DealershipsOfficial EventsUSA

Salvador Dali Exhibit at Newport Lexus

  • Posted by Kevin on June 21st, 2008
If you’re anywhere near Newport Lexus in Orange County, California, you might want to check out their Salvador Dali exhibit, which opened yesterday and runs until June 30th: Salvador Dali at Newport Lexus, Newport Beach, California Friday, June 20 8:30a to 9:00p Largest exhibit of Salvador Dali works ever shown in Newport Beach. More than …

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ConceptsEuropeLexus LFARacing

Extended Video of the Lexus LF-A during Nürburgring 24h Race

  • Posted by Kevin on June 16th, 2008
Japanese racing website Start Your Engines has posted some extended footage of the Lexus LF-A in last month’s Nürburgring 24hour race, with plenty of mysterious Japanese commentary: The racing prototype certainly didn’t seem to struggle against its competitors on the track, which makes me wonder just how well the prototype would have finished without the …

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PhotosSponsorshipsUSA

Lexus at the US Open

  • Posted by Kevin on June 14th, 2008
While covering the US Open in Torrey Pines, golf blogger Geoff Shackelford spotted this Lexus LX 570 “Evacuation Vehicle”: Pretty strange designation, I’m still trying to figure it out. *** Lexus is also sponsoring an invitation-only event tonight on the roof of the Hard Rock Cafe in San Diego, where the US Open is taking …

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ConceptsFutureJapanLexus LF-XhPhotos

The Lexus LF-Xh Concept in Matte Black

  • Posted by Kevin on June 12th, 2008
During his visit to Toyota’s Mega Web complex in Tokyo, Flickr user mujitra took some photos of a matte black Lexus LF-Xh concept (click for larger versions): The matte black paint, especially when combined with that great set of gunmetal wheels, makes this LF-Xh looks very menacing. It’s certainly an interesting way to display its …

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AutoshowsFutureHybridsUSA

New Information on the Lexus Dedicated Hybrid

  • Posted by Kevin on June 11th, 2008
Although Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe announced that a new Lexus dedicated hybrid would be introduced way back in January, Toyota made it official-official in an Automotive News article released today: Toyota Motor Corp. on Wednesday fired a fresh volley in the green car wars, promising two new hybrid vehicles and the start of lithium-ion battery …

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2nd GenerationLexus ESReviewsVideos

Video Review of the 1992 Lexus ES 300

  • Posted by Kevin on June 11th, 2008
Looks like someone’s breaking into their old VHS collection, as Youtube user bajabusta has been steadily posting old segments from Motorweek. First there was the Lexus ES 250 vs. Infiniti M30 footage, and now it’s a review of the newly introduced 1992 ES 300: I always get a kick of these back-in-the-day TV segments, they …

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AdvertisingBrandingSponsorshipsUSAVideos

Lexus Video for the 2008 US Open

  • Posted by Kevin on June 10th, 2008
The 2008 US Open is being played this week, and Lexus is one of the event’s four sponsors. As expected, there’s some fairly extensive Lexus advertising being put together, including a funny short film featuring Annika Sorenstam, Charles Howell III, Raymond Floyd and Chi Chi Rodriguez in a car race to the Open (image below …

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JapanMods

Tom’s New VP17 Lexus Rims

  • Posted by Kevin on June 9th, 2008
Checking out the latest offerings from Tom’s, the Japanese tuning company specializing in Lexus, I came across these fantastic VP17 wheels:
AwardsUSA

Lexus places third in JD Power Initial Quality Study

  • Posted by Kevin on June 4th, 2008
The 2008 JD Power Initial Quality Study has been released, and Lexus has placed third overall and just one point under Infiniti for second place. The lineup is well represented In the individual segments, with both the LS and RX placing first in their respective groups. Here’s a full breakdown: Large Premium Car: LS (1st …

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1st GenerationAudioCanadaLexus IS-FTechWebsites

Lexus IS-F Ringtone

  • Posted by Kevin on June 4th, 2008
The Lexus Canada website is just full of surprises — first we had the web game that led to a secret video, and now TPP reader Jarrett mentions that there’s also an IS-F ringtone available for download. Here’s a preview, though I recommend turning your speakers down: Granted, it’s pretty intense, and only spent about …

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Sales ReportsUSA

Lexus USA May 2008 Sales Report

  • Posted by Kevin on June 3rd, 2008
Lexus sales in the US had another down month, dropping 19.6% since when compared to last May. Here’s the breakdown: 2008 2007 % Change IS250/350/F 5,420 5,722 -8.8 ES350 6,831 8,572 -23.3 GS350/460/450h 1,708 2,043 -19.5 SC430 216 410 -49.3 LS460/600h L 2,115 3,196 -36.3 Total Cars 16,290 19,943 -21.3 RX350/400h 8,082 9,798 -20.6 GX470 …

