Lexus Family Safety Camp

Lexus recently held an event in California for parents to learn more about Lexus safety and get a chance to experience the different first-hand: Hardly something to get the enthusiast blood going, but important nonetheless. From the video, you can see everything was explained in plain english, with almost no technical talk, making for an …
Kevin · June 29th, 2010

Lexus Magazine Feature on GX 460

Lexus Magazine has a nice feature up on the GX 460: The freeway is white with snow. The windshield wipers can barely keep up with the endless flakes rapidly hitting the glass. Gripping the wheel, I glance down at the navigation system. Just 20 miles to my destination, but it could take an hour or …
Kevin · June 25th, 2010

Lexus Dark Ride VIP Card Giveaway

As part of their Dark Ride campaign for the CT 200h, Lexus USA is issuing special VIP cards that bring some very exclusive benefits — including fast-track entry to clubs, free cocktails, & limited edition items. Here’s just a small sample of the perks: 20% off best available rates at notable boutique hotels such as …
Kevin · June 10th, 2010

Lexus Performance Registry Now on Lexus USA Website

After our week and a half preview here at The Lexus Enthusiast, Lexus has launched the Performance Registry on their website as part of a larger Inside F performance section. Inside F, as you would imagine, is dedicated to the Lexus’ growing performance lineup, with information on the LFA, IS F, LS Sport, and all …
Kevin · June 4th, 2010

Behind-the-Scenes with Lexus @ 24h Nürburgring Race

It’s been a couple weeks since the Lexus LFAs competed in the Nürburgring 24h race, but I wanted to mention this great article from Hans Greimel of Automotive News, who spent the entire weekend with the Toyota crew. The entire piece tells an interesting story, but I really enjoyed reading about Toyota President Akio Toyoda’s …
Kevin · May 28th, 2010

Lexus Performance Registry

Major news today! Next month, Lexus USA will be launching a worldwide Performance Registry on their website — but it’s been opened early for Lexus Enthusiast readers! The registry will be an online resource that will let enthusiasts share information on their Lexus vehicles and connect with other owners — making it easy to tap …
Kevin · May 24th, 2010

Lexus LFA Desktop Wallpapers

During my trip to the Lexus F-Sport event in New Jersey, I took over 600 photos — including 350 of the LFA alone — so I thought I would share my favorite three images as desktop wallpapers: Select Resolution: 1680×1050 | 1440×900 | 1280×1024 | 1280×800 | 1024×768 Select Resolution: 1680×1050 | 1440×900 | 1280×1024 …
Kevin · May 20th, 2010

Driving the Lexus LFA

Picture the most intense, heart-pounding roller-coaster ride of your life, only instead of rails and a cart, you’re strapped into a prototype supercar driven by a race car driver. That was the scene two weeks ago at the New Jersey Motorsports Park, where I found myself in the passenger seat of Lexus USA’s (formerly matte …
Kevin · May 17th, 2010

Lexus Europe Nürburgring Reporter Contest!

Lexus Europe is holding a very special contest to find a reporter to cover the Nürburgring 24h race next weekend: We are looking for a racing enthusiast – a true Lexus supercar fan – to report on the event. Someone who will come along with us and who will keep the rest of the world …
Kevin · May 7th, 2010

Lexus F-Sport Event Today in New Jersey

Just a reminder that the Lexus F-Sport event at the New Jersey Motorsports Park is happening today—there’s still time to book a spot, but not for much longer. As mentioned last week, I will be at the event all day—in fact, I was at the track today as part of a early preview, where I …
Kevin · April 28th, 2010

Lexus New Jersey F-Sport Event Next Week

A couple weeks back, Lexus USA announced an April 29th F-Sport event at the New Jersey Motor Park, and today, I’m happy to say I will be attending. I didn’t want to miss my chance at a hot-lap in the LFA with Scott Pruett, so I’ll be making the eight-hour drive down to New Jersey …
Kevin · April 21st, 2010

Lexus LFA Wins SP8 Class in 35th DMV Nürburgring Race

Two Lexus LFAs and an IS F competed in this weekend’s 35th DMV 4 hours race at Nürburgring, here are the results: LFA #128 – 17th place (First in SP8 Class) IS F #137 – 71st place (Fourth in SP8 Class) LFA #127 – 105th place (Fifth in SP8 Class) Update: The full results can …
Kevin · April 11th, 2010

