Driving the 2013 Lexus LS

Did Lexus take it far enough with the 2013 LS? I drove five different variants to find the answer to that question.
Kevin · September 16th, 2012

2013 Lexus LX 570 Information

Let’s take a little break from the LF-LC concept for a moment to look at the newly revised 2013 Lexus LX 570.
Kevin · January 13th, 2012

2012 Lexus IS F Information

Next up in the 2012 announcements is the Lexus IS F, which has received yet another suspension update, with stronger stabilizer bars, new bearings and a slightly revised suspension -- giving the chassis better low-speed ride quality and less overall body roll.
Kevin · August 17th, 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

Site Update: Disqus Comments

In order to bring the comment system some much needed new features, I’ve decided to try out Disqus. Disqus is the same system used by Engadget & Mashable, and makes it easy to respond directly to other comments, along with being able to “like” comments, respond to comments via email, and edit your comments. Besides …

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Kevin · March 7th, 2011

TLE Site Update

In order to keep things current and make room for some planned improvements, I’ve updated the website design — no major changes, and probably best compared to the 2011 Lexus IS refresh: all the same elements, just a little bit sharper. If things are looking a little weird for you, I suggest clicking your browser …

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Kevin · December 1st, 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 …

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Kevin · November 16th, 2010

More 2011 Lexus IS F Details

Lexus Europe has released further details on the 2011 Euro-spec IS F, which will be getting a number of exterior & interior design changes for the new year: 5.0 litre V8 is now Euro 5 compliant The HID headlights will get getting the arrowhead LED daytime running light strip New Starlight Black exterior color Dark …

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Kevin · August 31st, 2010

2011 Lexus IS F Details

After adding a limited slip differential last year, Lexus continues to improve the IS F in the 2011 model year by refining the power steering and improving the suspension: To improve responsiveness and ride comfort, in addition to providing the driver with more control, engineers revised the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system and suspension.  With …

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Kevin · July 20th, 2010

2011 Lexus IS Update?

By way of Chinese website Sohu, here’s a sneak peek at what’s just may be the 2011 Lexus IS: There’s plenty of tweaks here: The LED daytime running lights first seen on the 2010 LS have been incorporated into the headlights. The steering wheel will be getting some new accents, and a chrome strip has …

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Kevin · June 4th, 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 …

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Kevin · May 11th, 2010

The Lexus Enthusiast 6.0

Welcome to The Lexus Enthusiast 6.0! Now running on the WordPress platform, this new edition of TLE was made necessary due to reasons too numerous and technical to mention, but rest assured, the switchover will be well worth it. The most obvious change is the content slider at the top of the homepage, which should …

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Kevin · May 5th, 2010

Lexus Enthusiast 5.0

Welcome to the latest edition of The Lexus Enthusiast! Developed over a two-month period, this is the fifth redesign of the site since its debut in May 2007. First off, some key points: The entire site navigation has been simplified and reworked—gone is the needlessly complicated model database, and in its place is a simple …

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Kevin · November 21st, 2009

2010 Lexus LS on Lexus USA Website

The updated 2010 Lexus LS is now on the Lexus USA website: The first I checked out was the cost of the LS Sport package: The package, which is only available with the RWD LS 460, adds $6,185 USD to the $64,680 base price, and includes Brembo brakes, 19” 10-split-spoke alloy wheels, sport-tuned air suspension, …

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Kevin · October 25th, 2009

2010 Lexus GS 450h Photo Gallery

Along with photos and information on the 2010 GS 350/460, Lexus USA also published a set of 2010 GS 450h photos: {embed=“site/gallery” gallery_id=“1376”} The refreshed GSh is easily the best Lexus hybrid facelift—the new front grille in particular stands out as a clean, modern design, and the rear taillamps also show some nice execution. I …

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Kevin · October 7th, 2009

2010 Lexus LS 460/460L Information & Photo Gallery

Information on the 2010 Lexus LS 460/460L was also released today, here’s a breakdown of the flagship design, which received a minor mid-cycle refresh this year: The headlamps, grille & bumper were all revised, as were the taillamps, license plate surround and exhaust diffusers. The side mirrors now have integrated turn signals. The standard 18-inch …

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Kevin · October 6th, 2009

2010 Lexus GS 350/460 Information

Information on the 2010 Lexus GS 350 & 460 has been announced, and as it turns out, not much has changed. The latest edition of the Lexus sports sedan sees the following changes: iPod/USB connectivity has been added to the standard Lexus sound system, along with streaming audio via Bluetooth & an integrated XM satellite …

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Kevin · October 6th, 2009

2010 Lexus ES 350 Official Information

Full information and photos of the refreshed 2010 Lexus ES 350 have been released—here’s a breakdown of the changes: Both the front and rear lights have been revised, along with a new front bumper, new foglights, a new grille. Chrome side molding has also been added. The new-look Lexus side mirrors with integrated turn signals …

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Kevin · September 18th, 2009

2010 Lexus LS 600h & 600hL Official Information

After pouring over images of the 2010 Lexus LS 600h for a couple weeks, official information on the flagship hybrid has been released, and changes have turned out to be more extensive than just a new front grille. First some photos, then a breakdown of the new features: {embed=“site/gallery” gallery_id=“1345”} Performance The LS hybrid will …

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Kevin · September 18th, 2009

2010 Lexus ES 350 Official Photos

The finalized 2010 ES has been revealed by way of the Lexus China website—let’s start off with some exterior photos: The changes, as far as I can see: New front bumper and foglights New head lights & tail lights Chrome Side strip Rear view mirrors with integrated turn signals On a whole, the exterior changes …

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Kevin · September 14th, 2009

Minor Site Changes

As part of ongoing improvements, The Lexus Enthusiast has received a slight design refresh. The changes are subtle, but are meant to bring some added polish to the website. To fix any problems you may be seeing, hold down the Shift key and click Refresh in your browser. If you continue to have any issues …

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Kevin · July 25th, 2009

2009 Lexus RX now on Lexus USA Website

The 2009 Lexus RX is now on the Lexus USA website, which should put all the rumors of an impending redesign to rest. The only difference from 2008, it seems, is the addition of the Pebble Beach edition, which brings with it the Truffle Mica exterior color, a limited edition 18″ wheel design, chrome grille …

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Kevin · February 14th, 2008

Lexus Announces Assorted 2008 Prices (Plus the 2009 RX 350 Price)

Lexus has set the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) for an assortment of models, including the 2009 RX 350, which will skip up $100, bringing the front-wheel-drive version to $37,500 and the all-wheel-drive version to $38,900. The 2009 RX 350 is expected in dealerships by early February 2008. Other models see a price bump as …

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Kevin · December 14th, 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 …

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Kevin · November 26th, 2007

Official Specifications for the Lexus GS 460

Lexus has issued a press release with the specs for the new GS 460, and there’s some serious disappointment ahead if you were hoping for similar numbers to the LS 460. The GS 460 will be getting the LS 460’s 1UR-FSE V8 engine, but detuned from 380hp to 342hp, and if you can believe it, …

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Kevin · August 29th, 2007