Lexus RC Official Photo Gallery

Along with the launch video, Lexus has released a new set of RC coupe photos — let’s divide it up into a couple different groups. Lexus RC in Silver Lexus RC in Red Lexus RC Interior Lexus RC Technical Images Looking through these photos, the car looks much better in person — more sculpted, much …
Kevin · November 20th, 2013

Video: Introducing the All-New Lexus RC Coupe

Lexus has released the launch video for the new RC coupe, and it’s a wild one: Related in style to the Lexus IS launch in January, this video is full of random, near-terrifying imagery — meteors crashing to earth, shrieking foxes, sparkling blood, there’s nothing off-limits. It’s so out of control that I found myself …
Kevin · November 20th, 2013

2014 Lexus RC Information

There’s going to be a lot of new information on the Lexus RC over the next few days — I’ll have a full live photo gallery and an interview with RC chief engineer Junichi Furuyama shortly — but let’s start with the press release and a collection of official photos.
Kevin · November 20th, 2013

Live Coverage: Lexus at the Tokyo Motor Show

The Lexus RC coupe will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show today, and I will be in the Big Sight convention center with live coverage throughout the day. The press conference will also be broadcast live starting at 6:30pm EST/3:30pm PST — here’s the video player: You can follow along with my live coverage in …
Kevin · November 19th, 2013

Lexus RC 500 F Trademark Registered in Canada

According to My.IS moderator k3vo, Lexus has filed for the RC500 F trademark in Canada due to a possible name conflict over RC F: …there was a Canadian trademark application that was previously filed November 3, 2010, by Weir-Jones Engineering Consultants Ltd. of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, for the mark “RCF” which covers products like …
Kevin · November 18th, 2013

Joe Bacal & Lexus LX Win Stock Full Class in 2013 Baja 1000 Off-Road Race

Joe Bacal’s JTGrey racing team have won the Stock Full class of the SCORE International Baja 1000 with their Lexus LX racer. This marks the third time in five years that JTGrey have won the 1,000 mile off-road race through Mexico’s Baja peninsula — the team finished the race in 29 hours and 21 minutes …
Kevin · November 18th, 2013

Lexus RC Debuts at Special Event in Tokyo

In a surprise move, Lexus unveiled the RC sports coupe at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan sumo stadium in Tokyo tonight. Getting proper photos in the party people atmosphere was difficult, so I decided instead to focus on details and leave the more extensive photo galleries until tomorrow’s official debut at the Motor Show: With a limited …
Kevin · November 18th, 2013

2013 Tokyo Motor Show Trip: A Visit to Japan

The Lexus RC will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show this week, and I’m here in Japan to bring you live coverage of the new coupe’s reveal. Along with the Motor Show, the week in Japan will be full of activities — among the highlights is to the Fuji Speedway to drive some unusual F …
Kevin · November 17th, 2013

Interview with Lexus LX Baja 1000 Racer Joe Bacal

This weekend, Joe Bacal & the JT Gray team will once again be racing the Baja 1000 with their Lexus LX racer — earlier this month, Lexus Enthusiast contributor Tim Esterdahl spoke with Joe about the LX was built for off-road racing. Lexus is known for its quality and nobody probably knows that better than …
Kevin · November 15th, 2013

Lexus Designer: “LF-NX is a Lightweight Fighter”

The second issue of Lexus’ BEYOND Magazine will soon be published, and the Lexus International website has a preview of the feature LF-NX story: “To use boxing terminology, the LF-NX is a lightweight fighter,” says designer Nobuyuki Tomatsu when asked to describe the latest Lexus concept car, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. …
Kevin · November 15th, 2013

Video: Cruising Estonia in the Lexus IS 300h F SPORT

Time to take a little break and cruise Estonia in the Lexus IS 300h F SPORT: This video was produced by the Lexus Tallinn dealership in Estonia, and it’s extremely well done — the quality reminds me of a less intense Vossen video. (Thanks Taavi!)
Kevin · November 14th, 2013

Will Lexus Ever Build a Diesel SUV?

