Europe – Page 3 | Lexus Enthusiast

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Top Gear Magazine Supercar Showdown

Last month, a video showed up on Youtube showing a Lexus LFA, Mercedes SLS, Porsche GT3 RS, Lamborghini LP 570-4 Superleggera, and Ferrari 458 all parked on the side of a UK road — turns out this was the work of Top Gear Magazine, who pulled the “five greatest supercars of the year” together for …

Kevin · August 17th, 2010

Lexus & Tumi to Partner on Exclusive LFA Luggage

Lexus has partnered with Tumi to create a special set of luggage that fits perfectly into the LFA: The unique line of Tumi cases for the LFA supercar has a hybrid construction, and is styled using components that are directly related to the appearance of the car. Never before have a hard shell, aluminum and …

Kevin · August 12th, 2010

Lexus LS 460 Commercial: Opera

Here’s a clever LS 460 commercial from Lexus Germany: Captures the LS 460’s Mark Levinson system perfectly — there’s nothing quite like live music through those 19 speakers, in my experience.

Kevin · August 12th, 2010

Autocar: Lexus LFA vs. Ferrari 458 Italia vs. Porsche 911 GT3 RS vs. Noble M600

Thanks to German Car Forums, we can get a sneak peek at the new Car Magazine Autocar comparison of the Lexus LFA, Ferrari 458 Italia, Porsche 911 GT3 RS & Noble M600 — here’s a LFA quote: Even though pictures of the LFA have been circulating for years, and personally I’ve seen the car in …

Kevin · August 9th, 2010

Lexus LFA & Toyota 2000GT Meet in Germany

While one white Lexus LFA was doing donuts in Japan, another white LFA made an appearance at the Classic Days Motorfestival in Schloss Dyck, Germany, where it met face to face with its one true predecessor — the Toyota 2000GT. Auto journalist Richard Meaden did us all a favor and posted a photo to Twitter: …

Kevin · August 3rd, 2010

New Lexus CT 200h Video

Here’s a short but sweet video of the Lexus CT 200h out on the town: I wasn’t crazy about the wheels at first, but the wheel spin pattern is top-notch — exciting to think that pretty soon, a lucky few will be getting a chance to drive this very car in the USA! (Thanks Seal!)

Kevin · July 30th, 2010

Lexus LFA Sets Goodwood Circuit Track Record

As it turns out, Dutch magazine Autoweek set a new Goodwood Circuit track record with the Lexus LFA a couple weeks back — here’s the footage of the lap: According to Fastestlaps, the LFA ran the track at 1:24.8 — almost 3 seconds faster than the second place Nissan GT-R at 1:27.70. Even more impressive? …

Kevin · July 27th, 2010

Red Lexus LFA on the Nürburgring

I literally can not resist posting red Lexus LFA footage: The super-red headliner is the absolute best. Update: I’ve replaced the video with a higher resolution version.

Kevin · July 26th, 2010

Lexus LFA Goodwood Circuit Laps

During the Goodwood Festival a couple weeks back, Lexus let a series of journalists sample the LFA on the Goodwood Circuit. The car was set up to record the laps in full detail, and now three journalists have published their videos online: And the longest one by far, a full 15 minutes of LFA racing …

Kevin · July 19th, 2010

Red Lexus LFA at Goodwood

The folks over at Autoblog.nl had a chance to drive the red Lexus LFA at Goodwood and put together a fantastic review: There’s a real enthusiasm to the review, and at the end of the video, the presenter shows off his observed fuel economy: 5.4MPG (43.4l/100km), which isn’t all that surprising given the type of …

Kevin · July 11th, 2010

Live Lexus CT 200h Video!

