AutoshowsConceptsEuropeF SPORTFutureHybridsLexus CTh: First GenerationOfficial Events

Lexus CT 200h Confirmed for Geneva Auto Show

  • Posted by Kevin on February 12th, 2010
Lexus has confirmed that the LF-Ch concept will be released as a production model at the Geneva Auto Show in March—named the CT 200h, the luxury compact hatchback will be equipped with Lexus’ second-generation Hybrid Drive, bringing the total number of hybrids in the lineup to five and opening the Lexus brand to a whole …

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Toronto Auto Show Coverage

  • Posted by Kevin on February 10th, 2010
I’ll be attending the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto today and will be bringing you coverage of the Lexus exhibit along with plenty of photos (as usual). My major focus will be taking interior photos—every single interior picture I snapped at the Detroit Auto Show didn’t turn out due to my insistence on using …

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PersonalSite News

(Re)Introducing the New TLE Comment Moderator

  • Posted by Kevin on February 9th, 2010
Much to my excitement, The Lexus Enthusiast community has been growing steadily over the last few months. There’s now dozens of frequent commenters with diverse insight and strong opinions, and it’s been one of my favorite things to watch as the site builds in popularity. In order to best serve this community, I’ve asked frequent …

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VAISTech Releases Lexus VLine LED Lights

  • Posted by Kevin on February 9th, 2010
VAIS Technology, makers of the premier Lexus iPod integration kits, have announced that their VLine LED light kit is now for sale—here are some photos: LED daytime running lights are finding their way into all sorts of cars since Audi pioneered the look—the 2010 LS is even sporting a similar strip. Best part about these …

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Lexus Japan RX 350 & RX 450h Special Options

  • Posted by Kevin on February 8th, 2010
Lexus Japan is offering a two unique customization options for the Lexus RX 350 & RX 450h, starting with this aggressive under-spoiler: Hard to judge with only the front-end visible, but it’s similar to the LX 570 Sport Luxury package we saw last week in that it doesn’t seem to fit all that well. The …

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FutureHybridsIn the News

Looking at Lexus Design

  • Posted by Kevin on February 7th, 2010
There’s an interesting column by Eddie Alterman at Car & Driver—I recommend reading the whole thing, but here’s some choice quotes: …try to figure out what an IS F could possibly be doing next to an HS250h hybrid. Or why the LFA, a bona fide super-premium super-GT, looks like somebody’s old Supra that crashed into …

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Wald’s Executive Line Lexus LS 460

  • Posted by Kevin on February 5th, 2010
For the Tokyo Auto Salon, Japanese tuner company Wald International outfitted a 2010 Lexus LS 460 Sport with their Executive Line body kit and Renovatio wheels: Wald’s tendency to overcomplicate the simple Lexus design is too over-the-top for my tastes, especially with the front-fender vents and the massive 22” Renevatio wheels, but it isn’t hard …

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Lexus HS 250h to be Part of Toyota Prius Brake Investigation

  • Posted by Kevin on February 5th, 2010
Taking the upmost caution in the face of increasingly ridiculous media attention, Toyota has announced that the Lexus HS 250h will be investigated alongside the 2010 Toyota Prius for a software glitch that is causing problems with Toyota’s hybrid braking—even though the two models don’t even use the same software: The mechanical parts that make …

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Lexus LX 570 Sports Luxury Package Released in Australia

  • Posted by Kevin on February 4th, 2010
The 2010 Lexus LX 570 is getting the sports treatment down under, as Lexus Australia is releasing the supersize SUV with a muscular body kit as part of new Sports Luxury package: There’s something ill-fitting about that front bumper and the way it overlaps, but I do like the reverse trapezoid air intake mirroring the …

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In the News

A Note on the Recent Toyota Recall

  • Posted by Kevin on February 3rd, 2010
In order to head off the emails I’ve been receiving over the last couple days regarding Toyota’s recent accelerator pedal recall—it is important to note that this is strictly a Toyota issue and does not affect any Lexus car or SUV. There was a Lexus ES 350 & IS 250/350 recall announced in December regarding …

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ConceptsEuropeFuturePhotochops

BILD Builds a Blue Lexus LF-Ch

  • Posted by Kevin on February 2nd, 2010
As part of their article on the Lexus LF-Ch today, German newspaper BILD did a little photochopping and came up with a blue production rendering, with real side mirrors and some minor softening of the front-end—I can see the production model retaining a variation on the concept’s grille, but think the front bumper will be …

