Lexus Cars

Lexus Reveals All-New ES Luxury Sedan at Chicago Auto Show

2006-05-06T05:31:00.000-07:00

Lexus will stage the world premiere of its all-new 2007 ES luxury sedan at a press conference during the Chicago Auto Show on Wednesday, February 8, 2006.
Arriving late this spring, the fifth-generation Lexus ES will set impressive new standards in design, styling, engineering, safety and performance.
The Lexus press conference is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. at the Lexus display area in McCormick Place convention center.

1

Lexus ES 350 Built With TLC

2006-05-02T15:33:00.000-07:00

DETROIT -- Lexus will support the launch of its redesigned 2007 ES 350 with a campaign in which computer-generated images are used to portray the high-end sedan as a sexy treasure worth fawning over, and to tout its interior as being as luxurious as its exterior.

The campaign, via Team One Advertising, El Segundo, Calif., with graphics and design via Digital Domain, Venice, Calif., breaks this week. The first of four 30-second spots, "Robots," shows an ES 350 in its final production stages on a plant floor. In succession, a robot carefully lowers the chassis; a robotic arm lovingly fits the headlamps into place, pausing to caress the curves of the front fender; a quality-check arm slows as it completes it duties to touch the leather headrest, giving a human feel to an entirely robotic procedure; and another robotic arm reaches for the car and slowly pulls it off the production line. A voiceover asks, "Is it possible to engineer desire?"

A second spot, "Goosebumps," also breaks this week. A spot called "Debut" will soon follow, with a fourth spot to launch later this year. Print will support. Spend for the campaign was not given.

The car rolled last month with an MSRP of $33,170.

"We believe the new ES 350 is better in virtually every way than our original LS flagship sedan," Bob Carter, group vp and GM at Lexus, Torrance, Calif., said when the car was unveiled. "It's faster, more powerful and quieter than the vehicle that redefined the prestige luxury segment in the early 1990s."

Lexus creates an elegant touring car in the Lexus SC 430

2006-04-30T08:33:00.000-07:00

Looking as out of place as Billy Bob Thornton at a Sunday-matinee performance of "The Nutcracker," the Lexus SC 430 is a radical styling departure from the rest of the Lexus lineup.
Launched for 2002, the Lexus SC 430 exchanged most of the sharper creases and corners of the SC 400 it displaced with softer, rounder lines. Designers had considered engineering the Lexus SC 430 from the Lexus SC 400 -- also not a typical-looking Lexus -- but product planners decided it would require too many compromises in structure rigidity and noise.
With its retractable hardtop, the Lexus SC 430 kills two birds with one stone and there are no compromises in Lexus core qualities, such as noise insulation and structural integrity.
Although its jaunty styling implies sports car handling dynamics, for the most part this is a tease. Better suited to sweeping turns and wide-open straightaways, it is more about leisurely excursions to the regular Saturday tennis doubles game at the club than Cannonball runs through tight mountain switchbacks. If rally performance in a Lexus is more important to you than dropping the top, take a gander at the Lexus IS 350 or even the Lexus GS 430.
Despite its lack of a high-end performance resume, the $66,050 SC 430 houses a fairly potent V-8. Displacing 4.3 liters, it delivers 288 horsepower. Aggressively departing the line when the light switches to green can be credited to its 317 foot-pounds of peak torque enhanced with variable valve timing that provides some extra boost in the lower end of the rpm band. There is no shortage of power. It accelerates on demand without hesitation. Reaching 60 mph from a standstill can be accomplished in less than six seconds. A driver-shiftable five-speed automatic transmission funnels power to the 18-inch Z-rated rear rubber.
Engine and transmission communicate through a computer, producing seamless shifts and fuel-conserving performance. The Environmental Protection Agency rates fuel economy at 18 miles per gallon in the city and 23 on the highway.
The double wishbone four-wheel independent suspension supplies a supple ride. It plays the part of a luxury car flawlessly, soaking up pavement imperfections without complaint. Its vehicle-speed sensing progressive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering is light to the touch, but responsive. So successful has Lexus been in engineering in a plush ride experience that there is a small degree of disconnect between driver and machine. That, however, won't matter much under typical driving conditions. Behind the alloy wheels dwell disc brakes supervised by an antilock system featuring vehicle stability control, traction control, brake assist and electronic brake distribution.
With the top in place, the Lexus SC 430 looks somewhat like a gumdrop. Dropping the top, which requires less than 30 seconds with the push of a button, reveals an elegant-looking tourer. The top retracts and is completely secluded behind the rear seat. The rear seat itself is perfunctory at best -- more for appearance than utility. Likewise the trunk is smallish. Its 8.8 cubic feet of cargo space is less than the Kia Rio's. Even this evaporates to almost nothing with the top lowered; so pack light for that weekend in the Hamptons. Spending $400 for the run-flat tire option frees up a bit of additional cargo space by dumping the spare.
The interior virtually screams get in. A stunning array of leather and wood, the cabin is as luxurious as that of any premium schooner. Deliciously contoured, the front seats with their side-impact air bags are exceedingly supportive and have a 10-way power adjustment. Fronting a tri-cluster gauge pod is the upscale-looking wood-and-leather steering wheel. The standard features list looks like a collection of the what's what of top-end luxury cars. Items such as a tire pressure warning system, automatic dual-zone climate control, DVD-based navigation system and heated, electrochromic mirrors are just a few of the perks.
Deserving special mention is the nine-speaker Mark Levinson audio system with in-dash, six-disc CD changer. The sound it produces is nothing short of awesome.
Beyond run-flat tires, there isn't much to consider on the options list. The rear spoiler will set you back $440. Just about every other add-on such as a trunk mat, cargo net and wheel locks can be bundled into the Preferred Accessory Package for $194. It seems like these items and their cost could be folded into the standard equipment list. What's another two hundred bucks when you're already north of $65,000?
You would have to grab a magnifying glass and pin on your "nit picker" badge to find something to take real issue with in the Lexus SC 430, and even then it would be a challenge. Anyone wishing for an upscale convertible experience, solid engine response and mainstream handling will appreciate the character and attributes of this Lexus.
The brand's reputation for bulletproof quality doesn't hurt either.

New Lexus GS 450h Tames The Taxman

2006-04-30T08:03:00.000-07:00

Class-leading benefit-in-kind rates for new hybrid power luxury saloon

Traditionally there is a high price to be paid by any motorist who seeks performance, prestige and luxury from his or her company car, not just in terms of the purchase cost, but also in the year-on-year tax burden. The launch of the new hybrid power Lexus GS 450h next month promises to shake up the premium executive segment with tax rates that will save drivers thousands of pounds each year compared to the bills incurred by competitor models.

More than that, the performance capabilities of the Lexus are a match for rival V8-powered vehicles, while exhaust emissions and fuel economy steal a march on the market’s leading diesels. And thanks to peerless equipment specifications, BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz drivers would need to spend even more money to match the levels delivered as standard by the Lexus.

The key factors which make the financial argument for the GS 450h so strong are the low carbon dioxide emissions from the hybrid powertrain and the exceptional value its list price represents.

Emitting 186g/km of carbon dioxide, the Lexus GS 450h SE incurs a benefit-in-kind rate for company car tax of 21 per cent. With a list price of £43,920, that produces an annual tax bill of £3,672.

Owners of the BMW 550i SE, Audi A6 4.2 quattro and Mercedes-Benz E500 pay the penalty for their vehicles’ higher emissions and higher list price: consequently tax bills are between £2,469 and £2,641 a year more than for the Lexus. And there is little comfort for owners of premium diesel models either: the Audi A6 3.0 TDi quattro attracts a top-line 35 per cent rating and the BMW 535d SE 32 per cent.

