What engine does a Lexus LS400 have?
The Lexus LS400 is powered by Toyota’s 1UZ-FE 4.0-liter V8 engine. This 32-valve, dual-overhead-camshaft (DOHC) powerplant helped establish the LS400’s reputation for smooth, refined performance when the model debuted in the early 1990s.
In this article, we explore the specifics of the LS400’s engine, its place in Toyota’s UZ engine family, and how the design choices contributed to the sedan’s characteristic blend of quiet operation and reliability. We’ll also touch on how this engine fits into the broader history of Lexus’ flagship models.
Engine details
Key specifications of the LS400’s engine are summarized here.
- Engine code: 1UZ-FE
- Displacement: 4.0 L (approximately 3,996 cc)
- Configuration: V8, 32 valves (4 per cylinder)
- Valvetrain: Dual overhead camshafts (DOHC)
- Construction: Aluminum block and heads
- Power output: around 250 horsepower in early US-market versions, with variations by market and year
- Torque: roughly 260 lb‑ft (about 353 Nm)
- Engine family: Part of Toyota’s UZ engine family
These characteristics contributed to the LS400’s hallmark of smooth, quiet, and reliable power delivery, setting a high bar for luxury sedans of its era.
Background and significance
The 1UZ-FE represented a concerted effort by Toyota and Lexus to pair large-displacement elegance with modern engineering. In the LS400, the engine’s refined idle, linear power, and broad torque band complemented the car’s suspension, chassis tuning, and insulation to deliver the luxury experience Lexus aimed for in its flagship model. While later flagship models moved to updated powertrains (notably the 4.3-liter 3UZ-FE in the LS430), the 1UZ-FE remains a defining element of the LS400’s character and reliability story.
Summary
The Lexus LS400 is equipped with the 1UZ-FE 4.0-liter V8, a DOHC, 32-valve aluminum engine that provided strong, smooth power in the model’s early years. This engine helped establish the LS400’s reputation for refinement and reliability and remains a key part of its historical identity within Lexus’ flagship lineup.
