Toyota Celsior III (UCF30) photos

The third and final generation Toyota Celsior flagship luxury sedan (UCF30 series) launched in August 2000. Engineered from the ground up under chief engineer Yasushi Tanaka, the aerodynamic body achieved an ultra-low drag coefficient of 0.25 (with air suspension). The opulent interior represented the pinnacle of Japanese automotive luxury, debuting massaging climate-controlled leather seats, power soft-close doors, an 11-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, Smart Keyless entry, and radar cruise control.

Powering the UCF30 was a new 4.3-liter 3UZ-FE V8 engine with VVT-i generating 280 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque, paired initially with a five-speed automatic and upgraded during a 2003 facelift to a six-speed sequential automatic gearbox. Suspension featured independent double wishbones with available AIRS electronically controlled air suspension. Internationally badged as the Lexus LS 430, production ended in August 2006 as Japan transitioned directly to the Lexus LS 460.