March 2014 | Lexus Enthusiast

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Lexus IS F SPORT Nominated for Wards 10 Best Interiors Award

The 2014 Lexus IS F SPORT has been nominated for the 2014 WardsAuto 10 Best Interiors award. Other cars be considered for the award include the Kia Cadenza, Cadillac ELR and CTS, Subaru WRX and Audi SQ5. The winners will be announced at the end of April. Watch the Ward’s video overview of the IS …

Kevin · March 31st, 2014

Lexus Canada Replaces Standard RX with new 2015 RX SPORTDESIGN

In a bold move, Lexus Canada will stop selling the standard RX, replacing it with the new 2015 RX SPORTDESIGN. The RX SPORTDESIGN appears to share the same front-end design as Lexus USA’s Sport Appearance package, which merges the default RX grille with elements of the RX F SPORT. (I like this new SPORTDESIGN much …

Kevin · March 31st, 2014

More Photos of the Yellow Lexus LFA Spyder & Toyota 2000GT

Here’s some more photos of that one-off yellow Lexus LFA Spyder parked alongside the iconic Toyota 2000GT, this time from the Toyota UK blog: There’s also this photo of the LFA Spyder’s interior, sent to me by reader Okada Yuki: The yellow Lexus LFA Spyder will be displayed alongside a 1967 Toyota 2000GT as part …

Kevin · March 30th, 2014

Lexus USA Dealerships Score High in Customer Service Survey

Lexus, Toyota & Buick have the best dealership customer service experience in the USA, according to the 2014 Temkin Experience Ratings, an annual ranking of companies based on a study of 10,000 consumers. The three brands all earned a 74% rating, tying for 59th place overall out of 268 companies across 19 industries. Read more …

Kevin · March 28th, 2014

Lexus Looking to Expand in Europe

The Lexus UK blog has an interview with International vice-president Mark Templin, and it’s filled with notable quotes: “The company has put a lot of resources into Lexus. Finally we are doing the things I wish we had done ten years ago,” he says with a smile. Templin, a straight- and fast-talking American, should know. …

Kevin · March 27th, 2014

Video: The Lexus LFA Code X Racecar in Action

The first video of the Lexus LFA Code X race car is here, and it’s something else — you can hear that modified 1LR-GUE V10 engine starting at 0:57: The LFA Code X is a significant new development in Lexus racing — the bigger 5.3L V10 and full carbon frame body would indicate some serious …

Kevin · March 27th, 2014

Lexus RX & LS on Consumer Reports Best Used Car Value List

Consumer Reports has shared its picks for the best used car values, and there are two Lexus on the list: Best SUV between $15,000-20,0000: 2006-2007 Lexus RX Best Sedan between $20,000-$25,000: 2006 Lexus LS 430 Both vehicles represent incredible value for those dollar amounts — not surprised to see either of them on the Consumer …

Kevin · March 27th, 2014

Lexus RC F GT500 Teams Finish Super GT Testing Day in Top Six Positions

The Lexus RC F was dominant at the latest Super GT test day at the Fuji Speedway in Japan — the six Lexus GT500 teams finished with the top six fastest times. The ENEOS team finished first overall with a time of 1:29, the Calsonic IMPUL Nissan GT-R finished in seventh place. [Source: Auto Sport …

Kevin · March 26th, 2014

Lexus USA Dealerships to Get Modern Makeover

Lexus dealerships in the USA will be undergoing a makeover, beginning with a signage color switch from the old gold to a more modern platinum — Edmunds has more: The appearance change calls on dealers to renovate their dealerships in order to create what Lexus spokeswoman Allison Takahashi called “a new progressive luxury exterior design.” …

Kevin · March 26th, 2014

The Truth About Cars Review: 2014 Lexus GS 450h

Alex Dykes from The Truth About Cars has reviewed the 2014 Lexus GS 450h: The GS 450h is without a doubt the best Lexus GS sedan available. It gives up little in terms of performance while delivering excellent fuel economy, a quiet and comfortable cabin and most of the gadgets and gizmos a luxury shopper …

