November 2008 – Lexus Enthusiast | Lexus Enthusiast

Latest News

Bizarre 2010 Lexus RX Feature from Car & Driver

This Car & Driver video preview of the new 2010 Lexus RX is worth watching if only for the last ten seconds: The all-German diesel comparisons were funny enough, but I had to rewind the closing remarks three times before I could watch it without laughing. Seriously, what strange circumstances had to occur where an …

Kevin · November 30th, 2008

Lexus December to Remember 2008 Commercials

You knew it was coming — Lexus kicks offer their annual December to Remember event in the US with their Red Bow commercials. Have no fear, this year’s crop is especially excellent: Very well done. Given the economic climate and overall auto market meltdown, it’s no surprise that a slightly different tact was taken. Getting …

Kevin · November 30th, 2008

Lexus Planning Four New Models in 2009

In a short interview with the Wall Street Journal, Lexus Group Vice President Mark Templin revealed that the company will be releasing four new models next year: …he’s cutting back spending now so he can invest in the marketing campaigns of these four products one of which, the new RX, was revealed Wednesday. In six …

Kevin · November 28th, 2008

Full Lexus 2010 Introduction from the LA Auto Show

The Auto Channel has posted the full LA Auto Show 2010 RX introduction (listed at over eighteen minutes, but only plays for twelve): First of all, the heads-up display was shown briefly, here’s a screen capture: Hard to get an accurate idea of the new feature’s implementation, but new details are certain to emerge shortly. …

Kevin · November 28th, 2008

Behind the Scenes of the Lexus ES Commercial: Cards

Last week, I posted up a new Lexus ES commercial that featured the talents of Bryan Berg, a professional cardstacker. Well, now we have a backstage pass at the making of this video: I can’t imagine the tension that must have existed on this set, considering that if the filming of the collapsing cards had …

Kevin · November 26th, 2008

Welcome to TPP 3.0

Welcome to the new and improved TPP! At first glace it might not look like a big change, but I’ve made a big switch with the software powering the site, moving from Drupal back to WordPress. Don’t worry, even if you don’t know what I’m talking about, the difference is going to be apparent. Let’s …

Kevin · November 25th, 2008

Lexus Remote Touch Controller Demonstration

CNet has posted a LA Auto Show recap of the Lexus RX 450h, which includes a demonstration of the new Remote Touch controller: Looks to be a very impressive solution — my experience with haptic control is limited to the Nintendo Wii, but the continual feedback moving from menu item to menu item is intuitive …

Kevin · November 24th, 2008

Lexus LF-A Makes Appearance at Toyota Motorsports Festival

Race fans in Japan lucked out this weekend as the Lexus LF-A Racing Prototype took a couple laps around the Fuji Speedway as part of Toyota’s Motorsports Festival. Not only that, but Toyota executive vice-president Akio Toyoda was the man behind the wheel: The future of the supercar is still the subject of guesswork and …

Kevin · November 24th, 2008

Live Photos of the 2010 Lexus RX

As usual, Autoblog has delivered a very good set images of 2010 Lexus RX live from the floor of the LA Auto Show, click on the image to view their photos: Cars.com also posted some nice photos to their Flickr account, click through to view: eGMtech also posted some great photos of the RX pair …

Kevin · November 21st, 2008

Edmunds 2010 Lexus RX Video

Next up on the 2010 Lexus trip is an Edmunds video that not only serves as a nice introduction, but also displays the RX’s new Remote Touch controller (or at least how it moves): As you can see, the controller functions much like a computer mouse — making it instantly intuitive and familiar. I can’t …

Kevin · November 20th, 2008

2010 Lexus RX LA Auto Show Introduction Video

Here’s the video of Mark Templin introducing the 2010 Lexus RX at the LA Auto Show: Not much in the way of new information, and still no public demonstration of either the HUD or the Remote Touch controller, but I assume this is an edited version of the presentation and that a tech tour is …

Kevin · November 20th, 2008

2010 Lexus RX 350 & RX 450h Details

Lexus has issued their press release with details on the new 2010 RX 350 & 450h, which backs up the specifications and options I posted last month. Here’s some selected passages from the press release: Entering its second generation, the RX 450h will feature an enhanced Lexus Hybrid Drive system with a 3.5-liter V6 gas …

Kevin · November 19th, 2008

Official 2010 Lexus RX 350 Photos!

