April 2010 – Lexus Enthusiast | Lexus Enthusiast

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AutoTrader Reviews the 2010 Lexus LS 600h L

Alexandra Straub of AutoTrader.ca recently took the 2010 Lexus LS 600h L for a test drive, and found herself indulging in the vehicle’s 5-seat Executive package rear seat. This configuration is new for the revised LS range, being added alongside the original 4-seat Executive package. In addition to the extra center seat, the DVD rear-seat …

Kevin · April 30th, 2010

Lexus Driver Assist Technologies HS 250h Review

Courtesy of Grant Winter from RealWorldTestDrives.com, this HS 250h video review focuses on three Lexus technologies that are increasingly found throughout the company’s lineup: The first technology, Lane Keep Assist (begins at 0:50), is also found on the LS line, and the warning feature is used on the GX. The second technology, the Wide-View Front …

Kevin · April 30th, 2010

Updated Lexus GX 460 Resumes Sales and Production

Today Lexus announced that the Vehicle Stability Control update for the 2010 GX 460 is now available at all U.S. and Canadian dealerships. Dealers have begun contacting owners to set up service appointments for the software fix, and most should receive messages within the next week. Concurrently, sales of the GX 460 are resuming, as …

Kevin · April 29th, 2010

Lexus LFA Monaco Drive Video

GTSpirit has published a teaser video of an LFA ride through the streets of Monaco (please be warned, this video is rather jerky and may induce vertigo): This video was likely made around the same time that spyshots of the LFA in Monaco were taken. For most of its duration, the LFA is being led …

Kevin · April 29th, 2010

Lexus F-Sport Event Today in New Jersey

Just a reminder that the Lexus F-Sport event at the New Jersey Motorsports Park is happening today—there’s still time to book a spot, but not for much longer. As mentioned last week, I will be at the event all day—in fact, I was at the track today as part of a early preview, where I …

Kevin · April 28th, 2010

New Lexus Design Chief Announced

Following the semi-retirement of longtime Lexus and Toyota design chief Wahei Hirai in June 2009, company insiders and journalists have speculated on who his successor might be. This week, they got a rather novel answer, with the appointment of an Englishman, Simon Humphries, to the top spot. Humphries, who worked at Sony in product design …

Kevin · April 28th, 2010

Lexus RX 450h Namaqualand Commercial

Lexus South Africa continues its analogous theme with this commercial for the RX 450h, comparing it to the Namaqualand flowers found in the country: The complexity of a hybrid system working in harmony finds a beautiful analogy in nature, with the setting also providing an ecologically-minded backdrop; still, the vehicle is billed as a performance …

Kevin · April 28th, 2010

Lexus HB Concept and the Great British Bike Ride

Following its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show last year, Lexus has brought one of its only two HB (Hybrid Bicycle) concept models in existence to the UK, highlighting the brand’s title sponsorship of the Great British Bike Ride charity event. Additional HB concept specifications have also been released, including a 240 watt electric motor, …

Kevin · April 27th, 2010

Sundance Channel Visits Lexus’ U.S. Headquarters

The Sundance Channel’s “Big Ideas for a Small Planet” series received rare access to Lexus’ U.S. headquarters in 2008, and video clips have been posted online. In its quest to find eco-friendly businesses, the program looked at Lexus’ environmental commitment as reflected in its headquarters, hybrid drive lineup, and future planning. For those enthusiasts interested …

Kevin · April 27th, 2010

Lexus LFA Plug-in Hybrid Spotted?

Spy photographers have captured a strange looking Lexus prototype that almost looks like a plug-in hybrid LFA: The outer shell looks cast-off of an old LFA prototype, and has camouflaged section on the front left fender that could indicate a electric plug, though this area has also been used as an additional gas tank on …

Kevin · April 27th, 2010

Lexus CT 200h Australian Launch in 2011

Lexus Australia has confirmed that the CT 200h sportback will become the fourth hybrid model in its lineup, starting in mid 2011. It will be the country’s only full hybrid hatchback, and join the LS 600h L, GS 450h, and RX 450h in Lexus Australia’s petrol-electric hybrid range. Lexus Australia head Tony Cramb was quoted …