The Lexus GS 450h’s hybrid powertrain combines a conventional direct-injection 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with a powerful electric motor, which together produce a maximum of 335bhp. Aided by an Electronic Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT), the car will move from rest to 62mph in less than six seconds, with rear-wheel drive and a 50:50 front-to-rear weight balance for truly sporting handling.

The Lexus GS 450h range is launched on 19 May with prices starting at £38,015.

Toyota unveils high-end Lexus luxury car

2006-04-29T08:40:00.000-07:00

Toyota has unveiled its Lexus luxury car brand's high-end model, the LS, which it plans to put on sale as the successor to the Celsior in Japan in September.

Toyota plans to launch a gasoline-fueled version powered by a 4.6-liter engine in September and a gasoline-electric hybrid version next spring. It will introduce the LS in foreign countries this fall or later.

The hybrid version is expected to cost more than Y10 million ($A115,982) yen.

Since Toyota brought the Lexus brand into Japan last August, the brand's monthly average sales have remained below the target of 3,000 units. German cars have been strong in Japan's luxury car market.

UK: Lexus RX350 finally reaches Europe

2006-04-29T08:30:00.000-07:00

Further emissions development and customer demand for higher performance engines has led to the introduction of a new 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine for the UK/Europe-specification Lexus RX SUV, according to a Toyota GB spokesman.

2007 Lexus ES350

2006-04-29T08:20:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I have to remind myself that not everyone sees cars the same way I do. Many people value comfort and refinement above all else and could care less for steering feel and throttle response. Indeed, it's more than just "some people." There are a LOT of you comfort-loving folk out there and Lexus knows you better than any other carmaker.

While ze Germans continue to assume that everyone in the market for an entry-level prestige model want a cramped sports sedan, Lexus has successfully peddled five generations of ES models as entry-level luxury cars for buyers who want Lexus' legendary quality, refinement, and customer service without the cramped cabins and hard ride of ze likes of BMW, Mercedes, and Audi. As a consequence, almost a fifth of Lexus' 300,000 American customers drove off in a new ES sedan last year and they expect to sell more than 70,000 units of the new model annually. That's not bad business for a prestige car that, ironically enough, is based on the most ubiquitous car platform in America - that of the Toyota Camry.

Still, we can't knock Lexus for giving its customers what they want and to the company's credit, they never describe the ES as a performance car nor do they make any claims about it being a fun drive. In keeping with this refreshingly honest approach, there's no sports suspension option, no manual gearbox, no aluminum pedals. The Lexus ES350 is all about bringing upscale opulence to the entry-level luxury car buyer, however alien the concept might be to me personally.

Handling it up front

So let's get the ugly business of handling out of the way first, shall we? As you might expect, the ES handles with competence and predictability but doesn't really care to involve the driver too much.

GET J.D. Power Circle ratings for new cars and trucks

The steering is reasonably responsive given the ES's obvious comfort orientation, though there isn't a lot of feel and hard cornering is actively discouraged by lots of body roll and ample tire squeal. Push it too far and the ES breaks away slowly and progressively, and it doesn't take much skill to bring it back on line assuming the electronic driver aids don't get there first.

Not really a car to go attacking canyon roads, then, but even while cruising along at a more leisurely pace I still found the ES a little wanting. The MacPherson-strut front and rear suspensions are a little too soft for their own good, with too much roll and wallow for even the gentlest of country roads, and while the ride quality on the highway is superb the steering doesn't offer enough on-center feel, which means you're constantly making minor adjustments to keep it on track. I've long been of the opinion that sportier cars are a lot less tiring to drive at normal speeds because they're so easy to place and keep on course. The ES might be quiet, refined, and extremely cosseting, but a smidge more feel would actually make it even more relaxing to drive.

Lexus says the 2007 model has been styled using their new L-Finesse design philosophy but it still looks more Toyota than Lexus to my eyes. In profile the ES350 is rather conservative and featureless, which wouldn't be so bad if they hadn't given it such aggressive headlamps, and that scowling expression. The proportions aren't terribly well resolved either, a trait accentuated by the busy design of its small-looking 17-inch wheels, but at least the ES's rear end is appealing and tastefully in keeping with the car's purpose in life.

Inside, the ES finally sheds its Toyota-esque cabin for the full and proper Lexus treatment, with soft touch plastics, wood veneers and quality leather trim on the steering and shift knob. The seats are exceptionally comfortable, too, while rear seat occupants have ample space and a well-shaped rear bench, making it a wonderfully relaxed place for four adults to wile away the hours. Just crank up the optional 14-speaker Mark Levinson stereo and simply let the miles float by.

The cabin's generous proportions are courtesy of the ES's 1.8-inch longer wheelbase and 2.2-inch broader cabin, although it's no longer or taller and barely wider than before. Weight increases by 108 pounds, mostly because of the extra safety gear and equipment, so to counter the ES's ample 3580 pounds, a new 3.5-liter V-6 engine and six-speed automatic are fitted as standard. The 272-hp, 254-lb-ft V-6 is more than up to task of propelling the ES along, whisking it to 60 mph from a rest in just 6.8 seconds while managing an impressive 21 city and 30 highway miles per gallon when driven with less fury.

Thankfully, the six-speed automatic has a manual shift mode so it's possible to manually choose your gear before embarking on any overtaking maneuvers, though the V-6 isn't the most rev-happy engine in the world and once you've made it around that lumbering RV you'll be more than happy to slot the shifter back into D again to quell its muted but noticeable noise. The transmission has also been programmed to hold the car in lower gears when driving uphill or downhill and will even take account of your driving habits, leadfoot.

To prevent people like me trying to drive if off a cliff, the ES350 is fitted with anti-lock brakes, traction, and stability control, which cannot be turned off and doesn't even have a switch to let you wind it back a little but. It's not Lexus' latest VDIM system so the stability control is reactive rather than proactive, meaning the car first has to start getting out of shape before it will react. When it does kick into action, the ES is yanked rather aggressively back into place like a wandering schoolboy, but given how Lexus anticipates the ES to be driven I suppose the use of the older VSC system is hardly surprising.

Should an accident occur, there are twin front airbags, twin knee airbags, curtain airbags, and front side airbags to protect the occupants, as well as an optional pre-collision system and rear side airbags.

Standard specification on all ES350s is generous considering its $33,170 entry-level price. The list includes fog lamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, moonroof, power adjustable steering wheel with audio controls, ten-way power adjustable front seats, ritzy "Optitron" gauges, climate control, keyless entry with push-button start, a self-dimming mirror, a trip computer, and a six-CD changer.

Apart from leather trim and navigation, the swift, spacious, comfortable, and well-specified ES packs just about everything the comfort/luxury buyer could possibly need, which truly makes it a great overall package… provided you don't waving those 3-Series drivers by on challenging stretches of road.

2007 Lexus ES350

Base price: $33,170 plus destination

Engine: 3.5-liter V6, 272 hp, 254 lb-ft

Transmission: Six-speed automatic with manual mode, front-wheel drive

Length x width x height: 191.1 x 71.7 x 57.3 in

Wheelbase: 101.5 in

Weight: 3580 lb

Economy (EPA city/highway): 21/30 mpg

Safety equipment: Front, side, and curtain airbags; knee airbags; anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control

Major standard equipment: 17-inch alloy wheels; power seats; six-CD stereo; climate control; keyless entry; trip computer

Warranty: Four years/50,000 miles

1994 Lexus ES300 from North America

2006-04-29T08:10:00.000-07:00

"Very Reliable with 180K, Still Looks and Drives Like 3 Years Old"
What things have gone wrong with the car?

