October 2014 – Lexus Enthusiast | Lexus Enthusiast

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Lexus USA Website Updated with RC 350 & RC F Information & Photos

The Lexus USA website has been updated with both the RC 350 and the RC F, including all new photos of the coupes. RC 350 & RC 350 F SPORT Photos RC F Photos Visit the Lexus USA RC website & RC F Website

Kevin · October 31st, 2014

Lexus USA Releases 2015 RC App for Apple & Android

Lexus USA has released an app for the 2015 RC — it’s similar in tone & features with previously released models, but for the first time it’s available for Apple and Android devices. My favorite feature with these apps are the side-by-side comparisons with competitors — here are screenshots with the RC 350 & BMW …

Kevin · October 30th, 2014

Video: Motor Trend Compares the Lexus RC F & BMW M4

Motor Trend has published a new video comparing the Lexus RC F & BMW M4, and it’s fantastic from start to finish: (Hard to fault anything in this video — it’s very matter-of-fact and even-handed. Really, the differences between the two cars seem so small, and that’s a victory for Lexus if you ask me.)

Kevin · October 30th, 2014

Lexus RC F Convertible Announced at Dealer Meeting?

Autoguide is reporting that an RC F convertible was announced at the Lexus USA National Dealer Meeting in Los Angeles this month: News of the new model was announced at the recent Lexus USA National Dealer Meeting in Los Angeles where the brand also celebrated its 25th anniversary a source, who wishes to remain anonymous, …

Kevin · October 29th, 2014

First Photos of the Lexus RC F CCS-R Race Car

The very first photos of the Lexus RC F CCS-R race car have been posted by Japanese website Response — here are some of the images: There are no solid details quite yet, but Lexus F chief engineer Yukihiro Yaguchi did discuss the track-optimized RC F with Motoring Australia: Yaguchi confirmed the two RC Fs …

Kevin · October 29th, 2014

Lexus Chief Engineer Wants NX F High Performance Crossover

Lexus NX chief engineer Takeaki Kato shares some interesting details in an interview with Australian website GoAuto: [The 2.0-litre turbo] engine looks set to provide sparkling performance in the NX 200t, but an even more potent version has not been ruled out by Mr Kato – an amateur motor racer in his spare time. He …

Kevin · October 28th, 2014

Lexus Dominates Consumer Reports Reliability Rankings

Lexus has finished first overall in the annual Consumer Reports Reliability rankings, with nearly every model leading in its respective category. The IS 350 took top spot in Luxury Compact Cars, and the CT 200h & ES 300h finished first and second in Hybrid/Electric Cars. The LS 460, ES 350, and GS 350 were first, …

Kevin · October 28th, 2014

Car & Driver Reviews the 2015 Lexus NX 300h

Steve Siler from Car & Driver has [reviewed the 2015 Lexus NX 300h]( Steve Siler from Car & Driver has reviewed the 2015 Lexus NX 300h: Hushed as a prep-school library, the NX300h lets a mere 71 decibels of noise into the cabin at wide-open throttle and only 68 when cruising at 70 mph (the …

Kevin · October 28th, 2014

Notes from the 2014 Lexus USA National Dealer Meeting

The Toyota Driver’s Seat blog has posted a recap of the recent Lexus USA National Dealer Meeting, which took place in Los Angeles and celebrated the brand’s 25th anniversary: There were enticing previews of commercials for the RC and NX, coming to Lexus showrooms within the next two months. There was Akio Toyoda inspiring …

Kevin · October 27th, 2014

Lexus Short Films 2014 Now Online

After a summer making the rounds at international film festivals around the world, this year’s Lexus Short Films are now available for viewing online. Operation Barn Owl The first film is Operation Barn Owl, directed by Satuski Okawa and co-written by Ken Ochiai. The story is tough to describe without giving too much away — …

Kevin · October 27th, 2014

New Lexus NX Commercial from Australia

Lexus Australia has released their new NX commercial, and it’s a good one: (Really like the end screen graphics on this commercial — very nice spindle grille to Lexus logo transition.)

Kevin · October 27th, 2014

Photo Gallery: Lexus LFA at Fuji Speedway

German magazine Sport Auto travelled to the Fuji Speedway in Japan for one last lap with the Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition. The full German language article can be read here — I really liked the accompanying photos: See the full Sport Auto article (Thanks Jimbo!)