Will Lexus ever make a diesel SUV? According to a Drive Australia interview with Lexus International executive vice president Mark Templin, there is a remote possibility: Templin also reaffirmed the brand’s aversion to diesel engines, despite soaring sales of diesels in other luxury marques. “At Lexus we don’t have plans for diesel at the current …
Kevin · November 14th, 2013

Personalized Live Lexus Video from Tokyo Motor Show

As part of the RC 350 coupe reveal next week at the Tokyo Motor Show, Lexus is running a social media initiative through Twitter & Vine: On the 21st, send your tweet to Lexus via Twitter – using the Twitter hashtag #LexusInTokyo – with your request for an up-close view of the design details of …
Kevin · November 13th, 2013

More Lexus F High-Performance Models in the Works?

Lexus International executive vice president Mark Templin shared his first public comments on the upcoming RC coupe with Motoring Australia: “The car is great because it is wider than IS, it’s got the track width of GS, it’s shorter than IS. It’s got bits from both of those cars and it’s going to be a …
Kevin · November 13th, 2013

2014 Lexus IS Wins Popular Mechanics Automotive Excellence Award

Popular Mechanics have awarded the 2014 Lexus IS their Automotive Excellence Award in the Luxury category: Every Lexus parked on the showroom floor is stuffed with the comfort, craftsmanship, and refinement that have made the brand famous. The new IS overflows with these hallmark qualities, but what’s new here is that Lexus has infused the …
Kevin · November 12th, 2013

Motor Trend Comparison: Lexus GS 350 F SPORT vs. Cadillac CTS V SPORT

In this latest Motor Trend video, host Jonny Lieberman puts the Lexus GS 350 F SPORT against the Cadillac CTS V SPORT: With all of its performance upgrades and 100+ horsepower advantage, the CTS V SPORT was almost guaranteed to win this track-focused comparison. However, this didn’t stop Lieberman from being extremely positive about the …
Kevin · November 12th, 2013

Updated 2014 Lexus CT 200h to Debut at Guangzhou Motor Show in China

Lexus has announced that the 2014 CT 200h will debut at the 2013 Guangzhou Motor Show in China on November 21st — from the press release: This compact luxury hybrid receives a new Lexus “spindle grille,” one of several dynamic and sophisticated exterior styling changes implemented for 2014 model year. Other exterior changes include newly …
Kevin · November 11th, 2013

2.0L Turbo Powered Lexus CT on the Way?

In an interview with Motoring Australia, Lexus International executive vice president Mark Templin makes the case for a higher powered CT hatchback sometime in the future: “I think the CT got a reputation for its handling steering and suspension system. If we had had a second powertrain in that car, I think sure we would …
Kevin · November 11th, 2013

Imagining the Lexus RC Convertible

Master photochopper Theophilus Chin has created a Lexus RC convertible based on Motor Trend’s photos: Unlike the previous generation IS, the shape of the RC lends itself to a convertible — a hard top convertible variant of the RC feels inevitable, and if these renderings are anywhere close to the final production model, it’s going …
Kevin · November 10th, 2013

More Photos of the 2014 Lexus CT 200h

The updated 2014 Lexus CT 200h has been spotted once again — Car Advice has the photos: The pure white license plate matches the spy photos seen last month, as does the white exterior and blacked-out roof — Car Advice speculates on when the new CT will debut: The 2014 facelift is tipped to be …
Kevin · November 8th, 2013

Lexus GS 200t Trademarked in Japan

According to Japanese Lexus fan site Lexus Musts, Lexus has trademarked GS 200t in Japan — here’s a screenshot of the filing: GS 200t has also been trademarked in Australia — the 200t designation is expected to be the 2.0L four-cylinder turbo that’s set to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month in …
Kevin · November 7th, 2013

Hybrid Lexus LX in 2016?

According to Reuters, the Nikkei newspaper in Japan reports that Toyota will release hybrid versions of its large SUVs in 2016: Toyota Motor Corp plans to roll out hybrid versions of its large sport utility vehicles from 2016 to prepare for tougher environmental regulations, the Nikkei reported, quoting sources. The automaker intends to develop hybrid …
Kevin · November 7th, 2013

Lexus & BMW Working Together on a Hybrid Supercar?