We’ve seen the 2010 Lexus RX 450h, and now here’s a set of images from Lexus of the upcoming RX 350 — details on the new models in my next post: {embed=“site/gallery” gallery_id=“1236”}

Kevin · November 19th, 2008

Official 2010 Lexus RX 450h Photos!

Today’s the big day, both the Lexus RX 350 & RX 450h have been unveiled at the LA Auto Show! So far, no live images of the new 2010 Lexus RX 450h have been posted, but luckily Lexus has pushed out a ton of official photos: {embed=“site/gallery” gallery_id=“1105”}

Kevin · November 19th, 2008

Video of the 1997 Lexus RX300 SLV Concept

On the eve of the new 2010 Lexus RX debut, I thought it would be a good time to reach back and take a look at the introduction of the original RX, including some footage of the Lexus SLV concept, courtesy of Motor Week: Would the RX have been as successful with that trunk spoiler …

Kevin · November 18th, 2008

Lexus ES 350 Commercial: Cards

This new Lexus ES commercial continues the “behind every detail, there’s a detail” marketing campaign: It might not be as successful as the first riff on this theme, but the nod to the original LS champagne glass commercial more than makes up for it.

Kevin · November 17th, 2008

The Quantum of Lexus

I found this promo video for the Lexus LS 600hL a few days ago, but decided to wait on posting it until today’s release of Quantum of Solace — while they’re totally unrelated, but the music is straight out of a James Bond movie: (Been looking forward to this movie for months — so much …

Kevin · November 14th, 2008

Flickr Find: Key to the Future

Lexus of Tulsa is in the process of building a new dealership building, and employee Austin Colbert decided to commemorate the event with this photo: Edited for clarity: It reminds me of my ‘94 LS valet key, but commenters have told me valet keys are now grey and this is now the standard key design. …

Kevin · November 13th, 2008

2009 Lexus IS UK Pricing

Somehow this slipped by me, but the UK prices for the 2009 Lexus IS were announced earlier this week and show some significant savings over last year’s model. Here’s a full table breakdown, courtesy of 4WheelsNews: CURRENT IS MODEL OTR PRICE 2009 IS MODEL (equivalent) OTR PRICE CUSTOMER SAVING IS 220d £23,192 IS 220d SE …

Kevin · November 13th, 2008

2010 Lexus RX 350 & 450h to debut at LA Auto Show

Lexus has confirmed that the next generation RX & RX hybrid will be revealed November 19th at the LA Auto Show, along with the American debut of the IS 250/350C: Lexus will stage the world premiere of the all-new 2010 RX 450h hybrid and RX 350 luxury utility vehicles at a press conference at the …

Kevin · November 12th, 2008

First Spy Photos of the Lexus HS 250h?

So not even twelve hours after seeing the Mag-X rendering of the upcoming Lexus HS 250h hybrid, TPP reader Dan posted a link to a series of photos by Mike Ingels, who very well may have captured the first spy shots of the new hybrid: Considering these photos were taken near the Chrysler proving grounds …

Kevin · November 11th, 2008

Is this the Lexus HS 250h?

