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The Lexus LS (Japanese: レクサス・LS Rekusasu LS) is a full-size luxury sedan (F-segment in Europe) serving as the flagship model of Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota. For the first four generations, all LS models featured V8 engines and were predominantly rear-wheel-drive, with Lexus also offering all-wheel-drive, hybrid, and long-wheelbase variants. The fifth generation changed to using a V6 engine with no V8 option, and only one length was offered.As the first model developed by Lexus, the LS 400 debuted in January 1989 with the second generation debuting in November 1994. The LS 430 debuted in January 2000 and the LS 460/LS 460 L series in 2006. A domestic-market version of the LS 400 and LS 430, badged as Toyota Celsior (Japanese: トヨタ・セルシオ Toyota Serushio), was sold in Japan until the Lexus marque was introduced there in 2006. In 2006 (for the 2007 model year) the fourth-generation LS 460 debuted the first production eight-speed automatic transmission and an automatic parking system. In 2007, V8 hybrid powertrains were introduced on the LS 600h/LS 600h L sedans.Development of the LS began in 1983 as the F1 project, the code name for a secret flagship sedan. At the time, Toyota's two existing flagship models were the Crown and Century models - both of which catered exclusively for the Japanese market and had little global appeal that could compete with international luxury brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar. The resulting sedan followed an extended five-year design process at a cost of over US$1 billion, and premiered with a new V8 engine and numerous luxury features. The Lexus LS was intended from its inception for export markets, and the Lexus division was formed to market and service the vehicle internationally. The original LS 400 debuted to strong sales, and was largely responsible for the successful launch of the Lexus marque.Since the start of production, each generation of the Lexus LS has been manufactured in the Japanese city of Tahara, Aichi. The LS name stands for "Luxury Sedan". Some Lexus importers used the backronymic name, "Luxury Saloon".In August 1983, Toyota chairman Eiji Toyoda initiated the F1 project ("Flagship" and "No. 1" vehicle; alternatively called the "Circle-F" project), as a clandestine effort aimed at producing a world-class luxury sedan for international markets.[3][4] The F1 development effort did not have a specific budget or time constraints, and the resulting vehicle did not use existing Toyota platforms or parts.[5][6] Instead, chief engineer Ichiro Suzuki sought to develop an all-new design, aiming to surpass rival American and European flagship sedans in specific target areas, including aerodynamics, cabin quietness, overall top speed, and fuel efficiency.[7] During development, the 60 designers with 1,400 engineers in 24 teams, 2,300 technicians and over 200 support workers[8] built approximately 450 flagship prototypes and 900 engine prototypes.[9] The teams logged 2.7 million kilometres (1.7 million miles) of testing on locations ranging from winter Europe roadways, to deserts in Arizona, Australia, or Saudi Arabia, to U.S. highways and wilderness areas.Lexus released an official photograph of its restyled XF40 series in July 2012. The substantial update incorporates the new Lexus corporate fascia, comprising the "spindle" grill and consequently sees the fitment of a redesigned hood, reshaped front fenders and headlamps, plus a new bumper. These styling revisions see the retention of the side profile and doors, including rear fenders. Thus, the newly designed tail-lamps, trunk lid, and rear bumper are only partially modified. For the first time, an F-Sport variant is being offered. 'Nanoe' technology is used in the air conditioning system where 20–50 nm ions are bonded to water molecules.
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The Škoda Rapid is a name used for models produced by the Czech manufacturer Škoda Auto. The name was previously used in the 1930s for the Škoda Rapid (1935–47) and in the 1980s for the rear engine Škoda Rapid (1984) coupé. Today, the Rapid nameplate is used for three separate small family cars: a 5-door liftback sedan and a hatchback originating from Europe, a 4-door sedan from China based on the same platform, and India's version of a smaller sedan Rapid originating from India, based on the PQ25 platform.The liftback sedan in its production form was first shown to the public in September 2012, when it was officially shown at the Paris Motor Show. Sales started in Czech Republic from 20 October 2012, and commenced at the end of 2012 in other parts of central and western Europe, with sales in markets further to the east scheduled to start in the beginning of 2014 in Russia.The hatchback marketed as the Rapid Spaceback premiered at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2013, with production starting subsequently. The successor to the Rapid, announced towards the end of 2018 is the Škoda Scala.The Rapid liftback sedan (Typ NH3) became the first Škoda model to fully feature brand's new design language. Its minimalistic appearance, developed by Škoda chief designer Josef Kabaň, could have been already seen at the MissionL design study, unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The car was intended to fit between the Fabia and the third generation Octavia, where Škoda had a gap after the Octavia Tour had been discontinued in 2011.Its overall dimensions (length: 4,483 mm; width: 1,706 mm; height: 1,461 mm) were quite similar to the Octavia Tour (length: 4,572 mm; width: 1,762 mm; height: 1,462 mm), but the Rapid offered more space for rear passengers due to its longer wheelbase (2,602 mm vs. 2578 mm). Despite increasing interior space while reducing outer dimensions, the boot shrunk only by 35 litres (550 l vs. 585 l). Payload remained the same as in the Octavia Tour (535 kg incl. driver). The Rapid line up features three petrol engines and one diesel with various power outputs, all compliant to Euro 5 standards. Several of the petrol units have also, since 2015, been Euro 6 compliant. All engines are four cylinder, except the base 1.2 petrol which is a three-cylinder unit. seven speed DSG is standard for the top of the range 1.4 litre TSI petrol engine, and option for the 1.6 litre diesel with 66 KW.The Rapid is aimed at price sensitive customers at the entry of the segment A (compact class). With this corresponds the offer of standard equipment and available extras which is close to the Fabia (e.g. the same car radios, navigation system).Trim levels are Active, Ambition and Elegance in most markets, or S, SE and Elegance in the United Kingdom. The GreenLine model with CO2 emissions of 99 g/km is available since 2013. All models sold within the Europe are equipped with ESC and six airbags (front and side for driver and passenger, curtain airbags).With launch of Rapid Spaceback hatchback in 2013, the Rapid models received some enhancements: for instance the rear power windows could be operated from the driver seat, the dashboard can be delivered with decorative strips in one of four options (Graphite metallic, Aluminium look, Piano White and Piano Black).Rapid was facelifted In 2017. It received modified front headlights and a mask, which can be equipped with bi-xenon headlamps with LED lights. The assistance systems were added and in cabin was slightly modified the dashboard. The basic motor instead of 1.2 MPI (55 kW) is now the 1.0 TSI (70 kW). Motor 1.2 TSI was completely removed. Six new types of wheels have also been added into offer.
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