Insights from a Lexus Insider: Andrew Kirby Discusses Lexus Ideas Engine Results

The following is a message from Andrew Kirby, general manager of Lexus global product & marketing planning in Japan, who will be taking over for Karl Schlicht in addressing Lexus Enthusiast readers directly from time to time.

Kevin · September 4th, 2012

Lexus LFA Roadster Spotted Again in Japan

The mystery Japanese Lexus LFA roadster first seen in January has been spotted again on an unidentified racetrack.

Kevin · September 3rd, 2012

TOM’S Developing New Lexus RX Body Kit

Official Lexus tuner TOM’S has started work on a new aero kit for the 2013 RX.

Kevin · August 24th, 2012

Video: 2013 Lexus LS Manufacturing Process

Let’s take a visit into the Lexus Tahara plant in Japan to see the 2013 LS being built.

Kevin · August 14th, 2012

Lexus Magazine Interview with IS F Chief Engineer

This past weekend, Lexus Magazine had a chance to interview IS F chief engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi as he watched his latest creation, the IS F CCS-R, participate in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

Kevin · August 14th, 2012

Lexus ES to be Built in North America?

The possibility of Lexus ES production moving to North America continues to build momentum.

Kevin · August 9th, 2012

Is Lexus Planning a City Car?

Japanese magazine Mag-X reports that Lexus is working on a city car based on the Prius C.

Kevin · August 6th, 2012

2013 Lexus LS Video from Japan

Lexus Japan has released a video of the 2013 Lexus LS, and it’s full of great footage.

Kevin · August 1st, 2012

Motor Trend Compares the Lexus LFA & Acura NSX

I wasn't planning on posting this video from *Motor Trend's* Jonny Lieberman comparing the Lexus LFA and Acura NSX, but feel compelled after emails from multiple outraged readers.

Kevin · July 26th, 2012

Lexus Boosts RX Manufacturing in Canada

Lexus will invest more than $100 million and hire approximately 400 employees to increase Lexus RX production at its Cambridge, Ontario facility.

Kevin · July 24th, 2012

Three Lexus LFAs Perform Synchronized Drifting

It's Friday afternoon, so how about three Lexus LFAs performing some synchronized drifting?

Kevin · July 20th, 2012

Wald to Build Black Bison Kit for Lexus CT 200h

Japanese tuner Wald International will be releasing a Black Bison sport package for the Lexus CT 200h at the China Auto Salon in October.

Kevin · July 19th, 2012

Slammed Lexus GS with Air Suspension

This slammed fourth-generation Lexus GS F SPORT is pure bonkers.

Kevin · July 17th, 2012

What Comes After the Lexus LFA?

Putting the rumor of a million dollar LFA II to rest, but opening the door to all types of possibilities as to what comes next.

Kevin · July 16th, 2012

LX Mode Releases Lexus GS Accessories

Bedazzle your Lexus GS interior with these new accessories from Japanese tuner LX Mode.

Kevin · July 13th, 2012

Interview with Two Lexus ES Designers

The Lexus Global website has an in-depth interview with Yasuo Kajino & Shinno Kato, two of the people responsible for the design of the 2013 ES.

Kevin · July 11th, 2012

Endless Motion: A Profile of Lexus Meister Shuichi Ozaki

Lexus Magazine has a profile on Shuichi Ozaki, who fine-tunes the driving experience of Lexus models using his 50 years of experience as…a surfer?

Kevin · July 10th, 2012

Taking the Lexus Takumi Origami Challenge

Mark Rechtin of Automotive News tries the Lexus origami challenge, a test given to Lexus manufacturing workers to gauge dexterity.

Kevin · July 10th, 2012

More on 2013 Lexus ES Manufacturing

Reuters has updated their original story on the 2013 Lexus ES production launch with a quote from Toyota president Akio Toyoda.

Kevin · July 9th, 2012

TTAC Tours Lexus LFA Works Factory

Bertel Schmitt from TTAC was given unprecedented access to the Lexus LFA Works factory in Japan, and will be running a five-part series this week documenting the production of the Lexus supercar.

Kevin · July 9th, 2012

Hot Lexus LFA Videos

Nothing like a hot Sunday afternoon for watching videos.

Kevin · July 8th, 2012

2013 Lexus ES Manufacturing Starts in Japan

The 2013 Lexus ES started production today at the Miyagi Plant in Japan.

Kevin · July 6th, 2012

BMW & Toyota Extend Strategic Partnership

Earlier today, Toyota & BMW signed on to an extended technical partnership that builds on their initial agreement from last year.

Kevin · June 29th, 2012

Lexus Minivan by Wald International

Japanese tuner Wald International has performed some badge engineering, converting the JDM Toyota Vellfire into a Lexus minivan.