Peter Lyon from Motoring Australia is reporting that BMW & Lexus are working on a next-generation LFA supercar: It’s been nearly two years since Toyota and BMW announced an agreement to co-develop sports cars using state-of-the-art hybrid technologies, and now a source close to the two companies says the pair has decided on its first …
Kevin · November 6th, 2013

More Photos of the Lexus RC Coupe

Motor Trend has exclusive photos of the 2013 Lexus RC, including high-resolution images of the all-important front/side/rear of the car: Motor Trend also spoke with RC Chief Engineer Junichi Furuyama about the new production coupe and how it fits in the Lexus lineup: Speaking of the IS, in asking Furuyama why Lexus wouldn’t use the …
Kevin · November 5th, 2013

Lexus RC Coupe to Introduce Next-Generation Remote Touch Controller

Looking over the photo of the Lexus RC interior, it shows a design very similar to the third-generation IS — in fact, the only noticeable difference is the new Remote Touch controller: As seen in previous spy photos, the earlier mouse-like puck has been replaced with a touchscreen divided into four quadrants, with the HOME, …
Kevin · November 4th, 2013

Turbocharged Lexus LF-NX Concept to Debut at Tokyo Motor Show

Lexus will be showing a new turbocharged LF-NX concept alongside the production RC coupe at the Tokyo Motor Show: The Lexus LF-NX concept, which made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show earlier this year, has been outfitted with a newly-developed 2.0-liter turbo engine for guaranteed power and improved fuel economy. A lower center of …
Kevin · November 4th, 2013

Lexus RC Sports Coupe to Debut at Tokyo Motor Show

The long-awaited Lexus RC coupe will make its worldwide debut at the Tokyo Motor Show on November 20th — let’s get straight to the fresh new photos released moments ago: Two versions will be unveiled: the RC 350, with a 3.5L V6 engine; and the RC 300h hybrid, with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine — the …
Kevin · November 4th, 2013

Video: Neon-Light Lexus LS 430 from Japan

Let’s end the week with an absolutely bonkers neon-lights Lexus LS 430/Toyota Celsior from Japan: Have a nice weekend, everyone — next week is SEMA, get ready for live coverage! See more photos of the Neon Light Celsior
Kevin · November 1st, 2013

Lexus IS F Drag Racer from E KANOO Racing

E Kanoo Racing out of Bahrain are famous for their insanely fast Toyota Supras, and they’ve now turned their attention on developing a Lexus IS F drag racer — here’s the first test run: Powering the IS F drag racers is a Pat Musi custom 649 cubic-inch engine with twin Pro Mod turbos — the …
Kevin · October 31st, 2013

Three Lexus Models Nominated in 2013 Australia’s Best Cars Awards

Three Lexus models have been named as finalists in the 2013 Australia’s Best Cars awards — the IS 300h has been nominated in the Best Medium Car over $50k category, and the Best Large Car Over $60k category includes both the GS 350 F SPORT & GS 450h. The ABC awards are run by Australia’s …
Kevin · October 31st, 2013

New Lexus IS F SPORT Body Kit from LX Mode

Japanese tuner LX Mode has created a collection of new modifications for the 2014 Lexus IS: All the modifications together on one vehicle seems like overkill, but there’s some decent individual pieces — I don’t mind the look of the carbon fiber headlight insert and the thin-line LED above the (non-USA spec) foglight. [Source: LX …
Kevin · October 30th, 2013

Right-Hand Drive Lexus ES Starts Arriving in Asia-Pacific Dealerships

After a five year hiatus, the sixth-generation ES has returned to the Asia-Pacific’s right-hand-drive markets, with the new model arriving in dealerships this week — as part of the new launch, the ES even received a police escort through Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia: Lexus Hong Kong, Lexus Malaysia, Lexus Singapore, & Lexus Australia have all …
Kevin · October 30th, 2013

Lexus & BMW Working on Next-Generation LFA?

