Middle East

Earlier this year, we saw a chrome-wrapped Lexus LS 460 from Kuwait, and now here’s a golden edition from the very same country Abu Dhabi:

Even if I could understand the desire to metallic-wrap a vehicle, I think the LS would be my very last pick for the process.

Update: A friend of this car’s owner, Ahmad, has let us know that this LS is no longer gold, but now a fantastic blue:

In what is only the latest automotive craziness to come out of the Middle East, I bring you the drifting Lexus ES 350:

I don’t even know if you could call that drifting — more like absolute utter madness.

(Totally off-topic, but Starfire Pearl with panoramic glass roof is probably my favorite ever color/option combo.)

Couldn’t help but notice how great the Starfire Pearl Lexus GX 460 looks in these photos that were part of a (uniquely written) review in The Gulf News:

While I’m partial to Starfire Pearl on almost every vehicle in the lineup, it really gives the GX some extra definition, especially in the side profile. Don’t even mind that front air intake as much, which surprises me since it’s much more pronounced with the contrasting white.

(The GX is now available in the Middle East for the first time, where it joins its close cousin, the Toyota Prado.)

[Source: The Gulf News]

Huge fan of this Lexus commercial from the Middle East:

Reminds me of the classic LS launch commercial—though obviously for a different part of the world. Love this type of lifestyle commercials when they’re done right.

The shiny foil is usually reserved for the Lexus LX, but someone in Kuwait went ahead and decided to give it a go with an LS 460:

Chrome-wrapping is a disturbing trend, though there’s some solace in the fact that it’s unlikely to catch on in North America—too much potential for vandalism and public humiliation.

(Thanks Fhaad!)

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While on the topic of the Lexus LS in the Middle East, check out this absolutely insane video (DO NOT TRY THIS):

It was announced last week that a 24k gold-leaf Lexus LX 570 would be displayed at the Dubai Auto Show—and now the first images have arrived by way of Flickr user AlBargan:

Be sure to check out AlBargan’s photo gallery for larger images of the LX and plenty more from the Dubai Auto Show.

Surprised to saythe matte & muted look of the gold leaf looks pretty good—although the LX will be covered with a veneer once the gold leaf application is complete, and that’s likely to change the look. I certainly hope it stays in that black & gold two-tone.

[Source: AlBargan’s Photostream]