Kevin · June 28th, 2012

Imagining a Lexus Compact Crossover SUV

Stumbled across this Japanese magazine rendering of a Lexus RAV4-based CUV over on Club Lexus, and thought it looked rather interesting.

Kevin · June 7th, 2012

Lexus Magazine Interviews 2013 ES Chief Engineer Toshio Asahi

This Lexus Magazine interview with Toshio Asahi, chief engineer of the sixth-generation ES, is full of insight into the redesign of Lexus’ top-selling sedan.

Kevin · May 28th, 2012

Lexus Ideas Engine Closes Next Week

Just a quick reminder — there’s only one more week to submit your suggestions to the Lexus Ideas Engine project.

Kevin · May 25th, 2012

Details on the Next-Generation Lexus ES Manufacturing

*Lexus Magazine* has some behind-the-scenes details on how the next-generation ES will be manufactured.

Kevin · May 23rd, 2012

Akio Toyoda Names His Favorite Non-Toyota Cars

Although its link to Lexus is tenuous at best, I still have to mention this Automotive News article about Toyota president Akio Toyoda’s favorite cars made by his domestic rivals.

Kevin · May 22nd, 2012

Lexus Discontinues the HS 250h

By way of Inside Line, Lexus has confirmed that the HS 250h has been discontinued.

Kevin · May 18th, 2012

Akio Toyoda’s Matte Black Lexus LFA

Bertel Schmitt of The Truth About Cars happened upon a very special Lexus in Toyota’s Tokyo headquarters — sitting in the lobby was a matte black LFA belonging to none other than Toyota President Akio Toyoda.

Kevin · May 18th, 2012

Photo: Lexus GS 250 Down by the Water

Speaking of Lexus GS photos, I really liked this shot from the webCG GS 250 review.

Kevin · May 16th, 2012

Lexus USA Testing TRD F Sport Parts

It looks like Lexus USA is evaluating the GS F Sport parts from TRD Japan.

Kevin · May 14th, 2012

2015 Lexus SC Convertible?

Just one day after posting a Best Car rendering of the rumored Lexus LFA II, we now have this Mag-X photochop of a possible SC convertible based on the LF-LC concept.

Kevin · May 12th, 2012

New Best Car Rendering of the Rumored Lexus LFA II

Japanese magazine *Best Car* has published a new rendering of the rumored Lexus LFA II .

Kevin · May 10th, 2012

Toyota Announces 2012 Financial Results

Toyota had its 2012 financial results news conference yesterday, and despite the Japanese tsunami, the company still turned a $5.4 billion USD profit.

Kevin · May 10th, 2012

Growing the Distance Between Lexus & Toyota

Lexus does not want to be "an upgraded version of Toyota".

Kevin · May 7th, 2012

Lexus Magazine Profiles the Lexus Stitching Dojo

Can you fold an origami cat with one hand in less than 90 seconds? Lexus may have a job for you.

Kevin · May 4th, 2012

Insights from a Lexus Insider: Introducing Andrew Kirby & the Lexus Ideas Engine

Introducing the new Lexus general manager of Lexus global product & marketing planning in Japan, Andrew Kirby.

Kevin · May 3rd, 2012

The Story Behind the Lexus Spindle Grille

Automotive News journalist Hans Greimel has written an in-depth article about the genesis of the new Lexus Spindle Grille.

Kevin · May 3rd, 2012

Gazoo Racing Lexus LFA Wins SP8 Class in VLN3 Nürburgring Race

Continuing their journey to the 24h Nürburgring race in May, the Gazoo Racing Lexus LFA took part in the VLN3 race this past weekend, finishing first in the SP8 class and 13th overall.

Kevin · April 30th, 2012

2013 Lexus ES 300h Starts Production

Lexus has released a video of the very first 2013 Lexus ES 300hs being built in Kyushu, Japan.

Kevin · April 25th, 2012

2013 Lexus RX 450h Photo Gallery from Japan

The folks over at Response.jp have just uploaded a detailed photo gallery the Japanese-spec 2013 Lexus RX 450h.

Kevin · April 22nd, 2012

Modellista Releases 2013 Lexus RX Body Kit

Official Lexus Japan tuner Modellista has released a new bodykit for the 2013 RX.

Kevin · April 19th, 2012

Video: Behind-the-Scenes Look at Lexus Manufacturing

Lexus has released a behind-the-scenes video that looks at the vehicle manufacturing process.

Kevin · April 19th, 2012

Lexus GS with Carbon Fiber Front Lip Spoiler

Japanese tuner Lexon has released a carbon fibre front lip spoiler for the new Lexus GS.

Kevin · April 18th, 2012

Wald Building Lexus GS F Sport Body Kit

Japanese tuner Wald International are preparing their first body kit for the 2013 Lexus GS.