Lexus F-Sport Event at New Jersey Motorsports Park

Lexus will be hosting an F-Sport event at the New Jersey Motorsports Park on April 29th—if you’re in the area, here’s your chance to drive the IS F and F-Sport-equipped GS & IS models, and even better, all attendees will have a chance to win a hot-lap in the LFA! Attendance is limited—be sure to …
Kevin · April 5th, 2010

Photos from the Lexus Exhibit at the New York Auto Show

TLE friend and Consumer Reports contributor Davis Adams was nice enough to send over some photos of the overall Lexus exhibit at the New York Auto Show: From the Lexus press release describing the exhibit: This year, the exhibit has a modern and stylish feel, with a three-sided marquee emblazoned with Lexus and a sophisticated …
Kevin · April 1st, 2010

Sarah Silverman to Host Lexus Climate Change Debate

Sarah Silverman will be moderating a Lexus-sponsored The Darker Side of Green hybrid debate on March 30th at the New York Auto Show. The debate will be between hybrid skeptic Phelim McAleer and renewable energy advocate Amanda Little, and will be part of the Lexus CT 200h’s North American debut at the autoshow. Check Ecorazzi …
Kevin · March 24th, 2010

More Lexus LFA Nürburgring Race Photos

Turns out that the racing-spec Lexus LFA that I posted earlier wasn’t just taking practice runs around Nürburgring, but was competing in a 4 hour qualifying race—here are some more photos: These photos give a very clear view of the modifications that have been made to the LFA in preparation for its appearance in the …
Kevin · March 22nd, 2010

Akio Toyoda Not Participating in Nürburgring 24h Race

In a break from the recent past, Toyota president Akio Toyoda will not be one of the Lexus LFA drivers during this year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours race in May. Making the announcement himself on his personal blog, President Toyoda says that although he test-drove one of the race-prepped LFAs, “unfortunately, [I] won’t participate in this …
Kevin · March 16th, 2010

Lexus CT 200h Confirmed for Geneva Auto Show

Lexus has confirmed that the LF-Ch concept will be released as a production model at the Geneva Auto Show in March—named the CT 200h, the luxury compact hatchback will be equipped with Lexus’ second-generation Hybrid Drive, bringing the total number of hybrids in the lineup to five and opening the Lexus brand to a whole …
Kevin · February 12th, 2010

Toronto Auto Show Coverage

I’ll be attending the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto today and will be bringing you coverage of the Lexus exhibit along with plenty of photos (as usual). My major focus will be taking interior photos—every single interior picture I snapped at the Detroit Auto Show didn’t turn out due to my insistence on using …
Kevin · February 10th, 2010

Lexus F-Sport Event @ Homestead-Miami Speedway

Wednesday’s Lexus F-Sport Event at the Homestead-Miami Speedway has come and gone, but some of those lucky enough to attend have published their photos & videos from the track, including some beautiful LFA shots from Eric Ho: Be sure to check out his full gallery on Flickr—some very nice 1SC & 2GS photos from the …
Kevin · January 29th, 2010

Lexus LF-Ch Survey Results

If you’re a regular TLE reader, you may remember the LF-Ch online survey that Lexus USA conducted last September—here are the final results: Very clearly, the front-end design is a hit with the 3,281 voters—more than half liked a combination of the front and front 3/4 angles. No surprises here—the LF-Ch is certainly sporty & …
Kevin · January 27th, 2010

Lexus F-Sport Event in Miami This Week

Lexus is hosting an F-Sport event this Wednesday at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida—if you’re in the area, get yourself some free tickets and take the the F-Sport IS, GS and the IS F around the track. Even better, one person from every session will be randomly selected to take a lap with Scott Pruett …
Kevin · January 24th, 2010

NAIAS Live Coverage

This morning, the North American International Auto Show has opened its doors to the worldwide automotive press, including myself, and I will be bringing you a Lexus perspective to America’s autoshow. I will be updating throughout the day as I go over every square inch of the Lexus exhibit, including the LFA supercar & the …
Kevin · January 11th, 2010

More Lexus GX 460 LA Auto Show Video

Here’s some more footage of the Lexus GX 460 from the LA Auto Show—this time, someone filmed a crowd demonstration of the newest Lexus SUV: Biggest part of the spokesman’s speech is that Taste of Lexus may have been reactivated after its hiatus. This US event, put on hold for much of 2008-2009, is a …
Kevin · December 7th, 2009

Jay Leno’s Garage Features Lexus LFA

Just got around to watching the Lexus LFA coverage on Jay Leno’s Garage and it’s well worth the time (even without Leno driving): The side-long footage simulates what it might look like to pull beside the LFA, and also shows just how large the car really is (which is to say, not very). It’s also …
Kevin · November 29th, 2009

