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Lexus Japan’s IS-C Interior Color Options

The Lexus IS 250 was released in Japan last week with some extremely unique interior color options (click for slightly larger images): No word if these options will be available in other markets outside of Japan, but it looks like the USA is getting a solid blue option the blue & white option if the …

Kevin · May 11th, 2009

Lexus RX 350 & 450h Body Kit by LX Mode

LX Mode has updated their website to include the brand new Lexus 3G RX body kit: All in all, it’s a nice looking kit—but what I’m really impressed by is the front grille replacement. Looking to be lifted directly of the LS 460, it changes the front-end significantly. Here’s a breakdown of the different options, …

Kevin · May 8th, 2009

Lexus RX 450h Interior = Design Harmony?

Last month, when the new Lexus RX 450h was given Ward’s Auto Design Harmony award for its asymmetric interior, it wasn’t too clear what “Design Harmony” actually meant—luckily, Ward’s has come through with some clarification: Contributing to the serenity are enough artistic flourishes to warrant a special exhibit at the Guggenheim. Take the …

Kevin · May 7th, 2009

Crystallised Lexus LFA Photo Gallery

I’ve been waiting for an actual photo gallery of the Crystallised Lexus LFA currently being shown in Milan, and Japanese magazine Openers has delivered just that—here’s a selection of images: Fantastic. The rest of the gallery can be viewed at the Openers website.

Kevin · May 7th, 2009

Photos of the Lexus GS Passionate Black Interior

Lexus enthusiast Harinder from Vancouver has done me two big favors—first he told me about the Passionate Black availability in Canada, and now he’s sent photos of his very own PB Lexus GS: {embed=“site/gallery” gallery_id=“1126”} (The all-season mats are in place, but Harinder assured me that black carpet mats were also included. Also, in Canada, …

Kevin · May 5th, 2009

Lexus RX 450h Manufacturing Details

In preparation of the release of the RX 450h, Lexus GB has published an amazingly thorough document that details the new manufacturing processes behind the upcoming hybrid SUV. Some highlights: The Kokura plant, where the RX is built, has installed a 3 meter-high mesh “waterfall” that has reduced airborne dust by 90%. The chain conveyor …

Kevin · April 30th, 2009

Music from Lexus Japan’s Aoyama Gallery

Last year, Lexus Japan opened the Lexus International Gallery Aoyama in Tokyo’s Aoyama area as a display space for introducing residents to the Lexus brand. This space has a unique feature—an immersive sound environment by Yamaha created especially to block out the surrounding city. To better illustrate this, here’s a video created by composer Masato …

Kevin · April 30th, 2009

More Details on the Lexus GS Passionate Black Interior

After the discovery of the Lexus GS Passionate Black interior in North America, I was possessed to find out more details, so I arranged a quick email interview with Greg Thome, Lexus USA’s Communications Supervisor: TLE: Lexus Japan released the Passionate Black interior as a special edition last year, and now Lexus USA has started …

Kevin · April 28th, 2009

Lexus GS 450h Commercial from Japan

Let’s start off the week with this GS 450h commercial from Lexus Japan, brimming with the positive message “ON and GO!”: One thing I noticed is the alternative markings for the kW energy gauge: Japanese Energy Gauge North American Energy Gauge While the North American version is much more exact, the Japanese gauge gives more …

Kevin · April 27th, 2009

Akio Toyoda Will Drive Lexus LFA in Nürburgring 24h Race

Akio Toyoda, incoming president of Toyota and grandson of the company’s founder, has been confirmed as one of the drivers in the upcoming 24h Nürburgring race: The grandson of Toyota founder Kiichiro Toyoda is one of four drivers on a Toyota team entering the May 21-24 Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race in Germany, company spokesman Paul …

Kevin · April 24th, 2009

Lexus IS 250C Promotional Video

From Lexus Japan comes this new promotional video for the IS 250C: I know that the IS 250c is essentially killing two birds with one stone, as Lexus gets a new coupe and a new convertible in the lineup, but there’s some angles in this video that make me wish a coupe-only version was available. …

Kevin · April 23rd, 2009

Lexus LFA to Compete in Nürburgring 24h Race

For the second year in a row, the Lexus LFA will be taking part in the 24h Nürburgring Race, the full-day endurance race to take as many laps ‘round The Ring as possible: Based on a prototype of the LF-A being developed with an eye toward commercial release, the race vehicle, entering the Nürburg event …

