July 2010 – Lexus Enthusiast | Lexus Enthusiast

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New Lexus CT 200h Video

Here’s a short but sweet video of the Lexus CT 200h out on the town: I wasn’t crazy about the wheels at first, but the wheel spin pattern is top-notch — exciting to think that pretty soon, a lucky few will be getting a chance to drive this very car in the USA! (Thanks Seal!)

Kevin · July 30th, 2010

Automobile Magazine: Lexus LFA vs. Mercedes SLS AMG

Georg Kacher first wrote a comparison of the Lexus LFA & Mercedes SLS AMG for CAR Magazine, and now he’s expanded on his initial review for Automobile Magazine this month: The Lexus LFA and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG are about as different in approach and ability as a muscular sprinter is from a sinewy long-distance …

Kevin · July 29th, 2010

Lexus LX 470 Recall Announced

A voluntary safety recall has been announced for certain 2003-2007 Lexus LX 470s due to an issue with the steering shaft: Lexus has determined that the construction of the steering shaft on involved LX 470s is such that the snap ring on the shaft may disengage when the vehicle experiences an unusually severe impact to …

Kevin · July 29th, 2010

First British Lexus LS 400 Returns Home

Here’s a neat story from blogger Mike CJ that combines the first-ever UK Lexus LS 400, Twitter and a whole heap of coincidence — here’s a quote but I recommend reading the full article: Way back in 1990, I was still in my 20’s and had recently been appointed to a role as a Training …

Kevin · July 28th, 2010

Swift CC Lexus GS

I remember posting this super-modified Lexus GS at some point, but something this wild deserves a second viewing: Pretty sure that if I saw this in real life, my head would spontaneously explode — that is if the speakers didn’t do the job first.

Kevin · July 28th, 2010

VIP Lexus LS & GS Together

Been going through a lot of old files lately, and I stumbled on this brilliant photo of a VIP’d Lexus LS & GS prowling the streets together: This has to be one of my all-time favorite Lexus shots, I wish I knew who took the shot and where it came from. Has anyone seen it …

Kevin · July 28th, 2010

Lexus CT 200h USA Driving Tour Rescheduled

Due to some unexpected shipping changes, Lexus USA has rescheduled their previously announced CT 200h Driving Tour — here are the revised dates: Chicago Sept. 2, 3, 4 Location TBA New York Sept. 9, 10, 11 Location TBA Miami Sept. 15, 16, 17 Location TBA Los Angeles Sept. 22, 23 Slow Clothing, 7474 Melrose Ave., …

Kevin · July 27th, 2010

Lexus LFA Sets Goodwood Circuit Track Record

As it turns out, Dutch magazine Autoweek set a new Goodwood Circuit track record with the Lexus LFA a couple weeks back — here’s the footage of the lap: According to Fastestlaps, the LFA ran the track at 1:24.8 — almost 3 seconds faster than the second place Nissan GT-R at 1:27.70. Even more impressive? …

Kevin · July 27th, 2010

Red Lexus LFA on the Nürburgring

I literally can not resist posting red Lexus LFA footage: The super-red headliner is the absolute best. Update: I’ve replaced the video with a higher resolution version.

Kevin · July 26th, 2010

Lexus RX 240? Lexus LS 450h?

The Bangkok Post has some engine variation rumors regarding the RX & LS: Later this year, Japan’s top nameplate is set to offer a third engine variant of its RX sport-utility vehicle in the guise of RX270 with 2WD. For the first time, the new entry-level RX would be getting a four-cylinder petrol engine currently …

Kevin · July 26th, 2010

Lexus LFA & Six Nissan GT-Rs

The Lexus LFA has been seen in all sorts of company these last couple weeks — first it was a Supercar Party with all its major competitors, and now it’s out and about with six (!!!) Nissan GT-Rs: My first thought was that some auto mag was trying to be clever — “Which would you …

Kevin · July 26th, 2010

TLE Featured in Lexus Magazine

Here’s something different — Lexus Magazine has published a feature on this very website: [The Lexus Enthusiast]’s key service is to continually aggregate the sea of information out there about Lexus models—your model, or the model you’d like to make your own. By his own admission, site editor Kevin R.E. Watts sifts through a thousand …

