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Lexus Dedicated Hybrid to Debut at Next Year’s Detroit Auto Show

During a media reception last night at the Detroit Auto Show, Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe announced that a dedicated Lexus hybrid will be introduced at next year’s convention: “Next year here in Detroit, we will expand our conventional hybrid line-up by staging world premiers of two all-new, dedicated hybrids, one for Toyota and one for …

Kevin · January 14th, 2008

Jalopnik Reviews the Lexus LS 600hL

The minute I saw that Jalopnik Jonny Lieberman had gotten his mitts on an LS 600hL for a week, I knew we were in for a treat, and I was not disappointed in the least: Why am I laughing like such an idiot? Seriously, my cheeks hurt from grinning. Well, the reason why is that …

Kevin · December 10th, 2007

Lexus LS 600h Sales Exceed Expectations by 300%

One thing that I failed to notice when posting up the Lexus LS 600h’s sales figures is just how far the total was over the projected sales. By selling 6,093 units by October, the LS 600h has exceeded Lexus’ yearly sales estimate of 2,000 by over 300%. These numbers are nothing short of exceptional, especially …

Kevin · December 5th, 2007

Lexus LS 600h Sales Start Strong

Lexus LS 600h sales are off to an exceptionally strong start, selling 6,093 units worldwide as of October 2007. Japan is especially enamored, scooping up 4,533 of the total, though this is likely due to its earlier release. Both North American and European sales are decent, with 818 and 569 sales respectively. These numbers have …

Kevin · December 2nd, 2007

G Living Reviews the Lexus GS 450h

G Living, a lifestyle magazine/net show dedicated to living green, has posted up a very complimentary video review of the Lexus GS 450h: It’s hardly an analytical review, with host Sarah Backhouse declaring she has a crush on the car, “If this car was a bloke, it would be a stock broker, or a talent …

Kevin · December 1st, 2007

2008 Lexus RX 400h Gets Some Updates

It wasn’t until Lexus Australia announced the changes that I realized the 2008 RX 400h has received some minor updates, most notably new front & rear lights, which look great: Lexus also applied the hybrid blue badging, bringing it inline with the LS 600h and GS 450h, and added some new red or black wood …

Kevin · November 26th, 2007

Billionaire Takes the Lexus LS 600hL for a Spin

Driving.ca took a unique turn with their review of the Lexus LS 600hL, putting Jimmy Pattison, the fourth richest man in Canada, behind the wheel: Once the colourful self-made billionaire figured out how to operate the keyless ignition and push-button emergency brake on the 2008 Lexus LS600h L — and put his seat belt on …

Kevin · November 23rd, 2007

The Hybrid Debate

Sponsored by Lexus, The Hybrid Debate is a new website/weblog that will be examining the impact and importance of hybrids on society: The purpose of this debate is to look at hybrid cars in a completely new way. Rather than speculating about where the technology is going, we’re asking our contributors to imagine it has …

Kevin · November 21st, 2007

Lexus Rakes Up Their New Yorker Advertising

Included in the latest issue of the New Yorker was Lexus advertising of a different sort — mixed among the pages were leaves from the Salal bush, printed with slogans like the one above. NPR’s MJ Davis decided to investigate: Each leaf was unique, smelled like something derived from the earth and tasted — yes, …

Kevin · November 15th, 2007

The Small Lexus Moves Forward

There’s been rumblings for some time that Lexus could release a super-small sedan to compete with the likes of BMW’s 1-series and Audi’s A3, and a recent article from GoAuto suggests it’s much further in development than previously thought: To be manufactured in sedan and/or hatch guises beyond 2010, the new entry-level model plan was …

Kevin · November 10th, 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

Another Look at the Lexus LF-Xh Interior

If not for its futuristic overtones, the interior of Lexus’ LF-Xh could almost be considered plain, but it’s actually something much more appealing, it’s simple, minimalist. I quite like it. The center console, more than anything, makes me pray that one day these types of interiors find their way into production models. There are a …