Kevin · April 21st, 2009

Rumormill: The Lexus IS-F Evo Strikes Again

JDM blog 7tune has pushed out a rumor that the Lexus IS-F Evolution, the unconfirmed, carbon-fiber-covered editon of the IS-F, will be limited to 500 units and will cost a staggering $250,000USD. From the source: Focus has not changed much either with previous reports of the new body losing 140kg all round and dropping to …

Kevin · April 20th, 2009

Wald Body Kit for the 2010 Lexus RX 350

Wald International has released a Black Bison body kit for the new Lexus RX—first off, here’s the photo gallery: All the things that made the Black Bison design look so awkward on the IS-F end up adding some real character to the RX. There are minor complaints: the IS-F style grille looks great but clashes …

Kevin · March 26th, 2009

Lexus Japan’s RX Museum Party Video

Should we need any proof that Lexus is being marketed differently in Japan as compared to North America, look no further than this video from the Japanese RX launch party, featuring DJ No+Chin in a “battle” with visual artist Saori Kanda: Feels more like Scion than Lexus, color me impressed by how uniquely Japanese this …

Kevin · March 23rd, 2009

Behind-the-Scenes Video of Lexus Car Manufacturing

This Lexus-produced video showing the manufacturing process of the IS is full-on fantastic: I’ll admit to a soft spot when it comes to this type of behind-the-scenes video footage, and no matter how many times I read about it, it’s mind-boggling just how quality-obsessed Lexus really is. I was particularly impressed by the electronic tools …

Kevin · March 24th, 2008

Lexus Still Struggling in Japan

BusinessWeek has a story in this week’s magazine about the issues Lexus is having establishing the brand in Japan: Although Lexus hit American showrooms 19 years ago and has been the top-selling luxury nameplate in the U.S. since 2000, it didn’t arrive in Japan until 2005. By that time German brands dominated the high end, …

Kevin · March 21st, 2008

New Job Design Lexus LS Body Kit

Job Design, a Japan tuning firm specializing in Lexus & Toyota modifications, has released a new body kit for the Lexus LS, consisting of front wheel vents, a super-dropped suspension and new front & rear bumpers. {embed=“site/gallery” gallery_id=“1133”} I think it’s only natural, in light of the LS’ rather somber and elegant design, that body …

Kevin · March 18th, 2008

More on Best Motoring’s Lexus IS-F/BMW M3 Comparison

Turns out there was more than one part to the Best Motoring comparison that I posted about a couple days ago. Get comfortable and and take a look at this 20 minute video (for quickness’ sake, the two main competitors as I see them, the BMW M3 and the IS-F, are at 1:25 and 13:36 …

Kevin · March 13th, 2008

Best Motoring: Lexus IS-F vs. BMW M3 vs. Nissan Fairlady Z vs. Honda S2000

When I found out about this Best Motoring video pitting the Lexus IS-F against the BMW M3, Nissan Z, and the Honda S2000, I didn’t expect to see a repeat of yesterday’s video result, with the IS-F blowing the doors off the other cars. Too bad the video plays like a poorly staged mock race: …

Kevin · March 10th, 2008

Lexus Numbers Roundup

Three stories out today about Lexus sales, and rather than post them all separately, I thought to just combine them. First up, Toyota president Katsuaki Watanabe still expects to see a slight increase in 2008 sales over 2007, despite the recent downturn in sales. This makes for a large uphill battle, though, as Lexus sales …

Kevin · March 6th, 2008

Lexus to increase production capacity by 35%

In order to stay on top of demand in Russia, China, and other emerging markets, Lexus will be ramping up their production capacity by a staggering 35%, from 600,000 to 850,000. The Nikkei Business Daily reports: Toyota now makes Lexuses at its Tahara plant, in Aichi Prefecture, and at Toyota Motor Kyushu Inc.‘s Miyata facility, …

Kevin · February 27th, 2008

Details on Lexus Exhibit for 2008 Milan Design Week

As a way of extending their L-Finesse design language, Lexus has been taking part in the Milan Design Week since 2005. Always a collaboration with a unique comtemporary artist, the 2008 exhibit features work by Japanese design company nendo, and will be titled “Elastic Diamond”. Here’s some details: The 2008 Lexus exhibit, which has been …

