lexus-magazine

Interview with Lexus IS Chief Engineer Junichi Furuyama

While at the Detroit Auto Show, I had a chance to ask Lexus IS Chief Engineer Junichi Furuyama a few quick questions, and now my interview is available over at Lexus Magazine.

Kevin · February 6th, 2013

Lexus LFA Nürburgring Road Trip Through the Rocky Mountains

Right before the LFA Nürburgring’s recent race against a jet, Lexus national manager of international training Paul Williamsen had the job of “breaking in” the vehicle in preparation for the competition.

Kevin · December 2nd, 2012

Visiting the World’s First Production Two-Tone Lexus LFA

For my latest Lexus Magazine article, I travelled to Lexus of Lehigh Valley in Allentown, Pennsylvania to see (and photograph) the world’s first two-tone LFA.

Kevin · November 11th, 2012

A Closer Look at the Lexus LF-CC Interior Touch Controls

Lexus Magazine has taken a closer look at the new touchscreen technologies included in the LF-CC interior and how they might work.

Kevin · November 7th, 2012

Developing the Lexus LS F SPORT

Lexus Magazine has talked to driving meister Shuichi Ozaki about developing the new LS F SPORT and all the challenges that went along with it.

Kevin · October 10th, 2012

Driving the 2013 Lexus GS 350

Even though I’ve been driving the GS since the beginning of the summer, in some ways the character of a car can only be discovered with an extended journey.

Kevin · September 9th, 2012

Lexus GS Summer Road Trip

It’s the last weekend of summer, and Lexus Magazine has published the story of my GS 350 road trip from Ottawa to Montreal.

Kevin · September 2nd, 2012

Examining the 2013 Lexus LS Climate Concierge System

Lexus Magazine has a feature on the new Climate Concierge system in the 2013 LS, which uses the climate control, the heated/cooled seats, and even the steering wheel to maintain the correct temperature.

Kevin · August 6th, 2012

Endless Motion: A Profile of Lexus Meister Shuichi Ozaki

Lexus Magazine has a profile on Shuichi Ozaki, who fine-tunes the driving experience of Lexus models using his 50 years of experience as…a surfer?

Kevin · July 10th, 2012

Lexus Magazine Interviews 2013 ES Chief Engineer Toshio Asahi

This Lexus Magazine interview with Toshio Asahi, chief engineer of the sixth-generation ES, is full of insight into the redesign of Lexus’ top-selling sedan.

Kevin · May 28th, 2012

Details on the Next-Generation Lexus ES Manufacturing

*Lexus Magazine* has some behind-the-scenes details on how the next-generation ES will be manufactured.

Kevin · May 23rd, 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

Lexus Magazine Profile on Shuichi Ozaki, Vehicle Performance Tester

Lexus Magazine is running a great profile on Shuichi Ozaki, a Lexus “Meister” whose job “is to identify, safeguard, and optimize the mix of emotions that create the uniquely human appeal of the new GS —- and all Lexus vehicles.”

Kevin · February 27th, 2012

Lexus Magazine Revisits LFA Nürburgring Lap Record

Lexus Magazine has revisited the LFA’s record-setting Nürburgring lap, with new insight and interviews with Chief Engineer, Tanahashi Haruhiko, development supervisor, Naoaki Ito, and test driver, Akira Iida.

Kevin · February 17th, 2012

Lexus Magazine: 2013 Lexus LX 570 Changes

For my latest column in Lexus Magazine, I talk with Paul Williamsen of Lexus College about some new features of the restyled 2013 LX 570.

Kevin · February 2nd, 2012

Lexus Magazine Interview with Lexus LF-LC Designers

Lexus Magazine is running an interview with two of the Calty designers responsible for the Lexus LF-LC.

Kevin · January 19th, 2012

Lexus Magazine Article: 2011 Year in Review

For my latest Lexus Magazine article, I picked my five most important Lexus news stories of 2011, with a bonus mention of the Lexus concept set to debut in Detroit.

Kevin · December 29th, 2011

Interview with Lexus GS Designer Katsuhiko Inatomi

As luck would have it, right after my post examining the next-generation Lexus GS exterior design, I stumbled across a very informative interview with Katsuhiko Inatomi, the designer responsible for the spindle grille that forms the new “face” of Lexus.

Kevin · November 27th, 2011

More Details on the New Lexus GS Information Display

Lexus Magazine is running an article on the massive 12.3-inch information display that will be available on the 2013 GS.

Kevin · November 7th, 2011

Lexus Magazine Interview with Five Axis’ Troy Sumitomo

I just finished packing up for SEMA in Las Vegas, but before we moving to our live coverage, I wanted to share a Lexus Magazine interview I did with Five Axis president Troy Sumitomo about his company’s Project GS show car.

Kevin · October 30th, 2011

Driving a Lexus IS 250 F Sport along Australia’s Great Ocean Road

Lexus Magazine is currently running a photo essay of the scenic cruise along Australia’s Great Ocean Road, with a Lexus IS 250 F Sport selected as the vehicle of choice.

