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Lexus USA to Raise 2011 Model Prices

Lexus USA has announced that several models will see minor sales increases starting in May — all models will see a percentage increase ranging from 0.8 to 2.1 percent, with the exception of the CT 200h & LFA. The new prices will become effective for vehicles with scheduled May arrivals for all Lexus vehicles except …

Kevin · April 1st, 2011

Lexus IS F Racing the Fuji Speedway

The Fuji Speedway is a an central part of Lexus‘ new sporting history, with the F-Sport performance brand named after Japan’s most famous racetrack — here’s a nicely done IS F video that shows every twist and turn of the course: Love the slide around the :55 mark — must have watched it five times …

Kevin · March 31st, 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 …

Kevin · March 30th, 2011

Akio Toyoda Tours Japan Disaster Zone

Toyota President Akio Toyoda toured Japan’s earthquake disaster zone last week to survey the damage done to the company’s assembly plants, which have remained closed for the most part since the quake. I recommend this excellent recap of Toyoda-san’s visit at Autoweek, which talks in detail about the current challenges that Toyota is facing. (Toyota-san …

Kevin · March 30th, 2011

Regarding Japan’s Tragic Earthquake

As everyone should know by now, a terrible earthquake rocked Japan to the very core early this morning, bringing with it a tsunami that has caused immeasurable tragedy and heartbreak. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this devastation — I encourage everyone that visits this website to donate anything they can …

Kevin · March 11th, 2011

Lexus February 2011 Sales Report

USA Lexus reported total sales of 13,814 units, which essentially matches sales from last February — here are the model-by-model stats: MONTH Year to Date (*DSR) 2011 2010 % CHG* 2011 2010 % CHG* ES 2,598 2,349 10.6 4,813 5,272 -8.7 HS 183 712 -74.3 469 1,959 -76.1 LS 706 799 -11.6 1,440 1,891 -23.8 …

Kevin · March 1st, 2011

The Wild Ukrainian Lexus IS

Take a look at this mental Toyota Altezza/Lexus IS from the Ukraine that’s been featured on Stance Nation: The blue SSR Koenig wheels with the fresh white exterior is an unbelievable combo — I’m a traditionalist for the most part, but when I see something like this IS, it really gets my imagination going. What …

Kevin · March 1st, 2011

Next-Generation Lexus IS F?

Along with their photochop of the next-generation Lexus IS, Best Car also tried their hand at the future IS F (click for a larger image): From the Japanese blurb, it looks like Best Car is suggesting the engine output will remain unchanged in the next-gen IS F, which is something I doubt very much. It …

Kevin · February 23rd, 2011

Next-Gen Lexus IS Hybrid?

Japanese magazine Best Car is reporting the next-generation Lexus IS will be coming this September, and will be available as a V6 hybrid capable of 58 MPG (4l/100kms) — here’s their photochop attempt at the third generation IS (click for a larger version): Considering the huge marketing push for the 2011 IS update, I have …

Kevin · February 22nd, 2011

2012 Lexus GS Photochops

An as-yet-unknown Japanese magazine has put together their rendition of the fourth-generation Lexus GS: While it may be a modified version of this CT 200h photo and a poor photochop all round, I’ll give it some points on the clever headlights. Also included was an attempt at the GS F: Again, it’s another riff on …

Kevin · February 18th, 2011

Lexus LS 460/600hL Replacement Grille by Wald

Here’s something interesting that I came across on the Wald website last week while looking at their new LS Sports Line Black Bison body kit — the Japanese tuner is also offering a LS replacement grille: I’ve been driving a LS 600hL for the last week, and have to say, this replacement grille would be …

Kevin · February 14th, 2011

Lexus LS 600hL Sports Line Black Bison Body Kit by Wald

Japanese tuner Wald International has released a new Sports Line Black Bison body kit for the Lexus LS 600h/hL: The full kit is extensive, and includes a front bumper spoiler, side steps, sports fender ducts, LED daytime running lights, a rear bumper spoiler, roof spoiler, trunk spoiler (Version 2), plus a new exhaust system. The …

