China

Here’s a Lexus ES 350 commercial from China with some great footage of the panoramic glass roof:

I’ve said it a thousand times but I can’t resist — that roof is one of my favorite options ever. It takes the ES to a whole other level.

Lexus has launched the RX 270 in Japan this week, which will be powered by the 1AR-FE 2.7L engine and putting out 187hp with torque of 252Nm.

The RX 270 was also announced for Russia, and it’s expected (for some time) that the low-displacement version of Lexus’ most popular vehicle will also be available in China at some point.

[Source: Automotive World]

This LS 600hL commercial from Lexus Taiwan has a special surprise at the end:

Just in case you missed it:

As the Lexus Taiwan website describes, this is a limited edition mountain bike built by Fuji cycles, and will retail for 180,000 元 ($3,300 USD). Expensive indeed, but not out of line with the rest of the Fuji lineup — too bad it wasn’t a production version of the HB Bicycle concept that debuted at the Tokyo Auto Show last year.

[Source: Lexus Taiwan]

By way of Chinese website Sohu, here’s a sneak peek at what’s just may be the 2011 Lexus IS:

There’s plenty of tweaks here:

• The LED daytime running lights first seen on the 2010 LS have been incorporated into the headlights.
• The steering wheel will be getting some new accents, and a chrome strip has been added above the glovebox.
• The new wheel pattern has a similar look to the LFA’s design.
• The fog lights have been redesigned along with the bumper inset.
• The tail lights have been reworked.

All in all, it’s a subtle update bringing the IS more in-line with the updates received throughout the lineup. I’m really liking the LED headlight design, and the new wheels are top-notch.

The last IS update happened in the 2009 model year, so if this minor facelift proves to be legitimate, it would suggest that the current IS will remain in the lineup until 2012 — which would certainly fit with the idea that the next-generation GS will be in the 2011 spotlight.

Update: Turns out Adaptive Cruise Control is already available in most markets — I’ve updated the post to reflect that.

[Source: XCar.com.cn] (Thanks Youyou!)

It appears that another smaller-displacement Lexus model will be joining the ES 240 in the Chinese market after spyshots were captured during a domestic road test:

According to Chinese website Sohu, the RX 270 will become the entry-level model in Lexus China‘s RX lineup, and will feature a 2.7L 1AR-FE inline-four gasoline engine, producing 187 horsepower and 252 Nm of torque.

The introduction of lower-displacement models in China is a necessary strategy due to the country’s imposition of high excise taxes in 2008. These taxes targeted vehicles with 3.0L or higher engine displacement, which meant prior to the ES 240’s introduction, all of Lexus China’s vehicles were subject to the 25% to 40% excise tax.

[Source: Sohu.com (translated)]  (Thanks Ouan and Foo Foo!)

The next-generation Lexus GX will be unveiled in China next Monday at Auto Guangzhou 2009:

The Lexus “GX460”, a midsize SUV, will make its world premiere at a press briefing scheduled for November 23. Also on display for Lexus will be the “ES240” and other models.

Also being displayed is the 4-cylinder ES 240, which will only be available in China.

It looks like everything is on-track according to the leaked GX memo, which also calls for the US debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on December 4th and a launch date of January 4th, 2010. This new GX is expected to have power fold flat third-row seating and optional HID headlights, along with a redesigned rear-door.

[Source: Lexus]