Speedometer, Tach, and Fuel Gauges Indicators have all faded and lost their illumination. Started at 65K and got prgressivly worse of 10 years until they were all out.

Power antennae had to be replaced once at 75K.

Rear brakes seized up at 175K.

Seats are a little crackled, but still in pretty good shape.

Oil leak out of a small valve at 65K.

Oxygen sensor went at 80K.

Windows go up and down slowly.

- At Trump National Golf Club - What: Lexus is presenting sponsor of the celebrity golf event for the fifth consecutiv

2006-04-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

April 26, 2006 (SmartPros) — The Internal Revenue Service announced that the Toyota Camry Hybrid and Lexus GS 450h Model Year 2007 vehicles qualify for the hybrid tax credit enacted by the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

The tax credit for hybrid vehicles applies to vehicles purchased on or after January 1, 2006, and may be as much as $3,400 for those who purchase the most fuel-efficient vehicles.

The hybrid vehicle certifications recently acknowledged by the IRS and their credit amounts are 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid ($2,600) and 2007 Lexus GS 450h ($1,550).

Starting in 2006, this tax credit replaces the tax deduction of $2,000, which was previously allowed for taxpayers who purchased a new hybrid vehicle before December 31, 2005 for the clean-burning fuel deduction. The tax credit requires a different certification. Many currently available hybrid vehicles may qualify for this new tax credit.

Consumers seeking the credit may want to buy early since the full credit is only available for a limited time, the IRS said. Taxpayers may claim the full amount of the allowable credit up to the end of the first calendar quarter after the quarter in which the manufacturer records its sale of the 60,000th vehicle. For the second and third calendar quarters after the quarter in which the 60,000th vehicle is sold, taxpayers may claim 50 percent of the credit. For the fourth and fifth calendar quarters, taxpayers may claim 25 percent of the credit. No credit is allowed after the fifth quarter.

8th Annual Michael Douglas & Friends Presented by Lexus

2006-04-29T07:50:00.000-07:00

- At Trump National Golf Club -

What: Lexus is presenting sponsor of the celebrity golf event for
the fifth consecutive year and will host the Lexus Celebrity
Putting Challenge to benefit The Motion Picture & Television
Fund (MPTF). Celebrity teams will putt to win cash and a
one-year lease of a Lexus GS 450h hybrid performance sedan on
behalf of MPTF.

Who: Celebrities confirmed to date to join Michael Douglas as 2006
tournament players are:

* Don Cheadle * Heather Locklear
* Michael Chiklis * Haley Joel Osment
* Kenny G * William Petersen
* Andy Garcia * Martin Sheen
* Samuel L. Jackson * James Woods
* Cheryl Ladd

When: Sunday, May 7, 2006

9:00 a.m. Media check-in begins
10:30 a.m. Celebrity interviews
11:00-11:30 a.m. Putting challenge

Note: All press must be credentialed in advance of event.

Where: Trump National Golf Club, Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Directions and parking instructions will be forwarded to
confirmed press

NBC: NBC-TV will nationally televise the tournament on Saturday,
June 10, 4-6 p.m. EDT

Sponsors: Lexus, Dr Pepper, AOL, Trump National Golf Club

Why: Proceeds from the event will benefit The Motion Picture &
Television Fund and its efforts to provide charitable health
and community services to entertainment industry people in
need.

Lexus added to Million series

2006-04-29T07:40:00.000-07:00

Irish-trained horses are being encouraged to target the Betfair Million with the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown being added to the series next season.

Trainers can now choose between the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton on ST Stephen's Day or the Lexus two days later as the second leg.

The second running of the series starts with the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 18 and culminates with the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

Last year, the Robert Alner-trained Kingscliff won the Betfair Chase but his attempt to keep the bonus dream alive ended in disappointment at Sandown over Christmas.
[AD]

Next season, the bonus will again kick off with the Grade One Betfair Chase, with the winner collecting an extra £1m (€1.4m) if going on to land the Cheltenham Gold Cup after success in the King George or the Lexus.

Beef Or Salmon is likely to try to improve on his second in last year’s Betfair, according to his trainer Michael Hourigan.

Lexus Diesel Sport

2006-04-29T07:30:00.000-07:00

Having introduced the first diesel engine to its IS range, Lexus has now come up with a Sport derivative. It uses the same 175bhp turbo diesel as the standard IS 220d, but the rest of the specification has been uprated and includes 18" alloy wheels and sports suspension. There are also sports-style pedals, metal-effect trim details and suede-effect upholstery.

***article continues below***

Several features are shared with the top-spec IS 220d SE-L, such as climate control air conditioning, cruise control, a 13-speaker audio system with in-dash six-disc CD autochanger, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry, push-button start, electrically adjustable steering column and memory settings for the driver's seat, steering wheel and door mirrors.

Although the engine is altered, there has been a radical change in the final drive ratio, which is much lower than before (if you're interested, it's now 3.200 as opposed to the standard 2.474 - the higher the number, the lower the gearing). However, perhaps because of the larger wheels and tyres, there is almost no effect on straightline performance. Lexus says there is a slight improvement in in-gear acceleration, but quotes a 134mph top speed and a 0-62mph time of 8.9 seconds - both identical to the figures achieved by the IS 220d.

The Sport is on sale now at £26,295. Insurance is Group 13.

Lexus Gallery
Lexus Road Tests

13/04/06 News: New Lexus Hybrid

Toyota unveils high-end Lexus luxury car

2006-04-29T07:20:00.000-07:00

(Kyodo) _ Toyota Motor Corp. on Wednesday unveiled its Lexus luxury car brand's high-end model, the LS, which it plans to put on sale as the successor to the Celsior in Japan in September.

Toyota plans to launch a gasoline-fueled version powered by a 4.6-liter engine in September and a gasoline-electric hybrid version next spring. It will introduce the LS in foreign countries this fall or later.

The hybrid version is expected to cost more than 10 million yen.

Since Toyota brought the Lexus brand into Japan last August, the brand's monthly average sales have remained below the target of 3,000 units. German cars have been strong in Japan's luxury car market.

2006 Lexus GX 470 Review

2006-04-29T07:10:00.000-07:00

160 miles. 4 hours 11 minutes. This is the readout on the GX470’s navigation system, one that’s easy and intuitive to use and has me en

hyt

route to Aspen from Denver, CO in no time at all. Admittedly it’s not too far but it can be quite an arduous drive if the clouds close in and the snow starts to fall. With a peak elevation of 10,850 feet along the way, there’s no lack of ‘weather’ to help put this luxury utility vehicle – as Lexus prefers to call it – through its paces.

Traffic is backed up out of Denver, crawling at a snail’s pace, and allows me time to get used to the truck’s interior, with it’s numerous features. It really is a great, rich-looking cabin, with plenty of leather surfaces, plus a Sport Package that adds Black Bird’s Eye Maple trim and dark graphite finish to the mix. Classic Lexus, basically, where everything is where it’s supposed to be and understated elegance is aimed at and attained. There’s no shortage of buttons on the dash and console; although climate and audio controls can be done on the touch screen, there are ‘normal’ buttons too. Finding an ‘optimal’ driving position is easy given the amount of power-adjustable parts and the front bucket seats are well-cushioned and comfortable.

Visibility is excellent and the GX470, although not as big as Lexus’ full-size LX470, sits you up fairly high on the road. A generous greenhouse gives the truck a nice, airy feel and between the power, heated mirrors and optional back-up camera, obstacle avoidance is optimized.