Kevin · February 9th, 2011

Blue Lexus LFA Flyby

This video featuring a blue Lexus LFA in Japan is just the right amount of scary: Barrelling towards the camera and changing course at the very last second is a great demonstration of the LFA’s performance and handling, if not just a little terrifying for the one doing the filming. *** As a special bonus, …

Kevin · February 8th, 2011

Meet the Journalist Who Influences Lexus Development

Lexus Magazine is running a new article written by Jean-Jacques Cornaert, an automotive journalist who just so happens to get access to unreleased and in-development Lexus vehicles — here’s an excerpt: The [Lexus IS-F] is a masterpiece, the result of several years of thought about what a Lexus can be. It’s also a car that, …

Kevin · February 4th, 2011

Pearl Red Lexus LFA Gets Final Inspection

Lexus Magazine has just posted their Photo of the Week, and it’s an outtake from their recent article featuring Shigeru Yamanaka, the master craftsman in charge of LFA manufacturing: That Pearl Red exterior is really something special. [Source: Lexus Magazine]

Kevin · January 25th, 2011

Lexus Japan’s CT 200h Harmonious Driving Navigator

The Japanese Lexus CT 200h comes equipped with a very interesting new feature: the Harmonious Driving Navigator, a service that connects the car to the Internet and gives the ability to track fuel efficiency online and compete against other CT 200h drivers. I only have the translation of the Japanese webpage for information, but looks …

Kevin · January 24th, 2011

Lexus IS Manufacturing Video

The combination of seeing the Lexus LFA manufacturing process and the recent Hard Way commercials reminded me of this 2005 video about the IS assembly line at the Kyushu plant: The level of precision shown in every Lexus never ceases to amaze me — this is the Pursuit of Perfection at work.

Kevin · January 23rd, 2011

Tokyo Auto Salon: Lexus Collection

While the official Lexus display at the Tokyo Auto Salon held most of our attention this last week, there was also a number of Lexus vehicles spread out among various body kit manufacturer displays — TLE reader & Flickr member CLF shares some photos: I may not be a fan of Wald’s Black Bison LS …

Kevin · January 20th, 2011

Lexus LFA Buyer Tours the LFA Manufacturing Facility

While on the topic of the Lexus LFA production facility, Club Lexus member gengar recently visited the Motomachi plant to see his LFA being built, and recounts the experience in vivid detail — here are some quotes: The tour was led by LFA production manager Shigeru Yamanaka. Accompanying him was LFA chief engineer Haruhiko Tanahashi …

Kevin · January 20th, 2011

The Man Behind the Lexus LFA Manufacturing

Lexus Magazine has a new feature on the man responsible for leading the LFA Works manufacturing team, Shigeru Yamanaka: Shigeru Yamanaka, manufacturing manager at the LFA Works, sums it up with characteristic precision: “We are actually a Takumi team.” Within Lexus, a Takumi—literally, “artisan”—is one of the 10 to 12 top guns of manufacturing. To …

Kevin · January 19th, 2011

Tokyo Auto Salon: Lexus Desktop Wallpapers

Lexus UK has published some high-resolution images featuring three of the cars shown at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon — here they are in all the usual desktop wallpaper sizes: Lexus CT 200h F-Sport with Modellista Body Kit Select Resolution: 1680×1050 | 1440×900 | 1280×1024 | 1280×800 | 1024×768 Lexus IS-F CCS-R Racing Concept Select …

Kevin · January 17th, 2011

Tokyo Auto Salon: Lexus CT 200h F-Sport with Modellista Body Kit

Not only has the Tokyo Auto Salon brought us two Lexus IS-F concepts, here’s our first real-life look at the new Modellista body kit for the CT 200h — once again, here are some photos from AutoGuide’s Colum Wood: I’m all over that rear diffuser — it really bumps up the rear design. I’m also …

