FutureLexus IS F: First GenerationLexus RC F: First GenerationRumors

Lexus to Introduce Manual Transmission RC F & IS F?

Lexus may release a IS F and RC F with a manual transmission, according to recent Motoring Australia interview with Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) business operations director Rob Leupen: One project Leupen revealed was the development of what he called a manual-shift gearbox (presumably a dual clutch) for the new generation RC F/IS F drivetrain. …
EuropeLexus LFARacing

Nürburgring 24h Race: Lexus LFA Updates

Toyota President Akio Toyoda will be one of the four drivers racing the Gazoo Racing #48Lexus LFA in the 41st annual Nürburgring 24 hour race this weekend in Germany, joining the team of Takayuki Kinoshita, Hiroaki Ishiura, & Kazuya Oshima. The LFA will be racing in the SP8 class. A second prototype #53 LFA Code …
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Photo Gallery: The Lexus RC F GT3 Racing Concept

Lexus International has released a new photo gallery of the RC F GT3 concept: Developed over two years by Lexus International and subsidiary Techno Craft, the RC F GT3 concept is powered by a modified version of the RC F’s V8 engine that produces 540+ hp (397kw). The race car is wider and lower than …
Lexus LFAMods

Video: Lexus LFA on 20″ Vossen VFS-2 Wheels

Vossen Wheels has released a new video featuring the customized Lexus LFA from Japanese tuner LEXON: The wheels here are the new Vossen VFS-2s, which are built using flow forming technology that allows for a greater range of widths. The LFA is running with 20×10.5 up front and a 20×12 rear for the maximum concave …
Lexus SC: Second Generation

Updated Safety Recall Announced for 2002-2003 Lexus SC 430

Lexus USA has issued a voluntary safety recall for the 2002-2003 Lexus SC 430 due to an issue with the front passenger airbag — here’s a description of the problem: The involved vehicles are equipped with front passenger airbag inflators which could have been assembled with improperly manufactured propellant wafers.  Improperly manufactured propellant wafers could …
USAWebsites

Lexus USA Launches New Website Design

This weekend, Lexus USA launched a fully redesigned website that reflects the brand’s new design direction — here’s an example vehicle page: The new site is modern, responsive to all screen sizes, and very easy to understand — excellent work by the development team, be sure to check it out. Visit the new Lexus USA …
Lexus RC: First Generation

BEYOND Story: The Lexus RC 350

The Lexus RC is the subject of the latest BEYOND story on the Lexus International website: The RC will fill a long-standing gap in the Lexus lineup. “When we looked at the freshly carved model of this car, we were immensely excited because we were doing what hadn’t been done before: making a coupe,” recalls …
CanadaSales ReportsUSA

Lexus May 2014 Sales Report

USA Lexus USA has reported 26,921 total sales for May 2014, a 16.6% improvement over last year — here’s the model-by-model breakdown: MONTH Year to Date (*DSR) 2014 2013 % CHG* 2014 2013 % CHG* CT 1,762 1,623 4.5 6,816 6,039 12.0 IS 4,403 1,897 123.5 19,641 8,867 119.8 ES 6,523 5,890 6.6 27,662 27,813 …
AwardsUnited Kingdom

Lexus Named Top Overall Brand in 2014 What Car? J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Survey

Lexus & Jaguar have tied for the top ranked brand in the 2014 What Car?/J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Survey, an annual study of British automotive consumers. The survey looks at overall vehicle satisfaction, and is based on four key areas: vehicle appeal, vehicle quality and reliability, ownership costs and dealer service satisfaction. 15,000 vehicle owners …
Lexus RC: First GenerationPhotochops

The Lexus RC as a Four-Door Coupe

Photochopper Theophilus Chin has created a four-door Lexus RC GT similar in concept to the BMW 4-Series Grand Coupe: Have to say, this is a real stunner — however unlikely it is that Lexus would ever release such a vehicle, I think it should be considered after seeing this rendering. What do you think? [Source: …
CanadaDealerships

