NY Times Unimpressed with the Lexus LS 600h L

NY Times writer Lawrence Ulrich took the LS 600h L to task in today’s paper, unable to understand what possible benefit it could have over Lexus’ own LS 460, nevermind the V12 competitors the car is aimed at: On the performance front, forget about the Lexus hanging with V-12 sedans like the Mercedes S600. Turns …

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Kevin · July 15th, 2007

Redneckin’ in a Lexus IS 350

I can’t conceive of a single reason why someone would take their brand new IS 350 into a field to do doughnuts, but it certainly isn’t the first time I’ve been left speechless by a Lexus owner.
Kevin · July 14th, 2007

Motor Trend: Long-Term Lexus LS 460 Update

Motor Trend staff have been driving their LS 460 for three months now, which makes it time for a seasonal update: “The first time I tried it [parallel parking], it worked perfectly. Since then, however, I’ve tried it twice more, and it’s either scared me or just refused to work at all. Undoubtedly, I need …

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Kevin · July 12th, 2007

SC400/Soarer Commercial from Japan

All in all, this Japanese SC400/Soarer is so dull it almost doesn’t bear mentioning, save for a tagline that could stand as one of the greatest ever: Seriously, “Mind Cruising” is something that could only come from the Land of the Rising Sun.
Kevin · July 12th, 2007

Additional Footage of the LF-A at Nürburgring

We’ve all seen the Edmunds video of the prototype LF-A tearing up Nürburgring, but this additional footage, posted by Viper Productions on Youtube, really shows off the confirmed V-10 engine: Seems much faster than in the Edmunds video, it’s practically a black roaring blur. Now, the only question is, when is this blasted car going …

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Kevin · July 11th, 2007

Flickr Find: A Pristine 1991 Lexus ES 250

It may be considered the blacksheep of Lexus’ entire model history, but Flickr user grateful420angelina sure lucked out finding such a pristine ES 250: With 147,000 miles on it, it’s seen a fair share of asphalt, but it looks like the Ohio winters have been suprisingly kind.
Kevin · July 10th, 2007

Fifth Gear: Melanie C & Her RX 400h

It’s fairly bereft of any substance, but Fifth Gear had a mini-interview with Melanie C (of Spice Girls fame) about her choice of vehicle: Seems like she couldn’t stop herself from plugging her album, though listening to her own albums to learn the lyrics is so appropriate it could almost be true.
Kevin · July 10th, 2007

Raccoon Destroys Lexus IS 350

It’s a unique circumstance to destroy your engine after hitting a raccoon, but that’s what happened to Nathan Pitzel in his brand new IS 350: While driving through Texas a raccoon ran right in front of my car. It was the middle of the night 100 miles outside of Amarillo @ 1:30am, at first I …

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Kevin · July 10th, 2007

Fabulous Body Kit for the Lexus LS 460

My favorite part about the body kits put out for the Lexus LS 460 is how absolutely subtle they are — first was the Wald International’s offering, and now we have the full gear from Fabulous: The changes are so minute, the only part of the kit that’s immediately obvious is the mini-wing on the …

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Kevin · July 7th, 2007

Repurposed 1991 Lexus involved in Drug Bust

How do you transport $1,000,000 dollars of cocaine in a single car? Use a 1991 Lexus LS 400: …nine kilograms of cocaine were found in a 1991 Lexus with Arizona license plates. “This is close to a million dollars in cocaine,” Jones said Friday, holding up long plastic-wrapped logs of cocaine that had been concealed …

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Kevin · July 7th, 2007

Flickr Find: Lexus ES 300 with Scissor Doors

Flickr user anlee took in the Everton Family Freedom Festival on July 4th, and managed to snap off a photo of a heavily modded ES 300, complete with scissor-doors: I guess dropping the frame, upping the wheels, getting the custom paint job and snapping on a body kit just wasn’t enough. (Not sure about that …

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Kevin · July 6th, 2007

Car & Driver: Lexus RX 400h Long-Term Test

Easily, my favorite car magazine feature is the long-term test, where the magazines various writers and editors spend twelve months behind the wheel of a car then share the results. Well, not satisfied with a single year, Car & Driver enjoyed a two year-long visit with the RX 400h. The magazine’s staff managed to put …