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3rd GenerationLexus LXSales ReportsUSA

Lexus LX 570 in short supply

  • Posted by Kevin on June 2nd, 2008
The newly designed LX 570 is selling very well in the US. Since its introduction in January, it’s been selling an average of 680 units per month. In fact, Kicking Tires has reported that there’s currently only a four-day supply in inventory: …if you want to order one today, you may have to wait up …

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Site News

Comments Fixed

  • Posted by Kevin on June 1st, 2008
Due to a technical mix-up, comments have been disabled for the past week. The problem is now fixed, and commenting is once again possible. It was a poor time for the comment system to go down, so now with the problem resolved, I’m interested to hear your reactions to my hypothesis that the Lexus LF-A …

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1st GenerationLexus ISVideos

Flickr Find: Zues driving a Lexus IS 300

  • Posted by Kevin on May 28th, 2008
I wouldn’t call this a Lexus video necessarily, but this sped up footage by Flickr user sullivan1985 featuring an IS 300 is still pretty cool: (Direct link to video) Reminds me of this scene from movie Ghost Dog: (As a sidenote, I’ve wanted to post that Ghost Dog clip since I started this site.)
ConceptsEuropeLexus LFARacingSpy Shots

Lexus LF-A Prototype Crash

  • Posted by Kevin on May 27th, 2008
Details have been revealed today that the Lexus LF-A Racing Prototype was involved in some kind of crash during the qualifying session prior to the actual race. Autoblog has some more photos of the smash, but the damage seem to be around the driver-side front and rear bumper. Here’s what it looked like from the …

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1st GenerationLexus ISVideos

Lexus IS 300 Garage Drift Video

  • Posted by Kevin on May 23rd, 2008
Ignoring everything that could have went wrong, this video of a Lexus IS 300 drifting 180° into a garage is just the thing for a Friday afternoon: Really though, that’s a perfect setup, how could you not try that if you had a driveway like that?
FutureHybrids

Lexus planning two dedicated hybrids?

  • Posted by Kevin on May 22nd, 2008
Edmund’s Inside Line blog has definitely living up to its name over the last couple days, first breaking the possibility of a $200,000 Lexus LF-A, and now revealing details that Lexus could be planning to bring out not one, but two hybrid-only vehicles in the near future: Toyota’s upscale Lexus brand is considering the addition …

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2nd GenerationF SPORTLexus ISModsUSAVideos

Lexus F-Sport Exhaust Video

  • Posted by Kevin on May 16th, 2008
One of the accessories available through the new Lexus F-Sport Line of performance parts is a replacement exhaust system for the IS, and here it is fully installed and revving for action: The audio in the video is pretty bad, but it certainly delivers on Lexus’ promise of “powerful, sport-tuned exhaust sound”.  (The exhaust system …

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2nd GenerationConceptsEuropeLexus ISLexus LFAPhotosRacing

Flickr Find: Lexus Nürburgring Duo

  • Posted by Kevin on May 15th, 2008
There’s been plenty of photos of the Lexus IS 250/LF-A duo currently racing in the ADAC Rundstrecken Trophy Endurance series, but I just wanted to feature these two images from Flickr user nordschleifenfan, a photographer seemingly stationed at Nürburgring: nordschleifenfan has put together quite a collection of Nürburgring racing images, be sure to check them …

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2nd GenerationJapanLexus SCVideos

Synchronized Lexus SC 430s

  • Posted by Kevin on May 15th, 2008
It’s with much amusement that I bring this video of a Lexus SC 430 fleet performing a synchronized convertible roof switch: Judging from the characters above the cars, I’d say this is from Japan, and it looks to be close to 20 SCs in the formation. Just remember, fanaticism has many faces. Update: Found another …

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AwardsBrandingCompetitorsUSA

Lexus ranked #2 Luxury Auto Brand in the USA

  • Posted by Kevin on May 13th, 2008
The Luxury Institute has released their annual report on the top prestige auto brands in the USA, and Lexus ranked #2, just behind Porsche and in front of Mercedes. Here’s some details about the survey: The proprietary Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) survey is the only measure of the prestige of leading brands among wealthy …

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ConceptsLexus LFARacingVideos

The Lexus LF-A Racing Prototype in Action

  • Posted by Kevin on May 13th, 2008
The just-revealed IS 250 race car wasn’t the only Lexus to be part of the festivities this weekend, as the LF-A racing prototype also made its debut in the ADAC Rundstrecken Trophy Endurance series. Edmunds reports: The race was run on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, combined with a sprint portion of the famous Grand Prix circuit. …

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2nd GenerationEuropeLexus ISRacingSpy Shots