Kevin · July 23rd, 2010

The General Lee(xus)

I’m pretty sure no one ever expected to see a Lexus LS 400 painted up like this: This is the General Lee(xus), and it has quite an interesting story — turns out this old LS is an entry into Bangers4BEN, a charity event in the UK for “helping the automotive and related industries provide care and support for …

Kevin · July 22nd, 2010

2011 Lexus Release Schedule

Lexus USA has published a general schedule for their 2011 lineup — here’s what we can expect for the rest of this year: Summer The 2011 GS arrives at dealers with no changes from the 2010 model, save for the new brake override system. Late Summer The new IS 350 AWD will debut along with …

Kevin · July 21st, 2010

New Black Lexus LFA Spotted!

A shiny black Lexus LFA has been spotted in Japan: I’m thunderstruck — that’s one sinister supercar.

Kevin · July 21st, 2010

Lexus LFA Concept Wallpaper from Top Gear

While looking for an image to use with the previous post, I came across this fantastic Lexus LFA concept wallpaper from Top Gear, and just had to post it: Select Resolution: 1680×1050 | 1440×900 | 1280×1024 | 1280×800 | 1024×768 Still love those headlights — funny how the LED strip is being added to the …

Kevin · July 20th, 2010

Bangkok Post Interviews Lexus LFA Chief Engineer

There’s a quick interview with Lexus LFA Chief Engineer Haruhiko Tanahashi in the Bangkok Post, and part of it addresses the decision to use an automated manual gearbox in the supercar instead of a DSG: – Have you considered a dual-clutch automatic gearbox for the LFA? I’ve tried Volkswagen’s DSG around Nurburgring. Although it must …

Kevin · July 20th, 2010

2011 Lexus IS F Details

After adding a limited slip differential last year, Lexus continues to improve the IS F in the 2011 model year by refining the power steering and improving the suspension: To improve responsiveness and ride comfort, in addition to providing the driver with more control, engineers revised the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system and suspension. With …

Kevin · July 20th, 2010

2011 Lexus ES 350 Details

After a minor refresh last year, the Lexus ES 350 is virtually the same for 2011, but for one change — the recommended gasoline rating has dropped to 87-octane: 2011 ES 350 customers will continue to enjoy a smooth and quiet ride as the cost of ownership is reduced. With the new fuel recommendation of …

Kevin · July 19th, 2010

Lexus LFA Goodwood Circuit Laps

During the Goodwood Festival a couple weeks back, Lexus let a series of journalists sample the LFA on the Goodwood Circuit. The car was set up to record the laps in full detail, and now three journalists have published their videos online: And the longest one by far, a full 15 minutes of LFA racing …

Kevin · July 19th, 2010

Lexus CT 200h U.S. Driving Events

Update: These tour dates have been moved, here are the new dates. Last week, Lexus announced that Los Angeles residents would get be getting a chance to drive the CT 200h prototype — and now it’s been confirmed that this event will be making its way to three other cities around the country. Here are …

Kevin · July 19th, 2010

Supercar Party with the Lexus LFA

Looks like we can expect a new Lexus LFA comparison in an automotive magazine some time in the near future: Just for the record, there’s a Mercedes SLS, Porsche GT3 RS, Lamborghini LP 570-4 Superleggera, and Ferrari 458 Italia along with the LFA — imagine passing that combo on the side of the road. (Thanks …

Kevin · July 16th, 2010

2011 Lexus IS F-Sport Package

Lexus USA will be offering an F-Sport option package on all RWD IS 250/IS 350s that borrows from the IS F — here’s what’s included: An all-new suspension with tuned steering New 18″ alloy wheels with a dark super-chrome finish A front lip spoiler and a rear deck spoiler Dark super-chrome front grille F Sport …

Kevin · July 16th, 2010

2011 Lexus IS Official Details

Lexus USA has announced details on the 2011 IS, and as expected, the model will be receiving some minor updates for new year: The HID headlights have been redesigned and now include LED daytime running lights. Update: HID lights are optional on the IS 250 and standard on the IS 350. The front grille & …

Kevin · July 16th, 2010

Lexus Electric Supercar?