Kevin · October 12th, 2007

Lexus Commercial: H is for Hybrid

I don’t know about the rest of the world, but here in Canada, the Lexus commercial Moments was in heavy rotation for quite some time, and was incredibly received (I know this, because people actually talked to me about it). In light of that, it comes as no surprise that the ad execs went for …

Kevin · October 12th, 2007

Tokyo Motor Show: The Lexus LF-Xh Concept

In preparation for the Tokyo Motor Show, Lexus has announced their latest concept, the LF-Xh, though I think it’s safe to call it by its real name, the 2009 RX. The exterior design is pure L-Finesse as applied to the RX. The front-end is a touch too stubby, and there’s a bunch of the standard …

Kevin · October 10th, 2007

Hybrid High Performance Coming from Lexus?

Jim Farley has been a busy man over the last twenty-four hours, first dishing the dirt on Lexus’ plans in Europe, then announcing in a Bloomberg interview that Lexus could pursue high performance hybrids aimed at “enthusiast groups”. No details were given, but there’s been rumblings for some time about the possibility of a LF-A …

Kevin · September 27th, 2007

Photo: Lexus GS 450h Going the Wrong Way

Reminiscent of the illegally parked IS 350 I featured a few months ago, here we have another Lexus owner willing to break the law in order to get a great photo: Club Lexus member timeToy, who owns this GS 450h and took the photo, was nice enough to pass along some details, including links to …

Kevin · September 26th, 2007

Lexus GS 450h Completes Targa Newfoundland Rally

Targa Newfoundland, a 2,200 km (1,367 miles) rally through the winding province of Newfoundland, Canada, had an interesting entry this year, a 2007 Lexus GS 450h. The course is so grueling that it’s an accomplishment to finish, which the GS 450h did, coming in 18th overall, eight minutes behind the leader, a 1969 BMW 2002. …

Kevin · September 19th, 2007

Japanese Lexus LS 600h/L Commercial: Blue Lines

In the same vein as the LS 600h/L advert posted earlier this month (and which turned out to be part of Lexus’ new UK hybrid marketing campaign), this Japanese commercial also features a practically invisible LS hybrid, though this time it’s a case of speed: Wonderfully done, I was very impressed by it.

Kevin · September 17th, 2007

2008 Lexus GS Press Release Confirms the Rumors

Lexus has issued a press release regarding the upcoming 2008 GS models, which confirms the previously leaked GS 460 details: All 2008 GS models will feature a revised front-end, with a new bumper, deeper intakes, and a subtly changed chrome grille. Other exterior changes: The alloy wheels have been redesigned, and turn signals have been …

Kevin · September 7th, 2007

Lexus LS 600h Commercial: Hybrid Drive

The Lexus 600h is available only in Japan and Europe, which might explain why this commercial hasn’t made it to North American shores: It’s funny, because the invisible digital effect featured here reminds me of the car option I’m looking most forward to: the portable force field. Sure, there’s deeper, more important applications for the …

Kevin · September 3rd, 2007

Lexus GS 450h Bridgehampton Concept

Lexus debuted a special edition this weekend at The Quail Event: The GS 450h Bridgehampton Concept: From the display plaque: In the late 1950’s, and through the “glory” days of the ‘60s, affluenty sports car racers descended on a unique racing circuit near Sag Harbor on Long Island to test their mettle and their machines. …

Kevin · August 19th, 2007

European LS 600h L Preview at Chauffeur Drive ‘07

European Chauffeurs will be getting a sneak peek of the Lexus LS 600h L at Chauffeur Drive ‘07, a new event “for Europe’s limousine and chauffeuring industry to see and drive the world’s most exclusive cars and limousines in one place”: Andy Simpson, Lexus’ Manager, National Corporate and Remarketing, commented: “We are pleased to be …

Kevin · July 17th, 2007

Lexus Hybrid Lineup to Expand

The Detroit News reports that Lexus plans to boost their hybrid lineup in hopes to increase their overall annual sales by 100,000: “Yes, there will be more hybrids in the Lexus lineup,” said James H. Colon, vice president for sales and dealer development at a meeting of auto reporters here. Lexus expects to sell just …