Kevin · January 17th, 2011

The First Production Lexus LFA

The Lexus LFA website has been updated to include a very important milestone — the manufacturing of the very first production LFA: December 15th, 2010. The production of the Lexus LFA begins at the Motomachi Factory LFA Plant. The LFA will be produced by a total of 170 people including the CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced …

Kevin · January 17th, 2011

Tokyo Auto Salon: Lexus IS-F Club Performance Accessory by TRD

In addition to the IS-F CCS-R concept, Lexus is also displaying the IS-F Club Performance Accessory at the Tokyo Auto Salon, which is sporting performance parts from Toyota tuner TRD — once again, here’s some photos from AutoGuide’s prolific Colum Wood: Here’s the full list of accessories: Dino over at SpeedHunters also posted a photo …

Kevin · January 14th, 2011

Lexus IS-F CCS-R Racing Concept at Tokyo Auto Salon

Lexus has unveiled the IS-F CCS-R racing concept at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon — here are some photos from Autoguide’s Colum Wood: The IS-F CCS-R, or IS-F Circuit Club Sports Racer, is tuned for the track, with a gutted interior, a roll-cage, and plenty of carbon fiber, which was used for the front splitter, …

Kevin · January 14th, 2011

Lexus CT 200h Modellista Body Kit

More news about the Japanese launch of the Lexus CT 200h — Japanese buyers will have the option of purchasing a Modellista body kit right from their dealership — here’s some detail shots of the front lip, the side-skirts and the rear diffuser with a reconfigured exhaust: If I’m reading the price list (PDF link) …

Kevin · January 13th, 2011

Lexus Japan CT 200h F-Sport Details

The Lexus CT 200h F-Sport also launched today in Japan, and like the regular CT, there’s been some new details revealed by way of the Lexus Japan website. Here’s a good look at some of the package upgrades: Lexus Japan will also be offering some unique interior options with the F-Sport package — really impressed …

Kevin · January 13th, 2011

Lexus CT 200h Launches in Japan

The 2011 Lexus CT 200h went on sale in Japan today, and with it comes a fresh new website with plenty of new Japan-only details — but first, here’s some new photos: Here’s a chart with the full exterior color choices — note the F-Sport package in the middle: Here’s Japan’s range of interior options, …

Kevin · January 12th, 2011

More Autoart Lexus LFA Photos

Here’s a couple live shots of the insanely detailed Autoart Lexus LFA 1/18 scale model: Just fantastic — can’t wait for this model to go on sale. Update: TLE commenter primatives has discovered that a yellow Autoart LFA will also be available — at least in Australia.

Kevin · January 10th, 2011

Interview with “Lexus Performance Meister” Hirokazu Koga

There’s a brilliant interview over at Lexus Magazine with “Lexus Performance Meister” Hirokazu Koga, the man responsible for each Lexus’ feel: You see, Koga’s longtime job was to oversee a seemingly intangible aspect of any car: how it feels to drive, or perhaps, more accurately, how you’re supposed to feel when driving Lexus vehicles. What, …

Kevin · January 6th, 2011

Lexus RX Art Works in Dubai

Drive Arabia is becoming the go-to destination for seeing Lexus RXs that are unavailable in North America — first it was great pics of the RX’s panoramic roof option, and now we get a good look at the RX Art Works edition by Stone Designs. From the looks of things, the only exterior change is …

Kevin · January 4th, 2011

Production Lexus LFA Delivery

Just last week, the Lexus LFA started production at the special Motomachi factory in Japan, and here we see one of the first production LFAs being delivered to a Japanese dealership: I can only assume that’s a protective white plastic and not a two-tone paint job: Pretty exciting! Update: After the original video went missing …

Kevin · December 21st, 2010

Lexus LFA Die-Cast Model by Auto Art

As unbelievable as it may be, the image above is not actually the Lexus LFA, but a 1:18 scale die-cast model by Auto Art — here’s the proof, as I hope we never see an LFA in this position: The detail is exceptional: Here’s the full gallery in high-resolution glory: Although it would make a …

