Lexus Magazine Profiles the Lexus Stitching Dojo
Can you fold an origami cat with one hand in less than 90 seconds? Lexus may have a job for you.
Kevin · May 4th, 2012
Latest News
Insights from a Lexus Insider: Introducing Andrew Kirby & the Lexus Ideas Engine
Introducing the new Lexus general manager of Lexus global product & marketing planning in Japan, Andrew Kirby.
Kevin · May 3rd, 2012
The Story Behind the Lexus Spindle Grille
Automotive News journalist Hans Greimel has written an in-depth article about the genesis of the new Lexus Spindle Grille.
Kevin · May 3rd, 2012
Lexus CT 200h Wins Top Safety Award in Japan
The Lexus CT 200h has earned the Grand Prix award for highest safety performance among all vehicle models rated under the Japan New Car Assessment Program.
Kevin · April 26th, 2012
2013 Lexus ES 300h Starts Production
Lexus has released a video of the very first 2013 Lexus ES 300hs being built in Kyushu, Japan.
Kevin · April 25th, 2012
2013 Lexus RX 450h Photo Gallery from Japan
The folks over at Response.jp have just uploaded a detailed photo gallery the Japanese-spec 2013 Lexus RX 450h.
Kevin · April 22nd, 2012
Modellista Releases 2013 Lexus RX Body Kit
Official Lexus Japan tuner Modellista has released a new bodykit for the 2013 RX.
Kevin · April 19th, 2012
Video: Behind-the-Scenes Look at Lexus Manufacturing
Lexus has released a behind-the-scenes video that looks at the vehicle manufacturing process.
Kevin · April 19th, 2012
Lexus GS with Carbon Fiber Front Lip Spoiler
Japanese tuner Lexon has released a carbon fibre front lip spoiler for the new Lexus GS.
Kevin · April 18th, 2012
Wald Building Lexus GS F Sport Body Kit
Japanese tuner Wald International are preparing their first body kit for the 2013 Lexus GS.
Kevin · April 17th, 2012
2013 Lexus RX Commercial from Japan
Lexus Japan has released a commercial for the 2013 Lexus RX.
Kevin · April 13th, 2012
Japanese Photochop of Production Lexus LF-LC
An as-of-yet-unidentified Japanese car magazine has published a rendering of what a possible Lexus LF-LC production model might look like.
Kevin · April 12th, 2012
Insights from a Lexus Insider: Karl Schlicht Goes to Europe
Karl Schlicht, the former general manager of global Lexus product & marketing planning, discusses his move to Toyota Europe.
Kevin · April 10th, 2012
Planes, Trains, & Supercars: A Lexus LFA Owner Visits Japan, Part Two
Here is the second part of the story submitted by a Lexus LFA owner who visited Japan to see the supercar being built at the LFA Works factory.
Kevin · April 1st, 2012
Planes, Trains, & Supercars: A Lexus LFA Owner Visits Japan, Part One
The following article was submitted by a Lexus LFA owner who visited Japan to see the supercar being built at the LFA Works factory and ended up having a once-in-a-lifetime experience -- here is part one of his story.
Kevin · March 31st, 2012
Video: Lexus IS F Engine Installed in Toyota 86
While only partially Lexus-related, this mashup of the Toyota 86 with the IS F's 5.0L V8 is pure wild.
Kevin · March 30th, 2012
2013 Lexus GS 450h Starts Production in Japan
Lexus Europe has announced that production of the 2013 Lexus GS 450h has started at the Tahara plant in Japan.
Kevin · March 20th, 2012
Interview with the Head of Lexus, Kiyotaka Ise
Lexus Magazine is running an interview with the Head of Lexus worldwide, Kiyotaka Ise, who hints at some of the changes we can expect to see in the near future
Kevin · March 14th, 2012
Speedhunters Reviews the 2013 Lexus GS 350 F Sport
*Speedhunters* has put together an excellent photoessay review of the 2013 Lexus GS 350 F Sport.
Kevin · March 10th, 2012
Lexus GS Makes Big Sales Impact in Japan
According to Response.jp, more than 6,000 GS models have been pre-ordered by Japanese customers, which is ten times more than the original sales goal of 600 units a month.