With traffic cleared I’m able to put my foot down and start heading uphill into the Rockies. The GX470 is powered by a 4.7 liter 270HP V8 with Variable Valve Timing. Teamed to a 5-speed electronically controlled automatic, there’s no shortage of power for passing slower vehicles, even as the altitude begins to climb. The route takes me past various resorts – Winterpark, Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs, Vail – and the mountain pass becomes steeper and more curvy at various points. The GX470 has wonderful road manners, the 17” alloys and 265/65SR17 Mud & Snow tires keeping a firm traction on the tarmac and the variable gear rack and pinion steering offering good feedback.

Various electronic aids are fitted as standard – Adaptive variable suspension, Vehicle Stability Control, ABS, Active Traction control, plus a Downhill Assist Control and Hill-Start Assist control. As I head up the hill the weather closes in suddenly and the snow starts to fall. By the time I reach the journey’s peak altitude, there’s a good covering of snow on the ground and some fairly slippy conditions. But, the GX470 is absolutely happy and at home and I don’t for a moment have any trouble. My progress continues as if the sun is still shining; I’m just slightly hampered by other vehicles who aren’t so sure-footed – or tired – in these conditions!

For those traveling in numbers, the GX470 offers seating for 8, with the two rear-most seats either folding up to the side and out of the way, or allowing you to remove them entirely and make the most of the cargo area. My GX470 has a 2nd row CD/DVD player plus wireless headphones…now if only I’d thought to bring a chauffeur along for the ride! The Mark Levinson 14-speaker, 240 watt premium Audio system included in the car’s Navigation / Audio package, provides excellent sound quality, although the placement of the 6-CD changer in the glove box feels a bit old school given the amount of vehicles that now integrate it into the dash.

Overall, superbly comfortable, very well-mannered on the road, even in slippery and snowy conditions and certainly cuts a stylish path through the well-heeled streets of Aspen, CO.

SPECIFICATIONS

2006 Lexus GX470

Base Price $46, 225
Price As Tested $55, 407
Engine Type dual overhead cam,
32-valve V8 with
VVT-i variable valve timing
Engine Size 4.7 liters / 285 cu. in.
Horsepower 270 @ 5400 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 330 @ 3400 rpm
Transmission 5-speed electronically-controlled automatic
Wheelbase/Length 109.8 in. / 188.2 in.
Curb Weight 4,871 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 23 gal.
Fuel Requirement 91 octane unleaded premium gasoline
Tires P265/65 SR17 Michelin
Brakes, front/rear vented disc / vented disc,
ABS, EBD, Brake Assist standard

Suspension, front/rear independent double wishbone,
coil springs /live axle with
4-link location and air springs
Ground clearance 8.3 inches
Drivetrain front engine, full-time 4-wheel drive

PERFORMANCE

EPA Fuel Economy- miles per gallon
city/highway/observed
15 / 19 / 16

0 to 60 mph 8.1 sec

Towing capacity 6,500 lbs

OPTIONS AND CHARGES
Navigation and Mark Levinson Audio Package - includes:
Lexus DVD navigation system, backup camera with steering
wheel voice command button, Mark Levinson 14-speaker
240-watt premium audio system $ 3,050

Sport Package - includes: black bird's-eye maple trim,
dark graphite finish on center instrument panel, smoked bezel
headlamps and foglamps, 17-inch alloy wheels w/dark graphite
finish, roof rails with crossbars, dark-tinted backup lenses,
chrome exhaust tip, Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS)
$1,800 Rear Seat Entertainment System – includes: CD/DVD
player (in center console), 7” Screen, 2-Wireless headphones,
Remote Control $ 1,560

Third Row seat – includes: Rear Air Conditioner $ 2,030
Cargo Mat $ 92 Destination charge $ 650

Toyota unveils high-end Lexus luxury car

2006-04-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

8th Annual Michael Douglas & Friends Presented by Lexus

2006-04-29T06:50:00.000-07:00

Uganda: Interpol Impounds MP Otada's Lexus in Kenya

2006-04-29T06:40:00.000-07:00

A Luxury four wheel-drive car belonging to a Ugandan member of Parliament is one of those that were impounded in the on-going crackdown on stolen cars in Kenya.

The black Lexus with tinted screens belongs to Mr Sam Amooti Otada, the MP for Kavindi County in Masindi district. Otada's vehicle was seized yesterday and is being kept at Eldoret police yard.

The car which was driven by Otada's driver, Mr Emmanuel Okumu, was on its way to Nairobi for servicing.

The crackdown on vehicles by Interpol currently in Kenya and Tanzania, is also expected to start in Uganda anytime.

According to yesterday's Daily Nation, a big number of four-wheel drive vehicles had vanished from Kenyan streets because of the operation.

Interpol, which is being assisted by detectives from the three sister countries targets four-wheel drive cars suspected to be stolen from Japan, South Africa, Britain and other Eurpean countries and get exported to Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania through Dubai.

Otada could not be reached yesterday for a comment.

When contacted, the acting Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Patrick Onyango, said he had not yet learnt about the seizure of the said vehicle.

Though the operation is expected in Uganda anytime next week, the deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr Julius Odwe and the CID chief, Ms Elizabeth Kuteesa, have not commented on the issue.

"Please don't let the rat out of the bag because much as you want the public to be informed, it is premature now because this operation is considered a secret," said Odwer.

However, URA's deputy Public and Corperation officer, Mr Paul Kyeyune, said URA will be ready to assist in the crackdown if approached. "We haven't been approached but we're ready to help. All I know is that there are about 20 foreign vehicles, most of them from DR Congo which were impounded last week for overstaying in the country."

IS220d gets a few tweaks from Lexus

2006-04-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

While we here in North America have been treated to the 250 and 350 varieties of the new Lexus IS line of “entry-level” sports sedans, it doesn’t surprise me at all that the Toyota-owned automaker has made a diesel variant for the European market, aptly named the Lexus IS220d. It can safely be assumed that there is likely a 2.2-liter engine under hood of this beast.

They’ve tuned up the sport model of the car with a change to the rear axle ratio for a “more urgent response in any gear”, given that this car is rear-wheel-drive. Interestingly, the 0-62mph time is still the same 8.9 seconds possible with the standard model.

This upgraded model, in addition to a body kit, also receives a sportier suspension package as well as 18-inch alloy wheels. You’ll find a metal-effect trim, sports pedals, and suede-effect upholstery on the inside. If you want a Lexus IS220d, you’ll need to spend at least £26,925.

Introducing The New Lexus IS 220d Sport

2006-04-29T06:23:00.000-07:00

Building on the successful launch of its first diesel engine in the IS executive sports saloon range, Lexus has refined the package even further with the introduction of a new IS 220d Sport model.

The Sport uses the same 175bhp (177 DIN hp) four-cylinder common rail diesel unit as the regular IS 220d, but delivers an even more rewarding driving experience. The principle factor in achieving this is a change in the differential gear ratio in the rear axle from 2.474 to 3.200. This delivers highly flexible performance, enabling the driver to fully exploit the engine’s strong power and torque (400Nm from 2,000rpm) through the IS’s new six-speed manual transmission.

The special character of the IS 220d Sport is further reflected in its adoption of Lexus’s Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system. This industry-leading technology constantly monitors a wide range of vehicle performance factors, such as speed, engine torque, braking and steering angle and uses the information to optimise the activation of the ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRC) systems. VDIM also coordinates the Electric Power Steering (EPS), introducing torque assistance to help the driver adopt the correct steering angle should the car begin to over or understeer.

Whereas conventional active safety systems are typically only triggered once a vehicle reaches the limits of its performance, VDIM engages control before that limit is reached. This means the intervention is less obtrusive and the vehicle handles more smoothly.