And now for our first video look at the Lexus CT 200h in Brown Spice Mica (just a warning, you may want to turn down the volume): The CT looks great on the road, even if the color isn’t my favorite — and just how good is this car going to look with bigger wheels, …

Kevin · July 8th, 2010

Lexus Facebook Fan Takes a Ride in the LFA

Lexus Europe brought one of their Facebook fans along for a ride as racing driver Takayuki Kinoshita took an LFA up the hillclimb at last weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed — here’s the footage of winner Olivia’s experience: You have to give Olivia credit for keeping it together — gotta love the smiles on both …

Kevin · July 8th, 2010

Autoblog Rides in the Lexus CT 200h Too

Autoblog was also in attendance at last week’s small media preview of the Lexus CT 200h, and had this to say about their time in the passenger seat: Riding along suburban roads near the TME facility, the CT 200h – even in prototype guise – is suitably Lexus-like in its build quality and refinement, yet …

Kevin · June 30th, 2010

The Telegraph Takes a Ride in the Lexus CT 200h

Lexus Europe has media showing with the CT 200h last week, and Jesse Crosse from The Telegraph was there for a ride in the passenger seat: I was given a brief ride in a prototype by Lexus engineers last week who were keen to demonstrate the low centre of gravity, flat cornering stance, low, sporty, …

Kevin · June 30th, 2010

Live Lexus CT 200h Interior Photos

I just received a massive stack of Lexus CT 200h photos in my inbox, including some pics of a wonderful beige Ecru leather interior with a bamboo (?) wood trim — look at this (click for a larger image): That sliver of wood really sets the whole thing off — I’m extremely impressed with how …

Kevin · June 27th, 2010

Lexus CT 200h in Blue!

And here we go — the first high-quality photo of the Lexus CT 200h in something other than white (click for a larger version): Seeing the CT 200h in blue is somewhat curious, considering it wasn’t listed as one of the colors on the Lexus USA mini-site — but it would hardly be the first …

Kevin · June 24th, 2010

Lexus Chief Test Driver Hiromu Naruse Dies in LFA Crash

German newspaper Rhein-Zeitung is reporting that the Lexus LFA Nürburgring edition featured yesterday has been involved in a serious crash with another car. Details are still emerging and nothing has been confirmed, but it’s believed that Toyota Chief test driver Hiromu Naruse was behind the wheel, and that both the driver and passenger in the …

Kevin · June 23rd, 2010

Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition Photos

After scoping out the same rendered versions of the Lexus LFA Nürburgring edition for a while now, there’s finally some real photos of the track-optimized version of the supercar courtesy of Autoblog (click for larger versions): Conveniently, Lexus has highlighted all the Nürburgring edition’s aero-parts in black, making it easy to see the larger front …

Kevin · June 22nd, 2010

More Lexus CT 200h Videos

Here’s a couple of new Lexus CT 200h videos — this first one breaks down the Lexus Hybrid Drive system by its central elements: The second video is an interview with CT 200h Chief Engineer Osamu Sadakata as he describes the three driving modes of the new hatchback: These HD videos are great — love …

Kevin · June 15th, 2010

Lexus LFA Scrollbroaaaar

As part of the Lexus LFA media blitz, German auto website Sport Auto received a new scrollbar: I’ve tried my best to see myself on the Sport Auto website, but to no avail — cute idea, though I wonder how well it would bear up to repeated exposure. [Via: Ads of the World]

Kevin · June 13th, 2010

Lexus IS Helicopter Ballet

Not every day you watch a video featuring forty-four Lexus IS 250s performing a choreographed routine that’s filmed by helicopter: Filmed at the Ampthill Millbrook Proving Groundvehicle proving ground (presumbly for the launch of the IS in 2005), this Lexus UK presentation is strikingly similar to their LS 460 orchestra that took place in 2007, …

Kevin · June 11th, 2010

Car Magazine: Lexus LFA vs. Mercedes SLS

Car Magazine has a supercar comparison we’ve all been waiting for as they pit the Lexus LFA against the Mercedes SLS — some choice quotes: The LFA in particular is infamous for its insane intonations of raw power. Redlined at 9000rpm where the rev counter changes colour from snow white to devil´s red, the V10 …