Kevin · October 19th, 2011

Lexus Magazine Compares the 2013 GS 350 & GS 450h

Lexus Magazine’s Doug Knox recently travelled to Japan, where he became the first journalist to directly compare the new GS 350 and GS 450h back-to-back on the auto track.

Kevin · October 11th, 2011

More Details on the Evolution of Lexus Design

Lexus Magazine has a new video interview with Brian Bolain, Lexus USA’s National Marketing Manager, and Paul Williamsen, National Manager of Lexus College, talking about the overall influence that the new GS design will have on the rest of the Lexus lineup.

Kevin · September 19th, 2011

Lexus Magazine Column: Undercover GS

The next generation Lexus GS is almost here, and to mark the occasion, I've put together a brief timeline of all the car's public appearances (accidental or otherwise) for the latest edition of my monthly *Lexus Magazine* column.

Kevin · August 13th, 2011

Testing the Lexus LS 460’s Four-Zone Climate Control

Inspired by MythBusters, Lexus Magazine auto editor Clark Heideger attempts to calculate the efficiency of the Lexus LS 600hL's four-zone climate control using a series of (not-so) scientific experiments involving improper thermometers, ice cream and his own internal "sensors".

Kevin · August 7th, 2011

NFL Star Larry Fitzgerald Jr. Drives the Lexus LFA

Lexus Magazine has published an interview with Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr., who recently had the chance to test-drive the Lexus LFA.

Kevin · July 15th, 2011

Lexus Magazine Column: The Contenders

I have an exciting announcement -- starting this month, I'll be a regular monthly columnist for Lexus Magazine!

Kevin · July 7th, 2011

Lexus Magazine Photo Essay: Landfall

Lexus Magazine has published a photo essay detailing the intricate procedure each Lexus goes through once it lands in North America after being manufactured and shipped from Japan.

Kevin · July 4th, 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

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

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

Lexus LFA Desktop Wallpaper: Through the Back Window

The next Lexus LFA wallpaper is this abstract photo of the Lexus LFA’s interior — I must have taken it through the back window: Select Resolution: 1920×1080 | 1680×1050 | 1440×900 | 1280×1024 | 1280×800 | 1024×768 I’ve never had my hands on a better steering wheel in my life, it felt like it was …

Kevin · April 13th, 2011

Photos from Lexus LFA Driver Development Program

While the full story on my experience at the Lexus LFA Driver Development program is still a couple weeks away, Lexus Magazine has published some of my photos from the event — here’s a sample: It didn’t take long for me to start missing the LFA — I can definitely say with some certainty that …

Kevin · March 22nd, 2011

Interview with Troy Sumitomo from Five Axis

Lexus Magazine has published an interview I did with Five Axis president Troy Sumitomo about the Project CT, the Lexus show car that debuted at last week’s Chicago Auto Show — here’s a clip: KEVIN WATTS: I know that with the Project IS F, you were inspired by fighter jets—what did you use for inspiration …

Kevin · February 18th, 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

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 Dealership Tips

Lexus Magazine has some tips on getting the most out of your local dealership — here’s just a couple of the suggestions: Tip 3: Many dealers make sales calls. Here’s a surprise. The previous tip about not having to come into the dealership also applies to sales. When looking for your next Lexus, you can …

Kevin · December 8th, 2010

Repainting the Lexus LFA

The Pearl Grey Lexus LFA revealed at SEMA earlier this month has led an eventful life — going from its Matte Black days at the 2009 LFA launch in Miami to its commercial appearance in Starfire Pearl — and now we can see just how the supercar transforms from shade to shade, courtesy of Lexus …

Kevin · November 23rd, 2010

Interview with Lexus IS Chief Engineer Junichi Furuyama

Lexus Magazine has an interview with IS Chief Engineer Junichi Furuyama and his thoughts on the new 2011 update– here are some select quotes: “There is more emphasis on the car’s individuality than before,” says Furuyama. “Take the headlights. The daytime running lights, where fitted, use L-shaped LEDs that are constantly illuminated when you’re driving …

Kevin · November 16th, 2010

More Lexus SEMA Photos

After two intense days at SEMA and a poorly thought-out red-eye flight, I’m now back at home safe & sound — there’s been plenty of Lexus news released over the last few days that I’ll be working through, but first I want to point you towards some photos I took at SEMA for Lexus Magazine …

Kevin · November 4th, 2010

More Details on the Pearl Grey Lexus LFA

Last week, we caught our first glimpse of Lexus USA’s color-changing LFA — which now sports a Pearl Grey exterior after spells of being Matte Black & Starfire Pearl — and now Inside Line has published the first set of photos: There’s also a shot of the reworked interior: As for the reasoning behind painting …

Kevin · October 4th, 2010

Lexus Magazine Takes a Malaysia Road Trip

Lexus Magazine writer Rod Mackenzie took an RX 450h on an adventure through Malaysia in a quest to find a remote resort called Fraser’s Hill: For years, I’ve fantasized about penetrating Malaysia’s dense jungle interior on a modern-day Heart of Darkness journey, complete with creeping tigers. This exotic road trip, however, comes with a major …

Kevin · August 17th, 2010

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