December 2012 – Lexus Enthusiast

Happy New Year From Lexus Enthusiast

As 2012 draws to a close and I recover from a nasty bout with the flu, I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy New Year.

Kevin · December 31st, 2012

New Details on 2014 Lexus IS 300h Engine

On December 25th in Japan, the all-new Toyota Crown was introduced with the 2.5L hybrid engine that’s expected to power the 2014 Lexus IS 300h.

Kevin · December 31st, 2012

Photo: Next-Generation Lexus IS All Covered Up

Lexus Magazine has posted a new photo of the next-generation Lexus IS, all covered up and ready to make its trip cross-country to Detroit.

Kevin · December 28th, 2012

Lexus Enthusiast Holiday Giveaway Winners

Announcing the Lexus carbon fiber keychain winners.

Kevin · December 28th, 2012

Happy Holidays!

As we enter the festive season, and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of my readers a safe and happy holidays!

Kevin · December 24th, 2012

Lexus Enthusiast Holiday Giveaway!

Please follow this link for your chance to win a Lexus carbon fiber keychain.

Kevin · December 21st, 2012

Milestone: 500,000 Lexus Hybrids Sold Worldwide

Just over 500,000 Lexus hybrids have been sold worldwide since the introduction of the RX 400h in 2005.

Kevin · December 21st, 2012

Lexus of Brisbane Introduces Lexus IS F Race Cars

Australian dealership Lexus of Brisbane has purchased three Lexus IS F-based race cars.

Kevin · December 21st, 2012

Next-Generation Lexus IS Teased in New Video

Lexus has released a new teaser video of the next-generation Lexus IS.

Kevin · December 20th, 2012

Lexus to Debut Autonomous Research Vehicle at Consumer Electronics Show

Lexus will be debuting an “advanced active safety research vehicle” at a press conference the day before the opening of the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Kevin · December 20th, 2012

More Photos of the Final Lexus LFA #500

In honor of the last-ever Lexus LFA, Akio Toyoda visited the LFA Works at the Motomachi Plant in Japan.

Kevin · December 19th, 2012

Edmunds Reviews the 2013 Lexus ES 300h

Edmunds has reviewed the 2013 Lexus ES 300h, and believe “you’ll be hard-pressed to top the Lexus ES hybrid” with its blend of fuel economy and comfort.

Kevin · December 19th, 2012

Lexus Celebrates Charity Goal with Snow Day

To celebrate reaching their $100,000 charity goal for the Boys & Girls Club of America, Lexus USA invited some children to their headquarters for a California snow day.

Kevin · December 18th, 2012

Lexus Fined by NHTSA for Delayed 2010 RX Recall

Lexus will pay a fine of $17.4 million to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for its delay in issuing a safety recall on the 2010 RX.

Kevin · December 18th, 2012

New Lexus RX F SPORT Video from Japan

Lexus Japan has released a new promotional video for the 2013 RX F SPORT.

Kevin · December 18th, 2012

La Presse Previews the Next-Generation Lexus IS

French Canadian auto critic Jacques Duval from La Presse has driven the next-generation Lexus IS, and he has described the handling as “absolutely outstanding”.

Kevin · December 17th, 2012

New Lexus LS Body Kit by Wald International

Japanese tuner Wald International is currently working on an Executive Line body kit for the new Lexus LS.

Kevin · December 17th, 2012

Final Lexus LFA #500 Built, Production Ends

The final Lexus LFA has been built at the Motomachi Plant in Japan, ending the 500 unit run of the supercar.

Kevin · December 17th, 2012

Quick Tour of Calty Design Research

The folks at Lexus UK had an opportunity to tour the Calty Design Research Studio in California, and shared some insights and photos from their experience.

Kevin · December 16th, 2012

Lexus LFA Body Kit by Artisan Spirits

The very first aero package for the Lexus LFA has been released by Artisan Spirits.

Kevin · December 14th, 2012

Jeremy Clarkson: “I Love the Lexus LFA”

For the third time in four months, Jeremy Clarkson has reviewed the Lexus LFA — this time for the Top Gear website.

Kevin · December 13th, 2012

2013 Lexus CT 200h Price Increase in USA

The 2013 Lexus CT 200h will have a starting price of $32,050 in the USA, representing a $2,930 increase over last year’s base CT 200h.

Kevin · December 13th, 2012

Auto Express Drives the Next-Generation Lexus IS 300h

Auto Express has driven the next-generation Lexus IS 300h, and called the new hybrid powertrain “quiet and smooth”, with “impeccable refinement”.

