Europe

Lexus Europe has released further details on the 2011 Euro-spec IS F, which will be getting a number of exterior & interior design changes for the new year:

• 5.0 litre V8 is now Euro 5 compliant
• The HID headlights will get getting the arrowhead LED daytime running light strip
• New Starlight Black exterior color
• Dark silver fibre insets
• Contrast stitching changed from white to blue
• Revised seat design
• New steering wheel
• LFA-inspired instrument panel

Here’s the full photo gallery:

The biggest change has to be the new instrument panel, which is dominated by a massive tachometer:

With no way to swap the tachometer & speedometer dial position, I was somewhat lukewarm on the new IP — until I saw the digital speed display, a feature I absolutely love.

Great update — I’ve included all the European details after the jump.

Continue reading this article…

For 2011, the Lexus IS 220d in Europe the UK will be replaced by the IS 200d, which will be using an updated version of the same 2.2L diesel engine that brings better fuel economy, lower CO2 emissions and a more refined and smoother drive:

The new 148bhp version of the 2.2-litre diesel engine benefits from detailed engineering revisions and is equipped with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) to meet Euro 5 emissions standards and enhance the engine’s driving quality.

The changes include a re-shaped combustion chamber and the use of new-generation piezoelectric fuel injectors to give a more efficient, cleaner and complete fuel burn. Pressure in the common rail injection system has been increased. a higher flow exhaust gas recirculation valve has been introduced and the adoption of a new oil-cooled, variable nozzle turbocharger improves torque performance at low speeds and cuts overall engine noise.

Along with the announcement of the new diesel, Lexus UK released some great photos of the updated IS:

I’m all over this photo of the IS 250 F-Sport:

Update: The UK will only be selling the IS 200d, but the rest of Europe will have the choice between both the IS 200d & IS 220d.

For the full details on all the IS options in the UK, I’ve included the full press release after the jump.

Continue reading this article…

Last month, a video showed up on Youtube showing a Lexus LFA, Mercedes SLS, Porsche GT3 RS, Lamborghini LP 570-4 Superleggera, and Ferrari 458 all parked on the side of a UK road — turns out this was the work of Top Gear Magazine, who pulled the “five greatest supercars of the year” together for a showdown.

Alas, the article has yet to appear online, but according to the preview on the Top Gear website, The Stig puts each of the supercars through its paces — which should make the comparison all the more interesting. Hopefully it surfaces somewhere…

[Source: Top Gear Magazine] (Thanks Jhonatan!)

Lexus has partnered with Tumi to create a special set of luggage that fits perfectly into the LFA:

The unique line of Tumi cases for the LFA supercar has a hybrid construction, and is styled using components that are directly related to the appearance of the car. Never before have a hard shell, aluminum and carbon fiber-like material, been used in this manner to execute special cases.  The custom sizes enable the pieces to be easily packed and lifted from the cargo area.  

Each case is designed with a distinct purpose.  The smaller “concourse” piece is proportioned to fit the essentials for track racing, including gloves and shoes, or items for a quick getaway.  The larger “coastal” case is for longer trips when a change of clothes is required. Each piece has an asymmetrical retractable handle and shoulder strap as well as non-skid feet, which hold the luggage in place while the car is in motion.

The luggage will accompany the LFA in select markets, including the US and Europe, and will be inscribed with the vehicle’s VIN — a nice touch that links the luggage and supercar together.

Here’s the accompanying gallery of images:

The full press release follows.

Continue reading this article…

Here’s a clever LS 460 commercial from Lexus Germany:

Captures the LS 460’s Mark Levinson system perfectly — there’s nothing quite like live music through those 19 speakers, in my experience.

Thanks to German Car Forums, we can get a sneak peek at the new Car Magazine Autocar comparison of the Lexus LFA, Ferrari 458 Italia, Porsche 911 GT3 RS & Noble M600 — here’s a LFA quote:

Even though pictures of the LFA have been circulating for years, and personally I’ve seen the car in the carbonfibre before, nothing prepares you for the sight of the Lexus on home ground, mixed in among everyday traffic. In our collection there are more beautiful shapes and brighter colors, but without a doubt the most striking shape is the LFA. It looks like it has arrived from Mars, circa the year 2050.

On a whole, the article reads like a 458 Italia love story — which is all well and good, except when it gets down to raw numbers:

To think that Autocar was only able to hit a 4.2s 0-60MPH time with the LFA — when Car & Driver and Motor Trend managed 3.7s & 3.8s respectively — makes me think two things right off the bat:

• This white LFA pre-production prototype is starting to show some wear after some very tough miles.
• The other three cars are equipped with launch control systems, which practically guarantees a solid launch. The LFA, on the other hand, requires more technical skill.

After all, it did take Car & Driver some experimentation to hit their reported 3.7s time, and that was with a different prototype. Unfortunately, neither of these facts are mentioned in the article.

Nevertheless, this article only highlights the need for launch control in the LFA — if only to even out the playing field and make for more accurate comparisons.

Update: This comparison is from Autocar, not Car Magazine.

[Source: Autocar via German Car Forum]