Kevin · February 29th, 2012
Cutest Lexus GS Review Ever?
I post this almost entirely without comment, but I’m pretty sure this Japanese car review is actually a model dressed up as a doctor having a conversation with a Lexus GS.
Kevin · February 24th, 2012
Fortune Magazine Profile of Akio Toyoda
Fortune has a nice profile on Akio Toyoda and his effect on Toyota’s culture, including his involvement in redefining Lexus as a luxury performance brand.
Kevin · February 9th, 2012
Modellista Releases New Lexus GS Body Kit
Just like TRD, *Modellista* also released a body kit for the new Lexus GS.
Kevin · January 27th, 2012
TRD Japan Releases New Lexus GS Body Kit
The 2013 Lexus GS went on sale in Japan earlier today, and newly developed TRD parts were revealed as part of the launch.
Kevin · January 26th, 2012
Tokyo Auto Salon: Lexus LS with a Spindle Grille & Louis Vuitton Interior
Returning once again to the Tokyo Auto Salon, here’s a custom Lexus LS notable for its attempt at the GS spindle grille.
Kevin · January 26th, 2012
Race-Spec Lexus IS F Drifting Fail
At a Tokyo Auto Salon demonstration event last week, a Gazoo Racing Lexus IS F was all ready to put on a show — unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned.
Kevin · January 23rd, 2012
A Message from Karl Schlicht, General Manager of Global Lexus Product & Marketing Planning
The following is a message from Karl Schlicht, the General Manager of Global Lexus Product & Marketing Planning, who asked me at the Detroit Auto Show if he could address my readers directly from time to time.
Kevin · January 17th, 2012
Lexus LFA Roadster Spotted in Tokyo
From out of nowhere, a Lexus LFA roadster has appeared during a D1GP Drift demonstration at the Tokyo Auto Salon.
Kevin · January 13th, 2012
Automotive News Feature on Akio Toyoda
Automotive News has a tidy little video profile on Toyota President Akio Toyoda.
Kevin · December 12th, 2011
Is Lexus Considering Manufacturing Vehicles in the USA?
Fortune has published an article examining the possibility of some Lexus production moving to the USA.
Kevin · December 7th, 2011
Lexus Moving Global Marketing Division to California
Automotive News is reporting that Lexus will moving its global marketing office from Japan to California.
Kevin · December 6th, 2011
Lexus LFA Diorama Display at Tokyo Motor Show
Along with more images of the "naked" Lexus LFA at the Tokyo Motor Show, *Inside Line* has shared photos of an extraordinary diorama on display that illustrates the major stages in building the Lexus supercar.
Kevin · December 2nd, 2011
TTAC Interviews Lexus LFA Chief Engineer
Bertel Schmitt, one of the great writers over at TTAC, spent some time at the Tokyo Motor Show with Lexus LFA Chief Engineer Haruhiko Tanahashi, and came away with some great insight.
Kevin · December 2nd, 2011
Official: BMW & Toyota to Form Technology Partnership
Turns out the rumors were true — it was announced today that BMW & Toyota have agreed to form a partnership.
Kevin · December 1st, 2011
Akio Toyoda Introduces the Lexus GS at the Tokyo Motor Show
Although Lexus didn’t debut anything new at the Tokyo Auto Show this week, it still marked the home country debut of the next-generation GS — Lexus president Akio Toyoda was on hand to reveal the car to the assembled press.
Kevin · November 30th, 2011
2013 Lexus GS Concept Drawings
Included in the press information given out at the 2013 Lexus GS press launch were these two concept drawings.
Kevin · November 28th, 2011
Next-Generation Lexus IS Photochops from Japan
Shamiz, our source for Japanese magazine rumors, can come through again with these Best Car renderings of four possible next-generation IS variants.
Kevin · November 22nd, 2011
Japanese Lexus GS 350 F Sport Lighting
While the North American Lexus GS 350 F Sport package won’t be equipped with fog-lamps, that won’t be the case in other parts of the world.