Kevin · December 16th, 2010

Lexus CT 200h Manufacturing Video

Here’s a new video that gives a glimpse into the CT 200h’s manufacturing process at the Kyushu plant in Japan: I’m a huge fan of manufacturing videos no matter what, but there’s also a strong message in this video — even though the CT 200h will be the entry-level Lexus, it still benefits from the …

Kevin · December 8th, 2010

Lexus LS L-Select Custom Color Combinations

L-Select, the Lexus LS customization program available in Japan, has a brand new website with some (very small) photos of potential color combinations: Iris Topaz Beige Scarlet Rose Olive Umber Snow White Blue Gray Dark Brown Both the Blue Gray & Dark Brown may very well be Alcantara, which is a very nice touch and …

Kevin · December 7th, 2010

Lexus LFA Challenge Event at Fuji Speedway

Stop what you’re doing and watch this video — it’s pure LFA madness: Just to count them off: There’s a Black, White, Red, Yellow and a brand new (what looks to be) Grey LFA all racing the Fuji Speedway in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Toyota Motorsports Festival. Absolutely amazing — that Black …

Kevin · November 30th, 2010

Hiromu Naruse on the First-Gen Lexus IS Development

Stumbled on an insightful speech given by the late Hiromu Naruse, Master Test Driver of Toyota, at a Toyota Altezza/Lexus IS 300 owners event at the Fuji Speedway in 2007 — here are some direct quotes that detail his part in the car’s development: After enhancing the rigidity, I test drove 2,000 km for two …

Kevin · November 16th, 2010

Lexus LFAs at Fuji Speedway

During a recent visit to the Fuji Speedway, JDM news site 7Tune stumbled onto two Lexus LFAs performing some “secret” track testing, and managed to snap a few photos: The exact reasons for the tests wasn’t revealed, but the lack of a center cap in this photo suggests it may have something to do with …

Kevin · November 9th, 2010

Red Lexus LFA in Toyota City

Last month, the red Lexus LFA made an appearance in Toyota City, Japan — here’s a couple videos from the event: No matter how many videos I watch of this red Lexus LFA, it’s never enough — absolutely breathtaking. [Via: Club Lexus]

Kevin · November 5th, 2010

Lexus CT 200h F-Sport Video

By way of Car@Nifty, here we have the very first video of the Lexus CT 200h F-Sport in (super slow) motion: Also posted was a video of the Japanese CT press presentation, which didn’t have much that we haven’t seen before, but did include this slide on the available CT wheels in Japan: Interesting to …

Kevin · October 22nd, 2010

Paddle Shifters Offered on Japanese Lexus CT 200h F-Sport

Japanese car site Car@Nifty has posted up a Lexus CT 200h F-Sport photo gallery, and it looks like the JDM CT F-Sport will be equipped with paddle shifters: From my understanding, the paddle-shifters will only be offered in Japan, which would explain why there was no mention of the option when the CT F-Sport debuted …

Kevin · October 20th, 2010

Four Lexus LFAs All Together

Here’s something you don’t see every day — four Lexus LFAs all together: I was surprised to see that the Pearl Yellow LFA featured is not the same one we’ve seen previously, but instead a brand-new car with a Camel Yellow interior — check out some of these screenshots: Beautiful interior color, it just looks …

Kevin · October 17th, 2010

Akio Toyoda Visits Nürburgring

Last week, Toyota President Akio Toyoda visited Germany to test-drive two Lexus LFAs at Nürburgring: As we can see, one of the LFAs is black (likely this one), and the other is a duplicate of the yellow Nürburgring edition involved in the fatal crash that took the life of Toyota Chief test driver, Hiromu Naruse. …

Kevin · October 12th, 2010

Lexus Builds Massive Driving Simulator

Lexus has created a new, extremely sophisticated simulator that fully mimics the driving experience: It’s hard to imagine what something of this magnitude would have cost, but as a way to gather precise data on otherwise dangerous driving experiences, it’s essentially priceless. Along with this commercial, a longer, more detailed explanation of the driving simulator …

