iene diate ETE ag a Mid id pod Hd Cf ia) mi alg Cail at ae dene Rae eat ee AA eT Luxury sedan consistently scores hig THE FLAGSHIP of the Lexus line, the V8-powered LS 400 sedan, receives minor upgrades for 1993, the most important being a passenger-side airbag and larger 16-inch tires and alloy wheels. TEST DRIVE Since the LS 400 was introduc- ed in 1990, it has been applauded by critics for its incredibly smooth and quiet powertrain, a four-cam, 32-valve V8 engine mated to an electronically controlled four- speed automatic transmission. The 250-horsepower V8 is pow- erful (0 to 100 kph in eight se- conds, top speed 240 kph) but barely audible most of the time, and gear shifts are more like “glides.’? The automatic transmis- sion (a manual transmission is not available) has a feature which briefly reduces engine revs at the moment of gear-changing to help smooth shifts. : The LS 400 is also noted for. its superb build quality, exterior and interior finish, Toyota-derived durability, and value-for-money in the luxury car segment. The base price of the 1993 LS 400 is $65,900, up from $60,500 last year. Though not inexpensive, it’s still considerably less than V8- powered luxury sedans from Germany, but more than North American luxury cars. In its first year, the LS 400 was voted Car of the Year by the Automobile Journalists Associa- tion of Canada and has con- sistently scored high in J.D. Power & Associates ownet satisfaction surveys since then. : However, the LS 400 is not a “driver's car” like the BMW 740i and Audi V8, despite the fact that. it has. a front-engine/rear- wheel-drive layout and four-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension, Unlike most of its German counterparts, the LS 400 has no racing heritage, and emphasis is on luxury rather than perfor- mance. While it’s true that its 250- horsepower V8 engine provides excellent’ straight-line acceleration and the ride is wonderfully smooth, the LS 400's high-speed handling and steering don’t compare to European machines. The variable power- assisted steering lacks road feel and the independent double- wishbone suspension facks the solid, fluid feel of more perfor- mance-oriented luxury sedans. Of course, most fuxury car buyers. who are usually over 35 years of age — want luxury, com- control’ i aan drip Re gies wall oe ae ai bidet eeenanl Tit Photo submitted re THE IMPROVED 1993 Lexus LS 400 offers dual airbags, 16-inch radials and alloy wheels, and an upgraded 280 watt Nakamichi stereo/CD. A 250-horsepower V8-engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission provides smooth, quiet acceleration. fort and safety, not performance, And that’s the market the LS 400 is after. For safety, four-wheel ven- tilated disc brakes with an anti- lock system and traction control are standard equipment on the LS 400, as are passive interior safety. features such as airbags, seat-belt pretensioners, and knee bolsters. The LS 400’s straightforward, quasi-European styling is very conservative. Apart from the distinctive slats on the front air dam, the LS 400 follows fairly conventional sedan styling traits. It is very aerodynamic, however, with a low 0.30 coefficient of drag. Subtle styling differences on the 1993 model include the aforemen- tioned bigger tires and wheels, a new radiator grille design, and body-colored protective cladding on the sides and rear bumper. Inside, the five-passenger leather-clad interior offers a redesigned steering wheel and shift knob (the overdrive lockou: switch has been moved to the side of the shifter); power lumbar and cush- ion height adjustments for both front passengers; seats with more lateral support; a new brake- pad-wear indicator light; outside temperature gauge; and low washer-fluid lamp. Front and rear legroom and headroom are gener- ous, but the raised centre rear seal with rear armrest behind it is rather uncomfortable. Handsome California walnut trim, automatic climate control, security system, illuminated analogue instrument display, and keyless entry are all standard equipment. The electrically operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel makes adjustment par- ticularly easy. The upgraded Nakamichi stereo system deserves a column in itself, - amplifiers, seven speakers, The 280-watt AM/FM cassette/CD player includes five two tweeters, four extended-range speakers and one rear-mounted eight-inch sub-woofer which uses the trunk as a baffle. The six-disc CD player is mounted in the trunk, out of sight. Console controls consist of very large buttons with very large white on black ‘letters for ease of use. The sound, as you would expect, is magnificent, extremely clear and distortion-free. Fuel consumption is relatively good for a 1,780 kg, V8-powered sedan, averaging 11.4 litres per 100 kilometres (25 mpg). Like most luxury cars, the LS 400 re- quires premium unleaded fuel. Base price $65,900 Type Four-door, passenger sedan longitudinal five- front Layout engine/rear-wheel-drive Engine 4.0-litre V8, four cam- shafts, 32 valves, multi-point fuel injection, direct ignition, twin knock sensors . Horsepower 250 @ 5,600 rpm Torque 260 Ib.-ft. tpm @ 4,400 Transmission Four-speed automatic, electronically. con- trolled : Curb weight ibs. Wheelbase 2,815 mm/110.8 in. Length 4,995 mm/196.6 in, Width 1,830 mm/72.0 in. Height 1,415 mm/55.7 in. Tires P225/60R-16 V-rated radials Trunk capacity 379 litres/13.4 cu.ft. Fuel consumption City 13.4 L/100 km, 21 mpg; Hwy 9.3 L/100 km, 30 mpg Warranty Basic four yrs/80,000 kin; . Major components six yrs/110,000 km 1,780 kg/3,924 | re Vehicies? Pedestrians? Please send to North Shore News Editorial Dept. Co ee ee ee 1139 Lonsdale Ave. Name: North Vancouver, Address: B.C. V7M 2H4 fax: 985-3227 Phone: WHAT INTERSECTION ON THE NORTH SHORE IS THE MOST DANGEROUS FOR: en | KNOW AN intersection on the North Shore that is dangerous for driving or walking? Clip out this questionnaire and send it to us by mail, fax, or drop it off at the News. We will publish our findings in an upcoming Auto section.