August 2009 | Lexus Enthusiast

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Spending Time with the 2010 Lexus HS 250h

Recently, I had a chance to get a quick look at a Lexus HS 250h prototype that was being used to develop dealership training materials by the people at Lexus Canada. Glenn Alkema of the Lexus Academy was nice enough to give me a tour of the new hybrid, which will be introduced here in …

Kevin · August 31st, 2009

More 2010 Lexus GS 450h Photos

After poring over the tiny 2010 Lexus GS 450h images taken from the Lexus Japan website, it’s nice to be able to look at some larger photos of the refreshed sedan (click the first three images for larger versions): The ascending thickness of the front grille’s chrome bars is very classy, and looks to be …

Kevin · August 31st, 2009

2010 Lexus GS 450h Changes

Like the Lexus LS hybrid, the 2010 GS 450h will also be receiving a mild refresh, including a new grille, new chrome-circled tail lights and new wheels: This was the only good shot I could find of the new tail lights: As far as I can decipher from the Lexus Japan website, where these photos …

Kevin · August 28th, 2009

Lexus LS & GS Going Hybrid-Only in UK

According to Autocar, Lexus UK will be dropping the conventional gas versions of the LS & GS: The GS and LS ranges now consist of one model each – the GS450h and L600h – and Lexus will only sell the new RX as a hybrid in the UK (it is available with the petrol V6 …

Kevin · August 26th, 2009

2010 Lexus LS 460, LS 600hL & LS SZ Revealed!

A brochure for the 2010 Lexus LS has leaked, and there are now images of the LS 460, the LS Hybrid, and the new LS “Version SZ”—let’s start with the hybrid: 2010 Lexus LS 600hL So it turns out the image from last week was indeed correct, and the LS 600hL will be sporting a …

Kevin · August 25th, 2009

Lexus HS 250h Japanese Success to Affect U.S. Launch?

While nothing has been confirmed, Automotive News is reporting that the US supply of Lexus HS 250h sedans to the US may be affected by the hybrid’s massive success in Japan: In its first month in Japan, the car racked up 10,000 orders or about 20 times Toyota Motor Corp.‘s initial sales target of 500 …

Kevin · August 25th, 2009

NY Times Comparison: 2010 Lexus IS 350C vs. Infiniti G37 convertible

The New York Times has published a comparison between the Lexus IS 350C and the Infiniti G37 convertible: While the Infiniti manages to look reasonably pert from behind, the Lexus has a wicked case of Solara butt. But if the Lexus is no swan, dropping the roof does make it less of a waddling goose. …

Kevin · August 24th, 2009

Car & Driver: Lexus LF-A Test Drive

Car & Driver sent a journalist out to test out the Lexus LF-A race car, and the resulting article is so positive that I had to double-check that it was really on the C&D website: …the engine feels stronger than 500 horsepower, more like 550. A Lexus spokesman provides a torque figure: 369 pound-feet. We …

Kevin · August 21st, 2009

Lexus Japan Hits 10,000 HS 250h Orders in First Month

Even after tripling production, Lexus will have a hard time keeping up with the HS 250h demand in Japan: Orders for Lexus’ first dedicated hybrid, the HS250h, reached 10,000 units in its first month, smashing its sales target of 500, parent company Toyota Motor Corp. said. The waiting list for the HS250h is now six …

Kevin · August 20th, 2009

1992 Lexus SC 400 Dealership Video

After look at the present & future of the Lexus SC, I thought it might be interesting to look back at the model’s history—the following video is a dealership introduction for the first-generation SC 400, and is an important look back at what Lexus was trying to achieve with their first sports coupe: Amazing when …

Kevin · August 20th, 2009

Lexus IS-GTF Race Team for Sale

If you’ve ever wanted to have your own racing team, you will be interested to learn that the DRC Motorsports Lexus IS-GTF race cars are now for sale. This trio of super-modified IS 350s (one fully assembled, parts for two more), which you may remember from last year, originally belonged to Team Lexus, and can …