Kevin · March 26th, 2014

Lexus IS F SPORT with Rear Wheel Steering Now Available in Japan

Lexus now offers the IS F SPORT with the Dynamic Handling System (DHS), which includes four-wheel steering — Motoring Australia spoke with IS chief engineer Junichi Furyama about the performance advantages this technology has over similar AWD systems: “All-wheel drive tends to be heavier and the behaviour tends to be understeer,” he explained via an …

Kevin · March 25th, 2014

New Information on the Lexus RC F Instrument Panel

The Lexus RC F instrument panel is a standout feature of the new high-performance coupe, and today we have details on the deeper functions — here’s a graphic from Diario Motor with the various modes (click for a larger version): In addition to three different tachometer designs, there appears to be a built-in G sensor, …

Kevin · March 25th, 2014

Japanese Lexus Dealership Builds Exclusive LS Owners-Only Lounge

A Lexus dealership in Nagoya, Japan, has built a special lounge specifically for LS owners — Hans Greimel from Automotive News reports: Kazuo Oguri, CEO of Nagoya Toyopet Corp., is the only dealer in Japan — and he thinks the world — to create such a special hideaway just for customers of the brand’s flagship …

Kevin · March 24th, 2014

Toyota Reaches $1.2 Billion Settlement in U.S. Investigation

Toyota will pay $1.2 billion to settle a U.S Justice Department criminal investigation into the carmaker’s handling of recalls linked with unintended acceleration nearly five years ago — from GoAuto: As a part of the deal – involving the largest criminal penalty paid by a car-maker in US history – Toyota will acknowledge wrongdoing, while …

Kevin · March 24th, 2014

Photo Gallery: Lexus LFA Wrapped in Matte Silver

The Open Road Lexus dealership in Richmond, BC, has taken their #022 Pearl Read LFA and wrapped in matte silver for display at the Vancouver Auto Show — here’s another shot from the back: Open Road Lexus also posted some additional photos on their Facebook page: The Vancouver Auto Show starts tomorrow at the Vancouver …

Kevin · March 24th, 2014

More Images of the Lexus RC F in New Orange

Lexus Singapore has posted two renderings of the RC F in the New Orange exterior color — here’s one in a higher resolution than the image above: (After my post about the color last week, I received emails from a couple sources letting me know the RC F Orange will be a few shades lighter …

Kevin · March 24th, 2014

Tomica Release Die-Cast Lexus IS F SPORT

Japanese toy maker Tomica has produced two Lexus IS F SPORT die cast models — here’s a loyal fan unboxing the cars: The detail is decent for a 1/65 scale model — wish I could visit the nearest big-box store and pick up a couple for myself, but these will likely be rare outside of …

Kevin · March 23rd, 2014

Video: Inside the Lexus RC F GT500 Race Car

There’s a new Lexus Racing video with in-car footage of the RC F GT500 race cars: There are six Lexus RC F GT500 teams taking part in the 2014 SuperGT season, which starts April 6th at the Okayama International Circuit.

Kevin · March 21st, 2014

Lexus Korea Launches CT 200h Art Project

The updated Lexus CT 200h has lead to some pretty interesting marketing experiments — first, there was Lexus Japan’s stellar Trick Photography project, and now Lexus Korea has followed it up with a graphic design showcase: This video shows how the designers put together some of these images: There’s a lot of creativity in these …

Kevin · March 20th, 2014

Lexus RC F Chief Engineer on the Decision to Stick with Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine

The Lexus UK blog has a technical interview with RC F chief engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi regarding the decision to stick with a naturally aspirated V8 engine when competitors are moving to turbochargers: Damion Smy: Why a V8 powerplant when BMW, for instance, has decided to fit a turbocharged six-cylinder? Yukihiko Yaguchi: First of all, the V8 …

Kevin · March 20th, 2014

Virtual Lexus RC F in New Orange

After a couple weeks curious about the Lexus RC F interactive ad in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, I finally had a chance to see it for myself. While it does require installing a new app, the ad works very well — I only have my iPhone for screenshots, but here’s the RC F in …

Kevin · March 20th, 2014

New Lexus Remote Touch Controller to Get a Back Button?