Drive a Lexus Home from the Montréal-Trudeau Airport

Montreal-area Lexus dealerships are now offering vehicle test-drives from the Montréal-Trudeau airport, driving you home after returning from a trip: In setting up their test drive at the Lexus lounge prior to departure, guests will choose from a variety of Lexus vehicles, including the CT 200h, ES 300h, IS, and RX.  When their return flight …
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More Information on the Lexus CT BG Concept

Japanese website Response.jp has more photos of the Lexus CT BG Concept from the Beijing Motor Show last month: The CT BG, or CT Black Gold, was built by Lexus China — I received some additional information on this concept: Q: What is the concept of CT BG show car? A: The concept of this …
Lexus GS: Fourth GenerationUSA

Lexus USA Announces Recall of Select 2013 Lexus GS 350 Models for Brake Pedal Assembly Issue

Lexus USA has announced a planned voluntary safety recall of approximately 10,500 model year 2013 GS 350 sedans due to an potential issue in the brake pedal assembly: The brake pedal assembly in the subject vehicles contains a brake pedal load sensing switch which allows the brake system to detect brake pedal force application by …
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Video: Lexus RC F on the Track

There’s a new video interview with Lexus RC F chief engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi, and it features some excellent footage of the RC F on the track: Right from the release of the IS F, it’s been clear that Yaguchi-san had a plan for Lexus performance — excited to see how that vision presents itself with …
EuropeLexus IS: Third GenerationPhoto GalleriesSpecial Editions

Lexus Spain Releases Special Edition IS F SPORT for Lexus 25 Year Anniversary

Lexus Spain has released a special edition IS F SPORT to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Lexus brand — the car debuted at the Madrid Auto Show today, here are some photos from Autonocion: As expected, this IS special edition has the TRD body kit installed — other exterior upgrades include the RC-style carbon …
Lexus NX: First GenerationVideos

Video: The Lexus NX Driving Experience

Lexus International has released a new video detailing the driving dynamics of the new NX: Project manager Kei-ichi Nishiyama is bold in his description of the NX driving experience, which should bode well for the final vehicle handling — it’s a great sign that the IS sedan was used as a benchmark in development.
CanadaDealerships

A Visit to Regency Lexus in Vancouver

Last month, I visited the new Regency Lexus dealership in Vancouver, British Columbia, as part of a trip through Western Canada. Taking up a full block in the downtown core of the city, the 17,000 square-foot facility is one of the first in Canada to be built to the new global dealership design standard.
JapanLexus HSh: First GenerationPhoto GalleriesSpecial Editions

Special Edition Lexus HS 250h Now Available in Japan

Lexus Japan will release a special edition HS 250h in June with the exclusive Harmonious Leather Interior II package. The interior features black & white leather with violet highlights, along with beautiful birds eye maple & ash wood trim — here are some photos: Any exterior color can be chosen, though an exclusive Starlight Black …
AwardsEurope

Lexus Leads Customer Satisfaction in Sweden & Norway

Lexus was named the top brand in Auto Index 2014, an annual survey of Norwegian & Swedish car owners that measures vehicle quality, dealers, service and loyalty. In the Norwegian survey, Lexus achieved a record total score of 910/1000, and topped all four categories for the third year in a row. In Sweden, Lexus also …
CanadaVideos

Video: Lexus Canada Autoshow Display Timelapse

Here’s a quick timelapse video of the Lexus Canada display being built at the Toronto Auto Show: I attended the auto show this year in Toronto, and the Lexus setup was great — the shared global design really works. (Thanks Karen!)
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BEYOND Article: The RC F Performance Path

The latest issue of Lexus BEYOND Magazine arrived in the mail today, and I’m proud to announce that I have a story in the USA edition. It’s the article on how previous Lexus performance models influenced the RC F super-coupe — the Lexus Drivers website has the full text online: Despite its implied adrenaline-charging sensibilities, …