Section: Lexus
Written By: Phil Floraday
March 14th, 2008 9:00 AM
.
The Lexus GS460 tells you exactly what sort of car it is the moment you slip it into gear and accelerate down the ramp to merge with the evening rush-hour traffic. It is a swift, luxurious car that genuinely seems to enjoy being driven hard. It attracts admiring glances wherever it’s driven, and will make you grin like a fool on a challenging country road.
Continue –>
Written By: Seyth Miersma
February 27th, 2008 8:00 AM
.
Though the picture is grainy, and the car is hiding behind a tree, the vehicle reported to be pictured here is a test mule for a Lexus IS convertible.
The material attendant to the low-resolution image suggests that the Lexus drop-top is headed for production around the end of 2009, and could offer the full range of IS powerplants, including the 423 horsepower mill found in the storming IS-F. The new body would represent not only the first IS convertible, but also the first IS variant since last-generation’s SportCross wagon. Though we’d certainly be all for an open car, it would seem like a curious move on the part of Lexus to introduce a variant in the fifth year of this production for this IS, when one would assume the next model is on the way.
Believe it or not, tell us what you think about the IS convertible spy, in comments.
+ Autoblog: Spy Shots: Lexus IS convertible
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Dustin P. Walsh
February 26th, 2008 1:30 PM
.
Toyota said it will bring two new hybrid models to the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. One will be the next-generation Toyota Prius, but the other will be branded as a Lexus.
Motor Trend has revealed what they think the Lexus will look like. It’s a wagon-esque vehicle based on the Prius platform.
+ Motor Trend: Lexus gets its own Prius
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Phil Floraday
February 12th, 2008 9:00 AM
.
F. Scott Fitzgerald, were he writing of the Lexus LX570, could say, “LX570 owners
are different from you and me.” That would be because Lexus says this small but well-heeled crowd has an average annual income of $380,000 and lives in a home worth $1.2 million. Their net worth is three times the norm for luxury SUV buyers, and they intend to spend more than $70,000 on their next vehicle. Lexus hopes to sell 9500 LX570s each year in the United States.
Continue –>
Written By: Dustin P. Walsh
February 4th, 2008 9:00 AM
.
After denied interest in the market, Toyota has reinstated the idea of a compact Lexus SUV to compete with the BMW X3, Audi Q5, and the Acura RDX. Originally, executives felt a little Lexus would overlap the Lexus brand with Toyota – a fear that, apparently, has gone away.
Toyota Motor Sale U.S.A. president Jim Lentz told Automotive News that a small Lexus SUV could be response to the “urbanization” of young buyers. The company’s advanced product strategy planning group is currently studying the demographic and is finding people who are sick of suburbia, yet want to drive an SUV. Lentz said, “A small luxury SUV might be the right product for that environment.”
However, he did say that a $30,000 SUV might not work because, at that price, luxury features would have to be sacrificed. And, going smaller than the RX 350 would mean an SUV on the RAV4 platform.
Been waiting for a compact Lexus SUV? Let us know in the comments.
+ Automotive News: Lexus may add a small SUV for urban buyers
+ Autoblog.nl:Impressie Lexus JX
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Phil Floraday
January 27th, 2008 2:30 PM
.
According to a print-only report in the January 18 issue of Autocar, Lexus has gotten the desired results from its L-Finesse design language and will now move on to a new theme. The L-Finesse design language has appeared on concept cars like the LF-A and LF-A Roadster and on production cars like the LS, GS, and IS. L-Finesse was created by Leonardo Fioravanti.
The top dogs at Lexus are looking for a new design language to replace L-Finesse. We’re hoping the new language provides enthusiasts with an emotion reaction outside of the current yawn. What direction should Lexus take? Let us know in comments. Meanwhile, check out the latest example of the L-Finesse design language in the gallery below.
Written By: Peter Nunn
January 16th, 2008 12:20 PM
.
Tucked away under the lights at the Tokyo Auto Salon tuner show last week was the Lexus IS-F Racing Concept, this mysterious-looking IS-F festooned with huge fenders, wheels and spoilers looking like a refugee from Germany’s DTM race series.
What gives? Nobody on the Lexus stand was saying a word. Details on this wild IS-F were precisely and frustratingly zilch. Deliberately so, it seems.