Kevin · February 17th, 2008

Japanese Special Edition Lexus GS with “Passionate Black” Interior

Sure, the Japanese Elegant White Interior edition of the Lexus IS was nice, but this new special edition of the GS with its “Passionate Black Interior” almost rocked my socks right off: This interior is a limited run of 500, and there’s a choice of any GS, including the 450h. THe upgrade costs ¥780,000 ($7,300 …

Kevin · February 1st, 2008

Video of the Lexus IS-F Racing Concept @ The Tokyo Auto Salon

Putting aside the hoopla surrounding the Lexus IS-F Racing Concept for a minute, here’s some jumpy video footage of the car from the Toyko Auto Salon show: I think I would have liked this vehicle a whole lot better if it had been done up like an actual race car, with the decals and flashy …

Kevin · January 24th, 2008

The Lexus IS-F Racing Concept gets even more confusing

The confusion surrounding the Lexus IS-F Racing Concept has taken a turn for the absurd, with German auto magazine AutoBild now asserting that it’s not a Lexus at all, but a reworked Opel Opel Vectra DTM racer: From the article, it’s not exactly clear how they came to this conclusion, but it clearly goes against …

Kevin · January 22nd, 2008

Details on the Lexus IS-F Racing Concept

Details are finally coming out in regards to the Lexus IS-F Racing Concept shown at the Tokyo Auto Salon last week. Due to the body styling and rear wing, it was thought that this was a precursor to Lexus’ entry into the DTM Racing series, but in actuality, the vehicle was a one-off design experiment …

Kevin · January 17th, 2008

Special Edition Lexus IS to be released in Japan

Lexus Japan will be releasing a limited edition Elegant White Interior IS, an especially literal name to be sure: Beyond the white/grey two-tone semi-aniline leather seats, the interior will be replete with real wood paneling on the center console and doors, plus a rear privacy shade (not pictured): I think it’s gorgeous, the wood grain …

Kevin · January 16th, 2008

Lexus to Enter the DTM Racing Series?

According to Touring Car Times, the photo of the Lexus IS-F Racing Concept could be an indication that Lexus will be joining the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters car racing series: The rumors on which manufacturer would join Audi and Mercedes in the Deutche Tourenwagen Masters have been many during the recent years. Since the talks about …

Kevin · January 7th, 2008

The Lexus IS-F Racing Concept to be Shown at the Tokyo Auto Salon

The Tokyo Auto Salon, Japan’s annual automotive aftermarket tradeshow, will see the debut of the Lexus IS-F Racing Concept, with all the body molding and performance modifications you’d expect. Details are non-existent, and the only image is the one shown above, taken from Lexus Japan’s TAS mini-site. In all honesty, I didn’t think it possible …

Kevin · January 4th, 2008

Japanese Lexus IS-F Promotional Video

A IS-F promotional DVD has been available from Lexus Japan for some time, but it’s only just made its way onto the Internet: I’m not sure if this is the full extent of the video sent out, but I do know one thing: It wouldn’t be possible to find a more ill-suited soundtrack.

Kevin · December 14th, 2007

Lexus IS-F/R Planned?

From the Japanese mag BestCar to Winding Road to you comes a rumor of the Lexus IS-F/R, a lighter and slightly boosted version of the super sedan. The specs, as reported, will see the IS-F’s weight cut down by 220lbs, and a performance boost of 12hp and 6 pound-feet torque increase, bringing the totals to …

Kevin · December 12th, 2007

Japanese Video Review of the Lexus IS-F

This Lexus IS-F segment from Start your Engines, a Japanese auto news show, is a pleasant switch from the norm, as it’s all subtitled in English: “It’s been a long time since I’ve had so much fun driving a Toyota”, the host says after ten laps of the Fuji Speedway. “The shifting really is like …

Kevin · December 10th, 2007

Lexus IS-F vs. Nissan Skyline Coupe Type S

The January 2008 editon of Best Motoring, one of Japan’s most popular automotive TV/DVD shows, has a Lexus IS-F vs. Nissan Skyline Coupe 370GT Type S (Infiniti G37 Sport in North America) showdown: While it can’t match the IS-F in a 0-60 race, the 333hp Skyline Coupe Type S holds its own on the track, …

Kevin · December 4th, 2007

Video of the Toyota Driving Simulator

A video demonstration of the Toyota Driving Simulator has been posted on Youtube: Bit disappointed they didn’t show any virtual accidents. I know the simulator was built to examine potential safety features, but with that music in the background, they could probably test the driving characteristics of someone going insane. (Thanks Dan!)