Kevin · April 26th, 2010

Lexus LFA Participates in Nürburgring 52nd ADAC ACAS Race

As a final test leading up to the Nürburgring 24h race, Lexus participated in this weekend’s Nürburgring 52. ADAC ACAS H&R-Cup race. Only one LFA participated in the race, as Iceland’s volcanic ash prevented support personnel from getting to the track in time to run the second LFA—the IS F team also participated. Here are …

Kevin · April 26th, 2010

Lexus LFA Display at Flagship Tokyo Dealership

Japanese blog レクサスとの道[LEXUS] made a recent trip to the flagship Lexus Takanawa dealership in Tokyo and snapped this photo of their new LFA display: Not only is there an actual LFA on display, there are color samples made from minature LFA models and examples of all the interior leather options—and check out the giant, fully …

Kevin · April 23rd, 2010

Lexus LFA Carbon Fiber Leads to Future Possibilities

Ward’s Auto has published an article summarizing Lexus LFA project manager and vehicle materials expert Nobuya Kawamura’s recent presentation at the JEC Composite exposition in Paris, France. Kawamura talked about the “never-ending process” of the supercar’s carbon fiber development, which ultimately led to Lexus engineers learning multiple techniques for producing several types of the material, …

Kevin · April 23rd, 2010

Lexus Global Executive Changes

Lexus parent Toyota Motor Corporation announced key executive changes, which will be formally enacted in June at the company’s annual shareholder meeting. Of interest to the luxury division, Toshio Furutani is retiring as Senior Managing Director on the corporate board of directors. Furutani has overseen Lexus’ worldwide operations in recent years, initially as Managing Officer …

Kevin · April 22nd, 2010

Lexus New Jersey F-Sport Event Next Week

A couple weeks back, Lexus USA announced an April 29th F-Sport event at the New Jersey Motor Park, and today, I’m happy to say I will be attending. I didn’t want to miss my chance at a hot-lap in the LFA with Scott Pruett, so I’ll be making the eight-hour drive down to New Jersey …

Kevin · April 21st, 2010

Blue Lexus LFA Spotted

A blue Lexus LFA has been filmed in Japan: This second video has some closeups, along with footage of the interior: Truth be told, I’m generally not a fan of blue, but on the LFA it looks super-fine—here’s the money shot: So we’ve seen white, black, matte-black, red & blue—what color’s next? (My guess: silver.) …

Kevin · April 21st, 2010

Lexus GX 460 Recall Remedy Demonstration

Lexus Japan has released a video demonstrating the stability control update: This video was accompanied by a press release which details the exact circumstances that caused the stability control issues discovered by Consumer Reports last week: The following conditions combine to cause the problem: In the GX 460 and Land Cruiser Prado, heavy components, such …

Kevin · April 20th, 2010

Smart Lexus IS F Commercial from Lexus South Africa

Lexus South Africa has a new commercial touting the relativistic properties of the IS F: Really enjoyed the unforgiving intelligence of this video—it’s a commercial that rewards repeated viewing with a better understanding of the science it describes. Best of all, it tied directly into the brand’s central message—very well done.

Kevin · April 20th, 2010

Stunning Red Lexus LFA Photos

Japanese website Carview has published some red Lexus LFA photos as part of an extensive review: I could post photos of that red LFA every day. These photos are part of a larger gallery that includes plenty of interior shots along with photos of an LFA in various stages of undress: Absolutely amazing—must see photos. …

Kevin · April 19th, 2010

Lexus GX 460 Recall Announced

In response to last week’s Consumer Reports warning of the GX 460’s handling during a high-speed test, today Lexus announced a voluntary recall of all 9,400 2010 model year GX 460s sold to date. These models will receive a software update to the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system. Quoting from the press release: The VSC …

Kevin · April 19th, 2010

Lexus LS 460 & Hideki Watanabe in Kyoto

There’s a wonderful photo-essay on Lexus Magazine by Doug Knox & Andrew Shaylor that takes you through Kyoto, Japan in a LS 460 driven by Chief Engineer, Hideki Watanabe—some example shots: Many miles later and comfortably at one with the LS, Watanabe patiently takes me to school, explaining how his team managed to eke out …