Kevin · November 22nd, 2011
Lexus Reveals GS 250 Horsepower Details
Lexus has announced that the GS series — including the GS 250, GS 350 F Sport & GS 450h — will be joined by the LFA Nürburgring Edition for the brand’s display at the Tokyo Motor Show in December.
Kevin · November 16th, 2011
Lexus Japan Tops JD Power’s 2011 Sales Satisfaction & Customer Service Index
Lexus Japan has been named the top brand in JD Power’s 2011 Japan Sales Satisfaction Index and 2011 Customer Service Index.
Kevin · November 15th, 2011
Lexus IS F CCS-R Video
The Lexus IS F CCS-R made an appearance at the 2011 Motorsport Japan festival in Odaiba, and the resulting video footage is worth watching just for the sound alone.
Kevin · November 11th, 2011
The Lexus IS 350C Heli-Cop-Car
To counteract the travesty of the last video, here’s something from the opposite end of the emotional spectrum — a Lexus IS 350C with cartoon robot arms and a remote-control helicopter mounted to the roof.
Kevin · October 17th, 2011
Lexus Japan Offers HS 250h Special Edition
The Lexus HS 250h has proven popular enough in Japan to warrant two special Harmonious Leather Interior color combinations.
Kevin · October 10th, 2011
Lexus GS F-Sport Spotted
My man Shamiz in Japan has sent over another photo from one of Japan’s many auto magazines — this time it’s a spy shot of what looks to be the upcoming Lexus GS F-Sport
Kevin · October 3rd, 2011
New Lexus GS-F Rendering from Japan
As previously mentioned, TLE reader Shamiz sent me over a bunch of cellphone pics from an unnamed Japanese car magazine, and among the images was this rendering of a possible Lexus GS-F.
Kevin · September 29th, 2011
Lexus LFA Tokyo Special Edition?
CAR Magazine is reporting that a new Lexus LFA Toyko Edition will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show this winter.
Kevin · September 19th, 2011
Quick Look at the Lexus GS Bamboo Interior Option
Stumbled across this Response.jp photo of a 2013 Lexus GS with the bamboo trim option.
Kevin · September 8th, 2011
TRD Releases Lexus IS F Circuit Club Sports Parts
Toyota’s TRD performance division has unleashed a serious set of upgrades for the Lexus IS F, all based on CCS Concept shown at the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon.
Kevin · August 30th, 2011
Report: Lexus GS Almost Cancelled by Akio Toyoda
Have to share this excellent AutoWeek article by Mark Rechtin that details how the Lexus GS was almost cancelled due to internal bureaucracy.
Kevin · August 23rd, 2011
Supercharged Lexus LS 460 Sport Drifting in the Rain
Nothing like Hot Version for some craziness, here's a supercharged Lexus LS 460 Sport drifting in the rain.
Kevin · July 22nd, 2011
Lexus Manufacturing Status Update
Lexus USA general manager Mark Templin gave an update on the state of Lexus manufacturing at a recent media event in Chicago.
Kevin · July 12th, 2011
TOM’S Releases Lexus CT 200h Cup Holders?
TOM'S, the factory-authorized Lexus tuner in Japan, has taken a break from designing aero kits and turbochargers to release two CT 200h cup holders.
Kevin · July 8th, 2011
Iida Akira Shows Off Lexus LFA Drifting Skills
Lexus race car driver Iida Akira put on a show for spectators at a recent Video Option event in Japan.
Kevin · June 16th, 2011
Two Short Lexus CT 200h Commercials from Japan
Here's two 15 second CT 200h commercials from Lexus Japan -- these spots do a great job of cutting to the quick by highlighting the CT's handling capabilities, easily one of the hatchback's strongest selling points. Short and sweet.
Kevin · June 13th, 2011
Looking at Lexus Sales in Japan
While there's no question that the Tōhoku earthquake has affected Lexus production, Bloomberg has used some sleight-of-hand reporting in their recent article about the brand's Japanese sales, making it appear much worse than it really is.
Kevin · June 8th, 2011
Next-Generation Lexus LS Rumors
By way of the Japanese Car Design Corner, the latest issue of Best Car has some new rumors on the next-generation Lexus LS.