The specification emphasises the 220d Sport’s special qualities with 18-inch alloy wheels and sports suspension. Inside there are sports-style pedals, metal-effect trim details and Cellensia suede-effect upholstery. The front seats are heated and have eight-way electric adjustment to help each owner achieve the perfect driving position. The Sport also shares a range of luxury features with the IS 220d SE-L model, including climate control air conditioning, cruise control, a 13-speaker audio system with in-dash six-disc CD autochanger, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, smart keyless entry, push-button start, electrically adjustable steering column and memory settings for the driver’s seat, steering wheel and door mirrors.

The IS 220d is on sale now, priced £26,925 on the road, rated group 13E for insurance.

1999 Lexus GS400

2006-04-29T06:17:00.000-07:00

Owner: Tyler Snell, Junior
Years owned: 1.5

What modifications have you made to your car?

There is a KNN air intake on it along with new performance tires. I haven’t done too much yet but I plan to add more. Next I want to add a catback exhaust and tune the ECU (engine control unit). Those are the next two modifications that I will make to my car before I do anything else to it.

What is your favorite thing about your car?

It goes zero to 60 in 5.4 seconds. It also has a top speed of 155 miles per hour. What more is there to like?

What is your least favorite thing about your car?

It only takes premium gasoline. If i don’t drive fast consistently, than the car only gets 22 miles to the gallon.

Is this your dream car or is there another car out there more your style?

My car is everything I’ve ever wanted in a car. I will probably end up driving this car into the ground before I would ever sell it. Although I love my car, if I had the chance I would buy any type of Ferrari. I am a sucker for anything and everything Ferrari.

Speech by Lexus head to analyst's gives good insight into their plans

2006-04-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

As Prepared for:
Bob Carter
Group Vice President and General Manager
Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Morgan Stanley Global Conference
New York, NY

Good afternoon. I'm pleased to be here and to represent Toyota Motor Sales at this conference. Now, I realize that lunch is a tough act to follow, so, I'll do my best to be brief, to be interesting and to leave a favorable impression.

So let me start by getting the disclaimers out of the way. Our standard disclosure is on the screen right now, and if you are a good audience, I won't make you sign the forms our lawyers sent with me. The other disclosure is that my responsibility at Toyota primarily involves the luxury market and the Lexus side of the house, so I can't speak in great depth about our overall business. Other than that, we're going to have a great time together. I plan to cover three areas that are of great interest to you:

- Our company's first quarter results
- Our outlook for the industry and Toyota
- And the incredible boom that's going on in today's luxury market.

Let's start with overall TMS highlights for the first quarter of 2006. Sales for Toyota, and Lexus totaled 544,851 -- our best ever first quarter in 49 years of doing business in America. That's up 7.4% and gives us a market share of 14.2%. is still the No. 1-selling in the nation and the 3rd best selling vehicle overall.

Lexus is the best-selling luxury brand and has been since the turn of the century. In fact, Lexus sales are up 7.8%, so I'm putting in for a bigger bonus!

Scion is continuing its strong growth with sales up 10.3% in the first quarter. More importantly, the new brand is doing a fantastic job of attracting new, young buyers to the Toyota family. Four out of 5 are new to Toyota and the median age of Scion owners is 31, the lowest of any brand in the industry.

As a result, Scion is serving as an excellent "gateway" into the Toyota family and is giving us the opportunity to create lifetime customers by moving buyers into Toyota and Lexus products as they progress through life. We're already seeing early indications of that, with over half of Scion owners replacing their vehicles with a Toyota, another Scion, or a Lexus.
So all in all, we had a good first quarter and we're on track for another record-breaking year in 2006. We plan to grow sales this year by 5 to 10 percent, thanks to an incredible flow of new products, including an all-new Camry and an all-new Lexus LS , our luxury flagship. In all, we plan to introduce 12 new or updated vehicles this year, plus an additional 10 Toyota and Scion special editions, for a total of 22 fresh vehicles in all.

OK, so Toyota is doing well, but what about the overall industry?

Well, the industry is coming off its third best year in history and first quarter sales were 1.1% ahead of last year. There's some serious re-structuring that will undoubtedly cause some pain, but overall, the industry has remained quite healthy. As a result, we're cautiously optimistic and projecting annual industry sales of about 17.0 million this year, up just a hair over last year (SAAR thru Q1 = 16.9). That's not only a solid year, but would make 2006 another "top three" year in automotive history.

What's more, we think it's just the beginning of even better times to come. For the long term, we believe a new boom in our business will put annual sales of 20 million within reach during the next decade, and that the whole industry will benefit from the rising market tide.

So, where's this new boom coming from? Well, as we see it, from several powerful forces aligning and converging in the next few years. Forces like population growth, immigration and economics.

Consider this. First, people are living longer and driving longer. At 78 million strong, baby boomers are alive, and well, and living to an average age of 77-plus. This generation grew up in the muscle car era. They love the freedom that automobiles provide and they won't give them up any time soon. CNW Research notes that 7 vehicles, more than half of the 13 cars the average American buys over a lifetime, are purchased AFTER the head of the household turns 50. When you realize that 60% of the U.S. population will be 50 or older in the next five years, and they control half of ALL consumer spending (more than $2 trillion a year), you understand what a truly enormous opportunity lies ahead.

And that's not all. The best part is this economic juggernaut is still in first gear. Baby Boomers won't reach the height of their spending power until 2009. So hang on, we're in for a wild ride.

Adding to the favorable climate is the maturing of Generation X. They already buy more than a fifth of all new cars and are entering their family years when they'll need bigger and more varied vehicles.

Then, in 2010, Generation Y, the second largest generation of all time, will start flexing its muscles by buying one of every four new cars. All throughout this decade, 63 million Gen Y consumers are reaching driving age and getting their licenses. These young consumers are not only smart and savvy; they have more disposable income than any previous generation.

One out of three high school seniors carries a credit card, and together, teenagers and college students now control $375 Billion in spending power. All of these positive generational trends will also be joined by another strong movement, immigration, because America remains the strongest beacon of hope and opportunity on the planet.

The overall impact of these forces converging together is just astounding. During the next 19 years, the population of the United States will increase by 70 million! That's equal to the population of California, New York, and New Jersey…COMBINED! In real terms, it means we are adding one new person to this economy every 14 seconds.

In fact, American Demographics magazine says growth in the next two decades is so strong that it will rival the growth America experienced right after World War II. And, of course, we know what happened when all those lonely soldiers came home from the war, don't we? That's right, they created the original baby boom!

So, we foresee a day in the not too distant future when another huge boom generation, let's call it "Gen Z" for now, will arrive on the scene and drive our business even higher.

Along with phenomenal demographics, market drivers are on our side, too. Our GDP and consumer spending are positive, jobs are increasing, and productivity is rising. Plus, many experts believe a new tech boom will further stimulate our economy as information technologies build out, mature, and become an even bigger part of our everyday life.

We're already seeing evidence of this with the iPodding of America. Digital music and video are now everywhere; in our pockets, phones, TVs, computers, Palm Pilots. We're even putting a hard drive in the dash of our new Lexus LS so owners can enjoy 2,000 of their favorite songs.

This "adoption phase" of the Information Age, coupled with coming revolutions in biotech and nanotech, create the potential for an extremely strong economy in the coming years. Or, as my boss likes to say, it will be a new "Golden Era" for our business.

Now, lest you think we're a bunch of Pollyanna's, we fully realize there are some potentially dark clouds on the horizon and we must watch and manage them carefully. Fluctuating gas prices, rising interest rates, inflation and the industry's restructuring, can all take some wind out of our sails.

But we remain confident that the underlying strength of our economy, phenomenal consumer growth, and ongoing technological advances, will create a much brighter tomorrow for the United States and our industry.