Kevin · October 26th, 2014

New Lexus RC F Video from Japan

The RC F has also officially launched in Japan — the Lexus Japan website has been updated, and there’s a new track video well worth watching:

Kevin · October 24th, 2014

TRD Japan Releases Lexus RC F SPORT Aero Kit

Official Lexus tuner TRD Japan has released images of the world’s first RC F SPORT aero kit: The kit starts off with a front underspoiler and side skirts: There’s a carbon fiber rear spoiler and a rear diffuser with a quad-exhaust muffler setup: A set of 19-inch forged aluminum wheels complete the options: The front …

Kevin · October 23rd, 2014

New Lexus RC F SPORT Video from Japan

The RC & RC F SPORT have officially launched in Japan — the Lexus Japan website has been updated, and a new (and unusual) video has been released:

Kevin · October 23rd, 2014

Lexus IS 350 F SPORT Participates in Car & Driver’s Lightning Lap Test

The Lexus IS 350 F SPORT participated in the 2014 edition of the Car & Driver Lightning Lap, and performed quite well: Finally, a world-class sports sedan from Lexus. Its weakness here is power, or lack of it, relative to weight. With 12.2 pounds for each one of its 306 quiet, Camry-hum horsepower (alas, it’s …

Kevin · October 22nd, 2014

Lexus NX Scores High in Motor Trend SUV of the Year Award Rankings

The Lexus NX was a finalist in the Motor Trend SUV of the Year award rankings — here’s a quote from Jonny Lieberman’s write-up: The looks were obviously polarizing, and that’s exactly the point. You don’t make your mini-ute look like a mashup of a Cylon and Predator because you want a wallflower. [Editor Angus] …

Kevin · October 22nd, 2014

Video Tour of the Lexus RC F

For anyone looking to purchase a Lexus RC F in the USA, here’s Ming-Jou Chen from Lexus College with a five-minute tour of the new super coupe:

Kevin · October 21st, 2014

More Photos of the Widebody Lexus RC Coming to SEMA

The Rocket Bunny Lexus RC will have its official reveal at the SEMA show in a couple weeks, but in the meantime, two new images have been released: (The first image was released last week — here’s the link in case you missed it.) The widebody RC is a collaboration between LexusTuned, GReddy, Toyo Tires …

Kevin · October 21st, 2014

2015 Lexus LS 460 Information

The USA edition of the Lexus LS 460 will have minor changes for the 2015 model year. The biggest update to the flagship sedan is the new navigation system with predictive traffic information, ETA calculation and low-fuel coordination with available fuel stations. Navigation also includes the subscription-free Lexus Enform App Suite and features bird’s eye …

Kevin · October 20th, 2014

Top Gear Magazine Reviews the Lexus RC F

Pat Devereux from Top Gear Magazine has reviewed the Lexus RC F: Driver friendly? Yep, pretty much. It might use some fearfully complicated electronic systems to make up for some of its chassis shortcomings, but they work perfectly on the road and almost perfectly on the track. That’s not a bad balance. The RC F …

Kevin · October 20th, 2014

Lexus Revisits Plans to Introduce Brand in India

Lexus has recently revived its plans to introduce the brand to India, where the luxury car market is booming due to a growing economy. The brand has been looking to enter the Indian market since 2007, but halted plans in 2012 due to high import taxes and a slow automotive market. Cars imported to India …

test · October 19th, 2014

Video: Lexus RC F Goes for Official Nürburgring Lap Time

Let’s finish up the week with this quick glimpse of a Lexus RC F & IS F on an attempt to set the coupe’s official Nürburgring lap time: (It’s all so subjective with a video like this, but doesn’t the RC F look so much faster than the IS F? Wow.)

Kevin · October 17th, 2014

Lexus Dealership Employees Sing Iggy Azalea’s Fancy

I attended the grand opening of the new Lexus of Oakville dealership last week, and just before the ribbon-cutting ceremony, owner Frank Apa had some fun and played this music video featuring the dealership employees: Funniest Lexus video I’ve seen in a while, and extremely well done to boot — great work by everyone involved! …

Kevin · October 17th, 2014

Lexus USA Releases NX 200t & NX 300h Pricing

USA pricing for the Lexus NX was announced today, with the NX 200t starting at $35,405 and the NX 300h at $40,645. Front-wheel drive is standard on both models, and adding all-wheel drive will add $1,400 to the price of the NX 200t and $1,590 to the NX 300h. Standard features include power seats, a …

Kevin · October 16th, 2014

Lexus Poland Celebrates NX Arrival with Donuts

NX shipments have started arriving across Europe, so Lexus Poland decided to celebrate the occasion with some GS 450h donuts around the delivery trucks:

Kevin · October 16th, 2014

Lexus NX 200t & NX 300h Performance Tested by Motor Trend

Jonny Lieberman of Motor Trend has posted the first third-party performance figures for the Lexus NX, and has this to say: Here’s the big takeaway: While not an athlete, the NX is still a pretty groovy little trucklette, never mind the hybrid version that will only account for 10 percent of total sales. Going up …

Kevin · October 15th, 2014

Global Lexus Hybrid Sales Since 2005

Toyota announced today that the company’s total hybrid sales have passed the 7 million unit mark, and have released a complete model-by-model breakdown for all regions. Here’s how Lexus hybrid models have sold since their introduction in 2005: Model Global Sales Japan North America Europe LS 600h/LS 600hL 37,700 25,400 3,000 4,600 GS 450h/GS 300h …

Kevin · October 15th, 2014

Lexus Announces Recall for Fuel Delivery Pipe Issue

Lexus has announced a recall of select Lexus models due to an issue with the fuel delivery pipe. The models affected are the IS 250, IS 250 C, IS F, GS 300, GS 460, GS 450h, LS 600h, LS 600hL and LS 460 manufactured between January 2005 and September 2010. Lexus has found that some …

Kevin · October 15th, 2014

Custom Seafoam Green Lexus RC F to Debut at SEMA

After a week of voting, Lexus USA Instagram followers have chosen how the SEMA-bound RC F project car will be customized: Each part of the build was voted on — here are the winning choices: Seafoam Green Exterior 20-inch Forged Vossen CVT wheels Nitto Invo tires Black Brembo brake calipers Lexon Exclusive gun metal gray …

Kevin · October 14th, 2014

Is Lexus Planning a Sub-NX Compact Crossover?

Lexus International president Tokuo Fukuichi discussed the possibility of a crossover smaller than the NX with Australian website GoAuto: Meanwhile, discussing a possible sub-NX crossover for the Japanese luxury brand to compete against the Mercedes-Benz GLA and BMW X1, Mr Fukuichi said it would depend on whether Toyota had the appropriate platform to share. “We …

Kevin · October 14th, 2014

Photo Gallery: Lexus NX 200t F SPORT in Seattle

Lexus Europe has released a massive collection of NX photos as part of their press launch in Seattle — I’m going to break the photos up by model, starting with the NX 200t F SPORT. NX 200t F SPORT Exterior NX 200t F SPORT Interior

Kevin · October 13th, 2014

What Should the Next-Generation Lexus SC Look Like?

For the cover of their latest issue, Best Car has taken a guess at what the rumored next-generation Lexus SC might look like. The Japanese magazines have standardized on a look for this new Lexus super-coupe — compare the image above with this rendering from Holiday Auto: Before the RC F was released, I would …

Kevin · October 13th, 2014

Lexus IS 350 F SPORT Wins Road & Track Sports Sedan Comparison

Road & Track has compared the Lexus IS350 F SPORT, BMW 335i, Cadillac ATS V6, and the Infiniti Q50 — here’s the result: From the moment we sunk into the black-on-black interior, we were struck by how determinedly idiosyncratic the IS 350 seems. There are deep seats with handsome stitching set in an angular collection …

Kevin · October 12th, 2014

Video: The Inspiration Behind the Lexus Color Palette

Here’s a Lexus International video profile of color designer Momoko Okamoto, who’s responsible for many of the unique colors used on Lexus models: (I might have seen a glimpse of the now-discontinued Daybreak Yellow exterior color used on the CT 200h — could you imagine that color on an IS or NX?)

Kevin · October 10th, 2014

Create Virtual Lexus RC F with New Augmented Reality App

Lexus Japan has released a very cool augmented reality app featuring the RC F GT500 — here’s how it works: The required app for your smartphone is called DAUB, and it’s available for both iOS & Android devices — you also need to download & print this PDF. I tried it out with my daughter, …

Kevin · October 9th, 2014

Lexus ES 350 Production in Kentucky to Start by Late 2015

The Lexus manufacturing plant in Georgetown, Kentucky is getting ready for the production of the ES 350, with much of the construction required for the new 307,310 square-foot facility either completed or in progress. Equipment at the existing plant will also be improved to facilitate production, and staff is also undergoing extensive training for assembly …

test · October 9th, 2014

Three Lexus Models Top List of Worry-Free Vehicles

The Cars.com website has released a list of the top 15 worry-free vehicles to own, and Lexus models make up the top three places: the Lexus RX 450h was first place, followed by the ES 350 & Lexus RX 350. The LS 460 was also included at #13, meaning that Lexus models accounted for almost …