Kevin · October 11th, 2010

Motor Trend Drives the 2011 Lexus IS F

Peter Lyons recently had some track time with the 2011 Lexus IS F, and talks up the changes in the new model year quite nicely: Although the powertrain and the car’s 3800-lb curb weight remain the same, the suspension settings have been totally recalibrated…An unexpected byproduct of this revision is the car’s more compliant ride, …

Kevin · September 17th, 2010

Lexus LFA Rockets Around Fuji Speedway

The lucky folks at Nihon Car had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to drive one of the Lexus LFAs used in this year’s Nürburgring 24h race around the Fuji Speedway in Japan: With much of the interior stripped away to save weight, the sound in the cabin has been amplified to almost pure aural speed — absolute …

Kevin · September 6th, 2010

2011 Lexus RX 270 Available in Japan

Lexus has launched the RX 270 in Japan this week, which will be powered by the 1AR-FE 2.7L engine and putting out 187hp with torque of 252Nm. The RX 270 was also announced for Russia, and it’s expected (for some time) that the low-displacement version of Lexus’ most popular vehicle will also be available in …

Kevin · August 27th, 2010

2011 Lexus IS F Gets LFA-Style Instrument Panel

The 2011 Lexus IS F was also revealed as part of Lexus Japan’s big website update yesterday, and it looks like the super-IS will be getting a variation of the LFA’s instrument panel: Let’s zoom up a bit: Here’s an alternative view, once again zoomed up due to image size: From the looks of it, …

Kevin · August 26th, 2010

Lexus Japan Art Works: GS in Sunset

We’ve already taken a look at the RX & IS Art Works special editions released by Lexus Japan today, but I’ve saved the best for last — just take a look at this GS in Sunset interior: Here’s some close-ups: This color combo is really something else (reminds me of the LS Sport interior), tasteful …

Kevin · August 26th, 2010

Lexus Japan Art Works: RX in Sunlight

An RX Art Work special edition was also released today by Lexus Japan, who have teamed up with Stone Designs on some wild interior color schemes: Here’s some detail shots of the interior: Both this RX and the previously mentioned IS are really quite playful — quirky even — and while it’s tough to imagine …

Kevin · August 25th, 2010

Lexus Japan Art Works: IS in Sunrise

As part of their new Art Works initiative, Lexus Japan has teamed up with design studio Stone Designs to create some extremely unique interior options — the first of which is this Lexus IS in Sunrise: The IS in Sunrise is the only design we’ve seen previously, and it features a decidedly oceanic color scheme: …

Kevin · August 25th, 2010

More Black Lexus LFA Videos

It’s now time for our weekly look at the black Lexus LFA that’s being tested in Japan — this time it’s three videos, and in an exciting development, we get our first glimpse of the front end: Here’s a freeze-frame: I wonder when we’ll see this LFA’s first public appearance — can not wait for …

Kevin · August 6th, 2010

Lexus Manufacturing Master of Paint

Lexus Magazine has published a fascinating article on Kimihiro Sakakibara, one of the 10 Lexus Takumi Masters that oversee factory production: For anyone still unfamiliar with the term, Lexus Takumi are the automotive equivalent of a 10th Dan black belt. Each of the ten Takumi specializes in a key area of the vehicle—and each commands …

Kevin · August 4th, 2010

RHD Lexus LFA Spotted

Here’s something new — a right-hand-drive edition of the Lexus LFA showed up at a Japanese event last week to perform some donuts: It’s getting difficult to keep track of all the LFAs out there, time for a list: White LFA from Tokyo Auto Show introduction now in Europe Matte Black (now white) LFA from …

Kevin · August 3rd, 2010

Black Lexus LFA, Take Two

We saw a quick glimpse of the glossy black Lexus LFA a couple weeks back, and now here’s another brief look at the latest edition of the supercar: Is this the best looking LFA so far or is it just me?

Kevin · August 2nd, 2010

VIP Lexus LS & GS Together

Been going through a lot of old files lately, and I stumbled on this brilliant photo of a VIP’d Lexus LS & GS prowling the streets together: This has to be one of my all-time favorite Lexus shots, I wish I knew who took the shot and where it came from. Has anyone seen it …

Kevin · July 28th, 2010

New Black Lexus LFA Spotted!