Mystery Lexus IS Solved

  • Posted by Kevin on May 12th, 2008
The mystery Lexus IS making the rounds round Nürburgring last week turned out to be the most obvious: it was a race car, and it appeared in the ADAC Rundstrecken Trophy Endurance race in Germany this weekend: The TME/Team Gazoo IS competed in the first of seven four-hour endurance races. One six-hour and a 24-hour …

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PersonalSite News

Welcome to The Passionate Pursuit 2.0

  • Posted by Kevin on May 11th, 2008
After extensive development, the new version of The Passionate Pursuit is ready. First thing’s first, if you’ve visited the site any time recently, please be sure to hit the refresh button, otherwise things might look pretty strange. The most significant addition to the site is the Lexus database, which contains every model built by Lexus. …

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PersonalSite News

TPP 2.0 This Week

  • Posted by Kevin on May 10th, 2008
Update: The new site design will be launching Sunday evening, and things will be quiet around here until then. The site will more than likely be down for a few hours on Sunday as we prepare for launch. Thanks for your patience! If you’re a regular visitor to this blog, you may remember the mention …

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1st GenerationComparisonsEuropeLexus IS-FUnited KingdomVideos

Car Magazine Video: Lexus IS-F vs. BMW M3 vs. Mercedes C63

  • Posted by Kevin on May 9th, 2008
UK’s Car Magazine has put in their video vote in the Lexus IS-f/BMW M3/Mercedes C63 race, and it’s probably the least qualitative comparison yet: I’m all for a little character in car reviews, but not to this extent. The gimmicks and poor lap timing method detract from an otherwise enjoyable watch. Surely this isn’t how …

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Uncategorized

Thank you for signing up for The Passionate Pursuit Mailing List

  • Posted by Kevin on May 8th, 2008
Thank you for signing up for The Passionate Pursuit mailing list! You will receive a confirmation email shortly, which requires that you authenticate your email address before your account is activated. You will not receive any emails until you authenticate your account. If you do not receive the email or experience any problems whatsoever, please …

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2nd GenerationLexus ISSpy Shots

Mystery Lexus IS Spotted at Nürburgring

  • Posted by Kevin on May 7th, 2008
Motor Authority’s at it again, this time spotting a camouflaged Lexus IS running the track at Nürburgring. The excessive tape & tarp are definitely hiding something, especially in the hood, where there’s a extra-large engine bulge: Judging by the awkward rear stance and the presence of a roll cage, I’m thinking this is a mule …

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ConceptsInteriorsLexus LFASpy Shots

Lexus LF-A Prototype Interior Spy Shots

  • Posted by Kevin on May 7th, 2008
Motor Authority has scooped some new close-up photos of the LF-A prototypes currently zooming around Nürburgring, including the supercar’s carbon fiber roof (pictured above) and this interior pic (click on either for a larger image): Testing equipment aside, the interior looks very close to the one seen in the LF-A Roadster concept, with the multi-level …

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Sales ReportsUSA

Lexus US Price Increases

  • Posted by Kevin on May 5th, 2008
Lexus vehicles will see a bump in their prices by the end of this month, here’s a full table with the increases: Increase New Price IS 250 Manual $300 $30,855 IS 250 Auto $300 $32,025 IS 250 AWD $300 $34,485 IS 350 $300 $36,305 ES 350 $300 $34,120 SC 430 $900 $66,355 GS 350 $400 …

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Uncategorized

Privacy Policy

  • Posted by Kevin on May 4th, 2008
The Passionate Pursuit Privacy Policy The following is the privacy statement for The Passionate Pursuit. If you have questions please contact us via our contact form. Mailing List You may choose to add your email address to our mailing list via the form on our website. We will never share you email with any third …

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Sales ReportsUSA

Lexus USA April 2008 Sales Report

  • Posted by Kevin on May 1st, 2008
The month of April was not kind to Lexus, as sales dropped 17.1% since last year. Here is, as always, a breakdown: 2008 2007 % Change IS250/350/F 4,550 4,363 -3.7 ES350 5,439 6,544 -23.3 GS350/460/450h 1,568 1,887 -23.3 SC430 217 341 -41.3 LS460/600h L 1,992 3,182 -42.2 Total Cars 13,766 16,317 -22.1 RX350/400h 7,160 7,861 …

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ConceptsLexus LFARacing

More Details on the Lexus LF-A Racing Prototype

  • Posted by Kevin on April 24th, 2008
Easier Motoring has a few more details on the Lexus LF-A racing prototype that will be part of the Nürburgring 24 Hour Race: Testing the vehicle on the famous Nürburgring circuit for 24 hours under gruelling race conditions will provide Lexus engineers with a unique opportunity to acquire knowledge that can be used to further …

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