It now transpires the car’s the pet project of IS-F chief engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi, a true rev head who built it not just for fun but also so that IS-F engineers can experience ‘true driving pleasure’ and something of what a full race IS-F might just feel like.
(Click through to read more about the Lexus IS-F Racing Concept.)
continued →
Written By: Steven J. Ewing
January 13th, 2008 3:30 PM
.
We’ve already told you a little bit about the Lexus LF-A Roadster on display at this year’s 2008 North American International Auto Show. The droptop V-10 supercar is expected to produce around 500 horsepower, and with an exterior design like this, our jaws are dropping.
Click the images below to open a high-resolution gallery and stay tuned for more details about the LF-A Roadster as they unfold.
Written By: Seyth Miersma
January 13th, 2008 10:30 AM
.
The drop-top version of the Lexus LF-A has peeked out from hiding a little bit early this morning in Detroit, and has started to make its sexy way across the Internet. Details on the car are sketchy for now, but there are loads of images available for your perusal.
The LF-A roadster has been created using generous quantities of both carbon fiber and aluminum, both said to provide the rigidity that the high-performance Lexus driver has come to expect.
(Click on the thumbnails below to launch a gallery of LF-A images or on the jump to read on.)
continued →
Written By: Seyth Miersma
December 28th, 2007 1:00 PM
.
While the testing of the upcoming Lexus LF-A at Germany’s Nurburgring is nothing new, the fact of it running a lap faster than Porsche’s sharp GT2 certainly is.
Reports are claiming an unofficial new lap record at the Nurburgring, courtesy of the 552 horsepower Lexus supercar. The reported lap time of seven minutes, twenty-four seconds, bests the record-holding GT2’s best effort by a second.
Hype for the LF-A, already high, should now see a substantial spike. The record-breaking car is powered by a 4.8-liter V-10 that was co-developed with Yamaha, and is said to rev all the way to 9,000 rpm on its way to an estimated top speed of 210 mph.
(Click on the thumbnails below to check out a gallery of the LF-A testing at the ‘Ring.)
+ Auto Express: Lexus’s 552bhp supercar is ’Ring leader
Written By: Evan McCausland
December 26th, 2007 2:00 PM
.
If there’s one thing Lexus dealers can’t get enough of, it’s clean, well-kept used vehicles. Demand for Lexus Certified Pre-Owned vehicles, cars that meet a set of prerequisites, have risen by eight percent over the first 11 months of 2007. In order to meet the demand, the brand to ease the requirements in order to provide more used vehicles.
For starters, older cars with a little more mileage may have a chance of being “certified.” Cars with up to 70,000 miles, as opposed to the current 60,000 mile standard, can make the grade. The maximum age of any certified vehicle is now set at seven years, as opposed to the previous six-year limit.
Lest you think the sky is falling from Lexus’ program, all cars - regardless of age or mileage - must still meet the same quality standards, including a clean title history. Lexus executives insist these changes won’t harm the quality of the certified vehicles offered.
+Automotive News: Lexus eases up on its certified standards (subscription may be required)
Written By: Evan McCausland
December 21st, 2007 10:53 AM
.
It’s been a while since the New York auto show, but to help conjure memories of the past year’s auto show circuit, Lexus has been kind enough to announce pricing for their new 2008 LX570 SUV.
With a new 383-hp, 5.7-liter V-8 engine, six-speed automatic supported by an adjustable suspension system, the LX570 plays host to an array of luxury features inside that wouldn’t be out of place on the LS flagship. Standard items include a four-zone climate control system, power-sliding second- and power-folding third-row seats, 10 airbags throughout the interior and
active front headrests.
All that luxury doesn’t come cheap, however - pricing for the LX570 starts at an MSRP of $74,565, including a $765 delivery charge. Look for it (and its Toyota Land Cruiser sibling) at a retailer near you.
Next >
Diesel with Attitude: The Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro
Report: Volkswagen Working on Driverless Self-Parking System for Production
More Spied Images of New Camaro Interior
Early Scoop on Volkswagen Tiguan's U.S. Launch, Diesel Delayed? Not Coming? 
Report: Mercedes-Benz to Leverage Aluminum for Next E-class