Kevin · April 19th, 2010

Lexus HS 250h Inside Story

CanadianDriver has put up an interesting piece on the HS 250h interior as part of the website’s “Inside Story” series. Billed as a 7-day “review of interior comfort features, cabin controls, storage options, trunk space and under-hood accessibility,” this review features a non-Remote Touch equipped HS 250h, and describes the storage options available instead: At …

Kevin · April 18th, 2010

Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition in Black & White

We’ve seen photos of the limited-edition Lexus LFA Nürburgring edition in orange, and now here’s the track-optimized supercar in two other color options, black & white: The LFA Nürburgring package is limited to just 50 units within the total LFA production run of 500, in effect creating rare version of an already extremely limited supercar. …

Kevin · April 16th, 2010

Automobile Magazine Reviews the 2010 Lexus ES 350

Automobile Magazine has published an editor’s review of the entry-luxury Lexus sedan, the ES 350. As in their prior LS 460 L review, four editors provided their take on the best-selling sedan. The key emphasis was on the ES 350’s concept of effortless luxury, as described by senior online editor Phil Floraday: If you’re just …

Kevin · April 16th, 2010

AutoGuide Comparo: Lexus ES 350 vs. Buick LaCrosse

AutoGuide cut through some of the marketing hype and took the Lexus ES 350 and its advertised Buick rival for a multi-day test, with the review team rating both cars on 19 categories from driver comfort to price. They had praise and criticisms for both vehicles, and the final score tally was close—here’s the ES …

Kevin · April 15th, 2010

More on the Consumer Reports Lexus GX 460 Test

Various new details today in the continuing story of the Lexus GX 460 & Consumer Reports—here’s some articles of interest: ***** By way of TTAC, Japan’s Nikkei Daily is reporting that Lexus has a solution has been found to the oversteer exhibited by the GX 460 in the Consumer Reports test, and involves a reflash …

Kevin · April 15th, 2010

Lexus LFA Video from Car & Driver

You may remember last month when Car & Driver took the Lexus LFA out on the track to compile some real-world performance figures on the supercar—well, here’s the video to go along with the stats: (I think the C&D video editor might have spent too much time watching Top Gear’s LFA feature.)

Kevin · April 14th, 2010

Lexus Not Planning to Compete with BMW 5-Series GT

Thankfully, Lexus will not be “answering the question that nobody asked”—according to Edmunds’ Auto Observer, the company has no plans to compete with the BMW 5-series GT: Despite readying the launch of the CT 200h, an all-new compact hybrid that also happens to be a hatchback, the brand that has most directly challenged the traditional …

Kevin · April 14th, 2010

More on Lexus Visit to the Consumer Reports Test Track

The Wall Street Journal has followed up on Toyota’s visit to the Consumer Reports test track: …engineers went to Consumer Reports testing track in Connecticut to try to see what the magazine’s auto engineers had found. Unfortunately, it was a rainy day, canceling the opportunity for testing. In addition, the Consumer Reports tester informed the …

Kevin · April 14th, 2010

Autoblog Analyzes GX 460 Consumer Reports Test

Autoblog resident car engineering writer, Sam Abuelsamid, has posted an analysis of the Lexus GX 460 and the recent Consumer Reports test which led to a warning and the current sales stoppage. Of two emergency handling tests the GX 460 was subjected to, it passed the first, which was a double lane change to evaluate …

Kevin · April 14th, 2010

Lexus HS 250h Wins Ward’s Interior Award

The results of Ward’s Interior of the Year Awards for 2010 have been announced, and the Lexus HS 250h has come away with the award for best Hybrid Car interior—here’s how Ward’s described the judging process: A team of eight Ward’s editors evaluated 40 vehicles that have either all-new or significantly upgraded interiors this year. …

Kevin · April 13th, 2010

Lexus USA & Canada Temporarily Halt GX 460 Sales

Both Lexus USA & Lexus Canada have issued a sales stoppage on the new GX 460 until the stability problem discovered by Consumer Reports is resolved—here is the full press statement from Mark Templin, Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager: “For more than 20 years, Lexus has made customer safety and satisfaction our highest …

Kevin · April 13th, 2010

Consumer Reports Issues 2010 Lexus GX 460 Safety Warning

Consumer Reports has issued a safety warning on the 2010 Lexus GX 460 after standard testing revealed the SUV’s electronic stability control struggled to keep the vehicle from sliding during high speed cornering—this video illustrates the consumer magazine’s findings: Here’s details on the test and the potential safety risk: In the test, as the vehicle …

Kevin · April 13th, 2010

More Video of the Red Lexus LFA

The red Lexus LFA is so fantastic, I don’t even care how shaky this video footage is: Great to see the LFA in such a classic supercar color—can’t wait to see it in yellow for the first time.