Okay, now let's talk about my favorite subject, the luxury market. Last year, the luxury market was responsible for 1.9 million very profitable sales. But that's just the beginning. We forecast sales climbing 26% to 2.4 million vehicles in the next six years.

This growth can be attributed to several sources. First, as I mentioned earlier, the boomers command great wealth, are driving longer, and are seeking rewards for their years of hard work. Second, Gen X consumers are starting to move into leadership positions and will seek vehicles that reflect their new position in life. Third, the Gen Y's are entering the business world and have much higher expectations about their cars than any previous generation.

According to a 2005 Maritz study, three out of the top 10 vehicles young buyers plan to purchase next are luxury vehicles, including Lexus.

Well, you've got to admire their spirit, they've got good taste.

And we expect many of them to become good customers when their paychecks catch up with their aspirations.

Along with these generational shifts, the luxury market is just on fire right now. Last year, the market for all luxury consumer goods in the U.S. totaled about $440 billion, that's bigger than the gross domestic product of Saudi Arabia. And, the trend is getting stronger every year. Luxury consumer goods are expected to jump 15 percent annually in America to $1 trillion in 2010, that's more than 100 percent growth in five years!

So, how is Lexus responding? Well, as we see it, the American luxury auto market continues to evolve into two distinct, major segments, mainstream luxury at the foundation, and a growing prestige segment at the high end. As we define it, prestige luxury vehicles range anywhere from $70,000-plus to the $1.2 million Bugatti Veyron.

Let's take a closer look at each segment. Prestige luxury buyers typically look for status, craftsmanship, innovation and design in their cars, and they're willing to pay for it. The Mainstream luxury segment originally consisted of "Traditional" buyers, those who were mainly interested in performance, heritage, and status. When we introduced Lexus in the late 1980s, we positioned it as the "smart" choice and a "New Values" buyer began to emerge. These buyers generally are less interested in status and more concerned about quality, dependability, comfort, value and unsurpassed service. Seventeen years later, they've become the main portion of the mainstream luxury market.

Today, the "New Values" segment, led by Lexus, makes up about one million of the 1.8 million buyers. The Traditional segment, led by Mercedes and BMW, accounts for another 800-thousand.

The high-end Prestige luxury segment, piloted by Mercedes, is much smaller at 100,000 vehicles, but sales are highly profitable and have doubled in five years. This breakdown of the luxury industry clearly shows some excellent opportunities for Lexus to grow in the future.

Our plan is to increase our lead in the mainstream "New Values" segment, to expand further into the traditional mainstream area, AND, to go upscale with some new products that will appeal to prestige customers.

In fact, we've already started to move on all three fronts. Last year, we moved into the "Traditional" mainstream segment by launching two bold new "performance sedans", the new GS and IS. And they're both doing great. The GS is up 15% in the first quarter and the IS a whopping 897%.

This month, we're launching the world's first performance hybrid sedan, the GS 450h. It's the first "full hybrid" with a rear-drive powertrain, and it's quick. I'm talking about 339 horsepower that will rocket the GS from 0 to 60 in just 5.2 seconds. Believe me, the GS 450h will smash the myth that a hybrid vehicle can't be powerful and exhilarating to drive.

And, it's also responsible, getting an estimated 26 miles to the gallon in combined driving and producing 80 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new car. We call it "performance redefined" because it adds a marvelous new dimension to hybrids.

As a result, our luxury hybrids offer 6 key benefits:
- Incredible power and acceleration
- better fuel efficiency
- 80% cleaner smog-forming emissions
- fewer greenhouse gases
- quieter performance than conventional vehicles
- legendary Lexus luxury throughout

At the same time we're going after performance-driven customers, we are also planning to expand our lead in the "New Values" segment with the launch of two fresh new vehicles.
The first is the new RX 350 SUV, the nation's most popular luxury vehicle. The new model includes 29 improvements and upgrades that make it faster, quieter, cleaner, and more fuel efficient than ever.

The second is the sleek, all-new ES 350 sedan that debuts next week. It's better in virtually every way than our original LS flagship sedan that set a new benchmark for luxury in 1989. The new ES is faster, quieter, and nearly as roomy as the early LS, plus it offers an impressive array of technology rarely found on a near-luxury car. Features like a six-speed transmission, push button start, and even water repellent glass to bead rainwater for better visibility. And the interior is unbelievably upscale in terms of its leather and wood as well as fit and finish. And you get all of this for just over 33 thousand dollars.

Both the new RX and ES will fully reinforce our smart luxury position and help us widen our lead in the larger "New Values" segment of the market.

We also plan to grow Lexus a third way, by expanding into the fast-growing prestige luxury segment. This move is about much more than just going after higher profit sales. The prestige market is the key to image development and overall luxury success. We learned that from visiting with America's top car collectors like Jay Leno, and by doing extensive interviews with executives from dozens of European prestige brands like, Givenchy, Gucci, and Prada. We discovered that these luxury icons make exceptionally high-end products to build their image, and then rely on mainstream luxury items for the bulk of their business.

The secret to success is setting the bar extremely high for prestige customers, and that's what we plan to do with Lexus. In fact, I'm going to give you a sneak peek at an exciting new prestige product we've got coming in just a few minutes.

So, we have some fantastic new products coming to market, but the hallmark of Lexus has always been, and will always be great products AND great service.

So, I want to spend a few moments telling you about the advancements we're making to improve customer care and the ownership experience. You know, I always like to talk about the fact that, at Lexus, we have a close partnership with our dealers. We provide great products, and they provide great facilities and people that create the best customer care in the business. That's a MAJOR differentiator for Lexus, and perhaps the most valuable asset of our brand.

And thanks to our excellent dealers, I'm proud to say that Lexus, at 63%, has the highest loyalty rate among all luxury manufacturers AND the entire industry. That doesn't mean we're satisfied. We'll keep working hard to get that remaining 37 percent back into the Lexus family.

We're also leading in one of the most crucial elements manufacturers should focus on dealer profits. Lexus average dealer profits are the highest in the industry. Why is that important? Because strong profits mean dealers have the money to invest in superb customer care that will keep their owners happy and coming back. Plus, when the return on investment is very high, dealers' confidence in their Lexus franchise grows and they plow their own money back into the business to make it even better. As a result, during the past 3 years, Lexus dealers have spent nearly half their own profits, more than a billion dollars worth, on facility improvements.

Some are going all out. For instance, one of our dealers in California plans to spend $60 million alone on his Newport Beach dealership. Another dealer in northern California is building what can be described as the "Dealership of the Future". The goal is to create a warm and welcoming place where guests feel pampered and indulged while working in harmony with our environment. The new facility will have solar panels on the roof, energy-efficient lighting, and the latest in air conditioning technology.

And there's more, massage chairs with wireless headphones, a Lexus Oasis bar for refreshments, a VIP area offering manicures and pedicures, TWO children's play areas, and a parts shop, oops, I mean, parts boutique that will sell luxury items along with shock absorbers.

Our goal is to raise the ownership experience while making the best use of our customer's time. I mention these examples to illustrate that Lexus strongly believes in taking a holistic approach in the future, one that focuses as much on the care of our CUSTOMERS as it does on the QUALITY of our products.

In addition to the industry's best quality, this higher level of customer service from our dealers is the one of the most important differentiator we have from BMW and Mercedes and helps create a unique quality/value proposition that makes Lexus the "intelligent choice". That, plus our segment expansion plans is why we believe Lexus is perfectly positioned to prosper mightily from the booming luxury market.

And now, for the surprise I promised you. We plan to introduce our first high-end, prestige-level product next year and we're unveiling it tomorrow at the New York Auto Show. So, you'll be the first group, outside of our company, to see and hear about it.