According to the November cover of Japanese magazine Best Car, Lexus & BMW are working on a joint-project to build the next-generation LFA — there’s even a rendering of what this LFA II might look like: This seems extremely unlikely (to put it lightly), but it should sell plenty of magazines when the issue comes …
Kevin · October 29th, 2013

UK Radio Personality Chris Evans Reviews the Lexus IS 300h

High profile UK radio & television personality Chris Evans has reviewed the new Lexus IS 300h for The Daily Mail, and it’s extremely positive: This car looks great. I mean, really great. In fact, I can’t recall a new Lexus that hasn’t. Her sleek body styling and classy (especially for what is essentially a limo) …
Kevin · October 28th, 2013

New Information on the Twin-Turbo Lexus LS TS 650

CAR Magazine has a small feature on the Lexus LS-based, twin-turbo TS 650 from Toyota Motorsports in Germany, and it includes some new information on the history of the super sedan: It was back in 2010 that Toyota’s chairman, Akio Toyoda, felt the itch to build his own special LS luxury saloon. Allegedly inspired by …
Kevin · October 28th, 2013

Salma Hayek & Lexus RX Star in Milk Commercial

Let’s end the week off on a light note — here’s the Lexus RX playing a supporting role in this funny milk commercial with Salma Hayek: Have a nice weekend everybody!
Kevin · October 25th, 2013

Lexus Europe Announces Special Edition RX 450h

Lexus Europe has announced a special edition RX 450h with a blacked-out bumper color, LED headlights, exclusive 7-spoke 19″ alloy wheels, and an optional panoramic roof — here’s a couple high resolution photos without the glass roof: Even on a black RXh, the bumper stands out from the exterior color: I’m a big fan of …
Kevin · October 25th, 2013

Lexus LFA Speedometer Ranked the Best Ever by Jalopnik Readers

Jalopnik has ranked the Lexus LFA speedometer the “most spectacularly designed automotive graphic” ever, and it’s easy to see why with videos like this: The LFA speedometer is already an iconic piece of Lexus history — I’m not sure what I like best, the moving metal ring or the fact that it had to be …
Kevin · October 24th, 2013

Artist Creates Lexus IS F SPORT That Can Paint Pictures

Lexus Belgium has collaborated with artist Sergio Albiac to build an IS capable of painting pictures of its driver — best watch this video for a better explanation: It’s not for everyone, but there’s something very cool about a car that can generate images based on how you drive — I’d like to see the …
Kevin · October 24th, 2013

Edmunds Reviews the Lexus LS 600hL

Ed Hellwig of Edmunds has reviewed the 2013 Lexus LS 600hL, and he finds a way to justify the cost of the flagship hybrid: Handling has been improved to the point where it will satisfy owners who want a ride somewhere between isolated and responsive. Lexus stiffened the body of the LS, which gave the …
Kevin · October 24th, 2013

Lexus LFA Owners Event Today in New Orleans

A very special event is happening today in New Orleans — 20 Lexus LFA owners have gathered at the NOLA Motorsport Park for a day of racing. While there’s sure to be official Lexus coverage in the days to come, people attending the track day have been posting photos on social media networks — here’s …
Kevin · October 23rd, 2013

Illest Clothing Brand Creates Lexus IS F SPORT Body Kit

Clothing brand Illest has announced a new tuning line called Illest Coachworks, and their first project is a body kit package for the 2014 Lexus IS F SPORT — here’s some renderings in high resolution: The Illest Coachworks IS F SPORT includes a front spoiler, rear diffuser, trunk wing, roof wing, and new exhaust tips …
Kevin · October 22nd, 2013

2014 Lexus IS 250 Misses Consumer Reports “Recommended” Rating

The 2014 Lexus IS 250 will not be receive the Consumer Reports “Recommended” rating, according to a new Reuters article: The Lexus IS 250, which starts from US$35,950 (RM114,051), is “neither sporty nor luxurious” and had the “worst road test score posted by any Lexus sedan in recent memory,” Consumer Reports said in an e-mail. …
Kevin · October 22nd, 2013

Autos Canada Reviews the 2014 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT AWD

Autos Canada recently drove the 2014 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT AWD along the British Columbia coast to the remote town of Tofino: When we pull into Tofino, the mutant aggression of the Lexus’s slashed and grilled face makes the car stand out like a sore thumb. It’s a surfer’s paradise here, and the year-rounders …
Kevin · October 22nd, 2013

Video: New Lexus Race Car for 2014 Super GT Season

SUPER GT has released a new video of the Lexus, Honda, & Nissan race cars scheduled to take over the GT500 series in 2014: Although there’s still two races in the 2013 season, it’s hard not to look forward to the next generation of race cars — all of the fresh changes should make for …
Kevin · October 21st, 2013

