2007 – Lexus Enthusiast | Lexus Enthusiast

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Behind-the-Scenes of Lexus ES 350 Slice Commercial

Speaking of “behind-the-scenes” and Lexus ES commercials—here’s a real backstage pass to the work that went into creating one of my favorite Lexus commercials. First, the commercial (in poor quality): Next, here’s the process of creating a real “sliced” ES 350: The lengths that (Lexus USA advertising agency) Team One goes through to get these …

Kevin · November 12th, 2009

In Motion: Project IS-F by FiveAxis

It’s coming close to four months since the FiveAxis Lexus Project IS-F show car appeared at SEMA, but this is the first time I’ve actually seen it in motion: Just looking at photos, it was hard to really get a sense of how wide this kitted-out IS-F really is, or how low it sat. Another …

Kevin · March 11th, 2008

Flickr Find: The Project Lexus IS-F Revisited

The 5Axis Project IS-F for last year’s SEMA was a real eye-catcher, with many preferring the look to the production IS-F. Yet, there didn’t seem to be any real quality shots of the car, and certainly nothing like this photo from Scott Dukes: Just stunning, the photo really shows off the bulging bodywork, and makes …

Kevin · January 20th, 2008

Lexus 2007 Year-End Sales Report

With the release of the December 2007 numbers, it’s now possible to look at Lexus’ 2007 sales figures as a whole, which contain a fair share of surprises. Here’s the numbers, in a handy-dandy chart: 2007 2006 % Change IS250/350 54,933 54,267 0.9 ES350 82,867 75,987 8.7 GS350 21,314 23,665 -10.2 GS460/450h 2,067 3,725 -44.7 …

Kevin · January 3rd, 2008

Lexus December 2007 Sales Report

For the second month in a row, Lexus sales dropped when compared with the previous year. Here’s the details: 2007 2006 % Change IS250/350 5,651 5,538 2.0 ES350 8,005 8,736 -8.4 GS350 2,254 1,989 13.3 GS460/450h 325 299 8.7 SC430 348 486 -28.4 LS460/600h L 3,257 3,865 -15.7 Total Cars 19,840 20,913 -5.1 RX350/400h 11,835 …

Kevin · January 3rd, 2008

Lexus in 2007: A Brief Recap

Right from the very start, 2007 was a year of controversy for Lexus. In January, the Detroit Auto Show saw the introduction of the IS-F and the F-Sport line. The F-Division is meant to be Lexus’ answer to Mercedes’ AMG and BMW’s M-Division, and it was a move that was criticized from all angles over …

Kevin · December 31st, 2007

TPP’s Ten Most Popular Lexus Stories of 2007

2007 is almost over, and having given myself up to a period of reflection, I thought a recap of the year’s ten most popular stories would be in order. Without further ado: 10. Additional Footage of the Lexus LF-A at Nürburgring This Youtube footage of the Lexus LF-A zooming around Nürburgring was one of my …

Kevin · December 30th, 2007

Lexus November 2007 Sales Report

Lexus November sales dropped 7.0% over last year, marking the first monthly decrease since I started this site: 2007 2006 % Change IS250/350 3,849 3,599 6.9 ES350 5,902 6,678 -11.6 GS350 1,989 1,664 19.5 GS460/450h 216 196 10.2 SC430 268 406 -34.0 LS460/600h L 2,668 3,613 -26.2 Total Cars 14,892 16,156 -7.8 RX350/400h 8,038 8,052 …

Kevin · December 3rd, 2007

Lexus Tops JD Power’s Sales Satisfaction Index

According to the latest JD Power Sales Satisfaction Index Survey, when it comes to selling cars, Lexus is tops: “Lexus improves by four rank positions from 2006, which is a gain driven primarily by increased customer delight with the dealership facility, salesperson performance and vehicle price,” said Tom Gauer, senior director of automotive retail research …

Kevin · November 14th, 2007

Great Lexus IS-F Video from SEMA 2007

There’s lots of details in this WebRidesTV video from SEMA 2007, from a great look at the Five Axis Project IS-F to Scott Pruett’s demonstration of IS-F with VDIM on/off: Looks like the IS-F’s release date is firming up. Brian Bolain, the Lexus national advertising and media manager, reveals that the car should hit the …

Kevin · November 14th, 2007

SEMA 2007: Lexus GS 430 by GReedy

I’ll admit it, I was sitting on posting this GReedy tuned Lexus GS 430 from SEMA in the hopes that it would disappear, but it’s time to admit defeat. Beyond the gaudy stickers and coffee-can exhaust tips, there’s a supercharger under the hood, though no horsepower figures were released. If there’s one thing about this …

Kevin · November 8th, 2007

SEMA 2007: Lexus GS 430 by Blitz

The tuned Lexus GS 430 by Blitz, created for SEMA, is a real sleeper. Done up in a tasteful custom body kit, the real action is under the hood, where Blitz equipped the GS with a supercharger, boosting the V8 up 73hp to 363hp total. I’m really digging the embedded supercharger control in the console, …

Kevin · November 3rd, 2007

SEMA 2007: Lexus LS 460 by VIP Auto Salon

Here’s the Lexus LS 460 by VIP Auto Salon that’s now showing at SEMA 2007, which is basically an application of the Wald International kit, right down to the Portofino wheels. Additionally, the Dakota Digital Air Ride System was installed, allowing for direct manipulation of the car’s height, making it easy to VIP your wheels …