Kevin · November 28th, 2007

Toyota Builds New Driving Simulator

Toyota has built a new driving simulator at their Higashifuji Technical Center in Japan, and it looks straight out of science fiction. Inside the 15-foot-high, 23-foot-wide sphere is a Lexus IS attached to an elaborate rail system and surrounded by a 360-degree video screen that displays a virtual driving environment: The internal surrounding sides of …

Kevin · November 27th, 2007

Lexus Places First in Japanese Customer Service

Lexus sure knows how to treat their customers, at least according to JD Power. On top of a first place finish in the JD Power Sales Satisfaction Index, Lexus dominated the Japanese Customer Service Index as well: Now in its sixth year, the study identifies five factors that measure customer satisfaction with service performed at …

Kevin · November 15th, 2007

Is this the 2009 Lexus IS?

An Autospies reader recently posted up this scanned-in Japanese auto mag page depicting the facelifted 2009 Lexus IS: “Top Secret” banner aside, this is likely a photochop, though subtle enough to be believable. The differences are slight, there’s some GS design incorporated into the front end, and the side panels look to be tucked in. …

Kevin · November 12th, 2007

Limited Toy Lexus GS 430 by Tomica

I don’t know what’s better, the fact that there’s a limited edition Lexus GS 430 die-cast car available from Tomica, or that I discovered it on a japanese miniature car weblog. I was huge into die-casts as a kid, and I swear, seeing this makes me want to dig out my collection.

Kevin · November 9th, 2007

Auto Express Drives the Lexus IS-F Around Fuji Speedway

Auto Express’ first drive of the IS-F is different than the other reviews today, in that they travelled to Japan to try the IS-F out on the Fuji Speedway, the track that inspired the F-Performance name. However, the end result was very similar to the Edmunds review, with a key difference — Auto Express was …

Kevin · October 24th, 2007

The Statistics behind Lexus’ Pursuit of Perfection

It’s an oft-stated fact that the detail that Lexus puts into the manufacturing of their cars is almost ridiculous, but there are a number of statistics from a recently published Just Auto article that bear repeating: Of the 19 hours it takes to build a Lexus, 11 of them are spent in the paint shop. …

Kevin · October 22nd, 2007

New Wald Lexus IS Body Kit Photos

Wald International has updated its website with Lexus IS Body Kit photos, and they’re surely a sight for sore eyes. When it debuted in August, the only official photos featured the car wet, of all things, and were certainly not up to their usual quality. As well, they hightlighted a number of unflattering characteristics, particularly …

Kevin · October 19th, 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 Japan’s IS-F Special Site

Watching the revving Flash loader of the Japanese IS-F “Special Site”, I thought I was about to see a varation of the US version, but that wasn’t the case at all. Instead, I was treated to something really special, in what could only be described as a bad soap opera, right down to the camera …

Kevin · October 10th, 2007

The Lexus IS-F Price Guessing Game

Now that the performance figures of the IS-F have been released, there remains only one significant mystery surrounding the car: How much will it cost in the US? One way to figure it out is to take the Japanese price and go backwards, but a straight-up conversion of the ¥7.66 million retail in US dollars …

Kevin · October 9th, 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

The Lexus Body Kit Series: GX 470

At first, the latest part in my Lexus Body Kit Series seemed to be taking the same road as my last feature, the ES 350, which yielded no kits at all. However, it turns out that there are a couple body kits for the GX 470. Two of the kits come from Toyota, built for …

Kevin · September 11th, 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

The Lexus Body Kit Series: SC 430

The next part of my Lexus Body Kit Series is up, this time for the SC 430. For a car closing in on seven years of production, and a purported sports coupe at that, there’s surprisingly few body kits to choose from, and the kits that are available are low in options, with most consisting …

