10 Classic Cars Versus Their Modern Iterations

Photo by Janitors

4. Lexus LS

In 1983, Toyota made the decision to build a flagship sedan for export markets, with the intent of challenging luxury brands like Mercedes and BMW. The Toyota badge carried with it an unspoken stigma of mere affordability, and this flagship would overcome that in launching an entirely new premium brand: Lexus. They gradually designed and redesigned their vision over and over, using some technologies implemented in higher-end production Toyota vehicles, and many other technologies they had set aside specifically for this car. Development was truly extravagant, and included over one thousand engineers and two thousand technicians. In regards to the V8 engine alone, there were approximately 900 prototypes. Needless to say, the brand launch was a success, with the 1989 Lexus LS400 taking the Car of the Year Japan award. Today, the Lexus LS is a continuation of all that the original had to offer, with plenty of attention allocated to even the most miniscule details. The new LS is available with some really cool options, like Brembo brakes, paddle shifters, rear seat DVD, and automatic high beam headlamps. If you have you ever driven on a long trip with the AC on, you know it only takes so long to dry out your eyes. Well, unless you drive a new Lexus LS, which has that base covered too with their cutting-edge Nanoe particle technology. After all, it really is the little things that count.