I'm talking about, the "King Kong" of hybrids, the world's first, V-8, hybrid sedan. The LS hybrid will feature a new, 5-liter, direct injection V-8, matched with a powerful electric motor. Together, they produce over 430 horsepower and amazing torque that will rival the performance of some V12 engines.

Besides being the fastest Lexus, this new hybrid will be exceptionally clean and efficient. It's expected to carry a Super Ultra Low Emission rating and produce 80 percent fewer smog-forming emissions while delivering about 30 percent better mileage than its, big, V-8 competitors.

Beyond amazing performance and environmental responsibility, the LS hybrid will be chock full of incredible new technology:
- Intelligent park assist,
- Cabin AND body temperature sensors,
- Optional pre-collision camera

And since LS Hybrid uses electric motors, its noise, vibration and harshness level is about half that found in conventional cars, creating a super smooth, extremely powerful, and remarkably quiet ride.

We firmly believe this new flagship model will not only expand the definition of hybrids, but also propel Lexus into the prestige segment. We're also studying the production of more prestige luxury products. Vehicles like the LF-A super car "concept" we unveiled last year in Detroit. Our goal is that these products will not only be styling knockouts, but also employ the latest in technology from our global Formula One racing teams.

So, in a nutshell, our overall Lexus product strategy is to continually expand the boundaries of Lexus by adding new and unique elements to our core attributes of quality, dependability, comfort, value and an unsurpassed level of luxury. We're doing that by using more emotional styling for our vehicles, adding breath-taking hybrids, and developing prestigious high-touch, high-tech vehicles for the future. All of these elements will greatly broaden our appeal, give Lexus a much stronger point of difference, and lead to higher sales.

Well, by now, I hope I've made a solid case for your continued interest in Toyota. We are a strong company, with the right strategies, and the right people, to take full advantage of the changing world and the immense opportunities that lie ahead.
We're excited about the bright future and appreciate your continued interest, thank you.

Lexus of Chester Springs Celebrates Grand Opening With Consumer Debut of Lexus LS 460L

2006-04-29T06:07:00.000-07:00

WHAT: Lexus of Chester Springs celebrates with a Grand Opening where
the new Lexus LS 460L makes a consumer debut at the dealership
after East Coast appearances at the Philadelphia International
Auto Show and the New York Auto Show.

WHO: - Owners Daniel and Margo Polett and Scott and Suzi Lustgarten
- Lexus manufacturer representatives Bob Carter, Group Vice
President and General Manager of Lexus Division, and Dave
Depew, Eastern area General Manager of Lexus Division
- 1,000 anticipated guests

WHEN: Friday, April 28, 2006
6 to 10 p.m.
Ribbon Cutting at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Lexus of Chester Springs
400 Pottstown Pike
Chester Springs, PA
2 miles north of the Downingtown exit off the PA Turnpike on
Route 100 North

DETAILS: An expected 1,000 guests will enjoy cocktails and hors d'oeuvres
and a chance to see the new Lexus LS 460L, a prototype that made
its East Coast debut at the Philadelphia International Auto Show
in February and the New York Auto Show in early April. The 4.6
liter V-8 is an all new design Lexus sedan with the world's
first eight-speed automatic transmission and a hands-free
parking system. With both port and direct fuel injection that
generates 380 hp and 370 pounds-feet of torque, it delivers a 0-
60 time in under 5.5 seconds with fuel economy of 25 mpg. The
vehicle will be on display exclusively for the Grand Opening of
Lexus of Chester Springs from 6 to 10 p.m. on April 28.

2005 Lexus GX470 from North America

2006-04-29T06:03:00.000-07:00

"A great SUV if you are looking for luxury and something smaller than expidition or navigator or exca"
What things have gone wrong with the car?

I noticed the problem with the drivetrain immediately after getting the truck. It feels like it is grabbing or sticking at stops.

There is a fix for this problem. Lexus dealers are getting the parts to fix this problem. My dealer said mine was the first one they had fixed. The fix worked! No more sticking.

Toyota to Call Back 1,113 Lexus Vehicles in China

2006-04-29T05:01:00.002-07:00

Japan's largest auto maker Toyota plans to call back 1,113 lexus GS 430/300 series in China which reportedly have design defects in front seat safety belt.

A source with the State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said here on Friday that the Toyota Motor (China)Investment Ltd. Co. submitted a report to the administration on Thursday, saying that it will recall the 1,113 cars which were produced and sold to China by Toyota between July 27, 2005 and Jan. 17, 2006.

These cars have design defects in front seat safety belt, said the company.

"Toyota will change the front-seat safety belt for these vehicles to ensure the life security of the drivers and consumers," the company said.

Toyota also said it would guarantee safety for the vehicles after the change.

1

Lexus IS 250

2006-04-29T05:01:00.001-07:00

Quite often, pink magazines full of advertisements for garden furniture and Jilly Cooper curtains call my wife to see if she’d like to become their motoring correspondent. “We’d like you to write about cars from a female point of view,” they always say.

Right. I see. And what exactly is a woman’s point of view when it comes to cars. The colour? Whether you break your nails on the door handles? How much space there is in the boot for babies? Puh-lease. My wife’s argument on this point is sound. Women who are interested in cars are excited by exactly the same things that excite men. Power. Looks. Handling. And women who aren’t interested in cars won’t read about them, no matter what shaped genitals the author has.

So she sends off 1,000 words about a Caterham Cosworth, saying that it ripped her eyeballs out, set her hair on fire and left her with the same sort of ruddy glow she gets from a really good Terminator movie. This, as a general rule, is placed fairly quickly on the editor’s spike.

If we look back over the years, my wife, a mother of three, has run a Caterham that she misses dearly, a Lotus Elise 111S that she sent back for sports exhausts because it wasn’t loud enough, a BMW Z1 and a motorbike of some kind. Currently she appears to have an Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

Ask her about space in the back for kids or whether these things have convenient handles on which she can hang a handbag and she’ll shove a hot conrod up your jacksie. She’s not bothered. And it’s an especially good idea to steer clear of fuel consumption, because if you bring this up she’ll siphon a gallon from the tank and use it to burn you alive.

This is why I always give sexism a wide berth when writing about cars. Any suggestion that one model is better suited to men, or women, and I have to spend the rest of the day disentangling myself from the ironing board. Or begging to be let out of the Aga.

This is no great hardship because of all the “ists” you can call me, “sex-ist” isn’t one of them. I don’t run for the exits when a pilot comes on the PA system to say her name’s Sandra, and when a lady doctor is examining my arthritic hips I’ve never once been tempted to say, “Oh, and while you’re down there . . .”

However, I am bringing some stereotypes to the table this morning because I have a question about the Lexus IS 250 SE. Have you ever seen one being driven by a woman? In fact have you ever seen any Lexus being driven by a woman? Apart from that girl in Terminator 3 who nicked a 430 convertible — and she was technically a robot — I haven’t. I’ve seen girls in Evo 8s and Ferraris and Astons. Once I even saw a girl in a Lamborghini LM002, which caused a faint but distinct stirring. But never in a Lexulator.

I’m sure that Toyota’s marketing department will be reaching for the e-mail button right now to send me figures that show x per cent of Lexees are bought by women, but I bet that if these “female” customers were examined more carefully, every single one would have an Adam’s apple.

It’s hard at first to see what makes the Lexus brand as uniquely male as a Leatherman or a hunter-killer submarine. The IS a pretty car and we know from every single survey ever undertaken that no other vehicle on the planet is quite so well made.

Of course there are some things wrong with it. Space in the back is limited, the seats aren’t overly supportive, the steering is way too sharp and the door mirrors are the size of barn doors. But since when did a woman ever complain about a mirror being too large? Perhaps, then, it’s the rev counter that glows orange as you approach the red line. “Noooooo” wailed my wife after she came back from the school run. “I loved that. I made it orange the whole way home.”

