August 2008 | Lexus Enthusiast

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2009 Lexus IS Photos

No question now, this is the upcoming 2009 Lexus IS facelift: These photos, posted on the same site that leaked the 2009 IS brochure, reveal the new IS in some sort of Japanese Korean Lexus showroom, presumably where unreleased models are displayed for anyone to see. Enough talk, here’s the full gallery: {embed=“site/gallery” gallery_id=“1138”} [Source: …

Kevin · August 29th, 2008

Autoblog: LF-A Will Never See Production

Autoblog trolled the Nürburgring and dug up some murky information on the Lexus LF-A: …members of the testing and development crew who have been putting the car though its paces in Germany, as well as test drivers from rival Honda and Nissan crews, have told Autoblog that the LF-A is not destined for the showroom, …

Kevin · August 29th, 2008

Policeman Talks about the Oakland Lexus SC Style

This is hilarious. You may remember me posting up photos of some first generation Lexus SCs done up in grand style, like the one above. Well, it seems like they’ve also been noticed by local police, including Officer “Smith”, who blogs the following: The latest fad to strike the Bay Area is the uncontrollable urge …

Kevin · August 27th, 2008

700hp Lexus IS Engine Explosion

Not every day you get to see a souped 700hp Lexus IS engine blow up (make sure to turn the sound down, loud rap music ahead): Not sure on the full story, but I can’t help but think whoever made this video of must have wanted to rub it in — either that or it …

Kevin · August 27th, 2008

Lexus LS 460 AWD Introduced at Moscow Auto Show

When it comes to the release of the Lexus LS 460 AWD version, this picture says it all: As expected, the LS 460 AWD was introduced at the Moscow International Auto Show today, and the folks at Autoblog have a full photo gallery of the model. The only thing? That AWD badge in the photo …

Kevin · August 26th, 2008

Lexus Salesman Blocked from Competing in Mercedes Golf Tournament

A funny story from Singapore has surfaced on Club Lexus — Lionel Lim won the opportunity to compete for the Mercedes Benz golf trophy only to be disqualified because he was a Lexus salesman: He works for Lexus, but this golfer won the Singapore Country Final of the Mercedes trophy. This has led to a …

Kevin · August 25th, 2008

Italdesign Quaranta Hybrid Concept

It may not be a Lexus supercar prototype, but the Italdesign Quaranta concept is powered by a Lexus engine, namely the….RX 400h? Massage the right button, and the rear decklid opens to reveal a powertrain cribbed from what we know as the Lexus RX 400h. Italdesign and Toyota have an ongoing relationship; their first project, …

Kevin · August 22nd, 2008

Custom Lexus IS-F by 0-60 Magazine Coming to SEMA 2008

We’ve seen the finished version of the the Fox/Artisan Lexus IS-F that will be displayed at this year’s SEMA, and now another has surfaced — this time it’s a work-in-progess by 0-60 Magazine: So far, the plan looks to be replacing the hood, front fenders, side skirts and the trunk lid with carbon fiber versions, …

Kevin · August 21st, 2008

Flickr Find: Lexus IS Danger

Bader Bouarki’s photo of the Lexus IS is fantastic, and the description is even better: I Told my friend to drive, i went to the second car and sit in the trunk, it was 120KM/H, i added the cloud as a part of a beauty… Sitting on the trunk of a car going 120kph (75mph) …

Kevin · August 21st, 2008

Lexus Prius Sketch from Motor Trend

There isn’t much in the way of new information in Motor Trend’s article about the upcoming Lexus hybrid, but it did include this beauty of a mockup sketch: There were a few new points covered, though they seem entirely speculative: The difference between the Lexus variant and the Prius itself — as is generally the …

Kevin · August 20th, 2008

Comparison : 2009 Hyundai Genesis V8 vs. 2008 Lexus GS 350

Edmunds has went ahead and pitted the Lexus GS 350 against the brand new Hyundai Genesis, resulting in a mismatch that places far too much emphasis on the pricetag: So the Genesis is a large, rear-drive luxury sedan that’s priced like a smaller front-drive one — at 195.6 inches long it’s just 2.4 inches shorter …

Kevin · August 19th, 2008

The Lexus Nuaero Concept by Jon Rådbrink

Swedish automotive design student Jon Rådbrink has created a wild, Batmanish Lexus concept called the Nuaero. Rakish and impractical as it may be, it wasn’t just a case of loading up 3D Studio Max and going for gold. Rådbrink tried to reinvent from every angle: The spacious interior is centered around a multi-point touch screen …

Kevin · August 18th, 2008

Lexus LS 460 AWD to Debut at Moscow Auto Show

It was only last week that we heard of Lexus’ plans to release an All-Wheel Drive version of the LS 460/L, and now it’s been confirmed for introduction at the Moscow International Motor Show: The new model, to be sold along side the existing LS 460 and LS 460 L, features permanent all wheel drive …

