Lexus LFA Challenge Event at Fuji Speedway

Stop what you’re doing and watch this video — it’s pure LFA madness: Just to count them off: There’s a Black, White, Red, Yellow and a brand new (what looks to be) Grey LFA all racing the Fuji Speedway in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Toyota Motorsports Festival. Absolutely amazing — that Black …

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Kevin · November 30th, 2010

Lexus December to Remember Commercials

It’s likely that US readers are more than a little familiar with the latest round of Lexus December to Remember commercials, but I’ve just seen them for the first time: The house in the last commercial is crazy, but not half as crazy as receiving a car for Christmas — no way I’d be able …

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Kevin · November 30th, 2010

More Details on Lexus Customer Dinner Parties

In order to gain insight into consumer perception of the brand, Lexus USA General Manager Mark Templin has been arranging dinner parties for both current and previous buyers in their own homes — Automotive News has the details: Lexus Division boss Mark Templin figures the best way to get up close and personal with his …

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Kevin · November 29th, 2010

2014 Lexus IS?

Road & Track is reporting that the next-generation Lexus IS will debut in 2013 as a 2014 model: The reason, according to our sources, is that work has started on a new 4-door sedan based on the FT-86 platform. …this car will be built atop a stretched version of the FT-86 chassis. Toyota boss Akio …

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Kevin · November 29th, 2010

Gran Turismo 5 Lexus LFA Video

Just in case you haven’t the Lexus LFA tearing up the track in Gran Turismo 5 yet, here’s a video by CoolColJ24 that shows the LFA buying process in the game and its dealer demo: Here’s a quick preview of the new photo creation option, along with a full behind-the-wheel lap of Nürburgring: I bought …

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Kevin · November 29th, 2010

Lexus LFA Oil Pastel Desktop Wallpaper

Out of left field, I know, but how about this Lexus LFA oil pastel sketch by our very own World of Luxury? It makes for a great desktop wallpaper: Select Resolution: 1680×1050 | 1440×900 | 1280×1024 | 1280×800 | 1024×768 Color me impressed! *** I’d also like to take an opportunity to wish all my …

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Kevin · November 26th, 2010

Lexus IS F: Gran Turismo 5 vs. Reality

With Gran Turismo 5 being released today, auto writer Dan Lyons tells the story of his experience racing with Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi at this year’s Nürburgring 24h race, and how their laptimes compared in GT5: …while Yamauchi was playing out one of his dreams – to drive in a real Nürburgring 24-hour race …

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Kevin · November 24th, 2010

Five New or Updated Lexus Hybrids by 2012?

Earlier this year, it was announced that Toyota would be releasing 6 new hybrids by 2012 (four from Toyota and two from Lexus), and now Automotive News is reporting that a total of 11 new or redesigned models will be available in that same timeframe, along with a new focus on turbochargers: Toyota Motor Corp. …

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Kevin · November 23rd, 2010

Repainting the Lexus LFA

The Pearl Grey Lexus LFA revealed at SEMA earlier this month has led an eventful life — going from its Matte Black days at the 2009 LFA launch in Miami to its commercial appearance in Starfire Pearl — and now we can see just how the supercar transforms from shade to shade, courtesy of Lexus …

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Kevin · November 23rd, 2010

Joe Bacal’s Lexus LX 570 Tire Test

While on the topic of Joe Bacal’s Lexus LX 570, here’s a look at the super-modified SUV testing out a new set of tires: What a monster.
Kevin · November 22nd, 2010

Joe Bacal’s Lexus LX 570 Wins Baja 1000 Race

JTGrey Racing’s Lexus LX 570 has won the Stock Full class of SCORE Baja 1000 after a hard-fought race that saw plenty of adversity for Joe Bacal & his team: “I felt great and we were making excellent time until a wheel came loose around mile 180,” said Bacal. “The loose wheel caused some damage …

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Kevin · November 22nd, 2010

Lexus CT 200h in Black

While on the topic of the Lexus CT 200h, here are a few photos of the black CT 200h taken at the September press launch in France (click for a larger version): The best part about the last picture is that the brick wall is actually the bottom of a castle.
Kevin · November 19th, 2010

Lexus CT 200h Media Presentation

AutoNetwork has posted the full video of a recent Lexus presentation on the CT 200h, and it has plenty of information on how the new hybrid hatchback will be sold in the US. Be forewarned, this is the full hour long presentation, but Brian Bolain & Charles Hubbard keep it interesting: CT 200h Overview CT …

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Kevin · November 18th, 2010

Lexus to Join Australia’s V8 Supercars Racing Series?

