Lexus Hybrid Drive Explained

Lexus national manager of global training, Paul Williamsen was interviewed by Engineering TV on the technology behind the Lexus Hybrid Drive engines.
Kevin · January 24th, 2013

Lexus LS-Based TMG TS 650 Revealed!

The long-rumored Toyota Motorsports TMG Sports 650 concept has been revealed prior to its debut at the Essen Motor Show this week.
Kevin · November 27th, 2012

Lexus CT to Get New Engine Option?

Also mentioned in last week’s news.com.au interview with the president of Lexus International, Kiyotaka Ise, was the possibility of a CT with a gas-only engine option.
Kevin · October 9th, 2012

Aston Martin to Use Lexus Engines?

German newspaper De Telegraaf reports that Aston Martin is interested using Lexus engines to power future models.
Kevin · July 23rd, 2012

Car & Driver Reviews the Lexus CT 200h

The Car & Driver review of the Lexus CT 200h has been posted to their website, and for the most part, it's an unflattering look at the new hybrid hatchback.
Kevin · June 1st, 2011

Kazama Auto’s 2JZ Lexus IS

Speaking of matte black Lexus IS 350s, here’s a great Speedhunters feature on a two-tone IS built by Kazama Auto that’s out-of-this-world: It’s not just the exterior that’s been remade, but the entire car from top to bottom. Check out this engine setup: That’s a 2JZ-GTE Supra engine pumping out 620hp and mated to a …

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Kevin · March 30th, 2011

Pure Lexus LFA Sound

Here’s something to get your week started off on the right foot — the LFA launch video with a V10-only soundtrack: Hard to believe my excitement now that the LFAs are being delivered to their new owners — can’t wait for all the LFA spottings around the world as the supercar hits the public roads.
Kevin · January 24th, 2011

EVO Engine of the Year: The Lexus LFA V10

One point I lost in the shuffle of EVO’s Car of the Year showdown — the magazine named the Lexus LFA’s V10 the 2010 Engine of the Year (click for a larger version): Some quotes: There’s the noise [the LFA engine] makes, for a start, a dense shriek like a V10 F1 car’s, fired out …

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Kevin · January 2nd, 2011

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 …

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Kevin · October 20th, 2010

Full Lexus Engine Recall List

Lexus USA has filed its official papers (PDF Link) for the LS/IS/GS valve spring recall, here is the full list of affected vehicles: Also included in the recall document is a timeline of how the valve spring fault was discovered, which I’m reprinting here in full after the jump. (Thanks FYI!)
Kevin · July 8th, 2010

Keeping Perspective on Lexus Recall

Bloomberg is reporting that Lexus has been aware of the engine problems behind the recent recall since 2007: The carmaker received the first customer complaints in March 2007 in Japan regarding defective valve springs that may cause engines to stall, Toyota spokeswoman Ririko Takeuchi said by phone today from Tokyo. The problem occurs when foreign …

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Kevin · July 7th, 2010

More on the Lexus Engine Recall

Lexus USA will be formally submitting their recall of approximately 138,000 Lexus vehicles next week with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall will apply to certain 2006, 2007 & 2008 GS, IS, and LS models equipped with 4.6 and 5.0L V8 and 3.5L V6 engines. Here’s the full breakdown: GS 350: 2007-2008 GS …

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Kevin · July 2nd, 2010

Potential Lexus Engine Recall

Toyota has announced today that they may be recalling 270,000 Lexus cars after discovering a problem with the 4.6L V8 and 3.5L V6 engines used throughout the lineup — from the Wall Street Journal: The auto maker has found a problem with the valve spring of 4.6 liter V8 engines and 3.5 liter V6 engines …

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Kevin · July 1st, 2010

Jayson Pizarro’s LS1 Powered Lexus GS

Great story in Modified Magazine about Jayson Pizarro and his heavily modified LS1-powered Lexus GS 300—absolutely no compromises in this build, and it shows down to every detail. One of the complete custom 2GS’ I’ve ever seen. Read this Story
Kevin · February 10th, 2010