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Kevin · July 5th, 2007

Lexus LS 600hL on a Norwegian Test Track

Norwegian website Dinside Motor took an LS 600h L through its paces, hitting 160mph and showing off some major bodyroll: I like to see these kind of tests, it’s so much more interesting to see the handling instead of reading about it.
Kevin · July 5th, 2007

Classic Lexus SC 400 Commercial

Old Lexus commercials have been popping up on Youtube non-stop — First was the LS 400 double shot, and now we have the inaugural SC 400 ad: The snapshot camera effect has to be my favorite part, it just screams of the nineties.
Kevin · July 4th, 2007

Autoweek & The 2007 Lexus GS 350

Autoweek has picked up a 2007 Lexus GS 350 for their fleet, and their first impressions are decidedly mixed: Some of our drivers loved the exterior styling of the GS, while others found it amorphous. The interior also divided drivers; they called it either comfortable or eerily numbing. I have to agree with any criticism …

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Kevin · July 4th, 2007

Lexus ES 350 Commercial: Instinct

The most impressive aspect of this Lexus ES 350 commercial is how real the situation feels: The different perspectives of the same accident, the unavoidable crash, the skittering truck, the click-whirr of the advanced safety system, all make for a very immersive experience. Before impact, I actually recoiled in my chair.
Kevin · July 3rd, 2007

The Lexus LS 460 Riding on Sevas Forged Wheels

Here we have an LS 460 dropped low on a set of Sevas Forged Wheels: Not a very big fan of the multi-mini-spoke rim, and the sheer size of these wheels overpower the car, but they do have a certain charm. I especially like the look of these wheels in motion, they give off an …

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Kevin · July 3rd, 2007

Lexus LS 600h L Website Launches

The LS 600h L is now available for pre-order from Lexus.com. Starting at $104,000, there are three package levels ranging from $4,000 to $12,570. When will the LS 600h L actually arrive in North America? No official word yet, but my guess would be some time in September.
Kevin · June 29th, 2007

The RX That Never Got a Chance

The transport of vehicles worldwide is not without its casualties, as this RX had to learn the hard way: You can see more photos of the destruction over at English Russia, if you’re feeling particularly sadistic. Update: The full story has appeared in English Russia’s comments section: Ten new Toyota vehicles with a value of …

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Kevin · June 28th, 2007

The Lexus IS Holographic Display

In 2005, Lexus created an holographic installation in a rented Times Square storefront, and even two years later, it’s an absolute marvel: This is an amazing application of technology, spectators were able to rotate, change the hologram’s color, set it in motion. Created quite a scene, by the looks of it. I wish I had …

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Kevin · June 27th, 2007

Classic 1990 LS 400 Commercials

Someone must have been digging through their old VCR tapes, because here’s two VHS quality commercials from the LS 400’s inaugural advertising campaign: Funny story about the first commercial, taken from the book Lexus: The Relentless Pursuit: What the ad didn’t say — and what Team One [Lexus’ Advertising Agency] members didn’t know until later …

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Kevin · June 26th, 2007

Top Gear Comparison: Lexus SC 430 vs. Hyundai Tiburon

I can’t say that the SC 430 is my favorite car in Lexus’ lineup, but Top Gear took it one step further, declaring it “the worst car on sale today”. When comparing it to the Hyundai Tiburon, it was hardly even a contest: “Dreadful”. “Horrible”. “Charmless”. I’m honestly surprised the host didn’t drive the SC …

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Kevin · June 23rd, 2007

Autospeed Aero Tests the 1991 LS 400

One of the major design considerations when the first LS 400 was being prototyped was reducing its drag co-efficent (Cd), or the amount of wind turbulence the car experienced when in motion. A low drag helps with fuel efficiency and reduces the amount of energy needed to keep the car moving, and when the car …

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Kevin · June 22nd, 2007

Kelvin Tohar’s VIP Style Lexus GS 300

Even though I’m a fan of stock rides (with the exception of some nice rims & tints), it’s impossible for me to avoid drooling over Kelvin Tohar’s VIP’d (AutoLuxury) 2000 GS 300: I’m practically in love with the Junction Produce body kit, but I’m just not feeling the insanely tilted rims, which is due to …

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Kevin · June 21st, 2007

Comparison: 2008 Lexus RX 350 vs. 2007 Hyundai Veracruz Limited AWD

It should be common knowledge that the Lexus RX 350 and the Hyundai Veracruz Limited are in different classes, bought by different people for different reasons, but that didn’t stop Motortrend from comparing the two vehicles in their latest issue. Let me save you the farce, the Veracruz is declared the winner of the two, …

