December 2008 – Lexus Enthusiast | Lexus Enthusiast

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TPP’s Ten Most Popular Posts of 2008

It’s the last day of 2008, making it the perfect day to list the most popular stories over the last year. Let’s start: 10. Is the Lexus LF-A really the new SC? Early this year, I was struck by the idea that the Lexus LF-A was actually the F-Sport version of the next SC, and …

Kevin · December 31st, 2008

Belated Lexus Christmas Commercial

It comes a little late, but this Lexus December to Remember commercial makes an interesting contrast to the other adverts that ran this season: Per usual, the music selection is fantastic, and the animation is certainly cute, but I have to admit some disappointment that the RX wasn’t actually growing underneath the bow.

Kevin · December 30th, 2008

Lexus Wallpaper of the Week: GS Architecture

This week’s wallpaper is a beautiful shot of a 2007 Lexus GS 430 450h, complete with structural integrity: 1680×1050 | 1440×900 | 1280×1024 | 1280×800 | 1024×768 There’s certainly a perfection with this photo, the building built with the same curves as the GS. Definitely one of my favorite third-generation GS photos.

Kevin · December 30th, 2008

Lexus LF-A Will Remain in Development

When Honda cancelled their plans to build a new NSX, there was some worry that Lexus might follow suit with the LF-A. Turns out there was nothing to it, Lexus has confirmed their intention to build the LF-A. Auto Express reports: The news was announced as parent firm Toyota also confirmed its commitment to the …

Kevin · December 29th, 2008

Lexus HS 250h Spy Shots!

Leftlane News has published possible spy shots of the upcoming Lexus HS 250h hybrid sedan (click for larger versions): I can certainly see some Lexus cues with the hybrid door badging and the LS rear lights, but obviously this is an extremely well-camouflaged vehicle. Update: TPP commenter Eddie also brings up the obviously Lexus side …

Kevin · December 29th, 2008

Lexus RX Museum in Japan

Lexus Japan has built a museum to display the new RX before its launch in February, though I think it’s safe to say it’s more of an art installation. Take a look at some of these photos: The site is certainly unique, unfortunately it’s also entirely in Japanese so there I can’t really grasp more …

Kevin · December 27th, 2008

Happy Holidays from The Passionate Pursuit

Festive cheer is kicking into high gear, so I’d like to take the opportunity to wish everyone a safe and happy holidays! Regular posting will resume on the 27th, and then next week, I’ll be taking a look back at 2008’s top stories and outlining just what we can expect in the new year. All …

Kevin · December 24th, 2008

Lexus Launches HS 250h Teaser Site

In preparation of the debut of the new HS 250h hybrid sedan at the Detroit Auto Show, Lexus has updated their website to include a small microsite. While it’s basically just an email form and the above badge image, there is one other interesting detail. According to the microsite, the HS 250h will not be …

Kevin · December 24th, 2008

Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson Destroys a Lexus

Just in case you didn’t know how Jeremy Clarkson felt about Lexus, his position should be abundantly clear after viewing this excerpt from his new DVD Thriller: Sure, we’ve heard him refer to the SC 430 as the “worst car currently available”, and last month he refused to even admit he liked the IS-F, but …

Kevin · December 23rd, 2008

Custom Lexus IS-F Exhaust by Royal Muffler

Listen to this custom Lexus IS-F exhaust treatment from Royal Muffler, a company based out of California: This design is unique among the current IS-F options as it’s using four race mufflers rather than the more typical muffler/resonator combination. According to Club Lexus, the price is $2,300, which includes install and lifetime warranty. Certainly on …

Kevin · December 22nd, 2008

Former Lexus VP Leaves Chrysler

It’s only been eighteen months since Deborah Wahl Meyer left Lexus to become Chrysler’s Chief Marketing Officer — unfortunately, it was eighteen months that were especially unkind to the automotive industry: As Chrysler heads into a month-long plant shutdown, the automaker has announced a realignment of its sales and marketing operations. After 18 months on …