Kevin · August 19th, 2009

Lexus Tops 2009 American Customer Satisfaction Index

Lexus has placed first in the American Customer Satisfaction Index, tying with Cadillac. Rounding out the top five was Buick, Honda and Lincoln-Mercury. Lexus scored 89 out of a possible 100 points, a 2.3% increase over last year. This marks the fourth year in a row that Lexus has placed first in the University of …

Kevin · August 19th, 2009

Next-Gen Lexus SC Photochop

With the release of the 2010 Lexus SC 430, we’ve likely seen the end of the second generation Sports Coupe—so what’s next? Could it look something like this? Found in a thread on Club Lexus, this unsourced Photochop shows the potential of the third-generation SC. Sure, there’s some awkward creases in the hood & side …

Kevin · August 18th, 2009

2010 Lexus SC 430 Changes

The second generation Lexus SC 430 will live for another year—Lexus USA has confirmed that the convertible coupe will be produced for a ninth year with some minor changes: New 18-Inch Six-Spoke Wheels (shown above) iPod/USB Connectivity 6th Generation HDD-based navigation with Voice Control, Lexus Enform and Bluetooth connectivity New side mirrors with integrated puddle …

Kevin · August 17th, 2009

2010 Lexus IS-F Changes

The Lexus IS-F will be seeing some changes in 2010, including: Limited Slip Differential New 19” BBS wheel design Optional 6th Generation HDD-based navigation with Voice Control, Lexus Enform and Bluetooth connectivity Folding Headrests USB/iPod connectivity The Limited Slip Differential is a good addition for anyone interested in taking the IS-F out on the track, …

Kevin · August 17th, 2009

Lexus Confirms Premium Compact Hatchback, Releases Sketch

Lexus has officially confirmed that a premium compact hatchback concept will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA), and have released this design sketch (click for a larger image): A compact hatchback with an IS-F front-end design and a panoramic glass roof?!? Holy ****. The full press release: Lexus has unveiled the first official …

Kevin · August 16th, 2009

Info on the Lexus LF-A Driving Modes (plus a Name-Change Rumor)

Japanese auto magazine Holiday Auto has published some new information on the LF-A, including details on the four Automated Sequential Gearbox (ASG) modes: Auto, Normal, Sport and Wet. Normal & Wet modes are fairly self-explanatory, but here’s what’s mentioned about the other two: Sport mode will allow for 0.2 second gear shifting. Auto mode will …

Kevin · August 16th, 2009

Lexus LF-A vs. Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR: A Virtual Nürburgring Race

Similar to the virtual Lexus LF-A vs. Nissan GT-R race we saw a couple months ago, this split-screen racing footage has the LF-A (top) up against the 600bhp Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR on the Nürburgring: When you consider the traffic the LF-A has to deal with, there’s no telling how much faster it could have …

Kevin · August 14th, 2009

Lexus LS Takes First Place in 2009 Motorist Choice Awards

The Lexus LS was named the top vehicle of 2009 Motorist Choice Awards, a US joint survey by AutoPacific and Intellichoice that “recognizes new cars and trucks that give their owners both economic and emotional satisfaction”: “Clearly, consumers still get great satisfaction from large and luxurious cars, despite the economy, rising fuel costs and manufacturers’ …

Kevin · August 14th, 2009

Is this the 2010 Lexus LS 600hL?

An image of what’s claiming to be the 2010 Lexus LS 600hL facelift has popped up (click for a larger image): The most obvious change is the front grille, and the front bumper intakes have also been reworked and would resemble both the GS & IS designs. The turn signals are also integrated into the …

Kevin · August 13th, 2009

Lexus IS Family Commercial

This Lexus IS convertible commercial from Australia is pure fantastic: Each transition is breathtaking, and the IS-F roof popping off to make the IS-C is sensational. Loved it. (Thanks Charles!)

