Lexus LX is 43% of All Lexus Sales in the Middle East

Lexus sales have grown 20% in the Middle East in the first six months of 2014, with 21,598 units sold across the region. Leading the charge is the LX, which has sold 9,178 units (!!!) and make up a staggering 43-percent of total Lexus sales in the area. [Source: AMEinfo]
Kevin · August 27th, 2014

More Photos of the Supercharged Lexus LX 570 in the Middle East

Motoring Middle East has posted photos of the Supercharged Lexus LX 570 now available in the Middle East: The supercharger bumps up the standard LX 570 from 362 hp to 450 hp, increasing the torque to 520 lb. ft in the process. There’s also some minor exterior modifications, including a new set of wheels and …
Kevin · June 26th, 2014

More Information on the Lexus LX 570 Supercharger

The Lexus LX 570 Supercharger first seen last week has officially launched in Kuwait — here’s a photo gallery of the special edition in black: The supercharged 5.7L V8 engine pushes out 450 hp, up from the 383 hp of the standard LX model — along with the upgraded engine, there’s also an exclusive body …
Kevin · April 29th, 2014

New Information on the Supercharged Lexus LX 570

A source at Lexus emailed me with more information on the supercharged Lexus LX 570 that will be available in the Middle East: The Supercharged LX 570 being offered in the Gulf is a limited factory job with the approval of chief engineer Sadayoshi Koyari.  This is based on the TRD USA blower kit for …
Kevin · April 23rd, 2014

Lexus to Sell Supercharged LX 570 in the Middle East?

Lexus will apparently begin selling a supercharged LX 570 in the Gulf Arab States — here are the first photos, found on the Toyota4Arab forum: There’s also an image of the supercharged engine: According to Club Lexus poster UZJ100GXR, this is an limited edition factory package and not an aftermarket or dealer installed option. There …
Kevin · April 22nd, 2014

Lexus Sets Middle East Sales Record in 2013

Lexus was the #1 luxury automotive brand in the Middle East for 2013, with sales growing 19% for a total of 37,284 vehicles sold. New IS sales jumped 63% to 1,864 vehicles in 2013, yet Lexus’ entry-level sedan was still outsold by the LS, which increased 55% to 2,171 units sold. (Although it goes unmentioned …
Kevin · February 18th, 2014

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

The World’s Most Powerful Lexus IS F?

As it turns out, the double Lexus LFA owner from Bahrain that I featured last month also owns what may be the most powerful IS F in the world.
Kevin · May 9th, 2012

AutoMiddleEast Reviews the Lexus CT 200h

AutoMiddleEast has posted a review of the Lexus CT 200h that's worth reading -- and not only just to get a glimpse of the model in Ultrasonic Blue (an exterior color not yet available in North America) or because the reviewer admits to taking the press car up to 109mph.
Kevin · August 2nd, 2011

Lexus LFA Super Carwash

Watching a car being hand-washed might seem like a boring proposition, but Dubai-based EcowashME makes it interesting by cleaning three Lexus LFAs without using any water: To satisfy my curiosity, I took a look at the EcowashME website to see how it’s possible can clean a car without water: How is it possible to wash …
Kevin · March 17th, 2011

Brilliant Lexus CT 200h Launch Event in Dubai

Not to be too sensational, but this video from the Lexus CT 200h launch event in Dubai is easily one of the best car introductions I’ve ever seen: Admittedly, it’s a little too long, but I can see why the designers would want to stretch it out — the colors, the soundtrack, the animations are …
Kevin · March 6th, 2011

Flickr Find: Gold-Plated Lexus GS

We’ve seen gold plated Lexus coming out of the Middle East before, but both have been LX 570s — as a change, here’s a super-shiny GS, courtesy of Flickr user Prince M: I don’t know that I’ll ever understand metallic paints on any regular production car, but you have to give this owner credit for …
Kevin · March 4th, 2011

Three Colorful LFAs

Update: At the request of the photographer, I’ve removed the images of the three Lexus LFAs. The original images he posted at Club Lexus & his Flickr account have also been removed.
Kevin · March 4th, 2011

Lexus RX Art Works in Dubai

Drive Arabia is becoming the go-to destination for seeing Lexus RXs that are unavailable in North America — first it was great pics of the RX’s panoramic roof option, and now we get a good look at the RX Art Works edition by Stone Designs. From the looks of things, the only exterior change is …
Kevin · January 4th, 2011