Kevin · December 22nd, 2008

Subwoofers with a Side Order of Lexus GS

Here’s a Lexus I missed covering during SEMA 2008 — this GS 350’s sound system packs such a massive punch, they had to take the roof right off: Besides the fact that it’s part of California’s Swift Car club, there isn’t much in the way of details. I did find this massive photo gallery, though. …

Kevin · December 18th, 2008

New Sponsor: VAIS Technology

Allow me to welcome VAIS Technology as a new sponsor of The Passionate Pursuit! VAIS Technology, as you may know, manufactures audio/video integration solutions for Lexus, making it possible to connect almost any media device to your vehicle. Most importantly, VAIS Tech lets you manage these devices using your standard audio controls. An ideal solution! …

Kevin · December 18th, 2008

The Power of H

Turns out, the Lexus shipping crate video that I posted earlier this week is the first part of a series of green movement infomercials. Here’s a small intro to The Power of H: More details on the next two parts showed up in Brandweek: “Landfill,” which is currently online at NBC.com, details Wilkinson and De …

Kevin · December 17th, 2008

The Swarovski Crystal Lexus SC 430

To promote the launch of their Crystallized collection in Taiwan, Swarovski partnered up with Lexus and designer Zheng Zhiren to create this one-of-a-kind crystal SC430: All told, there’s over 300,000 Swarovski crystals covering the SC, pushing its total value up to NT 10,000,000 ($306,045USD). Now that’s a lot of bedazzle! [Source: YAM | Via: Born …

Kevin · December 17th, 2008

Lexus Wallpaper of the Week: IS-F Gunmetal

Designed to resemble samurai swords, the Lexus IS-F gunmetal forged aluminum rims are the subject of this week’s wallpaper of the week: 1680×1050 | 1440×900 | 1280×1024 | 1280×800 | 1024×768 (It could be the gunmetal coloring, but the IS-F rim is probably my favorite Lexus wheel design ever.)

Kevin · December 16th, 2008

Lexus Files LFA Trademark

It’s been discovered that Toyota registered “LFA” at US Patent and Trademark Office on December 1st, 2008. It’s been interpreted by many as a positive sign, but this could be seen in two ways: Lexus is moving forward with the supercar, and taking care of the name trademark is one of the many steps necessary. …

Kevin · December 15th, 2008

New Lexus Power of H Commercial: Landfill

Not really a Lexus commercial in the traditional sense, this video illustrates the growing movement towards sustainable reusable manufacturing: It’s a good direction, and I understand the idea here is to associate Lexus with the sustainable manufacturing process, but if Lexus plants have earned Zero Landfill status, why not explain that further? I’d certainly like …

Kevin · December 15th, 2008

Photochop of the Next Generation Lexus GS

Even thought the fourth-generation Lexus GS is still years away, it’s certainly fun to imagine what the next version will look like, and The Truth About Cars’ Andrei Avarvarii did just that, putting together this photochop: I do like some of the touches, particularly the front-light treatment, but I don’t think Avarvarii’s photochop is heading …

Kevin · December 12th, 2008

Japanese Lexus IS Commercial

Surely, the main point of this Japanese IS Commercial isn’t to say that Lexus owners are vain: It certainly made me laugh — mostly because I’ve done something similar many times since getting my LS. Bonus: Be sure to check out this bizarre Toyota Corolla commercial if you get the chance.

Kevin · December 11th, 2008

Lexus Cuts Output from Ontario Factory

Reuters is reporting that the only Lexus plant outside of Japan will also be idling its production, as the Toyota factory in Cambridge, Ontario will halt RX 350 production for five days in January. This news comes after a report that the Lexus plants in Japan would be offline for ten days during December. Both …

Kevin · December 11th, 2008

Behind-the-Scenes of a New Lexus Commercial

Photographer Kyle Wong was on his way to Los Angeles’ MOCA Museum when he came across the filming of a Lexus commercial. Here’s a couple action shots: Anyone want to hazard a guess to what models these flying cars might be? Looks like a pair of GS’ to me. [Via: Flickr]