Volkswagen website VWVortex isn’t the first place you’d expect to find information on the upcoming Lexus dedicated hybrid, but the Internet’s a strange place. Regardless, a member of their forum came across this page out of Japanese magazine Mag-X, featuring a rendition of the now-named Lexus HS 250h (click for a closeup): Other information gleaned …

Kevin · November 11th, 2008

Lexus IS-F Body Kit by Wald International

Wald International, the Japanese bodykit manufacturer that’s made aero-parts for every Lexus out there, has taken a shot at the IS-F. The results, however, are not too pretty — take a look at this rear spoiler/under-spoiler combo: Luckily, the whole thing’s still in the photochop development stage, which leaves the door open for some improvement. …

Kevin · November 10th, 2008

D Motor Comparison: Lexus IS-F vs. Mercedes C63

German TV Show D Motor compared the Lexus IS-F and Mercedes C63 in their latest episode, and no matter how tired you might be of this duel, this english-subbed feature is tops: Just to be clear, host Tim Schrick did use the adjective “super cool” four times to describe the IS-F, you couldn’t fake that …

Kevin · November 7th, 2008

Lexus @ SEMA 2008: Day 2 Video

These designer interview videos from Lexus provide some great insight into their SEMA lineup, it’s really quite impressive how much effort must have went into the co-ordination of all these different teams — once again, dig up the headphones because the audio is really low: That super-charger in the 0-60 Magazine IS-F looks insane.

Kevin · November 6th, 2008

Lexus Project GS Photos from SEMA

I have to post this link to Autoblog’s photo set of the Project GS on the floor at SEMA — there’s always a concern seeing a vehicle outside of the highly manicured official photo environment, but the GS doesn’t disappoint. Take a look at this rear close-up: Looks almost cartoonish to me, I love the …

Kevin · November 6th, 2008

Lexus Canada October 2008 Sales Report

Lexus sales continue to grow in Canada, with October 2008 sales of 1,126 total units, a 15.8% increase when compared to 2007. What’s more, total sales for the year are up 15.6% to 12,943 vehicles sold. This number is almost equal to the annual sales of 2007, with two months still remaining! Some other points: …

Kevin · November 5th, 2008

Lexus @ SEMA 2008: Day 1 Video

Get out your earphones, because the sound on this Lexus SEMA video recap from the first day is incredibly quiet: It’s always interesting listening to the people behind these cars talk about their creations — I’m especially impressed by Troy Sumitomo and Five Axis, both their Project GS & Project IS-F cars really managed to …

Kevin · November 5th, 2008

Five Axis Lexus Project GS Unveiled

The eagerly awaited Project GS by Five Axis has been unveiled, and it’s quite handedly the best looking GS I’ve ever seen. Just take a minute and click through each of these images to get an up-close-and-personal look: From the extensive widebody conversion right down to the Five:AD R5:F onyx rims, the Project GS hits …

Kevin · November 5th, 2008

SEMA 2008: Video Feature on the Icon Lexus LX 570

This video feature on the Icon modified Lexus LX 570 currently showing at SEMA is a great in-depth look at the matte-black, TRD braked, faux-carbon-fiber-fitted stealth SUV: Very interesting way of applying the carbon fiber pattern to the OEM interior wood, but it does diminish the appeal. I have a feeling this is a vehicle …

Kevin · November 4th, 2008

Lexus USA October 2008 Sales Report

Ouch! October was severely unkind to the automotive industry, with almost every company reporting ugly decreases when compared to last year. Lexus was hit something fierce, dropping 37.6% — here’s the model breakdown: 2008 2007 % Change IS250/350/F 2,772 3,727 -28.4 ES350 4,141 6,516 -38.8 GS350/460/450h 819 1,507 -47.7 SC430 98 316 -70.1 LS460/600h L …

Kevin · November 3rd, 2008

More 2010 Lexus RX Photos

While last week’s leaked 2010 Lexus RX photos gave us our first peek at the new SUV, the brochure photos were anything but spectacular. Now we have some new photos to look at, and while they’re still of uneven quality, they capture the RX in real life: I remain incredibly impressed with the new model, …

Kevin · November 3rd, 2008

This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.

Accept Learn more…