USA

In the latest round of crash safety tests conducted by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), the Lexus HS 250h has received the agency’s highest rating of “Good” on its first evaluation, the frontal offset crash test.  In this test, vehicles are accelerated towards a barrier at 40 mph.

Approximately 40 percent of the vehicle’s front end comes in direct contact with the barrier, causing asymmetrical impact forces which increase the potential for cabin intrusion.  In its frontal offset test, the HS 250h came through with top ratings in each area, namely structure/safety cage, injury measures, and restraints/dummy kinematics.

Insurance Institute of Highway Safety 

A new Lexus commercial today—this one with a focus on quality and a return to the classic “Pursuit of Perfection” tagline:

This commercial leads to a new section on the Lexus USA website devoted to quality control & safety, and includes videos of the RX 350 manufacturing process at the Cambridge Ontario plant and how Lexus interior trim is created from a single piece of wood—just brilliant stuff, and one that helps define quality as one of Lexus’ most central characteristics.

Edmunds Inside Line recently put the Lexus GX 460 to a full test, seeking to determine whether the mid-size luxury utility vehicle successfully combines off-roading prowess and multi-purpose convenience—first off, here’s their video feature:

Much of the test is devoted to the GX 460’s technological and performance features, including:

The GX 460’s optional Crawl Control program does eliminate the need to think in some situations. It is to off-roading what the Lexus Advanced Parking Guidance system is to parallel parking.

Just look at that hill coming up. It’s steep. It’s dirt. There are ruts in it. If we lose traction in the middle of it, we just might have to push the Lexus Enform system’s Safety Connect button and call for help because there’s a drop-off on either side.

So we shift the GX 460 into its low range, engage crawl control, remove feet from brake and gas, and wait. Sure enough, the GX begins to climb at a steady rate, as Crawl Control modulates the SUV’s ABS, traction control (A-TRAC) and electronic throttle. We can hear the clatter of solenoids and hydraulic actuators under the hood. All we have to do is steer and adjust the speed via a toggle switch. It works just as magically going back down — Crawl Control is hill descent control that has evolved into adaptive off-road cruise control.

The review notes that the GX 460’s body-on-frame architecture and new V8 engine offer advantages, ranging from a 6,500-pound towing capacity to a “respectable” 7.9 second 0-60 time.  The ride quality and handling were found to be an improvement over the prior GX 470, while the flatter second row seat (with folding capability) and small third row were critiqued.  Overall, the GX 460 was found to be an “image” vehicle, capable for wilderness or suburban adventures.

[Source: Inside Line]

In a Wards Auto article (subscriber only), Lexus USA has confirmed that the CT 200h will go on sale in the U.S. “sometime between early and mid 2011.” It will become the second dedicated hybrid model in the US, after the HS 250h. According to Mark Templin, VP of Lexus USA, “When the all-new Lexus CT 200h enters the market, it will be the only hybrid vehicle in the emerging premium compact segment.”

[Source: Wards]

A Lexus IS 350C F-Sport special edition is on its way to the USA later this month, and will feature the following upgrades over the standard IS 350C:

• Newly designed 19-inch forged alloy wheels with a wheel lock set and Michelin Pilot Sport 225/35ZR19 tires in the front and 255/35ZR19 tires in the rear
• Front and rear brake upgrade for a firmer pedal feel and enhanced fade resistance
• New and unique F-Sport grille not previously available
• Shock set developed in cooperation with Bilstein
• Lowering springs that reduce the ride height approximately one-inch in the front and rear
• Sway bar set that helps reduce body roll and provide flatter cornering
• Embroidered floor mats with F-Sport logo
• Leather-wrapped shift knob with F-Sport logo
• Exterior badging and an individually numbered badge on the center console

This IS 350C F-Sport special edition will have a MSRP of $57,500 and is limited to just 100 units. Only two exterior colors, Tungsten Pearl or Obsidian, will be offered.

So far no photos (the photo above is of an earlier IS 350C loaded with F-Sport parts), but most of the announced upgrades are already available individually at dealerships. There are two exceptions—first are the new 19” alloy wheels, which I’m going to guess are the same that were seen on the TRD IS-C at SEMA last year:

The other new option is the new grille, which is likely identical to the grille found on the UK/Canadian IS F-Sport package:

The full Lexus press release after the jump.

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Lexus USA has added official press photos and information to a new CT 200h page on its website:

Billed as “the darker side of green,” the CT 200h sportback will be heading to the US market once it becomes available—the site also shows different angle views of the white CT 200h, with the rear 3/4 view revealing the aft windshield wiper which was left off the Geneva floor model and other press photos:

There is an option to sign up for e-mail updates and a future CT 200h Dark Ride, an “up-coming movie experience that allows you to virtually drive the all-new CT 200h.”

The CT 200h has also been added to Lexus.com’s hybrid power of h minisite, which shows much of the same information along with a rendering of the Lexus CT in silver:

[Via: Club Lexus]