Lexus RX 350 with Panoramic Glass Roof

Although it’s not offered in North America, some parts of the world have the option of buying the current Lexus RX with a panoramic glass roof. One such place is Dubai, and Drive Arabia has some photos to let us in on what we’ve been missing: Every Lexus should be offered with a panoramic glass …
Kevin · December 14th, 2010

Lexus Middle East GX 460 Commercial

While we’re in the Middle East, check out this sandy Lexus GX commercial: I’m a huge fan of the Lexus commercials from the Middle East — here’s another one that sticks out in my memory — there’s this iconic feel that really capture my imagination. (Must be my desire to drive a LX/GX out in …
Kevin · December 2nd, 2010

World’s Largest Lexus Showroom Opens in Kuwait

This past weekend, the world’s largest Lexus showroom opened in Kuwait — The Arab Times reports from the grand opening ceremony: The new Lexus showroom is built on a 3,000 square meters (32,291 square feet), and offers 7-star service to Lexus customers. In the words of the chairman, “It is a true milestone in the …
Kevin · December 2nd, 2010

Lexus LX 570 with Orange Leather Interior

According to Drive Arabia, the Middle East edition of the 2011 Lexus LX 570 is offered with an orange leather interior: Far too intense for my liking, but unique enough that I can see the appeal — though I wouldn’t be holding out for this option to be available in North America any time soon. …
Kevin · November 8th, 2010

Lexus Kuwait Planning World’s Largest Lexus Showroom

Lexus Kuwait is planning to build the world’s largest Lexus showroom — here’s a virtual look at the proposed building: The effort put into these new mega-dealerships is amazing — it’s hard to even imagine the scale of that showroom. Construction should be begin soon, can’t wait to see some real life photos. [Source: Lexus …
Kevin · October 25th, 2010

Lexus LX 570 ASI Invader Arrives in The Middle East

The wildly elaborate custom Lexus LX 570 Invader by ASI made its UAE debut last week at the Sharjah Auto Show: Just check out this interior: Equipped with a supercharger that boosts the 5.7L V8 to 592hp (up from 383hp), the ASI Invader will reportedly hit 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in 5.5s. Drive Arabia has some more …
Kevin · October 20th, 2010

The Golden Lexus LS 460

Earlier this year, we saw a chrome-wrapped Lexus LS 460 from Kuwait, and now here’s a golden edition from the very same country Abu Dhabi: Even if I could understand the desire to metallic-wrap a vehicle, I think the LS would be my very last pick for the process. Update: A friend of this car’s …
Kevin · August 20th, 2010

Drifting the Lexus ES 350

In what is only the latest automotive craziness to come out of the Middle East, I bring you the drifting Lexus ES 350: I don’t even know if you could call that drifting — more like absolute utter madness. (Totally off-topic, but Starfire Pearl with panoramic glass roof is probably my favorite ever color/option combo.)
Kevin · July 2nd, 2010

The Lexus GX 460 in Starfire Pearl

Couldn’t help but notice how great the Starfire Pearl Lexus GX 460 looks in these photos that were part of a (uniquely written) review in The Gulf News: While I’m partial to Starfire Pearl on almost every vehicle in the lineup, it really gives the GX some extra definition, especially in the side profile. Don’t …
Kevin · February 21st, 2010

Lexus Middle East Pursuit of Perfection Commercial

Huge fan of this Lexus commercial from the Middle East: Reminds me of the classic LS launch commercial—though obviously for a different part of the world. Love this type of lifestyle commercials when they’re done right.
Kevin · February 17th, 2010

Chromed Lexus LS 460

The shiny foil is usually reserved for the Lexus LX, but someone in Kuwait went ahead and decided to give it a go with an LS 460: Chrome-wrapping is a disturbing trend, though there’s some solace in the fact that it’s unlikely to catch on in North America—too much potential for vandalism and public humiliation. …
Kevin · January 4th, 2010

Flickr Find: Photos of the Gold Lexus LX 570

It was announced last week that a 24k gold-leaf Lexus LX 570 would be displayed at the Dubai Auto Show—and now the first images have arrived by way of Flickr user AlBargan: Be sure to check out AlBargan’s photo gallery for larger images of the LX and plenty more from the Dubai Auto Show. Surprised …
Kevin · December 20th, 2009

Gold Lexus LX 570 at Dubai Auto Show

Al-Futtaim Motors, the company that distributes Lexus in the United Arab Emirates, has announced that they will be applying 40,000 gold leaves to a Lexus LX 570 as part of their display at the Dubai International Motor Show this week: At the end of the process, the vehicle will be finished off with varnish before …
Kevin · December 14th, 2009

