LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

what do you think... (Why no V12 LS)

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Old 11-24-05, 11:24 AM
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biglexass
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Default what do you think... (Why no V12 LS)

i was thinking.bmw and mb both have v 12 engines avabile for there top sedans(s600,740il)why does lexus not have a v12?i mean its nothing new the s600 and 740il have had engines since the early 90s.and lexus?i guess i will never understand.and people say gas prices,i dont think mb or bmw cared about how much gas there engines burn cause the people who were able to buy those cas i dont think really cared about gas.
Old 11-24-05, 01:02 PM
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Brandicus
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I dunno, maybe because lexus doesnt have a performance division? Thats what has always bothered me, BMW has M and MB has AMG... but lexus doesnt have anything... maybe trd?
Old 11-24-05, 03:31 PM
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dfkd
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Toyota does produce a V12 (1GZ-FE) but they have reserved it for their Century Sedan. I've never seen it in any other car.

It is a 5.0 with all the electronic bells and whistles (drive by wire and what not).

These are the only images i could find of the engine:







As usual, the quoted Japanese numbers on the engine are wrong (to curb taxation) . Over 278hp they get charged more tax so they always quote 276hp.
The torque however is quoted at just below 400lb/ft.
It is quoted at around 17 mpg.

It's a pity they dont make an LS version with this engine in it. I'd LOVE to see what it would put out if it was "re-tuned" by some crazy North American. They really should step up into that super-high performance luxury segment.

The car they use it in is a beast on the outside but a limo inside. Strange looking really. However it is designed to be a lightly armoured car so...

It would be around $200,000 if they brought it our way. And the inside pics will show that it is definitely above the class of the LS.




Toyota Century








This is in the back seat






Old 11-24-05, 04:51 PM
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biglexass
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were can i buy that engine,someone should put it in an ls.all i have to say is dam
Old 11-25-05, 11:57 AM
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TJW98LS
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It just looks so...old. On the outside anyway, I love the interior though.
Old 11-25-05, 04:16 PM
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GRAND_LS 4
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Thanks for the pics dfdk, good info. However, why would a Centery owner worry about taxation?
Old 11-25-05, 04:38 PM
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Looks like a diplomat car, very ugly on the exterior. Love all the gadgets on the inside though.
Old 11-25-05, 05:04 PM
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dfkd
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That's a question for Toyota. EVERYTIME they have a big engine they quote it at 276hp but if you dyno the car it's always more than that.

Actually the other companies do it too. The Lancer Evolution was quoted at 276 too but when it is dyno'd it cracks out around 320hp. Just a Japan thing i guess.
Old 11-26-05, 04:12 PM
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sahtt
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It's more complicated than that. Lexus uses simplicity to its advantage. When you own a BMW or MB, you always have that inferiority hiding within when you see that nicer model. However, the IS, GS, LS, and SC's are like seperate cars that really don't compete with each other [ofcourse they do to a certain extent, but if you want one you usually get that one as the LS isn't just an upscaled IS]. This way, no other LS owner is better than you are, even the old/new ones share similar engines and body style. Compare an 89 LS4 with a 2000. The differences are minimal. Compare an 89 benz to any 2000 benz and it's pitiful. The V12 would make every LS400 owner no longer have 'the best' LS. It may sound silly, but the rationale/marketing is sound.

I think having that engine would be incredible though. If someone had the demisions it wouldn't be difficult to see if the swap is possible. It would most likely be legal in all 1st gen cars.
Old 11-26-05, 04:44 PM
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sha4000
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Originally Posted by sahtt
It's more complicated than that. Lexus uses simplicity to its advantage. When you own a BMW or MB, you always have that inferiority hiding within when you see that nicer model. However, the IS, GS, LS, and SC's are like seperate cars that really don't compete with each other [ofcourse they do to a certain extent, but if you want one you usually get that one as the LS isn't just an upscaled IS]. This way, no other LS owner is better than you are, even the old/new ones share similar engines and body style. Compare an 89 LS4 with a 2000. The differences are minimal. Compare an 89 benz to any 2000 benz and it's pitiful. The V12 would make every LS400 owner no longer have 'the best' LS. It may sound silly, but the rationale/marketing is sound.

I think having that engine would be incredible though. If someone had the demisions it wouldn't be difficult to see if the swap is possible. It would most likely be legal in all 1st gen cars.
this statement is so true, i couldnt have said it better.
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