Lexus F-Sport Event at the Auto Club Speedway

If you may recall, there was an F-Sport event in Fontana, California last Thursday, and videos and photos of the event are making their way online—for a start, there’s this video put together by Unlimited Illuminations that features great footage of an IS F lap around the Auto Club Speedway: Too bad that poor guy …
Kevin · November 16th, 2009

2010 Lexus GX 460 to Debut in China Next Week

The next-generation Lexus GX will be unveiled in China next Monday at Auto Guangzhou 2009: The Lexus “GX460”, a midsize SUV, will make its world premiere at a press briefing scheduled for November 23. Also on display for Lexus will be the “ES240” and other models. Also being displayed is the 4-cylinder ES 240, which …
Kevin · November 15th, 2009

2009 Lexus SEMA Showcase Video

Along with the usual press photos, Lexus has also put together a video showing their stable of customized SEMA cars: It’s a nice lineup of cars this year, though I would have preferred to see more done with the GS. Also, I hope the wheels on the TRD (orange) IS-C make it into the F-Sport …
Kevin · November 4th, 2009

Lexus F-Sport Event in California

Lexus USA is holding an F-Sport event November 12th at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California: One Day Only at Auto Club Speedway… An exclusive opportunity to experience the performance and appearance-enhancing F-Sport™ accessories on a custom autocross course at California’s premiere track- Auto Club Speedway.. Come out and experience racing inspired components that …
Kevin · November 4th, 2009

SEMA 2009 Lexus Car Guide

SEMA, the annual automotive specialty products tradeshow, starts tomorrow, and will feature seven Lexus automobiles, including the North American debut of the LFA and the winner of the SEMA Showcase contest—here’s a full breakdown of the participating vehicles: IS 300 by DAVID HUANG {embed=“site/gallery” gallery_id=“1421”} Description David Huang invested over $100,000 in his IS 300 …
Kevin · November 2nd, 2009

Lexus Announces Drive HS Winner

Lexus USA has announced the winner of their Drive HS promotion: Mr. Michael David Valletta who resides in Pleasant View, Utah, and is currently stationed at Fort Rucker, Ala., is the Grand Prize Winner of the promotion which encouraged people to post a profile and a statement about why people should vote for them on …
Kevin · October 27th, 2009

Official Lexus LFA Photos (& Specs) Leaked!

It’s a full-on torrent of Lexus LFA information—first there was the leaked press video and photos from the streets of Miami—now it’s the official press photos leaked early by Italian website Omni Auto: Along with the photos was a breakdown of all the important performance specifications: 4.8L 72-degree V10 pushing out 560hp at 8,700 RPM …
Kevin · October 20th, 2009

Lexus HS250h Photos from Winnipeg

Given the short time frame, I wasn’t able to take too many photos during the Lexus HS 250h event in Winnipeg, but what I lacked in quantity I made up for in quality: {embed=“site/gallery” gallery_id=“1389”} I found the HS 250h in Matador Red very easy to photograph—unlike the Aurora White Pearl that absorbed all light. …
Kevin · October 19th, 2009

2010 Lexus HS 250h Canadian Preview

To mark the Canadian release of the Lexus HS 250h, Lexus Canada invited media from across the country to test drive the new hybrid sedan in Winnipeg, Manitoba, one of the most environmentally friendly cities in Canada. The event took place over two days, where we were blessed with some exceptionally wonderful weather and plenty …
Kevin · October 15th, 2009

Lexus RX 450h Enters MPG Marathon

Every year, UK magazine Fleet World holds the MPG Marathon, a fuel economy “race” where the best MPG result wins. As part of the event this year, Lexus UK entered a RX 450h, and turned in a very good result: … the full hybrid Lexus returned an average 54.75mpg over more than 350 miles of …
Kevin · October 5th, 2009

Lexus wants YOUR car for SEMA 2009

If you own a modded Lexus, Lexus USA could be looking to feature your car as part of their display at SEMA this year! The company is holding a contest to find the best and brightest—to enter you have to submit three photos, a list of modifications, and your contact details to (JavaScript must be …
Kevin · October 1st, 2009

Lexus USA Looking for LF-Ch Feedback

Although it was designed primarily with Europe in mind, the LF-Ch concept has generated plenty of buzz on the North American shores—and Lexus USA is looking to gauge just how interested American customers are in the hatchback concept. To that end, a short survey has been added to the concepts page on the Lexus USA …
Kevin · September 28th, 2009