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Kevin · June 21st, 2007

Spy Video of the Prototype Lexus LF-A

Edmunds has managed to scare up a video of the Lexus LF-A prototype during last week’s run around Nürburgring: Seeing the supercar in motion is much more impressive than the spy photos, the speed is positively overpowering. In their analysis of the footage, Edmunds makes some rather astute observations: Judging from the roar, the LF-A …

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Kevin · June 20th, 2007

Flickr Find: IS 350 & Civil Disobedience

Flickr user J.Garrido used his IS 350 not only to break the law, but he took a photo of it: Really, all humor aside, this is a beautiful photo, the detail and processing are impeccable and it’s certainly one of the best “new car owner” photos I’ve come across. Wonderful job.
Kevin · June 19th, 2007

Cnet Reviews the Lexus LS 600h

The latest review of the LS 600h comes from the techs at Cnet, and although it didn’t get a perfect score like the previously reviewed LS 460L, the car still came away with an exceptionally high score of 9.7/10. Mini-marks were taken away for exterior styling: And while the LS 600h is a very handsome, …

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Kevin · June 16th, 2007

Edmunds Reviews the Lexus IS 250 with X Sports Package

Edmunds has posted a road test of the IS 250 with the X sports package, and save for the gripes about the embarrassing shift stick and its rubbery gear shifts, Lexus seems to have created a sports sedan capable of competing with the best in its class: Though it’s often overshadowed by the 306-hp IS …

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Kevin · June 15th, 2007

Road & Track: Lexus LS 600hL Review

Road & Track has served up a bit of a twist with their LS 600hL review by comparing it with a Gulfstream G550, the world’s foremost private jet. A strange association, and incredibly flattering to Lexus, but the justification is this: When the word “flagship” was coined, I’d bet its originator had neither $104,000 luxury …

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Kevin · June 15th, 2007

Flickr Find: The RX 350 @ Night

I’m always scoping out Flickr for any great Lexus photos, but rarely do I ever see one with the vehicle in motion — not so today, Flickr user Christopher_Holden has a beauty of a shot, at night no less:
Kevin · June 14th, 2007

How to Restore a First Generation Lexus LS 400

Wheeler Dealers was a british TV show with a very simple premise: buy a beat-up classic, restore it, and sell it off for a profit. In one episode, they tackle a first generation LS 400 (judging by the rims, a 91-92 model), purchased from some poor sod for £1300. Here’s the first part to whet …

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Kevin · June 14th, 2007

The Lexus LS 600h: A Misguided Hybrid?

Hybrid Cars has taken a dim view of the LS 600h, slamming it as “bizarre and misguided”, and urging his readers to steer clear. Understandable, I suppose, when your point of comparison is the Prius. It’s true that LS 600h doesn’t get better gas mileage than its non-hybrid version, the LS 460, but why criticize …

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Kevin · June 13th, 2007

Motor Trend & The Splendid Isolation of the LS 460

The latest Motor Trend editorial by Arthur St. Antoine really captures what makes the new LS 460 special: I discovered the perfect antidote to L.A.‘s roadgoing toxins: our long-term Lexus LS 460. If there’s an automobile that better defends its driver from the slings and arrows of outrageous things that happen on the other side …

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Kevin · June 13th, 2007

The Lexus LS 600h Commercial: Fast Reimagined

The LS 600h commercial Fast Reimagined has been posted to Youtube, and it’s classic Lexus imagery: For a little background information, I found an interview with the digital effects team at Dexigner: For this spot’s end-footage of the car, Balden explained that the Lexus was shot with a Canon digital SLR on the end of …

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Kevin · June 13th, 2007

Lexus LS 460 Hold Button Demonstation

Youtube user h4×0r0x was nice enough to post a demonstration of rather unique LS series feature found on the steering wheel, namely the Hold button: As you can see, this button allows you to hold your brakes, meaning that you can rest your feet while at a stoplight. In essence, we’re looking at the anti-cruise …

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Kevin · June 12th, 2007

Lexus LF-A Spotted at Nürburgring

World Car Fans has some fresh-off-the-track spy shots of the upcoming Lexus LF-A, which now sports a shop class spoiler and some honest-to-goodness rear view mirrors: The V-10 super car has stayed quite close to its original concept, with the only noticeable differences being the aforementioned spolier and some minor bumper and light housing differences. …