Kevin · June 8th, 2010

Facebook Fans Question Lexus CT 200h Chief Designer

Recently, Lexus Europe asked their Facebook fans to submit questions to Lexus Design Manager Takeshi Tanabe about the CT 200h — in the end, four questions were chosen and the answers have just been posted. (Funny fact: Three of the four questions use the word “sexy”.) Read the full Q & A

Kevin · June 1st, 2010

Automotive News Talks with German Lexus LFA Owners

Automotive News has some details on Lexus LFA sales in Europe: […]a third of the orders from Europe were placed in Germany. Lexus brought eight of those buyers to this year’s Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race in Germany to wine and dine them as two LFAs competed at the legendary circuit. Each buyer already had plunked …

Kevin · May 31st, 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

GT Spirit Reviews the Lexus LFA

GTSpirit had a chance to drive the Lexus LFA in Monaco, and they created this fantastic video: Along with the video, there’s an exhaustive review on the GT Spirit website: The Monaco area gave the opportunity to experience the twisting roads in the hills surrounding the small country, but also the Formula 1 race track, …

Kevin · May 20th, 2010

Lexus LFA Wins SP8 Class in Nürburgring 24h Race

After a grueling and exhaustive 24 hours, the #50 Lexus LFA finished 18th overall and placed 1st in its SP8 (near production) class in the Nürburgring 24h race. The other LFA in the race, #51, didn’t do so well after an extended pitstop that lasted over 11 hours, but did manage to make it back …

Kevin · May 16th, 2010

Lexus 2010 Nürburgring 24h Race Open Thread

Two Lexus LFAs (#50 & #51) and one IS F will be competing in this weekend’s Nürburgring 24h race, so I thought we should have some place to discuss the race as it happens. In two rounds of qualifying, the #50 LFA finished p25 & the #51 LFA is p28, and sit first and second …

Kevin · May 15th, 2010

Nürburgring 24h Race Ready Lexus LFAs

Lexus has released photos of the fully liveried LFAs that will be taking part in this weekend’s 24h Nürburgring race: This image is just pure awesome, I had to crop it up for a wallpaper: Select Resolution: 1680×1050 | 1440×900 | 1280×1024 | 1280×800 | 1024×768 There doesn’t look to be a live feed of …

Kevin · May 12th, 2010

Lexus CT 200h Chief Designer Video Interview

Here’s two new Lexus CT 200h videos featuring the hatchback’s Chief Designer, Takeshi Tanabe: This HD footage really shows off the car in a very strong way, including our best look yet at the LED headlights. Top notch quality. For more from Tanabe-sama, you can check out my interview with him from the Geneva auto …

Kevin · May 11th, 2010

James Martin Reviews the Lexus LFA

Celebrity chef/auto reviewer James Martin recently spent some time with the Lexus LFA: I drove this Lexus LFA up London’s Regent Street and had a procession of kids following me all along the pavement as I slowly made my way. By the time I reached Oxford Circus there were about 40 of them, all glassy-eyed …

Kevin · May 10th, 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 LFA Monaco Drive Video

GTSpirit has published a teaser video of an LFA ride through the streets of Monaco (please be warned, this video is rather jerky and may induce vertigo): This video was likely made around the same time that spyshots of the LFA in Monaco were taken. For most of its duration, the LFA is being led …

Kevin · April 29th, 2010

Lexus IS F Nürburgring Race Team Update

Auto Express senior road tester Owen Mildenhall, who is part of this year’s Lexus IS F Nürburgring race team, has posted an update following the car’s second VLN event at the 35th DMV Nürburgring Race: Since the last race, Lexus’s engineers have been busy adding a revised rear wing, with new end plates, a racing …

Kevin · April 12th, 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 Nürburgring Racing This Weekend