Kevin · April 12th, 2010

Lexus IS F Nürburgring Race Team Update

Auto Express senior road tester Owen Mildenhall, who is part of this year’s Lexus IS F Nürburgring race team, has posted an update following the car’s second VLN event at the 35th DMV Nürburgring Race: Since the last race, Lexus’s engineers have been busy adding a revised rear wing, with new end plates, a racing …

Kevin · April 12th, 2010

Lexus RX 450h Review

My three month winter road test of the 2010 Lexus RX 450h wrapped up last month, and it’s safe to say that the experience has changed my opinion of Lexus’ most popular vehicle. It’s not that I didn’t understand the success of the RXh — from a purely practical point, it’s easy to see how …

Kevin · April 11th, 2010

Lexus LFA Wins SP8 Class in 35th DMV Nürburgring Race

Two Lexus LFAs and an IS F competed in this weekend’s 35th DMV 4 hours race at Nürburgring, here are the results: LFA #128 – 17th place (First in SP8 Class) IS F #137 – 71st place (Fourth in SP8 Class) LFA #127 – 105th place (Fifth in SP8 Class) Update: The full results can …

Kevin · April 11th, 2010

Lexus Ranks First in Quarterly U.S. Luxury Sales

With the inclusion of March’s sales numbers, Lexus has finished first in the U.S. luxury automotive sales race for the first quarter of 2010. It’s been a tight race from January through March, with Mercedes-Benz taking the lead in January. As noted by Bloomberg, Lexus’ 42% sales increase in March to 20,219 vehicles sold for …

Kevin · April 8th, 2010

Ad: TOM’s Lexus LS 460GT Body Kit

If you’re a Lexus LS 460 owner looking to go big on customizing your ride, Carson Lexus has just the thing: a rare full TOM’s LS 460GT body kit with custom fenders and a full exhaust: Separately, the body kit, fenders and exhaust retail for $12,189 USD, but by using the coupon code “LEXENT”, you …

Kevin · April 8th, 2010

Lexus IS 250C Review from Autoweek

AutoWeek has posted a editor driver log of the 2010 Lexus IS 250C, and while they gave the convertible marks for its smoothness and features, when it came to styling and and other aspects, they were not as forgiving—first off, senior editor Bob Gritzinger noted the design challenges faced by all hardtop convertibles, and concluded …

Kevin · April 8th, 2010

Lexus Nürburgring Racing This Weekend

The two race-modified Lexus LFAs and IS F scheduled to compete in the Nürburgring 24h race next month will be getting some additional racing experience in the 35th DMV 4 Hours Race this weekend. The Lexus Europe Twitter account promises updates during the race, and to mark the occasion, here are some wonderful photos of …

Kevin · April 8th, 2010

Lexus Hybrid Art Exhibit in Moscow

Lexus Russia held a new Hybrid Art exhibition at the Vetoshny Arts Centre in Moscow in early April, and here’s the official video: The Hybrid Art official site listed multiple exhibits ranging from camera obscura (darkened room) displays to software-generated art and interactive sculpture. Additional exhibit images are on the official Facebook page along with …

Kevin · April 8th, 2010

TLE Exclusive Interview with Lexus CT 200h Chief Designer

Yesterday, I posted an interview-by-email with the Chief Engineer of the new Lexus CT 200h that was arranged by Lexus Europe during the Geneva Auto Show—and now today I bring you a Q&A with the Lexus CT 200h’s Chief Designer, Takeshi Tanabe, about the challenges of translating the LF-Ch concept into a production model: TLE: …

Kevin · April 6th, 2010

Lexus IS 350C F-Sport Photos from Auto Guide

Auto Guide has posted up some photos of the Lexus IS 350C F-Sport special edition announced last month, which means we can get a good look at the new grille & wheels: My guesses were fifty-fifty—the wheel design is the same one from the TRD IS-C from SEMA, but the grille isn’t a direct pull …