Fans of the Australian V8 Supercar series may one day see a Lexus lined up beside the Holdens and Fords: Toyota’s luxury brand Lexus could be on the V8 Supercar grid in 2012 under the category’s new Car of the Future rules, which aim to remove the stranglehold that Holden and Ford have on the …

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Kevin · November 18th, 2010

Forza 3 Lexus LFA Giveaway

Not to be outdone by the recent Gran Turismo screenshots of the Lexus LFA, here are some exceptional “photos” from the Forza 3 version of the supercar from Flickr user WeezyMac: Pure fantastic, the realism is just unbelievable — be sure to check out the other screenshots in WeezyMac Flickrstream. *** Speaking of the Stig’s …

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Kevin · November 17th, 2010

Interview with Lexus IS Chief Engineer Junichi Furuyama

Lexus Magazine has an interview with IS Chief Engineer Junichi Furuyama and his thoughts on the new 2011 update– here are some select quotes: “There is more emphasis on the car’s individuality than before,” says Furuyama. “Take the headlights. The daytime running lights, where fitted, use L-shaped LEDs that are constantly illuminated when you’re driving …

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Kevin · November 16th, 2010

Lexus Gran Turismo 5 Car List

To say I’m excited about the upcoming release of Gran Turismo 5 would be an extreme understatement, and now these in-game screenshots of the Lexus LFA have me calculating the seconds until the game hits stores on November 24th: The LFA isn’t the only Lexus available in GT5, here’s the full list of the eighteen …

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Kevin · November 16th, 2010

Hiromu Naruse on the First-Gen Lexus IS Development

Stumbled on an insightful speech given by the late Hiromu Naruse, Master Test Driver of Toyota, at a Toyota Altezza/Lexus IS 300 owners event at the Fuji Speedway in 2007 — here are some direct quotes that detail his part in the car’s development: After enhancing the rigidity, I test drove 2,000 km for two …

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Kevin · November 16th, 2010

Lexus Project GS on Air Runners

The Lexus Project GS by 5Axis also made an appearance at SEMA earlier this month, and it was sporting a new Air Runner suspension — here it is in action: Seeing this car at the Air Runners booth was one of my highlights of Las Vegas — in fact, during my visit to Lexus of …

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Kevin · November 15th, 2010

Online Chat with Lexus USA’s Mark Templin (Live)

With the Facebook & Twitter online chat with Lexus USA General Manager Mark Templin scheduled to begin in just under a hour from now, I thought it would be a good idea to set up a place to follow along. I will be updating this post with direct quotes from the Q&A session, along with …

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Kevin · November 12th, 2010

Lexus GS 450h Photos: Cryogenic

Down the street from my house is Industrial Cryogenic Enterprises Ltd., which is basically an old, (seemingly) abandoned garage out in the middle of nowhere. Not only does it make me think of cryogenically frozen Futurama heads every time I pass, but it’s also the perfect place to take grunged-out car photos — so that’s …

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Kevin · November 12th, 2010

Dinner with Lexus USA General Manager Mark Templin

Speaking of meals with Lexus General Manager Mark Templin, he recently made a visit to a customer’s home to discuss Lexus & its competitors, along with sharing a meal — here’s a short clip of the visit: Between this and tomorrow’s online chat, we’re certainly seeing an evolution in the conversation between Lexus & its …

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Kevin · November 11th, 2010

Virtual Lunch with Lexus USA General Manager Mark Templin

This Friday, Lexus USA Vice President and General Manager, Mark Templin, will be taking part in a special online chat on Facebook & Twitter, and will be available to answer any questions you may have about Lexus, past, present or future. Even better, Lexus has asked me to provide a question to start off the …

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Kevin · November 10th, 2010

Adam Carolla Drives the Lexus LFA

Radio personality & one-time Top Gear USA presenter Adam Carolla had a chance to talk with Lexus’ Paul Rohovsky about the LFA — here’s the full 20 minute video of their discussion: It’s during these types of walkarounds when you really get a feel for the level of detail and attention put into the LFA …