A shiny black Lexus LFA has been spotted in Japan: I’m thunderstruck — that’s one sinister supercar.

Kevin · July 21st, 2010

Lexus LX 570 ASI Invader Video

A couple months ago, we saw our first glimpse of a super-modified version of the Lexus LX 570, the ASI Invader, and now we have video of the extreme SUV (Warning: turn down your volume, extreme wind noise): It still looks absolutely insane, but the black exterior mutes it somewhat as compared to the earlier …

Kevin · July 14th, 2010

Lexus Confirms Engine Recall

Toyota has announced that there will be a recall on 270,000 Lexus (and one model Toyota) worldwide — from The New York Times: Toyota will recall a total of 90,000 Lexus and Crown sedans in Japan, and is “making preparations to take similar, appropriate actions” for 180,000 more cars that carry the same engine worldwide, …

Kevin · July 1st, 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 …

Kevin · July 1st, 2010

Blue Lexus LFA Photos

We saw a video of this Pearl Blue Lexus LFA a couple months back, now here are some new photos: Best of all, this black & blue interior is a knockout: Absolute madness — what a color combination. [Via: Club Lexus]

Kevin · June 28th, 2010

2011 Lexus IS Interior Option: Sunrise

Another detail about the 2011 Lexus IS has emerged — check out this brand new interior option, Sunrise, which is almost certainly limited to the Japanese market: This is pushing at the very outer limits of interior color combinations, but I have to admire the very idea of these special editions — especially something so …

Kevin · June 25th, 2010

Akio Toyoda on the Passing of Hiromu Naruse

Toyota President Akio Toyoda has shared his grief over the passing of mentor Hiromu Naruse on his blog — and even though I’m only able to read a rough Google translation, his message shows not only a deep sadness, but a strong resolve to continue on in Naruse’s spirit. Read the translated text (Original Text)

Kevin · June 24th, 2010

In Memory of Hiromu Naruse

Today, the automotive world lost an icon — Toyota’s Chief Test Driver Hiromu Naruse was killed in an accident outside of the Nürburgring racetrack while driving a Lexus LFA Nürburgring prototype. Naruse-sama was influential in the development of every production sports car produced by Toyota, from the 2000GT to the MR-S, and was so widely …

Kevin · June 23rd, 2010

Beautiful Lexus LS 600hL Video

Once and a while, I get very focused on a specific car — right now, it’s the Lexus LS, and it all started after watching this 10-minute video a couple weeks back: This video does a great job at capturing that quiet, subtle luxury that’s so appealing about Lexus’ flagship sedan — and somehow manages …

Kevin · June 10th, 2010

Lexus May 2010 Sales Report

USA USA May sales are in — here’s a full model-by-model breakdown: MONTH Year to Date (*DSR) 2010 2009 % CHG* 2010 2009 % CHG* ES 5,115 4,125 24.0 18,643 16,445 14.3 HS 1,360 0 N/A 5,889 0 N/A LS 944 830 13.7 4,911 4,051 22.2 SC 34 93 -63.4 147 403 -63.2 GS 771 …

Kevin · June 2nd, 2010

Red Lexus LFA @ Japanese Auto Show

Not only does this video from a Japanese auto show feature the red Lexus LFA, it also demonstrates a couple details about the supercar that I haven’t seen before (skip to 5:23 to get to the goods): The two things I noticed were the turn signal and the massive, single-blade windshield wiper — admittedly, these …

Kevin · May 24th, 2010

Consumer Reports Tests Lexus GX 460 Update

Consumer Reports have performed a test of the Lexus GX 460 software update: The magazine also posted a final comment on the safety issue they discovered, which ultimately led to current Lexus GX 460 recall: That’s what happened with the GX 460. The problem with the vehicle’s emergency handling capabilities was discovered by our auto …

Kevin · May 11th, 2010

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