Lexus LF-Ch Photo Gallery

Flickr user Lexusaddicted has taken some very nice shots of the Lexus LF-Ch concept car, including some detail photos like these: I find these up-close photos reveal the time and consideration that goes into creating a concept car, and how every element of the vehicle is envisioned from scratch. Case in point, it’s unlikely that …
Kevin · September 21st, 2009

2010 Lexus GS 450h Official Information

Also announced this week at the Frankfurt Auto Show was the revised 2010 Lexus GS 450h, which sports a new grille, among other small changes: The pre-crash collision system has been revised to include a pre-crash seatbelt and brake assist functions. The GSh navigation system has been upgraded to the Lexus 6th-gen system, which runs …
Kevin · September 20th, 2009

Lexus Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Today marks the 20th anniversary of Lexus! On this very day in 1989, opened the dealership doors in the United States, and has since gone on to become the bestselling luxury brand in the country, and the fourth largest luxury car brand in the world. To mark the occasion, I thought it would be fitting …
Kevin · September 1st, 2009

Win a Lexus HS 250h for a Year!

To promote the release of the HS 250h, Lexus USA is having a contest to give away two full-year test drives of the new luxury hybrid, along with 100 week-long test drives—here’s Lexus Vice-President of Marketing, David Nordstrom, with the full details: Entering is simple, just visit drivehs.com, sign up for a profile and then …
Kevin · July 2nd, 2009

Lexus Belgium Hybrid Live Concert Contest

Lexus Belgium is holding a very unique contest—choose two Dutch musicians from a group of seven, try to get as many votes for your grouping as possible, and you could win a private concert from your two selections—a concert that is piped through the sound system of a Lexus RX 450h: Reminds me of the …
Kevin · June 3rd, 2009

Lexus Hybrid Challenge with Serena Williams & Juan Martin del Potro

How’s this for a challenge: As part of the Madrid Tennis Open happening this week in Spain, Lexus sponsored a contest between Serena Williams and Juan Martin Del Potro to see who could use the least amount of fuel driving the RX 450h over 100m—all while balancing a tennis ball on the hood: I’m not …
Kevin · May 14th, 2009

Crystallized Wind LFA @ Milan Design Week

Here’s a new image of the acrylic Lexus LFA, or Crystallized Wind, currently on display during Milan’s Design Week: Still impressed by the very idea of this transparent art piece, and would love to see it in person. For a couple more quick glimpses of the model, and a full Japanese interview with designer Sou …
Kevin · April 24th, 2009

Lexus Japan’s RX Museum Party Video

Should we need any proof that Lexus is being marketed differently in Japan as compared to North America, look no further than this video from the Japanese RX launch party, featuring DJ No+Chin in a “battle” with visual artist Saori Kanda: Feels more like Scion than Lexus, color me impressed by how uniquely Japanese this …
Kevin · March 23rd, 2009

Lexus @ Milan Design Week 2009

For the last few years, Lexus has been taking part in the Milan Design Week by creating a unique exhibit in collaboration with an artist. Last year, it was the Elastic Diamond with nendo, and this year Lexus has partnered with Huzimoto Takeshi, one of Japan’s up & coming architects, to create Crystallized Wind, or …
Kevin · February 18th, 2009

Detailed Account of the Lexus Perfomance Academy

Blogger David Pitlyuk attended the paid version of last weekend’s Lexus Performance Academy in West Virginia, and took some time to give a full rundown of the event, including this video of his hot lap in the IS-F: David’s summary is quite detailed, and gives some very good insight into each part of the event. …
Kevin · July 1st, 2008

Video from a Lexus Performance Academy Hot Lap

With only four Lexus Performance Academy events planned across the entire US, there’s a very strict limit to just how many people will get in on the action, which is especially disappointing considering that part of the fun is driving in a IS-F at full-steam around a closed race track. Luckily, in the age of …
Kevin · June 30th, 2008

Salvador Dali Exhibit at Newport Lexus

If you’re anywhere near Newport Lexus in Orange County, California, you might want to check out their Salvador Dali exhibit, which opened yesterday and runs until June 30th: Salvador Dali at Newport Lexus, Newport Beach, California Friday, June 20 8:30a to 9:00p Largest exhibit of Salvador Dali works ever shown in Newport Beach. More than …
Kevin · June 21st, 2008