According to Motor Trend, Toyota President Akio Toyoda has signed off on the development of a Lexus electric supercar: The car is expected to produce more than 500 horsepower and would sprint from 0 to 60 mph in around 4 seconds. The car is expected to produce more than 500 horsepower and would sprint from …

Kevin · July 15th, 2010

1997 Lexus GS Commercial: Something Wicked This Way Comes

To introduce the second generation GS, Lexus played up a sinister theme to match what was then “the world’s fastest automatic sedan”: After the modest success of the first GS, the second generation was a massive hit right from the start, with over 30,000 first year sales and a strong reception from the automotive press …

Kevin · July 15th, 2010

Lexus LX 570 ASI Invader Video

A couple months ago, we saw our first glimpse of a super-modified version of the Lexus LX 570, the ASI Invader, and now we have video of the extreme SUV (Warning: turn down your volume, extreme wind noise): It still looks absolutely insane, but the black exterior mutes it somewhat as compared to the earlier …

Kevin · July 14th, 2010

My.IS TO2kX Meet in Toronto

Members of My.IS & Club Lexus gathered last weekend in Toronto, Ontario for some time at the track and a highway cruise: There’s plenty of photos to look through in the My.IS thread — this one caught my eye with the red: Looks like a fun event, I’m hoping to attend myself next year. (Thanks …

Kevin · July 14th, 2010

NHTSA Update on Lexus Sudden Acceleration Investigation

According to the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. Department of Transportation has analyzed a number of Toyota & Lexus black boxes taken from vehicles involved in “sudden acceleration” accidents, and have discovered that drivers were accidentally pushing the acceleration pedal instead of the brake: The results suggest that some drivers who said their Toyota and …

Kevin · July 13th, 2010

Lexus CT 200h Art Installation

Lexus has commissioned an CT 200h art installation to be displayed at this summer’s Darker Side of Green debates: Entitled CT Umbra, the installation shifts in color as the viewer circles it, from gold to tints of green and blue, which brings a nice touch of the LF-Ch concept. The art installation was created by …

Kevin · July 13th, 2010

Drive the Lexus CT 200h in Los Angeles!

Lexus is holding a three day CT 200h event in Los Angeles & Venice, California to showcase their newest hybrid and give attendees the chance to actually drive the prototype — here are the full event details: Be among the first in the world to experience the new CT 200h prototype at a location near …

Kevin · July 13th, 2010

Lexus SC 430 Drift

Although it ends production this month, the Lexus SC 430 is the platform for a new Lexus-sponsored drifting program: Built by A’PEXi USA & VIP Auto Salon and driven by Ryuji Miki, the Lexus SC430 Drift debuted last month at a Formula D event in Wall, NJ, and will be competing throughout this racing season. …

Kevin · July 12th, 2010

Tesla Building Electric Lexus RX Prototype?

Toyota & Tesla are now two weeks into their partnership (in which Toyota purchased a $50M stake in Tesla), and it’s rumored that their first joint-project will be converting a Lexus RX to a full electric prototype: Tesla said July 10 that it will deliver two prototypes vehicles to Toyota this month without identifying the …

Kevin · July 12th, 2010

Red Lexus LFA at Goodwood

The folks over at Autoblog.nl had a chance to drive the red Lexus LFA at Goodwood and put together a fantastic review: There’s a real enthusiasm to the review, and at the end of the video, the presenter shows off his observed fuel economy: 5.4MPG (43.4l/100km), which isn’t all that surprising given the type of …

Kevin · July 11th, 2010

Fifth Gear Drives the Lexus LFA

Fifth Gear host Tiff Needell spent some time in the Lexus LFA driver seat for this week’s show (watch it quick as it’s likely to disappear shortly): Now that has to be one of the most earnest and enjoyable LFA reviews we’ve seen yet — “This is mental fun,” he says while powersliding all over …

Kevin · July 9th, 2010

Live Lexus CT 200h Video!

And now for our first video look at the Lexus CT 200h in Brown Spice Mica (just a warning, you may want to turn down the volume): The CT looks great on the road, even if the color isn’t my favorite — and just how good is this car going to look with bigger wheels, …

Kevin · July 8th, 2010

Full Lexus Engine Recall List

Lexus USA has filed its official papers (PDF Link) for the LS/IS/GS valve spring recall, here is the full list of affected vehicles: Also included in the recall document is a timeline of how the valve spring fault was discovered, which I’m reprinting here in full after the jump. (Thanks FYI!)