Kevin · October 8th, 2014

2015 Lexus GS 450h F SPORT Package Now Available in USA

The 2015 Lexus GS has been added to the Lexus USA website, and includes the full details on the new-to-USA GS 450h F SPORT package. The new hybrid F SPORT package includes 19-inch staggered-width alloy wheels, larger front brakes with hi-friction pads, and an F SPORT tuned version of the standard Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) with …

Kevin · October 8th, 2014

Photo Gallery: Matte Silver Lexus LFA on the Open Road

During a recent visit to OpenRoad Lexus in Richmond, British Columbia, I managed to convince the dealership to take their in-store LFA out on the *ahem* open road. Being right outside of Vancouver, Richmond is a busy place and it was difficult getting the LFA up to speed — however, we did manage to find …

Kevin · October 7th, 2014

Rocket Bunny Lexus RC F SPORT Coming to SEMA

Japanese tuner Miura from TRA Kyoto will be developing a Rocket Bunny Lexus RC F SPORT for SEMA this year, and has released the image above as a teaser of things to come. (Can’t wait to see this car — Miura-san has a unique way of doing things, I recommend everyone read this profile over …

Kevin · October 7th, 2014

Lexus To Build Modified RC F with Help from Instagram Followers

Lexus USA is tapping its Instagram followers to decide how an RC F will be modified for this year’s SEMA auto show in Las Vegas: 1) Drift – Rear drive and V8, the RC F was basically built to get sideways. Should we strip it out, cage it, and let it realize its destiny? 2) …

Kevin · October 6th, 2014

PETRONAS TOM’S Lexus RC F Wins Super GT Round 7

The PETRONAS TOM’S racing team of Kazuki Nakajima & James Rossiter have won the Super GT Round 6 GT500 class in the #36 Lexus RC F. The race took place at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand. This is the second round in a row that the PETRONAS TOM’S racing team have won. Here are …

Kevin · October 6th, 2014

Lexus CT Owner Blog: The First Modification

After three months of ownership, I’ve made my first modification to the CT 200h: It might be a little difficult to see from this photo, let’s highlight the mod in red: That’s right, I made an adjustment to the cupholder, using a strip of foam to reduce the rattling of my water bottle. Living dangerously, …

Kevin · October 5th, 2014

Lexus GS F Prototype Spotted on Nürburgring

The new Lexus GS F prototype has been spotted getting some laps in at the Nürburgring — from World Car Fans: (Looking forward to the eventual GS F prototype video, if only to hear the engine note — have to figure it’s going to be the same RC F V8, perhaps with a minor horsepower …

Kevin · October 5th, 2014

Lexus to Build a CT-Based Sedan?

Lexus is considering a CT-based compact sedan, according to a Motoring Australia interview with Lexus International president Tokuo Fukuichi: “This is also a new product that … we consider about the possibility in the market. We have a chance to develop something like this,” said Fukuichi, who is also the global design chief of Toyota …

Kevin · October 3rd, 2014

Lexus Creates Virtual Reality RC F Simulator

Lexus has created a virtual RC F simulator using the Oculus Rift headset — here’s a look at the video experience in stereo: The RC F Rift simulator will be playable at upcoming auto shows, beginning at the Orange County Auto Show this week. There will also be stops at SEMA & the LA Auto …

Kevin · October 2nd, 2014

Photo Gallery: Lexus RC F SPORT in Vancouver

My friend Kevin Uy had a chance to photograph the Lexus RC F SPORT in Vancouver recently, and the results are superb: (Be sure to check out Kevin’s portfolio website, plenty of great photos there.) [Source: Kevin King Uy Facebook]

Kevin · October 2nd, 2014

Lexus September 2014 Sales Report

USA Lexus USA has reported 21,852 total sales for September 2014, a 7.3% improvement over last year — here’s the model-by-model breakdown: MONTH Year to Date (*DSR) 2014 2013 % CHG* 2014 2013 % CHG* CT 1,078 798 29.5 13,585 11,440 18.8 HS 0 0 N/A 0 5 -100.0 IS 3,611 3,201 8.1 37,038 22,060 …

Kevin · October 1st, 2014

BEYOND Magazine Feature: The Lexus RC F GT3 Race Car

Lexus International has just published a BEYOND Magazine feature on the RC F GT3 race car and chief engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi: And “Lexus’s latest carbon fiber technology has been applied wherever appropriate,” says Yaguchi, “to keep the car’s weight to a minimum.” He continues: “With attention to detail in mind, we’ve fine-tuned everything from the …

Kevin · October 1st, 2014

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