Motor Trend attends the Lexus Performance Academy

A writer from Motor Trend secured a seat to the Lexus Performance Academy held two weekends ago at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana California. Here’s how the event broke down: For the most part, it turned out to be a fun way to spend a day. The four-hour-plus event is broken up into several …
Kevin · June 13th, 2008

Lexus Lifestyle Marketing

Autoweek has a story about Lexus’ latest grassroots marketing campaign, and it’s much more than teaming up with the Fairmont Hotel chain to create the “hybrid-living suites”: For a more routine hotel stay, Lexus owners at 13 other boutique hotels receive $100 vouchers for dining and spa services. Those hotels also will offer no-charge access …
Kevin · April 17th, 2008

Lexus Performance Driving Academy

Last month, it was announced that the annual Taste of Lexus traveling test drive tour would be discontinued and replaced with smaller, more targeted events. The reasoning was that too many current owners were taking part, even making up 75% of the audience in some locations. Regardless of how much sense it makes to close …
Kevin · April 14th, 2008

Future Taste of Lexus Events Cancelled

Beginning this year, Lexus USA will be replacing their annual Taste of Lexus travelling test drive events with a series of three separate tours, as they try to bring the focus back on the vehicles and not the event itself: “People were coming because we were giving three to four hours of entertainment value.” As …
Kevin · March 20th, 2008

Details on Lexus Exhibit for 2008 Milan Design Week

As a way of extending their L-Finesse design language, Lexus has been taking part in the Milan Design Week since 2005. Always a collaboration with a unique comtemporary artist, the 2008 exhibit features work by Japanese design company nendo, and will be titled “Elastic Diamond”. Here’s some details: The 2008 Lexus exhibit, which has been …
Kevin · February 17th, 2008

Lexus Takes Potential IS-F Customers to the Track

Rather than the mass-media marketing campaign expected with the release of a new vehicle, the Lexus IS-F will be promoted in a different fashion — letting potential customers test drive the car on race tracks across the United States: Lexus will try and lure in buyers at the track, said Brian Bolain, Lexus’ national manager …
Kevin · December 17th, 2007

Lexus Introduces the IS-F to Dealers

There isn’t much to this video of the IS-F’s introduction at a Lexus District Dealer Seminar, but if you have a love of screeching tires, this one is going to be hard to beat: Chances are low, but if there’s really only one white IS-F in North America, it’s sure taken a beating. [Via: Club …
Kevin · October 1st, 2007

SEMA 2007: Lexus to Launch Performance Accessory Line

Lots of SEMA news today, starting with the announcement of a new performance accessory line from Lexus: “The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world, and Lexus is thrilled to participate this year,” said Brian Bolain, National Lexus Interactive and Automotive Events Manager. “SEMA is the perfect venue for …
Kevin · September 21st, 2007

Lexus IS-F Test Drives @ SEMA 2007

Should you be lucky enough to be attending SEMA 2007, the premier annual automotive specialty trade event, you’re in for an extra-special Lexus treat: The Lexus IS-F will be available for test drives from October 30th – November 1st. No word if these quarter-hour test drives are attended by professional drivers (similar to the Taste …
Kevin · September 6th, 2007

Three More Taste of Lexus Evening Editions: Chicago, New York & Miami

The Taste of Lexus, an event where Lexus brings out all their current models for test drives, is traveling across the USA, and is scheduled to make stops in Chicago, New York and Miami this month. As with their most recent event in Los Angeles, Lexus will also be hosting “Evening Editions” at each of …
Kevin · September 4th, 2007

The Lexus IS-F 1/4 Mile Dyno Run

For the Taste of Lexus Evening Edition in Arcadia this past weekend, the IS-F was available for the public to test-drive — only catch was, it was on a dynamometer: The exhaust note is smooth and powerful, and the shifting is practically seamless. No dyno results were shown, but one Club Lexus tester felt there …
Kevin · August 27th, 2007

Taste of Lexus Evening Event in Los Angeles

The traveling Taste of Lexus event, where you can test drive all the current Lexus models, is having a special “Evening Edition” in Los Angeles this Saturday, August 25. This special edition is for driving enthusiasts, as all test drives will take place on a short performance track, which is normally reserved strictly for the …
Kevin · August 22nd, 2007

The LS 460 Symphony Orchestra Takes the Stage

Twelve LS 460’s will be filling in for a symphony orchestra this August for two very special performances in Britain: The twelve vehicles will be arranged onstage to emulate a typical orchestral layout of individual instruments, with strings, brass, woodwind, basses and percussion being performed by each section. In essence each LS 460 will be …
Kevin · August 2nd, 2007