Kevin · December 10th, 2008

Lexus Wallpaper of the Week: LS Generations

Welcome to a new feature here at TPP, the Wallpaper of the Week! From now on, every Wednesday will bring a brand new desktop image from every era of Lexus, from the ES 250 right down to the LF-A, and everything in between. This first edition, which stands as one of my favorite desktop images …

Kevin · December 10th, 2008

Lexus IS’ V6 Named to 2009 Best Engines List

The Lexus IS 350’s V6 engine has once again been selected to the Ward’s Auto 10 Best Engines award: Toyota Motor Corp. scores its fourth consecutive 10 Best Engines win with its Lexus 3.5L DOHC V-6, a brilliant design that employs a unique, combination direct- and port-injection fueling system that helps generate 306 hp and …

Kevin · December 9th, 2008

Woodfield Lexus’ Service Veosk

I have no idea if it’s exclusive to Woodfield Lexus in Chicago, but the kiosk shown in this video would be a great addition to every dealership: There’s certainly a strong case for this to become company-wide. It wouldn’t just be informative to the customer, but it would definitely cut down on the misunderstandings and …

Kevin · December 8th, 2008

Lexus Sub-Compact in 2012?

Once again, Lexus Australia’s chief executive John Roca has spilled the goods on the future of Lexus, this time in regards to the oft-rumored sub-compact: Devised to take on the premium European small cars exemplified by the BMW as well as the Audi A3, the forthcoming compact is understood to be in co-development with the …

Kevin · December 8th, 2008

Lexus LS-F News!

Looks like the rumor of an Lexus LS-F is growing some legs — Last week, I reported the possibility that an F-Sport variant of the Lexus flagship could be released in 2009, and now Autoblog has “confirmed” the speculation, along with some bonus IS-F sales news: Hirokazu Koga, general manager of the Lexus Development Center …

Kevin · December 5th, 2008

Lexus Cuts Production in December

To cope with the worldwide automotive sales slump, Lexus will be cutting its management bonuses by 10% and will be taking its Japanese manufacturing plants offline for two days: According to Automotive News, Toyota will idle one of its three assembly lines at its Tahara plant in Japan for two days, wiping about 5,000 vehicles …

Kevin · December 4th, 2008

New Lexus LF-A Videos

Here’s a couple new Lexus LF-A Racing Concept videos for you — first up is some stellar footage of a rocketing LF-A, which perfectly captures the engine belting it out full-force: The other video of note is from the LF-A’s appearance at last week’s Toyota Motorsports Festival in Japan. As you might remember, the supercar …

Kevin · December 4th, 2008

Lexus Canada November 2008 Sales Report

With November 2008 sales up 19.1% over last year, Lexus Canada continues to see strong growth. A total of 1,152 models were sold, marking the eighth consecutive record sales month. One interesting fact, Lexus RX 350’s are built in Cambridge, Ontario, and are marketed heavily as a Made-in-Canada product. This has resulted in an opposite …

Kevin · December 3rd, 2008

Lexus USA November 2008 Sales Report

The November sales for Lexus USA have been reported today, and at least the numbers are better than last month’s drop: 2008 2007 % Change IS250/350/F 2,749 3,849 -28.6 ES350 4,116 5,902 -30.3 GS350/460/450h 721 2,205 -67.3 SC430 83 268 -69.0 LS460/600h L 1,272 2,668 -52.3 Total Cars 8,941 14,892 -40.0 RX350/400h 5,850 8,038 -27.2 …

Kevin · December 2nd, 2008

Lexus Hybrid Primer

Since starting this website, I’ve been asked numerous times about the overall benefits of Lexus hybrid technology, so I thought it would be a good idea to put together a basic primer. First off, here’s a direct-from-Lexus video explanation on how a hybrid engine works: Now, everyone knows the primary advantage that (most) hybrids have …

Kevin · December 2nd, 2008

Top Gear Video Review of the Lexus IS-F

The Lexus IS-F finally made its Top Gear appearance this weekend, competing against the BMW M3: Also part of the episode was the Stig pushing the IS-F around the Top Gear track: The results were a forgone conclusion, I can’t imagine anyone’s all that surprised that Jeremy Clarkson preferred the BMW M3 over the IS-F. …

Kevin · December 1st, 2008

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