Kevin · July 8th, 2010

Lexus Facebook Fan Takes a Ride in the LFA

Lexus Europe brought one of their Facebook fans along for a ride as racing driver Takayuki Kinoshita took an LFA up the hillclimb at last weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed — here’s the footage of winner Olivia’s experience: You have to give Olivia credit for keeping it together — gotta love the smiles on both …

Kevin · July 8th, 2010

Lexus Darker Side of Green Debates

Lexus will be hosting more environmental debate/dance parties as part of the “Darker Side of Green” campaign for the CT 200h: Designed to inspire a new audience to consider luxury hybrid vehicles, the debates will be moderated by some of entertainment’s most intriguing personalities, including Andy Samberg, Jamie Kennedy, Tracey Morgan, and Mark McGrath. They …

Kevin · July 7th, 2010

Keeping Perspective on Lexus Recall

Bloomberg is reporting that Lexus has been aware of the engine problems behind the recent recall since 2007: The carmaker received the first customer complaints in March 2007 in Japan regarding defective valve springs that may cause engines to stall, Toyota spokeswoman Ririko Takeuchi said by phone today from Tokyo. The problem occurs when foreign …

Kevin · July 7th, 2010

Lexus LS 400 Hooning with Fifth Gear

Just before using it as a prop in a Fifth Gear segment, presenter Jonny Smith decided to give this LS 400 a most un-Lexus-like farewell: A twenty-year-old car that sat untouched in a barn for two years and started up no problem — and this is how it’s rewarded: That’s just plain sad.

Kevin · July 6th, 2010

Lexus LFA Commercial: Octave Harmony

There’s a new Lexus LFA commercial to watch: Although it’s strictly a remix of the previous commercial and the LFA launch video, it does a great job at explaining a key element of the LFA’s appeal — the wonderful sound of that engine.

Kevin · July 5th, 2010

Lexus LFAs at 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed

The Lexus LFA made an appearance at the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed in England this weekend, were it took part in the event’s famous hillclimb (driven by James Baggott from Car Dealer Magazine): The #50 LFA from the Nürburgring 24h race was also there, and both sported black armbands in honor of deceased test …

Kevin · July 4th, 2010

More on the Lexus Engine Recall

Lexus USA will be formally submitting their recall of approximately 138,000 Lexus vehicles next week with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall will apply to certain 2006, 2007 & 2008 GS, IS, and LS models equipped with 4.6 and 5.0L V8 and 3.5L V6 engines. Here’s the full breakdown: GS 350: 2007-2008 GS …

Kevin · July 2nd, 2010

Drifting the Lexus ES 350

In what is only the latest automotive craziness to come out of the Middle East, I bring you the drifting Lexus ES 350: I don’t even know if you could call that drifting — more like absolute utter madness. (Totally off-topic, but Starfire Pearl with panoramic glass roof is probably my favorite ever color/option combo.)

Kevin · July 2nd, 2010

Lexus Confirms Engine Recall

Toyota has announced that there will be a recall on 270,000 Lexus (and one model Toyota) worldwide — from The New York Times: Toyota will recall a total of 90,000 Lexus and Crown sedans in Japan, and is “making preparations to take similar, appropriate actions” for 180,000 more cars that carry the same engine worldwide, …

Kevin · July 1st, 2010

Lexus June 2010 Sales Report

USA USA June sales are in — here’s a full model-by-model breakdown: MONTH Year to Date (*DSR) 2010 2009 % CHG* 2010 2009 % CHG* ES 3,366 3,918 -14.1 22,009 20,363 8.8 HS 603 0 N/A 6,492 0 N/A LS 739 806 -8.3 5,650 4,857 17.1 SC 39 82 -52.4 186 485 -61.4 GS 539 …

Kevin · July 1st, 2010

Potential Lexus Engine Recall

Toyota has announced today that they may be recalling 270,000 Lexus cars after discovering a problem with the 4.6L V8 and 3.5L V6 engines used throughout the lineup — from the Wall Street Journal: The auto maker has found a problem with the valve spring of 4.6 liter V8 engines and 3.5 liter V6 engines …

Kevin · July 1st, 2010

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