Kevin · April 6th, 2010

Lexus IS 250C Consumer Reports Convertible Test

Consumer Reports has published a comparison test of five convertibles: the Audi A5, Infiniti G37c, Lexus IS 250C, Mazda MX-5 Miata, and Mini Cooper S. The Lexus IS and Infiniti G convertibles tied for first place, with an overall score of 77, followed by the A5 at 74—previous tests of the BMW 328i and Volkswagen …

Kevin · April 6th, 2010

Exclusive Interview with Lexus CT 200h Chief Engineer

Although I wasn’t able to attend the Geneva auto show and see the Lexus CT 200h debut in person, I did get a very special chance to virtually interview the two men central to the creation of Lexus’ new hatchback model. By way of the good folks at Lexus Europe, I sent questions by email …

Kevin · April 6th, 2010

Lexus F-Sport Event at New Jersey Motorsports Park

Lexus will be hosting an F-Sport event at the New Jersey Motorsports Park on April 29th—if you’re in the area, here’s your chance to drive the IS F and F-Sport-equipped GS & IS models, and even better, all attendees will have a chance to win a hot-lap in the LFA! Attendance is limited—be sure to …

Kevin · April 5th, 2010

Making of Lexus IS “Hangar” Commercial

A unique behind-the-scenes video of the making of a new Lexus IS commercial for Lexus Canada has surfaced: The commercial features multiple Lexus IS models, and was shot in Miami, FL. The video goes into detail about the background and the effort involved, days of shooting, to produce the IS ad, along with some outtakes …

Kevin · April 5th, 2010

CNN Comparo: Lexus HS 250h vs. Audi A3 TDI

It may be a class-defying comparison (probably should’ve waited till the CT 200h comes out), but CNN put up a comparison of the 35 mpg HS 250h and the 34 mpg Audi A3 TDI. While a sportier character and fold-down seats work in the A3’s favor, the HS has a more techno-rich cabin, produces 15% …

Kevin · April 5th, 2010

Gran Turismo Creator to Race Lexus IS F at Nürburgring 24h

Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi, along with Auto Express’ Owen Mildenhall and ex-Indy 500 star Hideshi Matsuda, will be racing a modified Lexus IS F in the Nürburgring 24 hour race this May. The Lexus-customized IS F—which includes modifications to the suspension, a roll cage, Yokohama tyres, and aero parts like a front splitter, flat …

Kevin · April 4th, 2010

Lexus CT 200h Video from NY Auto Show

Here’s a

Kevin · April 2nd, 2010

Lexus GX 460: The Rushers

The Lexus CT 200h Dark Ride trailer reminded me of The Rushers, the short movie used to advertise the new GX 460. The video featured singer Ryan Leslie, and while I did post up the trailer, I never did link to the full movie—here it is: Looks like The Rushers is a cross between Wanted …

Kevin · April 2nd, 2010

Lexus March 2010 Sales Report

USA The March sales numbers for Lexus USA are in: MONTH Year to Date (*DSR) 2010 2009 % CHG* 2010 2009 % CHG* ES 3,860 3,225 15.1 9,132 8,771 5.5 HS 1,494 0 N/A 3,453 0 N/A LS 894 852 0.9 2,785 2,456 14.9 SC 30 78 -63.0 81 227 -63.8 GS 645 625 -0.8 …

Kevin · April 1st, 2010

Photos from the Lexus Exhibit at the New York Auto Show

TLE friend and Consumer Reports contributor Davis Adams was nice enough to send over some photos of the overall Lexus exhibit at the New York Auto Show: From the Lexus press release describing the exhibit: This year, the exhibit has a modern and stylish feel, with a three-sided marquee emblazoned with Lexus and a sophisticated …

Kevin · April 1st, 2010

Details of the Lexus CT 200h Dark Ride

A piece in the New York Times offers up details about the CT 200h Dark Ride film, produced by MDC Partners-owned firm Skinny, and its marketing philosophy: Suffice it to say the “Dark Ride” driving scenes are so crazy and intense that the trailer begins with a disclaimer that it is “based on fantasy, not …

Kevin · April 1st, 2010

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