The Art of Driving by Lexus & Wallpaper Magazine

Lexus Europe & Wallpaper Magazine collaborated with two artists to create a pair of one-off art installations built around the new IS 300h. Cristina Parreño Architect Cristina Parreño works in Madrid & London, and has this to say about her installation: The installation is an attempt to capture movement in a still construction…The installation envisions …
Kevin · October 21st, 2013

Imagining the Lexus RC F CCS-R Super Performance Coupe

Using the Lexus LF-CC concept as a starting point, Japanese magazine CAR TOP has designed a RC F wearing the orange & black paint job of the IS F CCS-R: It may a hodgepodge of letters, but the RC F CCS-R should be a reality once the new Lexus coupe is revealed — my expectation …
Kevin · October 21st, 2013

Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition Up for Auction with No Reserve

A Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition will be put up for auction with no reserve at the RKMCCA Collector Car Auctions in Charlotte next week. The #296 Whitest White LFA only has 366 miles on the odometer, and is expected to sell for $500,000 to $600,000. The car was built for NASCAR MWR team owner Rob …
Kevin · October 20th, 2013

Photo Gallery: Lexus IS 300h F SPORT in Ultrasonic Blue

Lexus UK has released a nice photo gallery of the Ultrasonic Blue IS 300h F SPORT: While Ultra White may be the F SPORT color of choice nowadays, Ultrasonic Blue would be my first choice, hands down. Looks fantastic. [Source: Lexus UK]
Kevin · October 18th, 2013

New Lexus GS 300h Commercial from Japan

Lexus Japan has made a commercial for the newly released GS 300h: The visuals were created using black lights, and the behind-the-scenes video is pretty interesting to watch even if you don’t understand Japanese: Perhaps the biggest surprise in the commercial is how low the GS sits — check out the wheel drop:
Kevin · October 17th, 2013

Video: Akio Toyoda Driving the Lexus LFA in Nürburgring 24h Race

Lexus has released more footage from this year’s Nürburgring 24 hour race, with a focus on Toyota president Akio Toyoda’s time behind the wheel of the LFA race car: (While on the topic of Akio Toyoda, be sure to check out Jalopnik’s “Salute To Japan’s Coolest Car Executive”.. A week old, but worth visiting if …
Kevin · October 16th, 2013

Fake Lexus NX Spyshot Surfaces

A number of readers have sent in a link to the above image, which was posted on the Burlapp Car website with claims to be the new Lexus NX compact crossover — not to burst anyone’s bubble, but compare the image to this photo of the RX: Always find these fake spy shots so creative, …
Kevin · October 16th, 2013

Photo Gallery: Lexus IS F SPORT on New Vossen CVT Directional Wheels

Vossen Wheels have announced the latest addition to their CV series — the new CVT is a light-weight, staggered directional one-piece cast wheel, and it’s a perfect fit for the new Lexus IS F SPORT: The CVT requires four molds, rather than the typical 1 or 2 molds for standard cast wheels. As a result, …
Kevin · October 15th, 2013

Milestone: Lexus Has Built 1.5 Million ES Models Since 1989

Lexus has recently reached a significant manufacturing milestone — according to Just Auto, 1.5 million ES models have been built since the model’s debut in 1989. Six generations of the ES have been built over the past 24 years, and it has been the best selling Lexus car over that period. (Also of note for …
Kevin · October 14th, 2013

2014 Lexus CT 200h F SPORT Spotted!

The 2014 Lexus CT 200h F SPORT has been spotted by Leftlane News during a commercial shoot — here are photos of the front & back: There were no photos of the side profile, but here’s a closer look at the new spindle grille: All in all, it’s a great looking update — the spindle …
Kevin · October 14th, 2013

Updated Lexus CT 200h in 2014, Brand New CT in 2016?