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Kevin · June 12th, 2007

Lexus RX 400h, Wagoneer Edition

While I have strong doubts that Lexus will ever release a RX Wagoneer edition, one 400h owner isn’t about to wait to see. Discovered by Autoblog.it, this one-off wooden body kit was created by Italian tuner firm Castagna Milano for someone very rich and equally eco-obsessed: Most of the reactions to this unique body modification …

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Kevin · June 11th, 2007

A Preview of the New Lexus LX 570

Automobile.com has previewed the upcoming 2008 Lexus LX 570 and though they do count off all of its new features, it seems the greater question is: Why does this vehicle even exist? …it’s odd to have a manufacturer like Lexus offload another V8 dinosaur to set foot on the streets of an ever increasing environmentally …

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Kevin · June 11th, 2007

Flickr Find: Lexus @ Salón del Automóvil de Barcelona 2007

Flickr user j0rdi has been taking some great shots at Salón del Automóvil happening right now in Barcelona. Not content to take photos of full cars, all the shots are beautifully cropped, leaving only the finer details. One of these photos was of a Lexus SC 430, and it takes headlights to an entirely abstract …

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Kevin · June 10th, 2007

Comparison: Lexus IS 350 vs. BMW 330i

It’s now almost two years old, but I’ve seen few comparisons as detailed as Autoweb’s head-to-head showdown between the 2006 BMW 330i and the 2006 Lexus IS 350. No stone is left unturned as they pit the two cars against each other, comparing them in convenience, design, comfort, and driving. The results couldn’t be considered …

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Kevin · June 10th, 2007

Family Car Reviews the Lexus LS 600hL

The Family Car review of the ‘93 LS 400 was one of the articles I used to convince the girlfriend to buy our car, so I took a special interest in their fresh new review of the LS 600hL, knowing full well it was going to be all quality. I wasn’t disappointed, this is an …

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Kevin · June 9th, 2007

Wald International Developing New IS 250/350 Body Kit

Wald International has been busy this week, releasing a new LS 460 body kit and now this, some behind-the scenes photos of the new IS 250/350 Sports Line body kit development: Interesting to see the process behind the making of one of these kits, I especially like all the tape protecting the IS paintjob. To …

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Kevin · June 8th, 2007

Do Not Try This

Warning: This is not for the faint of heart. In a bid for first place in the “Stupidest thing you can do with a Lexus” contest, an absolutely insane Saudi Arabian teenager decided to drive 150/mph in an LS 430 LX 470 at night…all while sitting in the backseat. Don’t believe me? Turn down your …

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Kevin · June 8th, 2007

Hyundai’s Azera vs. LS 460 Commercial

After the results of the Total Quality Index survey, I decided to do a little Hyundai Youtube surfing and found a recent Azera ad comparing it to the LS 460: My personal disdain of Kelsey Grammer notwithstanding, and the fact that there are far more differences than similarities between the Azera and the LS 460, …

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Kevin · June 7th, 2007

Wald International Body Kit for the LS 460

Wald International, a Japanese tuning company, has been one of the premier body kit & modification developers for Lexus since the LS 400. The new LS 460 is their latest subject, which they treated with a very distinctive reverence: Save for the rims, the USF40 Executive Line body kit is nothing overly flashy, and is …

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Kevin · June 6th, 2007

RX Models Finish High in Consumer Reports SUV Rankings

Both of Lexus’ current RX models ranked in the top four of Consumer Reports latest SUV rankings, with the RX400h coming in second and the RX350 tying the Acura MDX for third. Considering that the Highlander Hybrid took the number one spot, Toyota practically swept the Consumer Reports rankings. Not a bad result, though they …

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Kevin · June 5th, 2007

What would an LS 460 Coupe look like?

Photochopper CWW Cardesign has put together a virtual LS 460 Coupe and it’s a real beauty: Imagined to compete with the Mercedes CL-Class and BMW 6-series, it’s nothing but a pipedream to think Lexus would actually release such a vehicle. Of all the sedans, an IS Coupe is much more likely. [Source:Auto Spies]
Kevin · June 5th, 2007

The LS 600h vs. the LS 460: Is the hybrid really worth the extra money?