The RC F SPORT displayed at the Geneva Motor Show may have quietly introduced a major improvement in Lexus infotainment controls — a video from the auto show reveals the Remote Touch controller in the white coupe has (what looks like) a back button: This three button layout is different than the RTI controller seen …

Kevin · March 19th, 2014

More Photos of the White Lexus RC F with Carbon Fiber Package

The carbon fiber Lexus RC F first spotted on a Japanese TV show has set up shop at INTERSECT in Tokyo — Lexus Europe shared some photos on Facebook: (Worth mentioning that the carbon fiber hood is only available as an option outside North America.) [Source: Lexus Europe Facebook]

Kevin · March 19th, 2014

New Lexus President on the Brand’s Design Future

Automotive News editor Dave Guilford had a chance to sit down with Tokuo Fukuichi, who takes over as president of Lexus International on April 1: In an interview at the Geneva auto show, Fukuichi, speaking through an interpreter, parried a question about Lexus’ design future by saying, “The honest and frank answer is we really …

Kevin · March 18th, 2014

2015 Lexus RC 350 & RC 350 F SPORT Pre-Order Brochure Released

Lexus dealerships in the USA have received the first edition of the RC & RC F pre-order guide, and there’s plenty of new information included in the four-page brochure. There’s no pricing information released, but here’s all the information regarding the RC 350, including the tentative packages available for TX, OK, LA, AR, MS, TN, …

Kevin · March 18th, 2014

Lexus RC F Pre-Order Brochure Released

Lexus dealerships in the USA have received the first edition of the RC & RC F pre-order guide, and there’s plenty of new information included in the four-page brochure. There’s no pricing information released, but here’s all the information regarding the RC F, including the tentative packages available for TX, OK, LA, AR, MS, TN, …

Kevin · March 17th, 2014

Ultrasonic Blue Lexus RC F Spotted in California

It’s not just a black Lexus RC F cruising around California — Lexus Enthusiast reader Yoshi sent in a few highway shots of the model in Ultrasonic Blue: Definitely prefer this Ultrasonic Blue to the half-painted black RC F we’ve seen — looks much better on the road. (Thanks Yoshi!)

Kevin · March 17th, 2014

New Lexus Hybrid Technology Coming?

In a recent Drive Australia article about Lexus and its “No Diesel” position, brand vice-president Mark Templin hints that new hybrid technology is on the way: Templin said about 80 per cent of Lexuses sold in western Europe are hybrids, similar to the percentage in Japan, where the desire for cutting edge technology is partially …

Kevin · March 16th, 2014

Photo Gallery: The ENEOS Lexus RC F GT500

Autosport Web has a few photos of the ENEOS Lexus RC F GT500 from a recent fan appreciation day: ENEOS driver Kazuya Oshima also posted this photo from the paddock: There are six Lexus RC F GT500 teams taking part in the 2014 SuperGT season, which starts April 6th at the Okayama International Circuit. [Source: …

Kevin · March 14th, 2014

More Photos of the Black Lexus RC F

More photos of the black RC F in California arrived in my inbox today, this time from Lexus Enthusiast friend Guy from Endles Automotive: With the car stationary, we get a good look at a new set of previously unseen optional wheels — what do you think of the new design? (Thanks Guy!)

Kevin · March 13th, 2014

Review: The 2014 Lexus GX 460

The updated 2014 GX 460 has been out for a few months now, and Lexus has to be happy with the public response. A perennial slow-seller since the second generation debuted in 2010, this recent facelift has been a major success — in the last two months, sales have increased 125% in the USA and …

Kevin · March 13th, 2014

Should Lexus Build an Ultra Luxury Van for Asia?