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Sales ReportsUSA

Lexus January 2010 Sales Report

  • Posted by Kevin on February 2nd, 2010
USA The January sales numbers for Lexus USA are in: January Year to Date 2010 2009 % CHG 2010 2009 % CHG IS 2,203 2,400 -0.6 2,203 2,400 -0.6 HS 1,247 0 N/A 1,247 0 N/A ES 2,923 2,971 6.6 2,923 2,971 6.6 GS 529 898 -36.2 529 898 -36.2 SC 24 73 -64.4 24 …

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FeaturesHybrids

Inside Lexus Hybrid Drive

  • Posted by Kevin on January 31st, 2010
Note: The following interview with Lexus Hybrid Drive chief Shinichi Abe was written by Doug Knox for Lexus Magazine, and is reprinted with permission. WHEN THE LEXUS Hybrid Drive project first received the green light in the early 2000s, Shinichi Abe, the man about to inherit the biggest thing at Lexus at the time, admits …

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Lexus Mega Meet in Miami This Weekend

  • Posted by Kevin on January 29th, 2010
Looks like this is the week for Lexus enthusiasts in the Miami area—first there was the F-Sport event at the Homestead-Miami Speedway on Wednesday, and now this Sunday, the JM Lexus dealership will be hosting the Lexus/Supra Mega Meet, a massive Lexus gathering with hundreds of cars on display. View the Event Flyer or Visit …

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Lexus F-Sport Event @ Homestead-Miami Speedway

  • Posted by Kevin on January 29th, 2010
Wednesday’s Lexus F-Sport Event at the Homestead-Miami Speedway has come and gone, but some of those lucky enough to attend have published their photos & videos from the track, including some beautiful LFA shots from Eric Ho: Be sure to check out his full gallery on Flickr—some very nice 1SC & 2GS photos from the …

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Looking at the 2010 Lexus LS 600hL Instrument Panel

  • Posted by Kevin on January 28th, 2010
I really love the look of the new TFT instrument panel in the 2010 Lexus LS 600hL: There was also these images from yesterday’s L-Select LS 600hL photo gallery from Japan: {embed=“site/gallery” gallery_id=“1543”} The IP’s central circle theme is a much cleaner approach than the traditional two dial display, and brings to mind the LFA’s …

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Lexus LFA Roadster Rendering

  • Posted by Kevin on January 28th, 2010
Dutch website Autogespot has put together a photochop of a production Lexus LFA Roadster, merging elements of the final production car and the 2008 LFA roadster concept: How far of a stretch would it be to expect an LFA Roadster to follow the LFA coupe? It would certainly help to recoup the V10 engine development …

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1st GenerationJapanLexus LS HybridLexus LS: Fourth GenerationModsPhoto GalleriesSpecial Editions

Lexus L-Select LS 600hL from Japan

  • Posted by Kevin on January 27th, 2010
Photos of the L-Select customization program offered by Lexus Japan have been hard to come by—that is, until I was sent the link to this absolutely massive LS 600hL gallery with one of the unique L-Select trims. Here’s just a small selection: {embed=“site/gallery” gallery_id=“1539”} Just look at these detail shots: I’m not sold on the …

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ConceptsFutureOfficial EventsUSA

Lexus LF-Ch Survey Results

  • Posted by Kevin on January 27th, 2010
If you’re a regular TLE reader, you may remember the LF-Ch online survey that Lexus USA conducted last September—here are the final results: Very clearly, the front-end design is a hit with the 3,281 voters—more than half liked a combination of the front and front 3/4 angles. No surprises here—the LF-Ch is certainly sporty & …

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Lexus SCLexus SC: Second GenerationReviews

Ode to the Lexus SC 430

  • Posted by Kevin on January 25th, 2010
Here’s a fantastic article on Automobiles De Luxe praising the Lexus SC 430 and its “clean beauty”—author Gunnar Heinrich manages to capture the very thing that made the sports convertible special, no matter what its critics may say. Read this story
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Motorweek Reviews the Lexus GX 460

  • Posted by Kevin on January 25th, 2010
Motorweek has posted up their 2010 Lexus GX 460 video review: You can definitely see the effect of the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) on the handling—the lack of body roll is surprising given the speed in the corners—which is a nice counter-balance, bringing that expected Lexus luxury to the body-on-frame underpinnings. As a bonus, …