Kevin · August 18th, 2008

SEMA 2008 Lexus IS-F from Fox/Artisan

The Fox Marketing/Artisan Performance Lexus IS-F project car scheduled for display at SEMA 2008 has been unveiled early, and brings with it some very exciting news for IS-F owners: The vehicle will be debuted at SEMA 2008 in Las Vegas alongside 3 other IS-F’s from different aftermarket companies. These companies will be showcasing and developing …

Kevin · August 15th, 2008

Pebble Beach Edition of the Lexus LS 600hL Introduced

The first edition of the Pebble Beach Lexus LS 600hL (and the sixth edition of the PB SC 430) will be introduced tomorrow at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Lexus Fashion Preview. With a limited run of 50, the LS 600hL will be fully loaded and have a number of exclusive touches: Pebble Beach Truffle …

Kevin · August 14th, 2008

2009 Lexus IS Uncovered

It may be an elaborate hoax, but My.IS member nyjinwoo has uncovered what looks to be a brochure for the 2009 Lexus IS 250/350. First thing, here’s an overview of the exterior changes: The front grille has been given the same extended chrome border and integrated turn signals that were included in last year’s refreshed …

Kevin · August 13th, 2008

A Different Kind of 4-Wheel Lexus

Painted up in IS-F Ultrasonic Blue, this training bicycle is the latest proof of Lexus’ dedication to the environment, and also also highlights their commitment to future owners: No word on when the bike will be available or what type of distribution channel will be used, but Nürburgring spy shots should be arriving any day …

Kevin · August 12th, 2008

Lexus RX 400h Sales Growing in United Kingdom

Although no exact numbers are mentioned, The Auto Channel is reporting that Lexus RX 400h sales have increased in the UK by 28% over last July, which is especially impressive given the current SUV climate in the country: That [28%] growth stands in stark contrast to the fortunes of rival luxury brands, which suffered an …

Kevin · August 12th, 2008

Lexus Future Forecasting

Automotive News has published a report detailing what seems to be Lexus’ entire future manufacturing plans, though it’s unclear as to the source of this information. Regardless, allow me to summarize: The LF-A, or the “LF-1″ as its referred to in the article, has been pushed back yet again due to the performance-to-cost ratio and …

Kevin · August 11th, 2008

Lexus Dominates J.D. Power Dependability Study

For the 14th year straight, Lexus has topped the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, and they did it in style. Take a look at this chart: This study measures the consumer problems on three-year-old vehicles. The substantial gap between Lexus and their next closest competitor illustrates an impressive 25 problem drop over 2007, when Lexus …

Kevin · August 7th, 2008

Lexus IS Commercial: Move as One

There’s some fairly strong imagery in this Lexus IS commercial from Australia, and it’s all vaguely biblical: I’d really like to see the creative brief on this one.

Kevin · August 6th, 2008

Lexus Japan Layoffs

800 temporary workers at a Toyota plant in Japan were laid off yesterday: Japanese automaker Toyota has laid off 800 people at a plant in southwestern Japan, or about 10 percent of the plant’s work force, in response to declining sales in North America, a company official said Tuesday. All the job cuts — carried …

Kevin · August 6th, 2008

JM Lexus Creates Mega IS 350 for Mega Meet

Every year, the JM Lexus dealership in South Florida sponsors the Lexus/Supra Mega Meet, a two day event set up for enthusiasts to both check out and show off some custom rides. To mark the occasion, JM Lexus put together a heavily modified IS 350, featuring not only every F-Sport accessory available but also a …

Kevin · August 5th, 2008

Lexus Prius? The Ongoing Saga

UK Magazine AutoCar claims to have the inside scoop on the oft-mentioned Lexus hybrid debuting at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show: The new model is known internally as SAI but will be renamed before it goes on sale and will be based on the next generation Prius, also being shown for the first time in …

Kevin · August 4th, 2008

Custom Lexus IS-F Interior Mods from L-Tuned Parts

L-Tuned Parts, the online Lexus parts superstore, is now offering some custom-made IS-F interior mods, including these two steering wheel replacements: Here’s the stock IS-F wheel for comparison’s sake: Replacement steering wheels aren’t for the faint-of-heart: Even if you send the IS-F’s stock steering wheel in exchange, these carbon fiber versions aren’t cheap ($1350USD & …

Kevin · August 3rd, 2008

Lexus USA July 2008 Sales Report

The July 2008 numbers for Lexus USA are in: 2008 2007 % Change IS250/350/F 4,750 4,892 -10.4 ES350 5,563 6,909 -25.7 GS350/460/450h 1,297 1,954 -38.7 SC430 143 304 -56.6 LS460/600h L 1,466 2,696 -49.8 Total Cars 13,219 16,755 -27.2 RX350/400h 7,101 8,413 -22.1 GX470 1,019 1,767 -46.8 LX570 843 206 277.7 Total Trucks 8,963 10,386 …

Kevin · August 1st, 2008

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