Hans Greimel from Automotive News reports on an unusual rumor — Lexus dealers in Asia want Lexus to build a one-box van: The reasoning: Today’s chauffer-driven executive, politician or other high roller finds the cramped rear seats of the Lexus LS, the brand’s flagship, or the Toyota Century, the staid old-school V-12 limousine usually spotted …

Kevin · March 12th, 2014

More Information on the Lexus RC F’s Horsepower

Motoring Australia has more information on the ongoing mystery of the Lexus RC F’s final horsepower figure: “More than 450 horsepower” – or 335kW – is the inkling as to the new car’s performance. But even that number is due to change, with engineers still working on enhancements tipped to add another 10 or 15kW. Lexus …

Kevin · March 12th, 2014

Interview with Lexus CT Chief Engineer Chika Kako

The Lexus UK blog has an interview with Chika Kako, the chief engineer of the updated CT 200h and the very first female chief engineer in the Lexus brand’s history: How did consumer feedback shape the improvements that have been made to the CT? Chika Kako: Some customers complained about the CVT noise, and to …

Kevin · March 12th, 2014

Black Lexus RC F Prototype Spotted in California

Club Lexus member Rominl has posted photos of a black Lexus RC F prototype cruising the highways of Southern California — here’s a couple shots from the gallery: Not much in the way of detail, but these are likely only the first photos to be seen online — I’ve been looking forward to seeing the …

Kevin · March 11th, 2014

Lexus LX Offroad Racing Program Cancelled

After five seasons, the Lexus LX offroad racing program has been discontinued — driver Joe Bacal posted the following message on his Facebook page: We were informed yesterday by Lexus USA that they will not be continuing the off-road racing program. It has been an awesome 5 years with much success including 3 Baja 1000 …

Kevin · March 11th, 2014

Video: Lexus RC F Up Close & Personal

This RC F video from Lexus UK is well put together, with some different angles of the new high-performance coupe:

Kevin · March 11th, 2014

First Live Photo of Full Lexus RC F Carbon Fiber Package

The latest episode of Japanese television show Super GT Plus featured the very first live look at the Lexus RC F in its full carbon fiber performance package — so far, this is the only image I’ve seen from the show: This RC F looks to be the same model featured in the official launch …

Kevin · March 10th, 2014

Lexus USA & St. Baldrick’s Foundation Partner for Head Shaving Contest

Would you shave your head for a chance to win $2,500? Lexus USA has partnered with the childhood cancer research charity St. Baldrick’s Foundation to create the Lexus Bold IS contest anyone brave enough to participate — here’s a video with the full details: The deadline to submit a video is March 18, 2014, with …

Kevin · March 10th, 2014

Lexus to Build Le Mans GT Racecar for 2016

Lexus will build a new GT race car capable of racing at the Le Mans 24 hours in 2016, according to a Racecar Engineering interview with RC F chief engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi: The firm surprised many by revealing an all new GT3 car at the Geneva motor show, but the car is the starting point …

Kevin · March 10th, 2014

Photo Gallery: Ultrasonic Blue Lexus IS F SPORT & the Canadian Sunset

Lexus Canada has just posted an Ultrasonic Blue IS F SPORT gallery from photographer Kevin King Uy: I’ve been a huge fan of Kevin King Uy ever since his LFA/Supra photoshoot a couple years back — happy to see his work featured on the Lexus Canada Facebook page.

Kevin · March 9th, 2014

Interview with Lexus RC F Chief Engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi

As mentioned earlier this week, Lexus RC F chief engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi participated in a Q&A during the Geneva Motor Show, answering questions from enthusiasts about the new Lexus high-performance coupe. The final interview has been posted by Lexus Europe — here’s some of the questions Yaguchi-san answered: Erich Kerner: Is the RC F Coupe …

Kevin · March 7th, 2014

Japanese Fashion Designers Create Lexus Miniature Models

Japanese fashion brands Anrealage & Somarta have each created a miniature Lexus model as part of a new exhibition at INTERSECT in Tokyo. Anrealage took the Lexus RX and reduced it to 3D pixels: Somarta went even further, transforming the CT into a wild dragon dress: The two models will be on display at INTERSECT …