Kevin · July 17th, 2007

More on the Upcoming Lexus Dedicated Hybrid

More information has been revealed about the upcoming dedicated hybrid from Lexus — Scheduled for release in 2010 (and not 2009, as previously reported), this new vehicle will be postioned between the IS and GS models: The car would be aimed at well-to-do individuals who are after a roomy sedan but not prepared to step …

Kevin · July 6th, 2007

Car & Driver: Lexus RX 400h Long-Term Test

Easily, my favorite car magazine feature is the long-term test, where the magazines various writers and editors spend twelve months behind the wheel of a car then share the results. Well, not satisfied with a single year, Car & Driver enjoyed a two year-long visit with the RX 400h. The magazine’s staff managed to put …

Kevin · July 5th, 2007

Lexus LS 600hL on a Norwegian Test Track

Norwegian website Dinside Motor took an LS 600h L through its paces, hitting 160mph and showing off some major bodyroll: I like to see these kind of tests, it’s so much more interesting to see the handling instead of reading about it.

Kevin · July 5th, 2007

Lexus Launching Hybrid-Only Model in 2009

Today brings an announcement from Lexus that they will be releasing a dedicated hybrid model in 2009, at a price level sandwiched between the IS and ES models: “Hybrid is the brand-defining technology for Lexus,” said Steve Settle, the head of Lexus in the UK, during an interview with Automotive News. Three of Lexus’s current …

Kevin · June 28th, 2007

Cnet Reviews the Lexus LS 600h

The latest review of the LS 600h comes from the techs at Cnet, and although it didn’t get a perfect score like the previously reviewed LS 460L, the car still came away with an exceptionally high score of 9.7/10. Mini-marks were taken away for exterior styling: And while the LS 600h is a very handsome, …

Kevin · June 16th, 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

Toyota Sells One Million Hybrids

Toyota announced that they have now sold 1 million hybrid vehicles worldwide, ten years after the introduction of the Prius. Here’s a breakdown of the individual vehicle sales: As expected, the Prius was the biggest seller, making up 75% of the total. The entire Lexus lineup, which includes GS 450h, the RX 400h and the …

Kevin · June 7th, 2007

The LS 600h vs. the LS 460: Is the hybrid really worth the extra money?

Bruce McCulloch over at Autosavant asked the question “Does the 600h really offer any true advantage over the lesser LS460?” and came away with a resounding “NO!” Let’s summarize his major points: The 600h costs $35,000USD more than a similarly equipped 460. People buying a car in this price range ($100,000USD +) don’t really care …

Kevin · June 5th, 2007

UK Chauffeur First Choose Lexus

London-based UK company Chauffeur First has announced plans to go green by replacing their existing fleet with Lexus hybrids, namely the GS 450h and LS 600h. Chauffeur-First has already taken on 18 Lexus GS 450h performance saloons, all top-of-the-range SE-L models, with two of the new LS 600h luxury saloons due for delivery and a …

Kevin · June 4th, 2007

The Lexus & The Rain Rig

Flickr user gcbp_television has given us an insider’s view to the making of a Lexus GS450h commercial: The apparatus on top of the GS450h is called a “Rain Rig”, and it simulates a downpour from inside the vehicle. Here are some more details provided by the photographer: The rain rig was on the car for …

Kevin · June 4th, 2007

LS600h & LS600hL Hybrid Sedans Released in Japan

Lexus has released their ultra-mega hybrid LS600h & LS600hL sedans in Japan, and The Winding Road was good enough to share some photos and a host of exceptional numbers: The Japanese cost of the base model LS600h is ¥9.7 million, or $80,000USD, with the extended wheelbase LS600hL retailing for up to ¥15.1 million, or $125,000USD. …

Kevin · May 31st, 2007

Celebrity Watch: Rupert Murdoch

In a rather surprising move, Rupert Murdoch took time out from trying to buy the Wall Street Journal to announce his intention to bring News Corporation to a “carbon-neutral” state by 2010. As part of the campaign, Murdoch “has bought a Toyota-made Lexus GS450H “green” car, and other practical measures include solar-powered golf carts to …

Kevin · May 29th, 2007

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