The two race-modified Lexus LFAs and IS F scheduled to compete in the Nürburgring 24h race next month will be getting some additional racing experience in the 35th DMV 4 Hours Race this weekend. The Lexus Europe Twitter account promises updates during the race, and to mark the occasion, here are some wonderful photos of …

Kevin · April 8th, 2010

Lexus Hybrid Art Exhibit in Moscow

Lexus Russia held a new Hybrid Art exhibition at the Vetoshny Arts Centre in Moscow in early April, and here’s the official video: The Hybrid Art official site listed multiple exhibits ranging from camera obscura (darkened room) displays to software-generated art and interactive sculpture. Additional exhibit images are on the official Facebook page along with …

Kevin · April 8th, 2010

TLE Exclusive Interview with Lexus CT 200h Chief Designer

Yesterday, I posted an interview-by-email with the Chief Engineer of the new Lexus CT 200h that was arranged by Lexus Europe during the Geneva Auto Show—and now today I bring you a Q&A with the Lexus CT 200h’s Chief Designer, Takeshi Tanabe, about the challenges of translating the LF-Ch concept into a production model: TLE: …

Kevin · April 6th, 2010

Exclusive Interview with Lexus CT 200h Chief Engineer

Although I wasn’t able to attend the Geneva auto show and see the Lexus CT 200h debut in person, I did get a very special chance to virtually interview the two men central to the creation of Lexus’ new hatchback model. By way of the good folks at Lexus Europe, I sent questions by email …

Kevin · April 6th, 2010

Gran Turismo Creator to Race Lexus IS F at Nürburgring 24h

Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi, along with Auto Express’ Owen Mildenhall and ex-Indy 500 star Hideshi Matsuda, will be racing a modified Lexus IS F in the Nürburgring 24 hour race this May. The Lexus-customized IS F—which includes modifications to the suspension, a roll cage, Yokohama tyres, and aero parts like a front splitter, flat …

Kevin · April 4th, 2010

Lexus to Display at Salon Privé London

Lexus is set to attend the Salon Privé London supercar event this year for the first time, along with luxury marques Jaguar, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, Maserati, and Audi. The fifth annual Salon Privé London will be held on July 21-23 at the Hurlingham Club, with event tickets costing £175.00 (Wednesday) and £150.00 (Thursday and Friday) …

Kevin · March 29th, 2010

Lexus LFA Takes SP8 Class in 57th ADAC Nürburgring Race

This weekend, the Gazoo Lexus LFA race car took part in the 57th ADAC Westfalenfahrt four-hour race at Nürburgring, where it took 28th place overall and first in the SP8 class. Some photos from the race: The racing team of Iida Akira, Wakisaka Juichi, & Ohshima Kazuya overcame a first lap pitstop and a resulting …

Kevin · March 29th, 2010

New 2010 Lexus IS F Photo Gallery

Lexus UK has released some new images of the 2010 IS F, including photos of the all-new white leather interior option: The 2010 IS F has received some minor upgrades for 2010, including a new limited slip differential that improves traction and stability in high-speed cornering. The European spec IS F has also received a …

Kevin · March 26th, 2010

Lexus LFA Blasts Up Goodwood Hill

As part of the press preview for the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed in England, Auto Express had a chance to make the historic hillclimb in Europe’s only Lexus LFA: The space-age styling has taken some criticism since the model was first revealed, but get up close and explore it in detail, and the low-slung, …

Kevin · March 25th, 2010

Lexus LFA at UK Supercar Breakfast Meet

The Lexus LFA made an appearance at the second annual Mulberry Inn supercar meet, an informal UK gathering of exotic cars organized by P1 Supercars and Mulberry Inn pub owner and BBC radio personality Chris Evans. The LFA was photographed in rarefied company along with numerous Ferrari Enzos, 599s, Lamborghini Diablos, and a Porsche Carrera …

Kevin · March 22nd, 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

Racing Lexus LFA on Nürburgring Practice Run

With last week’s announcement that the two Lexus LFAs will be competing in the Nürburgring 24h race in May, the supercar is now getting in some practice on the famous German track—which leads me to posting this absolutely bonkers photo from RacingPix.net: Just fantastic—make sure to check out the photo page for a high-resolution version.

