How to Restore a First Generation Lexus LS 400

Wheeler Dealers was a british TV show with a very simple premise: buy a beat-up classic, restore it, and sell it off for a profit. In one episode, they tackle a first generation LS 400 (judging by the rims, a 91-92 model), purchased from some poor sod for £1300. Here’s the first part to whet …
Kevin · June 14th, 2007

The Lexus LS 600h: A Misguided Hybrid?

Hybrid Cars has taken a dim view of the LS 600h, slamming it as “bizarre and misguided”, and urging his readers to steer clear. Understandable, I suppose, when your point of comparison is the Prius. It’s true that LS 600h doesn’t get better gas mileage than its non-hybrid version, the LS 460, but why criticize …
Kevin · June 13th, 2007

Motor Trend & The Splendid Isolation of the LS 460

The latest Motor Trend editorial by Arthur St. Antoine really captures what makes the new LS 460 special: I discovered the perfect antidote to L.A.‘s roadgoing toxins: our long-term Lexus LS 460. If there’s an automobile that better defends its driver from the slings and arrows of outrageous things that happen on the other side …
Kevin · June 13th, 2007

The Lexus LS 600h Commercial: Fast Reimagined

The LS 600h commercial Fast Reimagined has been posted to Youtube, and it’s classic Lexus imagery: For a little background information, I found an interview with the digital effects team at Dexigner: For this spot’s end-footage of the car, Balden explained that the Lexus was shot with a Canon digital SLR on the end of …
Kevin · June 13th, 2007

Lexus LS 460 Hold Button Demonstation

Youtube user h4×0r0x was nice enough to post a demonstration of rather unique LS series feature found on the steering wheel, namely the Hold button: As you can see, this button allows you to hold your brakes, meaning that you can rest your feet while at a stoplight. In essence, we’re looking at the anti-cruise …
Kevin · June 12th, 2007

Lexus LF-A Spotted at Nürburgring

World Car Fans has some fresh-off-the-track spy shots of the upcoming Lexus LF-A, which now sports a shop class spoiler and some honest-to-goodness rear view mirrors: The V-10 super car has stayed quite close to its original concept, with the only noticeable differences being the aforementioned spolier and some minor bumper and light housing differences. …
Kevin · June 12th, 2007

Reflecting on Initial Quality

While not Lexus specific, Joseph B. White of the Wall Street Journal has taken a deeper look at J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Survey and is driven to wonder, Is Initial Quality still relevant? Now, most of the major auto makers have made so much progress, that the Power Initial Quality Survey has less to offer …
Kevin · June 11th, 2007

Lexus RX 400h, Wagoneer Edition

While I have strong doubts that Lexus will ever release a RX Wagoneer edition, one 400h owner isn’t about to wait to see. Discovered by Autoblog.it, this one-off wooden body kit was created by Italian tuner firm Castagna Milano for someone very rich and equally eco-obsessed: Most of the reactions to this unique body modification …
Kevin · June 11th, 2007