Bruce McCulloch over at Autosavant asked the question “Does the 600h really offer any true advantage over the lesser LS460?” and came away with a resounding “NO!” Let’s summarize his major points: The 600h costs $35,000USD more than a similarly equipped 460. People buying a car in this price range ($100,000USD +) don’t really care …

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Kevin · June 5th, 2007

The 1955 Lexus F-100

It doesn’t look much like a Lexus, but this restored 1955 Ford F-100 owes a great deal to the LS400. Owners Terry & Terri Altman used the ‘91 Lexus LS400 1UZFE engine, along with its steering column and instrumentation in their restoration. As for why, here’s a quote from their interview with Custom Classic Trucks: …

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Kevin · June 4th, 2007

The Lexus & The Rain Rig

Flickr user gcbp_television has given us an insider’s view to the making of a Lexus GS450h commercial: The apparatus on top of the GS450h is called a “Rain Rig”, and it simulates a downpour from inside the vehicle. Here are some more details provided by the photographer: The rain rig was on the car for …

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Kevin · June 4th, 2007

The LS600h is one of 2008’s Most Anticipated Luxury Cars

According to Forbes, the new Lexus LS600h is one of 2008’s most anticipated luxury cars. Hardly surprising, given that it’s the first hybrid available in the upper auto echelon. Other cars on the list: Rolls Royce Drophead Coupe Audi R8 Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren Roadster Infiniti G37 Cadillac CTS Maserati GranTurismo BMW M3 Porsche 911 …

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Kevin · June 3rd, 2007

Unaired ES350 Commercial Discovered on Youtube

I stumbled upon this never used Lexus ad for the ES350: How totally bizarre. As for background info, it was created by Walter Robot, an animation studio in Orange County, California, and was to be a series of commercials featuring the full Lexus lineup. The idea, according to Christopher Louie, one of the principals, “was …

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Kevin · May 31st, 2007

LS600h & LS600hL Hybrid Sedans Released in Japan

Lexus has released their ultra-mega hybrid LS600h & LS600hL sedans in Japan, and The Winding Road was good enough to share some photos and a host of exceptional numbers: The Japanese cost of the base model LS600h is ¥9.7 million, or $80,000USD, with the extended wheelbase LS600hL retailing for up to ¥15.1 million, or $125,000USD. …

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Kevin · May 31st, 2007

Comparison: 2007 Lexus IS350 vs. 2007 BMW 335i

Edmunds has published a head-to-head battle of the 2007 IS350 vs. the BMW 335i, and while the results are fairly predictable (Shock! The 3-series wins again), a point must be made that the test itself was skewed in favor of Bavaria. With performance being the main point of the comparison, the 335i was equipped with …

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Kevin · May 31st, 2007

Fifth Gear Review of the IS220d

Another week, another Fifth Gear  Lexus review posted on YouTube. This time up, it’s the Lexus IS220d, from an episode aired in 2005: There’s a few things that stand out in this review, when Tom Ford compares it to the BMW 320d: “Do you want to be able to say, ‘My car’s faster than your …

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Kevin · May 30th, 2007

Dreaming of an IS Coupe & Convertible

From Japan’s car magazine Car Top comes a digital rendition of a Lexus IS Coupe & Convertible: Keep in mind this is only a photochop and has no real basis in reality, though this car has been hinted at since 2005. Really, it’s more a question of when we’ll be seeing these cars, because the …

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Kevin · May 30th, 2007

Fifth Gear Review of the LS460

Tom Ford of Fifth Gear, the British car show, takes a ride in the new LS460 and really talks up the technology (most of which is not available on North American models): the advanced obstacle detection system, the car’s ability to stay in lane with no user input, driver monitoring and one of the smoothest …

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Kevin · May 29th, 2007

Celebrity Watch: Rupert Murdoch

In a rather surprising move, Rupert Murdoch took time out from trying to buy the Wall Street Journal to announce his intention to bring News Corporation to a “carbon-neutral” state by 2010. As part of the campaign, Murdoch “has bought a Toyota-made Lexus GS450H “green” car, and other practical measures include solar-powered golf carts to …

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Kevin · May 29th, 2007

Start

It all started with the LS400. I remember the first time I noticed one, admittedly mistaking it for a Mercedes, only to see that silver L and think I’d seen something rare, like a Ferrari or a Lamborgini. Of course, that wasn’t the case, but the truth impressed me even more, a Japanese Luxury brand, …

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Kevin · May 29th, 2007