Rumor: Lexus GS F to have LFA V10 Engine

Japanese magazine Best Car is reporting that Lexus is working on a GS F that would pair the current sedan with the LFA’s 4.8L V10 engine. It seems unlikely to be true, especially the idea that Lexus would be working on a variant of the oldest sedan in the lineup, and is probably wishful thinking …

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Kevin · December 30th, 2009

More on the Lexus LFA Engine

By way of 4WheelsNews, Japan magazine Best Car is reporting that the Lexus LF-A’s engine has been confirmed as a 4.8L V10 engine producing 550 hp, and will be designated as the 1LR-GEU. Also, we’re getting some indication of how the rumored 500 supercars will be divided up across world markets. Asssuming the numbers are …

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Kevin · July 15th, 2009

Lotus to use Lexus LFA V10 in Upcoming Supercar?

While catching up on last week’s news, one interesting story that popped up was from EVO—apparently, Lotus may use Lexus engines in their upcoming Esprit supercar: The new Lotus Esprit, due in 2012, could be powered by the high-revving, 500bhp V10 engine from the as yet unlaunched Lexus LF-A…This brings the prospect of a flagship, …

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Kevin · June 2nd, 2009

Lexus IS 350 Drift Car with Corvette Engine

Daijiro Yoshihara, one of the drivers in the Formula D series, has a new team and a new machine—a Lexus IS 350 with a Corvette Z06 LS6 engine: Looks like he’s going to need some more practice. [Via: Straight Line]
Kevin · May 12th, 2009

LA Times reviews the Lexus IS-F

Dan Neil’s review of the Lexus IS-F for the Los Angeles Times is entertaining from start to finish, particularly this passage about making the IS-F sing: The engine’s most vulgar feature, however, is the dual-inlet intake manifold, found somewhere inside the maze of engine plumbing. If you mash the gas in this car hard enough, …

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Kevin · February 20th, 2008

Lexus IS 350 V6 Engine Named as one of 2008’s Best

The 3.5L DOHC V-6 engine found in the Lexus IS 350 has been named as one of 2008’s top engines by Wards: As it earns its third consecutive 10 Best Engines award, Associate Editor Byron Pope sums up the Lexus-exclusive engine’s execution: “Good luck beating this in any category.” …where the IS 350 application really …

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Kevin · January 21st, 2008

VIP Twin Turbo Lexus LS 430

Perhaps it’s my love of the stock Lexus LS 430, but this VIP’d up version is a real head scratcher: Can’t say I’m a real fan of the Fabulous body kit and its massive front lip, but the thing that stood out the most were the blown-out rear wheel wells. I understand the reasoning, massive …

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Kevin · November 20th, 2007

FiveAxis Lexus IS-F Makes an Appearance at the LA Auto Show

The Lexus Project IS-F by FiveAxis is moving its way up the west coast, making the trip from SEMA in Las Vegas to the LA Auto Show, where it was photographed in depth by Autoblog. There’s also been mention of a “Stage 2″ IS-F engine mod package being developed by FiveAxis, though there’s nothing in …

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Kevin · November 18th, 2007

Lexus LF-A Development Hits a Bump

When the same-old Lexus LF-A concept was displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show instead of the expected production model, it was a clear sign that something was amiss in the supercar’s development. There’s no official word, but according to a Winding Road source, there’s certainly been some bumps in the road: Rumblings from inside Toyota …

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Kevin · November 13th, 2007

The Lexus IS-F Engine Uncovered

Perhaps the most amusing part of Jalopnik’s review of the IS-F, and something I forgot to mention in my post, was their removal of the engine cover, revealing this jumbled up pile: You can check out more photos of the engine innards at the Jalopnik site. *** Another thing I missed, or rather didn’t realize, …

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Kevin · November 7th, 2007

Car Magazine Spies the Lexus LF-A

Including three spy-photos of a practically-production version, Car Magazine has hit with some Lexus LF-A news: As the engine rules in F1 have changed, so has the powerplant under development for the LF-A. It now has a V10 petrol engine of just under 5.0 litres capacity, said to develop a muscly 500bhp for 200mph performance. …

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Kevin · October 30th, 2007