000 units were produced through until July 5, 1991.

1992

The ES 250 was replaced by a new ES 300 in 1992. It has been a success since its introduction. It competed with the Infiniti J30, the Mazda Millenia and 929, and the BMW 3-series. There was one trim level and only one body style, a 4-door sedan.

The ES 300 had often been regarded as an gussied-up Camry, but there were differences beyond the obvious, it has always handled better than a Camry, even the Camry SE with performance-oriented suspension. It also had a more controlled ride with less vibration and harshness than any Camry, and the Camry's ride was considered quite good. The ES 300's advantage came from the tuning of specific bushings, additional sound deadening, and gas-pressurized shock absorbers.

Not many changes were made for 1993.

1994

For the 1994 model year, the ES 300 got an all-new aluminum V6 shared with the Toyota Camry, which was revised for '95 with lower emissions.

1995

Significant changes occurred for 1995. The front fascia and foglights had been revised, the round projector beams were changed to rectangular quartz-halogens, and a new grille incorporated. Minor suspension changes were made to damp suspension noise and vibration even more. Steering stability was increased through use of new bushings. Taillight lenses were revised.

Standard were electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission and air conditioning, power steering and power 4-wheel discs with ABS, power windows and seat, tinted glass and a comprehensive sound system. A power moonroof, leather upholstery, sound system upgrades and special paints were among the few options.

Two new colors were added in 1996 for the ES 300.

1997

Redesigned and nicknamed the XV20, the ES 300 was upgraded to contain 200 horsepower.

Lexus LS 400

1991

The LS 400 was the other of the first cars ever produced by Lexus. It featured 250 horsepower, which made it quite faster than the ES 250. Other than that, it saw no changes for 1992.

1993

A new passenger airbag and new alloy wheels were added this year.

1994

The LS 400 only got minor trim revisions for the 1994 model year.

During the early '90s, the original LS 400 was a shock to all of its competitors: from its semiformal grill and Mercedes/BMW amalgam styling to its dealership network to the smallest detail of pricing, the Lexus people seemed to have done everything right.

What slight criticism there was concerned "lack of character" and too soft a ride for the likes of the enthusiast driver. Of course it was never intended for enthusiasts, but for luxury sedan buyers. Competitors included the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5-Series and 7-Series, Infiniti Q45 and Cadillac Seville STS.

1995

The second generation made some major improvements. Horsepower, torque and fuel economy were all up. Engine weight was decreased, and so has body weight. At the same time interior volume and legroom were increased, aerodynamic drag has been reduced. In fact, according to Lexus, 90% of the new car's components were all new or significantly revised.

Most of what would be optional on other cars was standard on the LS 400, such as a power tilt/telescope steering column and 10-way power driver's and passenger's seats. Optional air suspension was still available, now operating with adaptive 4-channel shock absorber damping, giving the same effect as the active hydraulic suspension on the Infiniti Q45 with a bit less complexity. 

Polished chrome wheels were now a factory option. The LS 400 was the first car to have an in-dash full-size CD changer. The ultimate sound system upgrade was the Lexus/Nakamichi 280-watt 7-speaker unit.

Lexus SC 300/400

1992

The first 2-door coupes from Lexus, called the SC 300 and SC 400, were introduced in 1992. It broadened the range of competitors to include BMW 840i and 325, Cadillac Eldorado and Lincoln Mark VIII, Mercedes-Benz E320, Jaguar XJS, Buick Riviera and Acura Legend LS coupe.

1995

Equipped with a manual transmission, the SC 300 used a 6-cylinder engine shared with the GS 300 and Toyota Supra for 1995. SC 400 got its additional power from the new LS 400's V8, but otherwise had no major changes.

Both coupes shared the same body/chassis with different suspension tuning to accommodate the different engines. Additionally, the SC 400 had items of standard equipment that were options on the 300, leather upholstery, driver's seat memory, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Both cars had optional traction control.

The automatic transmission was an SC 300 option, standard on the SC 400. The SC 300's manual gearbox was a pleasure to use, and added a dimension to its performance not found in many of its competitors. 

Because of the extreme curvature of the body side, hinging the doors has been a problem, so the doors wouldn't open as wide as some. The only visual cues to SC 300 versus SC 400 identity were the SC 400's small airdam, larger (and different pattern) wheels, and the badges on the back.

Lexus GS 300/400

1993

The GS 300 had been positioned as a "luxury performance" sedan. Its swoopy styling (by Giorgetto Giugiaro's ItalDesign firm in Italy) set it apart from the rather conservative styling of the other Lexus sedans. Toyota further toyed with the design to make it their own. Lexus called the flowing shape "one-stroke form." 

The natural competitors of the GS 300 were the BMW 530, the Infiniti J30, the Acura Legend, and beginning in 1994, the new Oldsmobile Aurora and possibly the Chrysler LHS and Buick Riviera.

It had a basic inline 225-horsepower 6-cylinder dohc 24-valve engine as the SC 300 coupe and an all-independently sprung rear-drive chassis based on the LS 400. The engine featured Toyota's Acoustic Control Induction System, which varied the effective length of the intake manifold according to the engine speed and throttle opening and results in improved torque output throughout the engine's speed range.

An electronically controlled 4-speed automatic was the only available transmission. Speed-sensitive power steering and ABS with 4-wheel discs, power seats, windows, locks, a power tilt/telescope steering wheel, and a 225-watt stereo were also standard.

Lexus LX 450/470

1996

Lexus's first full-size SUV, the LX 450, rolled off the assembly line in late 1995 for the 1996 model year.

1997

The LX 450 was sold for not more than two years, before it got replaced by the new LX 470.

1998

The LX 470 featured a new body design and several more other improvements compared to the LX 450.

Lexus RX 300

1999

The first mid-size SUV from Lexus was the RX 300, designed to compete with the LX 470.

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