Even More Leaked Toyota Prado/Lexus GX Photos

Turns out that I missed a set of next-generation Toyota Prado/Lexus GX spy shots: Ignoring the stunningly bad decal, the side profile is clean and well sculpted. The exaggerated wheel-well continues to impress me, especially in the front fenders, but the front and rear portions of the SUV will need significant reworking before being released …
Kevin · July 16th, 2009

More 2010 Lexus GX 460 Photos

Looks like today’s the day for next-gen Lexus GX photos—the Toyota4Arab forums has a closer look at the front & rear of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, which is how the GX is sold in Europe: The rear lights are much more chunky than the current model, but the bigger story is the revised rear …
Kevin · July 2nd, 2009

Gold Chrome-Foiled Lexus LX 570

While browsing the Club Lexus LX 570 forum, I came across this gold chrome-foiled LX: Apparently, this is a service by a company called foilacar, which basically wraps the vehicle’s exterior in foil. Pretty amazing technology—though I’m mixed about the results. As a concept, I’m all over unique finishes, but I have no idea what …
Kevin · June 10th, 2009

Car Middle East: Lexus LS 600hL vs. Mercedes S400 Hybrid

Car Middle East has published a quasi-comparison of the Lexus LS 600hL and the upcoming Mercedes S400 Hybrid, though it reads more like a hybrid primer: Whereas Mercedes’ mantra has been to make the S-class hybrid as green as possible, Lexus has taken a different approach with the LS600h. Here, performance is the number one …
Kevin · April 27th, 2009

Lexus RX 350 Commercial from the Middle East

Next up, here’s a Lexus RX 350 commercial that borders on the just-plain weird: From what I can gather, the central point seems to be that using the Remote Touch controller won’t distract away from driving, but why a coyote? (What’s funny is that this has actually happened to me, driving home late at night …
Kevin · April 7th, 2009

Frankenstein Lexus Spotted in Qatar

Car Capture, an exotic carspotting blog, managed to snap some photos of a freakish Frankenstein “Lexus” in Qatar: Let’s see—I’m guessing ES 300 body, BMW headlights and LX rear lights, though who can really tell with all that body work. My favorite touch? The Mercedes V12 badge on the trunk. Fantastic. For larger images, visit …
Kevin · March 18th, 2009

Lexus LX 570 Sand Climbing

While on the topic of the Lexus LX 570, check out this super-impressive Youtube clip of the luxury-tank scaling a sand mountain: Zero to small-white-speck in less than 10 seconds.
Kevin · July 8th, 2008

MyRide’s Video Review of the Lexus LX 570

MyRide managed to snag one of the incredibly rare Lexus LX 570’s just long enough to film this video review: A nice overview, to be sure. I’ve grown into a huge fan of the new look LX. More than anything, the absolute cocoon it provides is a significant upgrade, it’s more like a luxury tank …
Kevin · July 8th, 2008

Lexus Numbers Roundup

Three stories out today about Lexus sales, and rather than post them all separately, I thought to just combine them. First up, Toyota president Katsuaki Watanabe still expects to see a slight increase in 2008 sales over 2007, despite the recent downturn in sales. This makes for a large uphill battle, though, as Lexus sales …
Kevin · March 6th, 2008

Flagship Lexus Dealership opens in Oman

A new Lexus dealership has opened in Oman (the country just south of the United Arab Emirates), and it was quite an event, attended not only by Toyota executive vice-president Akio Toyoda but practically the entire Oman ruling class. Starting off with a performance by juggler Michael Moschen, the grand opening quickly escalated into a …
Kevin · February 26th, 2008

Dubai’s Lexus Mega Raffle

Normally, a car raffle wouldn’t be anything to post about, but they do it differently in Dubai. The Lexus Mega Raffle, which will be held during Dubai’s annual Shopping Festival, will see an ES 350 and a RX 350 given to one winner every day for 32 days, though they can opt instead for a …
Kevin · January 2nd, 2008

Lexus LS 460 Commercial from The Middle East

While I’m certainly no expert about what it’s like to be wealthy in the Middle East, this Lexus commercial really captured my imagination — beautiful homes, giant yachts, private jets and LS 460s all round: As strange as it is to say, they picked a great actor for this ad, who carries it with his …
Kevin · November 8th, 2007

Video: Lexus LS 460 on Fire

Now this is something you don’t see every day: Don’t know exactly what would cause a car to catch fire like this, but I’m sure it’s a special sort of circumstance, especially with no other cars involved. I can’t believe people are driving right up near it, that’s just crazy.
Kevin · October 14th, 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 …
Kevin · June 8th, 2007