In a recent interview with The Motor Report, Lexus Australia Sean Hanley confirmed that the CT 200h will receive a mid-cycle refresh ahead of an all-new model in 2016: Lexus Australia chief executive Sean Hanley is refusing to admit defeat – or even disappointment – with the CT 200h baby hybrid. “We see the CT …
Kevin · October 10th, 2013

Lexus IS 350 F SPORT Named Esquire Car of the Year

The 2014 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT has been named the Esquire Car of the Year: This is a deeply Japanese machine in the best way, a hypersensitive steamroller of a car that has as much in common with a German autobahn weapon as a Gundam suit does with a Walther P38. The industry has …
Kevin · October 10th, 2013

Lexus to Reveal Production Coupe at Tokyo Motor Show?

Lexus will debut a new production coupe at the Tokyo Motor Show in November, according to the Australian GoAuto website: Get set for another two-door Lexus stunner when the doors open at the 43rd Tokyo motor show next month. Lexus is tight-lipped on the exact nature of its big expose, but you can expect it …
Kevin · October 9th, 2013

Interview with Lexus IS Deputy Chief Engineer Naoki Kobayashi

Lexus IS deputy chief engineer Naoki Kobayashi explains some of the car’s interior design decisions in an interview with Lexus UK: Lexus UK: What’s the difference between ordinary seats and the ‘integrated foaming construction’ seats that are a Lexus first in the F-SPORT? Kobayashi-san: A conventional car seat is designed like a stuffed toy, with a …
Kevin · October 8th, 2013

Lexus Releases Four Commercials for 2014 SUV Lineup

Lexus has released a new commercial for each of their SUVs — here’s the complete set: 2014 Lexus GX Commercial 2014 Lexus RX Commercial 2014 Lexus LX Commercial There’s also a super-cut that splices together scenes from all three commercials:
Kevin · October 8th, 2013

Lexus LS, ES 350, & IS Convertible Get Minor Updates in 2014

Much like the rest of the lineup, the Lexus LS, ES 350 & IS C convertible all received minor updates for the 2014 model year — here is a list of changes for the models sold in the USA. 2014 Lexus LS Siri Eyes-Free mode. Revised auto headlamp on/off Ability to open trunk lid without …
Kevin · October 7th, 2013

Custom Wide Body Lexus IS F SPORT Coming to SEMA

EST Styling is bringing a custom all-metal wide body Lexus IS 250 F SPORT to the SEMA show in November — here’s the promotional poster: Equipped with an Air Runner suspension & painted in a wild BASF orange, this IS F SPORT is being built by Gabriel Escobedo & Paul Tolson (who also built the …
Kevin · October 7th, 2013

Petronas Lexus SC 430 Team Wins Super GT Round 7

The Petronas racing team of Kazuki Nakajima & James Rossiter have won the Super GT Round 6 GT500 class in the #36 Lexus SC 430, coming from behind to win the race in the final laps. The ZENT CERUMO #38 SC 430, winners of the Round 6 at the Fuji Speedway, finished second and are …
Kevin · October 7th, 2013

Guest Review: 2013 Lexus RX 350 F SPORT

The following is a review of the 2013 Lexus RX 350 F SPORT by guest author Tim Esterdahl, an associate editor for the Tundra Headquarters enthusiast website. The new F Sport package for the Lexus RX 350 is an interesting new addition to the luxury SUV product line, and after spending a week driving it …
Kevin · October 6th, 2013

Video: Top Gear’s Richard Hammond Drives the 2001 Lexus GS 430

Let’s travel back to the year 2000 with Top Gear’s Richard Hammond reviewing the 2001 Lexus GS 430 for the Men & Motors TV show Much like his review of the LFA nearly a decade later, Hammond focuses on his unfortunate belief that Lexus lacks a soul — regardless, it’s still fun to flashback to …
Kevin · October 4th, 2013

Production Lexus NX Compact Crossover Released in August 2014?

Japanese magazine Mag-X has published some information on the upcoming Lexus NX compact crossover — here are the main points, roughly translated: The Lexus NX will use the same chassis platform as the RAV4. The production model could reach dealerships in August 2014. Measurements could be 4550 × 1845 × 1660mm (length x width x …
Kevin · October 3rd, 2013

Lexus China Commerical: Living in a CT 200h

Really like this CT 200h commercial from Lexus China: There’s something very authentic about this video and the way it captures the emotion of hybrid technology — job well done.
Kevin · October 3rd, 2013