Kevin · August 12th, 2009

2010 Lexus ES 350 Revealed!

The scheduled refresh of the 2010 Lexus ES 350 has been revealed by way of a dealership in Taiwan—here are the spy shots and some shots of the current ES 350 for easy comparison (click the spy shots for a larger version): The changes center around the front end, where the grille, bumper and headlights …

Kevin · August 11th, 2009

Akio Toyoda Confirms Production Lexus LF-A

While it’s been long-rumored that the Lexus LF-A supercar would be put into production, new Toyota President Akio Toyoda confirmed it last week during his speech at the Center For Automotive Research (CAR) Conference. From the transcript: You see…in a race…you have limited time and resources to work through countless challenges and problems that come …

Kevin · August 10th, 2009

Automobile Magazine’s Four Seasons Review of the Lexus IS-F

Automobile Magazine has just published the results of their four-seasons road test of the 2009 Lexus IS-F, where it was well-received: Particularly in our test car’s livery of ultrasonic blue mica, the IS-F is far from the typical, shy, retiring Lexus. It’s an intense and, in places, highly successful attempt to vault into the demanding …

Kevin · August 10th, 2009

Lexus to Triple HS 250h Production

In order to keep up with the Japanese demand for the HS 250h, Lexus will be tripling production of the new hybrid. As reported by the Nikkei (by way of The Green Car Congress), even after producing 2,000 units in July, there are still 8,600 pre-orders for the hybrid sedan. This is seventeen times the …

Kevin · August 8th, 2009

2009 Lexus IS-F Review

As the story goes: the Lexus IS-F began as a secret project by Lexus chief designer Yukihiko Yaguchi, who wanted to build a Lexus that could rival Europe’s top sports sedans. Yaguchi, who also worked on the last Toyota Supra and the first generation LS 400, saw a unique opportunity to extend the Lexus brand …

Kevin · August 5th, 2009

2010 Lexus HS 250h Now on Lexus USA Website

The Lexus HS 250h is now on the Lexus USA website, which means plenty of information along with full option & package pricing. There are standard and premium variants, starting at $34,200 and $36,970 respectively. From there, it gets a little confusing: There is a $1,600 Touring package, with 18” wheels and a sport tuned …

Kevin · August 5th, 2009

Conan O’Brien Giving Away a Lexus HS 250h

Last night, Conan O’Brien announced a contest on The Tonight Show to give away a Lexus HS 250h, here he is to explain it: The contest runs until August 21st, 2009, and is only available to US residents. Visit the Tonight Show website for full details. (Thanks Stan!)

Kevin · August 4th, 2009

Edmunds Reviews the Lexus IS 350C F-Sport Accessories

Edmunds took a Lexus IS 350C and outfitted it with every F-Sport accessory available, all to determine which of the upgrades are really worth the money—here’s their verdict: If you’re looking to spend good money on a modified IS convertible, look no further than the $2,346 wheel/tire upgrade and add it to the $1,588 for …

Kevin · August 4th, 2009

Lexus Hatchback Rendering by Auto Express

Using the Lexus HS & RX as inspiration, Auto Express has put together a rendering of what the upcoming Lexus CT compact hatchback may look like: I’m really impressed by the side-panel creasing, the Z jog in the sheet metal is quite stylish. Both the front and rear look too small for the body, but …

Kevin · August 3rd, 2009

Lexus USA July 2009 Sales Report

July is over, and Lexus USA has reported their sales figures for the month: June Year to Date 2009 2008 % CHG 2009 2008 % CHG IS 4,029 4,750 -15.2 19,710 31,010 -36.1 ES 4,393 5,563 -21.0 24,756 38,719 -35.7 GS 551 1,297 -57.5 4,107 10,356 -60.1 SC 57 143 -60.1 542 1,373 -60.3 LS …

Kevin · August 3rd, 2009

Lexus IS-F Photo Gallery: In Paris (Ontario)

During my time with the Lexus IS-F, I would jump at the chance to drive pretty much anywhere, so my wife took advantage and had us on the road to Paris, Ontario so that she could buy yarn at some craft store. I took the long way though some nice rural roads, and after a …

Kevin · August 2nd, 2009

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