Kevin · December 13th, 2012

Lexus to Replace Interior Trunk Releases in 2007-2013 ES, 2006-2012 IS & 2013 GS

According to Consumer Reports, Lexus is expected to announce a customer service campaign to fix the emergency trunk release in the 2007-2013 Lexus ES, 2006-2012 Lexus IS, and 2013 Lexus GS.

Kevin · December 12th, 2012

Video Preview of the Next-Generation Lexus IS from Australian Drive

Here’s a video of the next-generation Lexus IS prototype from Australian publication Drive.

Kevin · December 12th, 2012

Lexus GS 450h Wins Auto Bild Value Award

Dutch magazine Auto Bild has named the 2013 Lexus GS 450h the best “Upper Class” value in its annual Value Awards.

Kevin · December 11th, 2012

Artisan Spirits Releases Teaser of New Lexus LS Body Kit

Japanese tuner Artisan Spirits will be bringing a customized 2013 Lexus LS to the Tokyo Auto Salon this year.

Kevin · December 11th, 2012

Lexus Check In for Charity Using Facebook & Foursquare

To raise money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America this holiday season, Lexus USA is donating $10 every time you check in using Facebook places or Foursquare.

Kevin · December 10th, 2012

No Higher Powered Lexus CT Until 2017?

According to a GoAuto interview with Lexus International general manager Andrew Kirby, a more-powerful Lexus CT will not be offered until (at least) 2017.

Kevin · December 10th, 2012

National Post: Next-Generation Lexus IS F SPORT Preview

Graeme Fletcher from The National Post has driven the next-generation Lexus IS prototype, and provides a very detailed account of the experience on the autocross course.

Kevin · December 10th, 2012

Jay Leno Drives the Next-Generation Lexus IS Prototype

Along with the traditional automotive media, Jay Leno also had an opportunity to drive the next-generation Lexus IS prototype.

Kevin · December 9th, 2012

Lexus GS Body Kit by Skipper Design

Japanese tuner Skipper has released some mods for the 2013 Lexus GS, starting with a front lip spoiler available in exposed carbon fiber or body-color-matching.

Kevin · December 6th, 2012

2013 Lexus ES 350 & ES 300h Receive Five Star Safety Rating from NHTSA

The 2013 Lexus ES 350 & ES 300h have been awarded a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Kevin · December 6th, 2012

Ars Technica Reviews the Lexus Enform App Suite

One of my favorite technology websites, Ars Technica, spent some quality time with the new 2013 Lexus LS 600hL, and shared some thoughtful impressions of the Enform 2.0 app suite.

Kevin · December 6th, 2012

Lexus IS Hybrid will not be Offered in North America

First mentioned by Car & Driver and then confirmed by Autoweek, the next-generation Lexus IS will not be available as the IS 300h hybrid in North America.

Kevin · December 5th, 2012

Video of the Next-Generation Lexus IS Sound Generator

In the Autoweek.nl preview of the next-generation Lexus IS, the presenter shows off the sedan’s user-adjustable sound generator (around 3:06) — it makes the IS sound like a slightly muted IS F.

Kevin · December 5th, 2012

Video Review of the Next-Generation Lexus IS Prototype

The next review of the 2014 Lexus IS prototype is from Colum Wood of Autoguide, and it’s an excellent video overview of the camouflaged model.

Kevin · December 4th, 2012

Carsguide Drives the 2014 Lexus IS Prototype

Paul Gover from Carsguide also had a test drive in the the next-generation 2014 Lexus IS prototype.

Kevin · December 4th, 2012

Autocar Drives the Next-Generation Lexus IS 300h

In advance of next-generation Lexus IS launch at the Detroit Auto Show in January, some automotive magazines have been given an advance look at the next-generation sedan.

Kevin · December 4th, 2012

Confimed: Next Generation Lexus IS to Debut at Detroit Auto Show

In a short press release, Lexus has announced that the next-generation IS will be revealed at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

Kevin · December 4th, 2012

Video: Lexus LS-Based TMG TS 650 at the Essen Motor Show

While we’re all waiting to see video of TMG’s TS 650 on the road, here’s some footage of the LS-based super sedan at the Essen Motor Show.

Kevin · December 3rd, 2012

Lexus November 2012 Sales Report

Lexus USA has reported total sales of 22,719 for November 2012, a 16.8% improvement over last year.

Kevin · December 3rd, 2012

Chromed 2013 Lexus LS in Florida

The very first chromed 2013 Lexus LS has been spotted at JM Lexus in Florida.

Kevin · December 3rd, 2012

Lexus LFA Nürburgring Road Trip Through the Rocky Mountains

Right before the LFA Nürburgring’s recent race against a jet, Lexus national manager of international training Paul Williamsen had the job of “breaking in” the vehicle in preparation for the competition.

Kevin · December 2nd, 2012

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