Kevin · August 24th, 2007

Wald International Releases Lexus IS 250/350/220d Body Kit

Wald International has just released their IS 250/350/220d body kit, and it’s a marked improvement over the photoshop mockups: The sports fender ducts are still in development, and will hopefully stay that way. As it stands, the kit consists of a front spoiler, side step, a rear skirt and a trunk lid spoiler. The front …

Kevin · August 23rd, 2007

Another Wild (but Formal) Japanese Commercial for the Lexus RX 300/Harrier

It would be remiss of me not to post this second lion-man Lexus RX 300/Harrier commercial, considering how floored I was by the first one: This one is even better than the first, as we get to see lion-man lounging by the pool, reading a report, while his beauty swims in the pool. I’m so …

Kevin · August 11th, 2007

Wild (but Formal) Japanese Commercial for the RX 300/Harrier

I’m unsure exactly how this commercial would have been pitched, “You see, there’s this lion-man, ok, and he rescues this damsel in distress, all while driving a Harrier! Wild but Formal!”: Seriously, a lion-man? (Thought it was very cool to see a body kit advert at the end of the commercial, though.)

Kevin · August 7th, 2007

Mitsuoka Orochi, The Japanese Mutant Supercar

At first glace, the Mitsuoka Orochi may seem like the Japanese answer to Ferrari, but there’s an unflattering surprise under the hood, the car is powered by a Lexus 3.3-litre V6 engine. With only 231bhp and 327Nm of torque, it’s a powerplant that has no business being in a car with such wild style. This …

Kevin · August 3rd, 2007

Earthquake Halts Lexus Production

Due to earthquake damage to a major parts supplier, Toyota has suspended all production for the remainder of the week. Riken Corp, a key supplier of Toyota transmission and engine parts, is located near the epicenter of Monday’s 6.8 magnitude quake, and as such sustained damage to their operations. The halt in production isn’t expected …

Kevin · July 18th, 2007

TOM’S LS460 Body Kit & Modifications

I spent some time today on TOM’S, Toyota’s authorized tuning shop, taking a look at their various Lexus body kits and modifications. Their new tuned LS 460 is a beauty, matching the exteriors of the Fabulous and Wald offerings in subtlety, but also adding an extensive range of very real performance modifications. Here’s a list …

Kevin · July 16th, 2007

Lexus Face?

Barry Brownstein, professor of economics and leadership at the University of Baltimore, has served up some criticism of Lexus Japan’s new sales techniques: A “Lexus Face” [a peaceful Ogasawara-style closed mouth smile said to put customers at ease] put on the face of a Lexus employee will fool nobody if either the employee does not …

Kevin · July 14th, 2007

SC400/Soarer Commercial from Japan

All in all, this Japanese SC400/Soarer is so dull it almost doesn’t bear mentioning, save for a tagline that could stand as one of the greatest ever: Seriously, “Mind Cruising” is something that could only come from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Kevin · July 12th, 2007

Samurai Warriors = Japanese Lexus Dealers?

From the very start, Lexus strived to elevate their buying experience and customer service above their competitors, it was a defining characteristic, and a very strong reason for their success in the North American market. However, introducing the Lexus brand in their home country has so far been a bitter disappointment. In order to wow …

Kevin · July 9th, 2007

Fabulous Body Kit for the Lexus LS 460

My favorite part about the body kits put out for the Lexus LS 460 is how absolutely subtle they are — first was the Wald International’s offering, and now we have the full gear from Fabulous: The changes are so minute, the only part of the kit that’s immediately obvious is the mini-wing on the …

Kevin · July 7th, 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

Wald International Developing New IS 250/350 Body Kit

Wald International has been busy this week, releasing a new LS 460 body kit and now this, some behind-the scenes photos of the new IS 250/350 Sports Line body kit development: Interesting to see the process behind the making of one of these kits, I especially like all the tape protecting the IS paintjob. To …

Kevin · June 8th, 2007

Wald International Body Kit for the LS 460

Wald International, a Japanese tuning company, has been one of the premier body kit & modification developers for Lexus since the LS 400. The new LS 460 is their latest subject, which they treated with a very distinctive reverence: Save for the rims, the USF40 Executive Line body kit is nothing overly flashy, and is …

Kevin · June 6th, 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

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