Kevin · March 21st, 2010

New 2010 Lexus LS 600h Photo Gallery

Lexus UK has released a new photo gallery of the refreshed 2010 LS 600h: This shot is so fantastic I had to crop it for a desktop wallpaper: Select Resolution: 1680×1050 | 1440×900 | 1280×1024 | 1280×800 | 1024×768 There’s nothing quite like the LS side-profile—my favorite angle of the car, and the very definition …

Kevin · March 18th, 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 LFAs to Race in Nürburgring 24h Race

The production Lexus LFA will be entering its first professional race when it takes part in the Nürburgring 24 Hours race this May. Gazoo Racing will be preparing and fielding two LFAs in the race, where the supercars will be receiving some minor aero-effects: This will mark the third time the LFA has participated in …

Kevin · March 15th, 2010

Lexus LFA Spotted in Monaco

A white Lexus LFA was spotted in the wealthy playground & supercar mecca, the principality of Monaco: No details—perhaps the LFA is making a personal visit to Lexus Monaco’s showroom? Taking some publicity shots? Or being demonstrated for LS 600h L owner Prince Albert II? [Source: GTSpirit.com and Flickr]

Kevin · March 12th, 2010

Lexus CT 200h Targets Audi A3 Rival

More information about the Lexus CT 200h has emerged from its Geneva debut—according to Car Dealer Magazine and Just Auto, Lexus surveyed customers across Europe, including drivers in Germany, France and Italy, and the Audi A3 emerged as the benchmark, with Europeans preferring it over the BMW 1-series. Considering this, the CT 200h was designed …

Kevin · March 11th, 2010

Lexus CT 200h USA Price Guessing Game

The New York Times (and many other outlets) is reporting that the Lexus CT 200h will start with a €21,000 when it goes on sale in Europe next year. The natural question turns to how that translates into the North American price—a direct, euro-to-dollar conversion would currently mean a starting MSRP of $28,755 USD, putting …

Kevin · March 4th, 2010

Lexus CT 200h to Lead Lexus Europe Sales

The new Lexus CT 200h is a purpose-built hybrid hatchback for the European market, and that reportedly has Lexus executives optimistic about its sales prospects. With Lexus Europe pursuing a hybrid-centered strategy, the CT 200h is expected to spearhead the brand’s lineup as its entry-level and highest volume model. According to a Bloomberg article, Lexus …

Kevin · March 3rd, 2010

Lexus CT 200h Live Video from Geneva Auto Show

Here’s the first live video of the Lexus CT 200h at the Geneva Auto Show: With only 15 minutes to the CT 200h press conference, I have yet to find a live video feed—I’ll continue to look, and will update this post if I have any luck. The Lexus CT 200h press conference is now …

Kevin · March 2nd, 2010

Autoblog Lexus CT 200h Photos

Only moments after I linked to Lexus Europe’s Facebook photo of the CT 200h, Autoblog posted up a massive photo gallery from the preview event—check this car out: Also mentioned on Autoblog: Interestingly, though Lexus has yet to confirm what markets the CT will enter, our men on the scene report back, “Lexus executives were …

Kevin · March 1st, 2010

Lexus CT 200h at Geneva VIP Preview

With little more than twelve hours before the Lexus CT 200h’s debut at the Geneva Auto Show, Lexus hosted a VIP sneak peek of the compact hatchback—here are some photos from the event: These CT 200h photos at the Geneva Auto Show are just the first of a massive onslaught we can expect over the …

Kevin · March 1st, 2010

Lexus CT 200h Video!