Kevin · March 7th, 2014

Lexus LFA Meet in New Orleans: One Owner’s Experience

Last year, Lexus invited LFA owners for a day at the New Orleans Motorsport Park — one of the LFAs participating is owned by Robert & Charity Lee, who are the subject of this new Lexus video feature: Robert is a good friend of mine, and has previously shared his experiences on Lexus Enthusiast — …

Kevin · March 6th, 2014

Auto Express Reviews the 2014 Lexus CT 200h

Auto Express has posted a complimentary review of the updated 2014 Lexus CT 200h: It’s easy to dismiss the Lexus CT 200h as dull, but for customers with no interest in driving fast, it’s ideal. Quality, refinement and ride are all improved, while the styling is fresher all round. Read the Auto Express CT 200h …

Kevin · March 6th, 2014

Photo Gallery: The ZENT CERUMO Lexus RC F GT500

The ZENT CERUMO Lexus RC F GT500 recently took part in a fan appreciation day at the Suzuka circuit in Japan — here are some photos from Racerlink & Autosport Web: There are six Lexus RC F GT500 teams taking part in the 2014 SuperGT season, which starts April 6th at the Okayama International Circuit.

Kevin · March 5th, 2014

Correction Regarding Yesterday’s Lexus NX Image

There’s a correction on yesterday’s post regarding the Lexus NX crossover: Lexus Europe has informed me that the image above is the LF-NX concept, and not a teaser of the production NX model. (The confusion was caused by a mislabeled image on the Lexus Europe pressroom.)

Kevin · March 5th, 2014

More Photos of the Lexus RC F SPORT

Here are some more photos of the Lexus RC F SPORT from the Geneva Motor Show floor — first off, a friend at Lexus Europe sent over these shots: There’s also a photo gallery of the RC F SPORT at Autoblog — here’s a selection of images: (Thanks David!)

Kevin · March 5th, 2014

Lexus Photos from the 2014 Geneva Motor Show

The Lexus RC F SPORT & RC F GT3 race car debuted at the Geneva Motor Show today, and there’s plenty of photos from the reveal — let’s start off with this Lexus Europe photo gallery from the press conference: There’s a Lexus UK photo gallery on Facebook, here’s a selection of images: There’s also …

Kevin · March 4th, 2014

Production Lexus NX Compact Crossover to Debut at Beijing Motor Show

During a press conference today in Geneva, new Lexus Europe general manager Alain Uyttenhoven announced the NX production compact crossover will debut at the Beijing Motor Show in April: The LF-NX Concept, presented last year in Frankfurt, showed the Lexus design direction for a mid-size crossover, positioned below our RX. Today I can confirm that …

Kevin · March 4th, 2014

Q&A with Lexus RC F Chief Engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi

Is there anything you would like to know about the Lexus RC F or the new RC F GT3 race car? You could get your questions answered tomorrow during a Lexus Europe interview with chief engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi, the man responsible for both cars. To participate, you can leave a comment on the Lexus Europe …

Kevin · March 3rd, 2014

Lexus February 2014 Sales Report

USA Lexus USA has reported 18,855 total sales for February 2014, a 8.7% improvement over last year — here’s the model-by-model breakdown: MONTH Year to Date (*DSR) 2014 2013 % CHG* 2014 2013 % CHG* CT 1,230 1,182 4.1 2,520 2,183 15.4 HS 0 1 ‐100.0 0 1 ‐100.0 IS 3,517 1,532 129.6 6,565 2,918 …

Kevin · March 3rd, 2014

Lexus Creates 3D RC F Interactive Print Ad for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

Lexus has a special print ad in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue that creates a 3D interactive environment when viewed with an iPad — here’s a video example: Very cool use of technology in a print ad, for sure, but let’s take focus on the sixth color of this particular screen: Ok, Lexus enthusiasts — …

Kevin · March 2nd, 2014

Interview with Lexus Design Award Winner James Fox

The Lexus UK blog has an interview with James Fox, one of the winners of the 2014 Lexus Design Award: “The theme of the Lexus competition was ‘Curiosity’ and I think the idea of doing things and play connects really well. I loved building dens when I was younger, so I did a bit of work …

Kevin · March 2nd, 2014

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