Kevin · November 2nd, 2007

SEMA 2007: The Lexus RX 400h by 714 Motorsports & MOMO

The 714 Motorsports/MOMO Lexus RX 400h has been revealed at SEMA, and as expected, it’s a full-on cosmetic overhaul. The RX has been dropped, kitted, and outfitted with an interior makeover. However, the mesh grille, roof rack, and slightly lowered stance make up a package that resembles an overgrown Pontiac Vibe. The wheels are fantastic …

Kevin · November 2nd, 2007

Details on the Upcoming Lexus Accessory Line

While the official announcement won’t take place until tomorrow at SEMA, my.IS has some details on the upcoming performance accessory line for the Lexus IS. Available options include: 19″ Forged Alloy Wheel/Tire Package Performance Brake Upgrade – Front & Rear Carbon Fiber Engine Cover Performance Intake Lowering Spring Set Peformance Shock Absorber Set Performance Exhaust …

Kevin · October 29th, 2007

Lexus September 2007 Sales Report

Almost missed the September US Lexus sales figures: 2007 2006 % Change IS250/350 3,757 4,319 -9.5 ES350 6,491 5,851 15.4 GS350 1,587 2,485 -33.6 GS430/450h 81 221 -61.9 SC430 297 457 -32.4 LS460/600h L 2,918 898 237.9 Total Cars 15,131 14,231 10.6 RX350/400h 7,841 8,688 -6.1 GX470 1,964 2,291 -10.8 LX470 178 490 -62.2 Total …

Kevin · October 8th, 2007

SEMA: Video Build-Log of the Tuned Lexus IS-F by Five Axis

I’ve only just discovered a great ongoing video series being shown at MyRide, which follows the development of the tuned Lexus IS-F (plus a Toyota Yaris and Scion XD) by Five Axis that will be shown at this year’s SEMA. The series, serving as a weekly check into development, has two installments so far: Countdown …

Kevin · September 28th, 2007

SEMA 2007: Lexus IS-F Events

Also announced for 2007 SEMA Show is a host of events centering around the Lexus IS-F, which will be available for test drives for the first time ever. The car will also be mounted on a dynamometer, just like the recent Taste of Lexus events, where attendees can spin the wheels to their heart’s content …

Kevin · September 21st, 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

Big News of the Day: Buick Ties with Lexus in J.D. Power’s Dependability Study

I couldn’t take a step online today without seeing that Buick & Lexus have tied in J.D. Power’s annual Vehicle Dependability Study. The study, which takes three-year old vehicles and looks at the number of problems over its last twelve months, has been thoroughly dominated by Lexus since 1993. This year marks the first time …

Kevin · August 9th, 2007

Lexus USA July 2007 Sales Report

Toyota’s July sales may have dropped 3.5%, but Lexus managed to gain 4.9% in a month that was especially difficult for automakers. Here’s a by-model breakdown of the numbers: 2007 2006 % Change IS250/350 4,892 4,848 5.1 ES350 6,909 7,803 -7.8 GS350 1,798 1,776 5.5 GS430/450h 156 299 -45.7 LS460 2,696 971 189.2 Total Cars …

Kevin · August 1st, 2007

Lexus Places Third in J.D. Power Customer Service Study

Lexus has ranked third in the 2007 J.D. Power Customer Service Study, coming up behind Jaguar and Buick and tying with Cadillac: The study “measures the customer satisfaction of vehicle owners who visit the dealer service department for maintenance or repair work during the first three years of ownership”, and in its 27th year, is …

Kevin · July 19th, 2007

Lexus USA June 2007 Sales Report

The Lexus sales numbers for June 2007 are in, which sees a minor gain over last year’s figures. Total sales are up just 0.4%, with the ES 350 and RX 350/400h still leading the pack. The LS 460 is quite a hit over the outgoing LS 430, which isn’t much of a surprise. Here are …

Kevin · July 3rd, 2007

Total Quality Index: Lexus Results

Another study was released today, this one by San-Diego-based research firm Strategic Vision. Their Total Quality Index, or TQI, is considered the premier measure of new vehicle owner satisfaction, as it asks buyers to rate every aspect of the owner experience. Lexus made a decent showing, with the RX 350 placing first in the Near …

Kevin · June 7th, 2007

Lexus Places Second in J.D. Power 2007 Initial Quality Study

J.D. Power & Associates published the results of their 2007 Initial Quality Study, and Lexus placed second in the overall rankings, behind Porsche: As you can see, it was a very close race, with Lexus owners reporting 94 problems per 100 Vehicles as compared to Porsche’s 91. The individual vehicle results were less flattering, with …

Kevin · June 6th, 2007

Lexus USA May 2007 Sales Report

Toyota USA released their May 2007 sales figures today, and it’s another record setting month for Lexus, with an increase of 2.1 percent over May 2006. For simplicity’s sake, I’ve built a handy chart to illustrate the totals: 2007 2006 % Change IS250/350 5,722 4,605 19.5 ES350 8,572 9,554 13.7 GS350 1,854 1,940 -8.1 GS430/450h …

Kevin · June 1st, 2007

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