The first Lexus CT 200h video has been released: There may not be any footage of the car in motion, but the video does illustrate the interior blue-to-red color change when activating sport mode as well as showing some closer detail shots of the stitching and art piece shift stalk. I’m really falling for this …

Kevin · February 26th, 2010

Official Lexus CT 200h Photo Gallery

Two days after the Lexus CT 200h was leaked by way of a press brochure, official images of the new hatchback have been released: I’m very impressed with how the designers were able to incorporate the LF-Ch’s grille into the final design, in fact, I like the entire front-end. The LED headlights are a highlight, …

Kevin · February 25th, 2010

Lexus CT 200h Photo Leak

Earlier today, Lexus released a teaser image of the upcoming CT 200h hatchback’s rear tail light—and now we have another photo, this time from the front and extremely blurry—I tried brightening it up a bit: If this photo is accurate, the production model looks to have a more traditional grille and the Lexus Hybrid LED …

Kevin · February 12th, 2010

Lexus LFA Video Review by EVO Magazine

Here’s a video review of the Lexus LFA by EVO Magazine’s Chris Harris : The video watches almost as a love letter to the LFA—some select quotes: “The fit and finish, and just the sheer levels of fetishism, that have been lavished on this interior, I think, know no equal. It’s just stunning. The materials …

Kevin · February 12th, 2010

Four Seasons Lexus IS F Review from Car Magazine

Car Magazine has just wrapped up its Four Seasons review of the Lexus IS-F, and like most of these long-term test drives, it’s interesting to see what the year brings (although it does sound like the author and the IS F fit together like a square peg in a round hole). Read this review

Kevin · February 4th, 2010

A Note on the Recent Toyota Recall

In order to head off the emails I’ve been receiving over the last couple days regarding Toyota’s recent accelerator pedal recall—it is important to note that this is strictly a Toyota issue and does not affect any Lexus car or SUV. There was a Lexus ES 350 & IS 250/350 recall announced in December regarding …

Kevin · February 3rd, 2010

BILD Builds a Blue Lexus LF-Ch

As part of their article on the Lexus LF-Ch today, German newspaper BILD did a little photochopping and came up with a blue production rendering, with real side mirrors and some minor softening of the front-end—I can see the production model retaining a variation on the concept’s grille, but think the front bumper will be …

Kevin · February 2nd, 2010

Lexus January 2010 Sales Report

USA The January sales numbers for Lexus USA are in: January Year to Date 2010 2009 % CHG 2010 2009 % CHG IS 2,203 2,400 -0.6 2,203 2,400 -0.6 HS 1,247 0 N/A 1,247 0 N/A ES 2,923 2,971 6.6 2,923 2,971 6.6 GS 529 898 -36.2 529 898 -36.2 SC 24 73 -64.4 24 …

Kevin · February 2nd, 2010

Production Lexus LF-Ch Spotted!

It’s been rumored that the production Lexus LF-Ch would see its debut at the Frankfurt Geneva Auto Show in March, and now Autoblog has the first spyshots that may very well prove the point: For comparison, here’s a similar photo of the LF-Ch concept: It looks like the aggressive wheel arch has been retained, though …

Kevin · January 19th, 2010

Lexus Milan Design Week Retrospective

When Lexus’ L-Finesse design language debuted in 2005, it also marked the first year of the the company’s involvement with the annual Milan Design Week in Italy—and now, Lexus Magazine has posted a retrospective of the various exhibits over the last five years. It was at the Milan Design Week last year that the transparent …

Kevin · January 6th, 2010

Lexus LFA on Top Gear

Earlier today, the Lexus LFA made its Top Gear appearance—first off, you can watch The Stig’s lap around the track (likely on Youtube for a limited time only): The LFA, in wet track conditions, made it around the track in 1:22.3, which beat the Lamborghini Gallardo as the fastest wet lap on the show so …

Kevin · January 3rd, 2010

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