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Lexus Taiwan Commercial: Perfect

  • Posted by Kevin on January 24th, 2010
Prepare yourself for what may be the greatest Lexus garage setup ever: Classic. The only thing, the car selection’s a little dated—I think my four-Lexus rotating garage would comprise of: LFA, GS 450h, LS 460 AWD & a GX 460 for the wife. How about you?
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Lexus & Ryan Leslie Team up for GX 460 Ad Campaign

  • Posted by Kevin on January 22nd, 2010
Lexus USA will be launching a new advertising campaign for the 2010 GX 460 during next month’s BET Honors ceremony—the commercial will feature RNB artist Ryan Leslie and has a very cinematic vibe—here’s a sneak peek: Along with the teaser clip, Lexus has released a behind-the-scenes interview with Ryan, who looks to fit the role …

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F SPORTFutureInteriorsJapanLexus LFALexus SCLexus SC: Second GenerationSpecial Editions

Lexus SC 430 to End Production, Japanese Special Edition Revealed

  • Posted by Kevin on January 20th, 2010
Lexus has announced that the SC 430 will cease production in July, ending the nine-year run of the second generation sports coupe. To mark the occasion, Lexus Japan will be offering a special, limited edition dubbed The Eternal Jewel, which will bring an extreme level of customization to both the interior & exterior color choices, …

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VIP Auto Salon Lexus HS 250h @ The Detroit Auto Show

  • Posted by Kevin on January 18th, 2010
The modified Lexus HS 250h at the Detroit Auto Show was the centerpiece of the entire Lexus exhibit. Put together by Clark Ishihara and VIP Auto Salon, the HSh is decked out in Branew—front under-spoiler, side skirts, rear under-spoiler, trunk spoiler, stainless steel muffler, and the 20” wheels all come from the Japanese tuning company. …

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AutoshowsFeaturesPersonalUSA

Lexus @ NAIAS Detroit Auto Show

  • Posted by Kevin on January 8th, 2010
The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit opens its doors on Monday, and while Lexus won’t be debuting any new vehicles or concepts this year, they will be trying something new with their exhibit—from the press release: Gone is the previous two-story structure with sweeping staircase. This year, the exhibit has a “landscape” …

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Lexus Milan Design Week Retrospective

  • Posted by Kevin on January 6th, 2010
When Lexus’ L-Finesse design language debuted in 2005, it also marked the first year of the the company’s involvement with the annual Milan Design Week in Italy—and now, Lexus Magazine has posted a retrospective of the various exhibits over the last five years. It was at the Milan Design Week last year that the transparent …

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Lexus LFA on Top Gear

  • Posted by Kevin on January 3rd, 2010
Earlier today, the Lexus LFA made its Top Gear appearance—first off, you can watch The Stig’s lap around the track (likely on Youtube for a limited time only): The LFA, in wet track conditions, made it around the track in 1:22.3, which beat the Lamborghini Gallardo as the fastest wet lap on the show so …

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Personal

Happy New Year!

  • Posted by Kevin on December 31st, 2009
2010 is ringing in all over the world, I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish all of you a Happy New Year! Much happened over 2009—we saw the introduction of the LFA right in the middle of an automotive market meltdown, the LF-Ch and the promise of a compact Lexus, the long awaited …

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Uncategorized

Poll: Favorite Lexus of the 2000s

  • Posted by Kevin on December 31st, 2009
As we prepare for the new year, let’s take a moment to look back on the decade that was by voting on the top Lexus of the 2000s: For me, this was a hard choice between the third generation LS & first generation GS hybrid, but after much deliberation, the GSh won out: On its …

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Personal

Happy Holidays!

  • Posted by Kevin on December 24th, 2009
The festive season has arrived, and I would like to take this opportunity to wish every one of my readers a safe and happy holidays! Regular posting will resume December 28th with a report on how the RXh handled the holidays, along with some year-end wrap-ups and what to expect in 2010. All my best, …

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2010 Lexus RX 450h Long Term Report: Week 1

  • Posted by Kevin on December 21st, 2009
Last week, I took the delivery of my first long-term road test vehicle from Lexus Canada—a 2010 Smoky Granite Mica RX 450h: This is the full deal—an RX 450h with the Ultra Luxury package that includes Heads-Up Display, rear entertainment system, LED headlights, and fifteen-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. As far as I can tell, …

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