Lexus Remains Lukewarm on Diesel

While Lexus is most commonly associated with hybrid technology, RX chief engineer Takayuki Katsuda discussed the possibility of Lexus adopting diesel technology with Australian website CarAdvice.
Michael · September 10th, 2015

Lexus IS 200t & GS 200t Coming Soon?

Lexus Australia CEO Sean Hanley strongly suggests that the new Lexus 2.0L four-cylinder turbo engine will be coming to the IS & GS.
Kevin · March 24th, 2015

The Lexus NX: Focus on the Details

Some interesting details on the Lexus NX development have been shared by Australian website GoAuto: Items such as body shake induced by windscreen wiper movement and changes in vehicle geometry due to differences in tyre tread were studied and addressed for the utmost refinement under a system dubbed microscopic force control. The engineers said almost …
Kevin · December 15th, 2014

Car Advice Comparison: The Lexus RC 350 F SPORT vs. BMW 435i

CarAdvice in Australia have compared the Lexus RC 350 F SPORT & BMW 435i in a realistic review: Lexus has thrown the gauntlet down to the opposition, pricing the RC350 F Sport at $74,000 – just $1000 over the IS350 sedan with which it shares its interior and rear suspension. The 435i coupe, meanwhile, costs …
Kevin · December 11th, 2014

Lexus Considering V8 Supercars Racing Series in Australia

Lexus Australia recently confirmed its interest in taking part in the country’s V8 Supercars touring car championship series — from Car Advice: “We’ve had very high-level discussions with V8 Supercars,” Hanley told CarAdvice at the local launch of the Lexus RC350 in Melbourne today. “V8 Supercars never approached me, any interest we have shown has …
test · December 9th, 2014

Lexus Chief Engineer Wants NX F High Performance Crossover

Lexus NX chief engineer Takeaki Kato shares some interesting details in an interview with Australian website GoAuto: [The 2.0-litre turbo] engine looks set to provide sparkling performance in the NX 200t, but an even more potent version has not been ruled out by Mr Kato – an amateur motor racer in his spare time. He …
Kevin · October 28th, 2014

New Lexus NX Commercial from Australia

Lexus Australia has released their new NX commercial, and it’s a good one: (Really like the end screen graphics on this commercial — very nice spindle grille to Lexus logo transition.)
Kevin · October 27th, 2014

Lexus Japan to Offer Brand Experience Tour of Australia

Lexus Japan is offering an Amazing Experience tour of Australia, bringing together special luxury events with a driving tour of the country’s best roads. Open to owners, the eight day trip includes a day at the Melbourne Cup Carnival, a two-day driving experience through rainforests, and attending the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition. The Amazing …
Kevin · August 7th, 2014

Lexus Australia Wants Diesel-Powered LX

Two weeks after trademarking the LX 450d nameplate, Lexus Australia has confirmed that they are actively campaigning for a diesel version of the flagship SUV — from Drive Australia: “We’re certainly trying hard to bring that to our market,” said [Lexus Australia CEO Sean] Hanley. “In that large SUV there’s a certain market demand for …
Kevin · July 8th, 2014

Lexus LX 450d Trademarked in Australia

Lexus has trademarked the LX 450d nameplate in Australia, opening the door to speculation that the brand is readying their very first diesel SUV. The 450d designation would suggest a 4.5L diesel engine, likely the same 1VD-FTV twin-turbo diesel engine currently offered on the Australian Toyota Land Cruiser. This engine produces 261 hp and 479 …
Kevin · June 16th, 2014

New Lexus Police Vehicles in Australia

Lexus Australia has provided the New South Wales police department with a GS 450h & RX 450h for new road safety campaigns — here are some photos: From the press release: Launched as part of the kick-off to the official ski-season, Lexus GS and RX 450h models will patrol the state’s Southern Region, stretching from …
Kevin · June 4th, 2014

Lexus IS 200t Trademarked in Australia & Europe

Lexus has trademarked the IS 200t nameplate in both Australia and Europe, making way for the new 2.0L four-cylinder turbo engine to be introduced in the sports sedan. The turbo engine will debut this year with the NX compact crossover, where it generates 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The engine also features a …
Kevin · May 27th, 2014

Photos: Matte Grey Lexus IS F SPORT in Australia

Lexus of Perth in Australia continues to try new things with their inventory — first it was the matte black IS F SPORT, then a blacked out RX 450h, and now we have this matte grey IS F SPORT: Something mean about a matte grey finish — might even prefer it to matte black. Excellent …
Kevin · May 14th, 2014

Lexus Australia CEO Discusses the Lexus Luxury Position

In an interview with Cars Guide, Lexus Australia CEO Sean Hanley gives an impassioned perspective into the brand’s stance on luxury, and what it means for consumers: “There’s no-one better credentialed in Australia to run a retail volume campaign with Lexus if we wanted to, given our parent company (Toyota). If volume was all we …
Kevin · April 8th, 2014

More Information on the Lexus RC F’s Horsepower

Motoring Australia has more information on the ongoing mystery of the Lexus RC F’s final horsepower figure: “More than 450 horsepower” – or 335kW – is the inkling as to the new car’s performance. But even that number is due to change, with engineers still working on enhancements tipped to add another 10 or 15kW. Lexus …
Kevin · March 12th, 2014

Photo Gallery: Blacked Out Lexus RX 450h F SPORT

My friends from Lexus of Perth in Australia sent me these photos of a custom RX 450h F SPORT: The RX F SPORT looks pretty good with a blacked out bumper — reminds me of the special edition RX that was released in Europe late last year. What do you think of the custom work? …
Kevin · February 6th, 2014

Lexus RC Convertible in the Works?

According to a Motoring Australia interview with Lexus RC chief engineer Junichi Furyama, the new coupe has a potential future as a convertible: However, while willing to reveal the rear-wheel drive two-door coupe boasted underbody bracing that would aid development of a replacement for the outdated IS 250C, Furyama was not prepared to confirm that …
Kevin · November 29th, 2013

Lexus to Introduce Full Range of Turbocharged Engines?

Motoring Australia has some details on the future of turbo engines in the Lexus lineup: Little technical information was released in Tokyo and no outputs confirmed, however Lexus group manger engine product design Teru Ogawa told motoring.com.au that a family of engines was being developed. Asked what capacities would be offered, he said “both larger …
Kevin · November 25th, 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

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

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

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

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

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

What’s Next for Lexus?

According to a Drive interview with IS chief engineer Junichi Furuyama, Lexus continues to weigh their options regarding their next vehicle.
Kevin · July 9th, 2013

Lexus LFA Wrapped in Australian Flag

Yesterday was Australia Day, and to mark the occasion, the Lexus of Blackburn dealership wrapped LFA #252 in the national flag.
Kevin · January 27th, 2013