Kevin · April 17th, 2012

2013 Lexus RX Commercial from Japan

Lexus Japan has released a commercial for the 2013 Lexus RX.

Kevin · April 13th, 2012

Japanese Photochop of Production Lexus LF-LC

An as-of-yet-unidentified Japanese car magazine has published a rendering of what a possible Lexus LF-LC production model might look like.

Kevin · April 12th, 2012

Insights from a Lexus Insider: Karl Schlicht Goes to Europe

Karl Schlicht, the former general manager of global Lexus product & marketing planning, discusses his move to Toyota Europe.

Kevin · April 10th, 2012

Planes, Trains, & Supercars: A Lexus LFA Owner Visits Japan, Part Two

Here is the second part of the story submitted by a Lexus LFA owner who visited Japan to see the supercar being built at the LFA Works factory.

Kevin · April 1st, 2012

Planes, Trains, & Supercars: A Lexus LFA Owner Visits Japan, Part One

The following article was submitted by a Lexus LFA owner who visited Japan to see the supercar being built at the LFA Works factory and ended up having a once-in-a-lifetime experience -- here is part one of his story.

Kevin · March 31st, 2012

Video: Lexus IS F Engine Installed in Toyota 86

While only partially Lexus-related, this mashup of the Toyota 86 with the IS F's 5.0L V8 is pure wild.

Kevin · March 30th, 2012

2013 Lexus GS 450h Starts Production in Japan

Lexus Europe has announced that production of the 2013 Lexus GS 450h has started at the Tahara plant in Japan.

Kevin · March 20th, 2012

Interview with the Head of Lexus, Kiyotaka Ise

Lexus Magazine is running an interview with the Head of Lexus worldwide, Kiyotaka Ise, who hints at some of the changes we can expect to see in the near future

Kevin · March 14th, 2012

Speedhunters Reviews the 2013 Lexus GS 350 F Sport

*Speedhunters* has put together an excellent photoessay review of the 2013 Lexus GS 350 F Sport.

Kevin · March 10th, 2012

Lexus GS Makes Big Sales Impact in Japan

According to Response.jp, more than 6,000 GS models have been pre-ordered by Japanese customers, which is ten times more than the original sales goal of 600 units a month.

Kevin · February 29th, 2012

Lexus Magazine Profile on Shuichi Ozaki, Vehicle Performance Tester

Lexus Magazine is running a great profile on Shuichi Ozaki, a Lexus “Meister” whose job “is to identify, safeguard, and optimize the mix of emotions that create the uniquely human appeal of the new GS —- and all Lexus vehicles.”

Kevin · February 27th, 2012

Cutest Lexus GS Review Ever?

I post this almost entirely without comment, but I’m pretty sure this Japanese car review is actually a model dressed up as a doctor having a conversation with a Lexus GS.

Kevin · February 24th, 2012

2013 Lexus RX & RX F Sport Revealed!

A brochure for the 2013 Lexus RX has been leaked online, and it confirms the crossover will be getting both a mid-cycle update and a F Sport package.

Kevin · February 11th, 2012

Fortune Magazine Profile of Akio Toyoda

Fortune has a nice profile on Akio Toyoda and his effect on Toyota’s culture, including his involvement in redefining Lexus as a luxury performance brand.

Kevin · February 9th, 2012

Modellista Releases New Lexus GS Body Kit

Just like TRD, *Modellista* also released a body kit for the new Lexus GS.

Kevin · January 27th, 2012

TRD Japan Releases New Lexus GS Body Kit

The 2013 Lexus GS went on sale in Japan earlier today, and newly developed TRD parts were revealed as part of the launch.

Kevin · January 26th, 2012

Tokyo Auto Salon: Lexus LS with a Spindle Grille & Louis Vuitton Interior

Returning once again to the Tokyo Auto Salon, here’s a custom Lexus LS notable for its attempt at the GS spindle grille.

Kevin · January 26th, 2012

Race-Spec Lexus IS F Drifting Fail

At a Tokyo Auto Salon demonstration event last week, a Gazoo Racing Lexus IS F was all ready to put on a show — unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned.

Kevin · January 23rd, 2012

A Message from Karl Schlicht, General Manager of Global Lexus Product & Marketing Planning

The following is a message from Karl Schlicht, the General Manager of Global Lexus Product & Marketing Planning, who asked me at the Detroit Auto Show if he could address my readers directly from time to time.

Kevin · January 17th, 2012

Lexus LFA Roadster Spotted in Tokyo

From out of nowhere, a Lexus LFA roadster has appeared during a D1GP Drift demonstration at the Tokyo Auto Salon.

Kevin · January 13th, 2012

Automotive News Feature on Akio Toyoda

Automotive News has a tidy little video profile on Toyota President Akio Toyoda.

Kevin · December 12th, 2011