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Kevin · November 10th, 2010

Two Lexus Models in US Federal Fuel Economy Top Ten

Here’s something — The US Environmental Protection Agency has released its Top 10 Fuel Economy Leaders for 2011, and two Lexus models made the cut. The HS 250h placed fifth with a 35 mpg average, and the RX 450h FWD ranked ninth at 30 mpg, which is impressive given the SUV’s size and power. The …

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Kevin · November 10th, 2010

Lexus LFAs at Fuji Speedway

During a recent visit to the Fuji Speedway, JDM news site 7Tune stumbled onto two Lexus LFAs performing some “secret” track testing, and managed to snap a few photos: The exact reasons for the tests wasn’t revealed, but the lack of a center cap in this photo suggests it may have something to do with …

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Kevin · November 9th, 2010

Lexus IS Precision Tour in New York

If you’re anywhere near Monticello Motor Club in New York, I have some excellent news — this Saturday, Lexus USA is kicking off the IS Precision Tour, which means track-time with both the 2011 IS 350 & IS F! There will be six two-hour sessions throughout the day, and one lucky participant from each group …

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Kevin · November 8th, 2010

Lexus LX 570 with Orange Leather Interior

According to Drive Arabia, the Middle East edition of the 2011 Lexus LX 570 is offered with an orange leather interior: Far too intense for my liking, but unique enough that I can see the appeal — though I wouldn’t be holding out for this option to be available in North America any time soon. …

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Kevin · November 8th, 2010

Lexus CT 200h Darkcasting Episode 1

The first episode of the Lexus CT 200h Darkcasting talkshow hosted by Whitney Cummings is up, and it’s a tour around New York with DJ Harley Viera-Newton, author Baratunde Thurston, and chef Carlo Mirarchi: Besides repeated usage of the backup camera, the CT 200h plays a supporting role in the videos, and according to an …

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Kevin · November 8th, 2010

Lexus RX Commercial: Photocopier

The Lexus RX goes on the offensive in this new commercial: Bringing competitors into the mix is something that we saw last month in the IS & ES commercials, and it signals a new, more aggressive direction in Lexus advertising. Cool concept, too.
Kevin · November 8th, 2010

Red Lexus LFA in Toyota City

Last month, the red Lexus LFA made an appearance in Toyota City, Japan — here’s a couple videos from the event: No matter how many videos I watch of this red Lexus LFA, it’s never enough — absolutely breathtaking. [Via: Club Lexus]
Kevin · November 5th, 2010

Car & Driver Comparison: Lexus LFA vs. Ferrari 599 HGTE

As proof that anything can happen once, Car & Driver has declared a Lexus the winner in a comparison — even more shocking, it was the LFA against the Ferrari 599 HGTE: The Ferrari is beautifully made and trimmed, but it isn’t quite as special inside as the LFA. The Lexus feels more athletic than …

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Kevin · November 5th, 2010

Video Tribute to Hiromu Naruse

Lexus has published a touching video tribute to Toyota Chief Test Driver, Hiromu Naruse: The very core of Toyota’s sporting hertiage, Naruse-san will be deeply missed by the company and all of its fans. May he rest in peace.
Kevin · November 4th, 2010

Lexus October 2010 Sales Report

USA A little late to the party, but here are the Lexus USA sales figures for October 2010: MONTH Year to Date (*DSR) 2010 2009 % CHG* 2010 2009 % CHG* ES 5,153 4,413 21.1 39,113 37,844 4.2 HS 792 1,527 -46.2 8,754 3,312 166.4 LS 1,202 804 55.0 9,489 8,192 16.7 SC 15 41 …

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Kevin · November 4th, 2010

More Lexus SEMA Photos

After two intense days at SEMA and a poorly thought-out red-eye flight, I’m now back at home safe & sound — there’s been plenty of Lexus news released over the last few days that I’ll be working through, but first I want to point you towards some photos I took at SEMA for Lexus Magazine …

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Kevin · November 4th, 2010

SEMA: Day 1 Photos

Perhaps I should have expected it, but SEMA has turned out to be a whirlwind of activity, with little time to do much but take photos and move along to the next exhibit. First off, the LFA was unveiled at the CEC booth yesterday with two different wheel styles: The passenger-side ten-spoke alloys were a …

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Kevin · November 3rd, 2010

Lexus SEMA Video Preview

SEMA starts in an hour, but before the doors open, here’s a great HD video preview of the Lexus SEMA cars: I’ll be at the show today with a plan to update throughout the day and take plenty of photos, so if you have any picture requests, please let me know!
Kevin · November 2nd, 2010