The Lexus (Wikipedia entry here) was launched in the USA for the 1990 model year and was a great success that has continued since.
The subject of this post is Lexus styling compared to some potential competitors in production while it was gestating. Perhaps other brands were evaluated in addition to the set shown below, but those pictured were surly among those studied. They tend to have similar wheelbases to that of the 1990 Lexus LS 400 (2814 mm, 110.8 inches).
Gallery
1985 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
Since the US market was key to Lexus market planning, Cadillacs were evaluated. The current Caddy in the Lexus size range was the Sedan DeVille that appeared for the 1985 model year. Its styling continues the angular "three box" theme popular during the 1970s and '80s.
1988 Lincoln Continental Sedan
The other major American luxury car with a similar wheelbase was the Lincoln Continental that was announced around the time Lexus styling was nearly locked in. Ford Motor Company began introducing rounded styling a few years earlier, though this Lincoln retains the large glass areas of the three-box era.
1987c. BMW 7 Series E32
German luxury cars were selling well in the USA, so BMWs were probably evaluated. The 7 Series sedan, like the Cadillac and Lincoln, retains three-box styling.
1985c. Mercedes-Benz W124
But the key potential competition was Mercedes-Benz. The 1985 model year line of W124 cars were more beveled that the others and featured a wide C-pillar that gave a formal touch to the design.
1990c. Lexus LS 400
So perhaps is isn't surprising that the 1990 Lexus LS 400 sedans might have borrowed more from Mercedes-Benz than the other luxury rivals. Perhaps the main difference was that it was more rounded.
Since the US market was key to Lexus market planning, Cadillacs were evaluated. The current Caddy in the Lexus size range was the Sedan DeVille that appeared for the 1985 model year. Its styling continues the angular "three box" theme popular during the 1970s and '80s.
The other major American luxury car with a similar wheelbase was the Lincoln Continental that was announced around the time Lexus styling was nearly locked in. Ford Motor Company began introducing rounded styling a few years earlier, though this Lincoln retains the large glass areas of the three-box era.
German luxury cars were selling well in the USA, so BMWs were probably evaluated. The 7 Series sedan, like the Cadillac and Lincoln, retains three-box styling.
But the key potential competition was Mercedes-Benz. The 1985 model year line of W124 cars were more beveled that the others and featured a wide C-pillar that gave a formal touch to the design.
So perhaps is isn't surprising that the 1990 Lexus LS 400 sedans might have borrowed more from Mercedes-Benz than the other luxury rivals. Perhaps the main difference was that it was more rounded.
2 comments:
Now compare all of these with their 2020 iterations. All fussily styled, with none of the class of their predecessors, and all gradually being usurped by SUV counterparts in their stables.
When the Lexus was first out every time one caught my eye my brain said "Mercedes?.....Oh wait, Lexus". I was also thinking of the S class, W 126 (I just looked it up in Wikipedia) as well as the E. Pretty much like if you carved a Mercedes out of soap and then put it in a sink full of water for a bit.
Turns out the Lexus had about the same wheelbase as the W124 but was about ten inches longer, about the length of a SWB w126.
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