Lexus LX: Third GenerationUSA

2020 Lexus LX 570 Gets Sport Package in USA

Posted by krew on July 29th, 2019

Lexus LX 2020 Sport Package

Lexus USA will offer a Sport package for the 2020 LX 570, adding an exclusive sport grille and body kit to the flagship SUV.

The Sport Package will only be available on the three-row model, and will include the following updates in addition to the standard Luxury package:

Exterior: Exclusive sport grille and front fascia, revised lower rear valence, body color side mirrors with chrome accents.

Interior: Semi-aniline, leather-trimmed seats in Black, Cabernet, or exclusive Moonlight White, black headliner.

Lexus LX 2020 Front Grille

The 2020 Lexus LX 570 goes on sale in September with a base price of $86,380 for the two-row model. The three-row model starts at $91,380. Sport Package models will have a base price of $99,300.

Lexus ES: Seventh GenerationRumorsUSA

Lexus Trademarks ES 250 Nameplate in USA

Posted by krew on July 29th, 2019

Lexus ES 250 USA

Lexus has trademarked the ES 250 nameplate in the USA, suggesting a new engine option may be coming to North America.

Powered by the 2.5L 4-cylinder A25A-FKS engine found in the Toyota Camry and RAV4, the ES 250 is already available in markets around the world. In the Camry, the engine is mated to a 8-speed transmission and generates 206 horsepower and 186 lb.-ft of torque.

According to the website Kaizen Factor, the ES 250 trademark was filed under U.S. serial number 88521527 on July 18, 2019. This is no guarantee that the model will arrive in dealerships any time soon, but adding a new engine option to the brand’s best selling car feels like a smart move.

(An interesting aside — in China, this engine is sold as the ES 260 because the number 250 is used as an insult.)

Lexus RC F: First GenerationSponsorships

Behind-the-Scenes: The Partnership Between Lexus & Men in Black

Posted by krew on July 28th, 2019

Lexus RC F in Men in Black

The website Fanbolt spoke with Lexus USA marketing media manager MJ Kroll about the partnership between the brand and Men in Black: International:

Q: What does that conversation look like? Do films already a model in mind, or is that something that Lexus gets to pick?

MJ Kroll: First and foremost, we look for alignment with our brand and how the integration might enable us to illuminate a core brand truth within the story.

For high profile integrations, we ensure that the film’s release syncs with our key initiatives and priorities during that time period. For Men in Black: International specifically, they were looking for a high style performance car, and we were preparing to launch the new RC F, the purest expression of Lexus performance.

They were also looking for SUVs to round out the MIB fleet. In addition to the Lexus RC F sport coupe, the Lexus RX Hybrid and Lexus LX SUVs are also featured.

Fanbolt then asked the question everyone wants to know the answer to:

Q: Does Lexus have veto power over how a car is used or what it does/what happens to it in a film?

A: The beauty of film integrations is that none of the traditional rules apply. It’s an opportunity to partner with filmmakers to imagine all the possibilities. If there’s a line, it would probably be drawn at ensuring that any depiction is consistent with our brand philosophy of creating amazing experiences for our customers.

Lexus ES: Seventh GenerationLexus LC: First GenerationLexus UX: First GenerationSafetyUSA

Lexus UX 250h, ES 300h, LC 500 & LC 500h Recalled for Faulty Brake Booster Pump

Posted by krew on July 25th, 2019

Lexus UX 250h Recall

Lexus has announced a safety recall on the 2019 UX 250h, ES300h, LC 500 & LS 500/500h due to faulty brake booster pumps:

In the subject vehicles, there is a possibility the brake booster pump may have been manufactured improperly, and in some cases, it may stop operating. If the brake booster pump stops operating, multiple warning lights and messages will illuminate, and/or audible chimes will sound.

In this condition, braking assist could be lost completely after several brake pedal applications, resulting in increased stopping distance. In addition, the Vehicle Stability Control will become deactivated, and other vehicle features could be affected. A deactivated Vehicle Stability Control or a sudden and complete loss of braking assist while driving could increase the risk of a crash.

The recall affects approximately 6,900 vehicles in the USA. Owners will receive a notification by first class mail by September. Lexus dealers will replace the brake booster pump at no cost to customers.

To see if your vehicle is affected, visit the Lexus Safety Recall website and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate information.

DealershipsHistoryLexus LS: First Generation

A Brief History of Lexus

Posted by krew on July 23rd, 2019

Lexus LS 400 OG

Steve Finlay from WardsAuto has written about the origins of the Lexus brand, and it’s a must-read for enthusiasts:

Launching a premium brand made sense to Toyota on a number of levels. One of them was to offer a premium-vehicle option to keep Baby Boomer Toyota owners in the fold as they became more prosperous.

As loyal Toyota owners became more affluent, they had no place to go for a luxury vehicle except back to the usual luxury brands, says [Lexus senior product manager Michael] Moore.

The need for a world-class Toyota luxury vehicle became a new priority, focusing on the U.S. market first. Norman Lean, a Toyota U.S. executive, penned a historic memo to the home office: “We need something bigger, and we need it today.”

In 1984, a 15-person planning team was assembled. Its mission was top secret, even within the company. A man on a mission, chief engineer Ichiro Suzuki’s ambitious product-development targets included: 155-mph top speed, 0.28 drag coefficient and 58 decibels at 60 mph.

(Photo from the Car & Driver review of the original LS 400.)