Kevin · June 6th, 2011
Meet the Elite: Interviews with the LFA Manufacturing Team
Lexus Magazine is running an interesting feature that looks at some of the men responsible for handcrafting the Lexus LFA at the Motomachi plant in Japan.
Kevin · June 6th, 2011
Lexus SC 430 Commercial: Perfect Day
Music notwithstanding, this Lexus SC 430 commercial sums up exactly what I'd love to be doing this weekend -- driving with the top down.
Kevin · June 3rd, 2011
Driving Lessons with Lexus Driving Guru Yoshiaki Ito
Lexus Magazine is running an article featuring Lexus' Drive Meister Yoshiaki Ito, who has helped develop eight Lexus models while working in the company's experimental division.
Kevin · May 29th, 2011
Best Motoring Laps with the Lexus LFA Nürburgring Race Car
One of the thoughts that ran through my head while watching Best Motoring supercar battle was: How would an Lexus LFA with the Nürburgring package have performed?
Kevin · May 19th, 2011
Best Motoring Comparison: Lexus LFA vs. Nissan GT-R vs. Porsche GT2 RS vs. Ferrari F430 GT3 vs. Corvette ZR1
Japan's Best Motoring series may have been cancelled, but not before putting together a superstar supercar comparison featuring the Lexus LFA, Nissan GT-R, Porsche GT2 RS, Corvette ZR1 & Ferrari F430 GT3 on the Fuji Speedway.
Kevin · May 18th, 2011
Behind-the-Scenes Look at Building the Lexus LFA
Lexus Magazine has put together an absolutely stunning photo essay that illustrates the process of building the LFA at the Motomachi plant in Japan.
Kevin · May 11th, 2011
Creating the Music for the Lexus International Gallery Aoyama in Tokyo
Here’s a 2008 video of Japanese composer Masato Hatanaka and his efforts to create the ambient music playing at the Lexus International Gallery Aoyama in Tokyo: Admittedly, the video and the concept are a little out of the ordinary — but it also displays the uniqueness that I would expect at a Japanese Lexus dealership. …
Kevin · May 1st, 2011
Wald International Lexus LX 570 Black Bison Edition
While on the topic of Wald International body kits, the Japanese tuner has released a Sports Line Black Bison package for the Lexus LX 570 — here’s the full gallery: Have to give Wald some credit for coming up with a style and sticking with it, but this gives the ASI Invader some competition as …
Kevin · April 28th, 2011
Lexus Unlikely to Remain #1 in U.S. Luxury Sales
Mark Templin, general manager of Lexus USA, has told the Automotive News that due to earthquake-related vehicle shortages, he does not expect Lexus to retain its position as the #1 luxury car manufacturer in the USA for an eleventh year: Lexus dealers will begin to feel shortages of cars this week, and definitely in May, …
Kevin · April 26th, 2011
Lexus Global Design Manager Discusses the Lexus LF-Gh
Automobile Magazine has some great quotes about the LF-Gh from Simon Humphries, General Manager of Lexus (& Toyota) Global Design — here’s a sampling: On the general design theme: “The LF-Gh was designed in [our Lexus studio in Japan]. The current state of the auto market is that everything is becoming complex and overstyled. With …
Kevin · April 25th, 2011
2013 Lexus LS Photochop by Mag-X
Using elements of our sneak peek at next-generation GS LF-Gh Concept, Japanese magazine Mag-X has put together this rendering of the 2013 Lexus LS (click for a larger image): Not much to look at for the most part, but this rendering does a good job at turning the LF-Gh’s massive pinched grille into something that …
Kevin · April 11th, 2011
TOM’s Planning Lexus CT 200h Body Kit & Exhaust System?
According to the CT 200h Club of Malaysia, long-time Japanese Lexus tuner TOM’s is looking into creating a CT 200h body kit — here’s some mockups: The kit follows the pattern set by the Modellista body kit with a fairly plain front and a rear diffuser, though the TOM’s rendition is more angular. TOM’s does …
Kevin · April 6th, 2011