What then? What feature does this car have that makes it so unappealing for women? My wife couldn’t help. “I just don’t like it,” she said.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Walpole to get $1M for allowing Lexus to tap into water and sewer

2006-04-29T05:01:00.000-07:00

A new Herb Chambers Lexus dealership in Sharon will pay Walpole more than a $1 million for the ability to tie into Walpole sewer and water lines, under a recent deal struck between the town and Herb Chambers.

"Sharon doesn't have town sewer, so they would have had to put an on-site septic system in," said Walpole Sewer and Water Superintendent Rick Mattson. "They had originally approached us wanting just sewer, but the sewer and water board made the decision to say no, either renegotiate for both or neither."

Chambers agreed to the sum two weeks ago, according to the dealer's attorney, Norwood-based Phillip Macchi, Sr.

Included in the $1,069,000 that Chambers will pay is a fee for installation of a four-inch water line to service the to-be-built dealership, plus a sewer entrance fee, inflow and infiltration fees to remove flow from Walpole's system, and a $686,400 "financial contribution" to help Walpole build a new water tank in the area.

Mattson said the surrounding neighborhood badly needs the water tank to bolster low water pressure, which is caused by flat elevation between the current tank and area homes.

"The property is in Sharon, so there's no benefit whatsoever to the town of Walpole. It would have benefited only that parcel of property, other than the usage fees the town would collect," Mattson said. "And some of the homes in that area have lower than desirable water pressure. The only way to resolve that is to construct a water storage tank."

That tank is expected to cost a total of between $1.2 and $1.6 million, he said.

"The thought process was, if we could get Chambers to financially contribute, then we could make some good progress on that water," said Mattson. "If we had a higher elevation tank, then it would solve the pressure problems."

Macchi has said in several meetings with the town that Chambers was reluctant to pay such a high fee, and the dealer did seek other bids for pipe work in recent weeks. Mattson said he does not know why the auto dealer suddenly decided to make a deal with Walpole.

"He did have approval to connect to Sharon water, but from what I could see it would be a very difficult construction route. It's not an easy installation, and on-site septic is going to have to be replaced over a number of years. Once sewer is in place, it's there forever," Mattson said. "I don't know why exactly they changed their minds. It's probably more practical for them."

Macchi was not available for comment at press time.

Mattson said the tie-in will cause "no strain" and "no noticeable change in pressure" for water users in town, with only a 10,000 gallon-per-day average impact from the dealership.

Once the deal is approved locally, the dealership can get permission to pay into the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. After the hook-up is complete, Walpole will seek the rest of the funding to build the water tank at a future Town Meeting - most likely in spring, 2007.

Lexus RX 350

2006-04-15T21:15:00.000-07:00

At a time when SUV owners are being criticised from all sides, it's not perhaps the best time for Lexus to launch the latest in its Lexus RX range, complete with a new 3.5-lite V6 engine, which the company tells us - without any sense of guilt - is the most powerful six-cylinder unit in its class.

Then again, this is Lexus we're talking about. After the 1989 launch of Toyota's premium marque, it took just two years to overtake Mercedes and BMW as the top luxury importer to the US. And as Toyota could well become the biggest car company in the world this year, it's a fair assumption that it knows what it's doing.

The Lexus RX range has been the best-selling luxury SUV in the world - thanks largely to its enormous popularity in the US market - selling over a million units since its 1997 introduction. It's also Lexus's best-selling model in Europe, with 15,000 sold across the continent in 2005. This success has been founded on its distinctive aerodynamic styling (for which Lexus claims the lowest drag coefficient in its class), the technology under the bonnet and the levels of comfort and reliability on which the brand has built its reputation.

The Lexus RX350 has only tweaked this formula, leaving the styling unchanged and instead focusing on the engine and updating the car's technologies.

New Lexus hybrid puts focus on raw power

2006-04-15T19:33:00.000-07:00

Lexus unveiled a new hybrid petrol-electric luxury car on Wednesday but switched focus away from fuel economy to raw power amid signs of flagging demand for hybrids.

Lexus, a division of Japan's Toyota, is launching the LS600h at the New York International Auto Show after demand for a previous hybrid model, the RX sport utility vehicle, proved less strong than expected, and as sales of Toyota hybrids have fallen.

Luxury Lexus tops insurer's road crash list

2006-04-15T17:17:00.000-07:00

THE luxury four-wheel-drive Lexus RX330 has been involved in more accidents in Australia than any other car in the past year, data from a leading insurance company reveals.

The popular 2004 Lexus sports wagon, which normally retails for more than $72,000, beat the 2003 Subaru Impreza GX hatchback and 2004 Toyota Camry Sportivo in AAMI's list of top 10 cars involved in accidents where the driver was at fault.

The data was calculated from insurance claims lodged across the country in the past 12 months.

AAMI spokesman Geoff Hughes said he was surprised at the results, as he expected that hotted-up cars driven by young people would have been involved in more accidents than the Lexus.

"It's difficult to make definitive statements, but I suppose the top three cars are sporty vehicles whose owners tend to drive a bit quicker, which causes accidents," Mr Hughes said.

He could not say if the results indicated that four-wheel-drives were harder to drive than the average car or that owners were taking more risks on the roads because they felt invincible when behind the wheel of bigger cars.

A previous AAMI survey of 1880 people had revealed that six in 10 drivers of average-sized cars believed owners of large four-wheel-drives should have special licences because of their comparative difficulty to control.

The Australian National Four-Wheel-Drive Council rejected such a move, claiming drivers rather than vehicles were to blame for most accidents. The council has run accredited four-wheel-drive training courses for more than a decade.

Victoria Police spokeswoman Senior Constable Wendy Willingham said the department would not comment on AAMI's survey because it did not keep statistics on which cars were involved in accidents.

When asked if police believed four-wheel-drives were more dangerous than other cars, or if their owners needed to take greater care on the roads, she said it was department policy not to single out individual makes of cars for criticism.
BUMPER CARS

AAMI’s list of top 10 cars involved in accidents in Australia in the past year:

■ 1. Lexus RX330 sports wagon 2004.
■ 2. Subaru Impreza GX hatchback 2003.
■ 3. Toyota Camry Sportivo 2004.
■ 4. Holden Astra hatchback 2004.
■ 5. Nissan Maxima 1999.
■ 6. Ford Falcon Classic 2004.
■ 7. Mazda 626 Classic hatchback 1999.
■ 8. Mazda wagon 2002.
■ 9. Honda Odyssey wagon 2003.
■ 10.Mazda 626 Classic hatchback 2002.

An Ambitious Lexus Takes on the Europeans

2006-04-15T16:02:00.000-07:00

The Lexus brand has outsold Mercedes and BMW in the United States for the last five years, but it has long lacked the flagship sedan that could rival them in price, performance and prestige.

Until now.

With the Lexus LS 600hL, unveiled at the New York auto show this week, the company has rolled out by far its most ambitious car in a continuing battle with those venerable German rivals. Or as Bob Carter, general manager of Lexus, put it, the new model will take Toyota's luxury brand where it "has never before been."

The 600hL comes with a long list of safety and comfort features, as would be expected of a car that will go head-to-head against the most expensive BMW and Mercedes-Benz sedans.

But it will also be a hybrid, with a V-8 gasoline engine and an electric motor. Lexus says the new sedan will have the power of a V-12 with the fuel consumption of a V-8. The 600hL will be, in other words, ultraluxury with at least a dash of environmental conscience.

And because it is a hybrid, Lexus will have something for upscale buyers (Hollywood agents and the like are probably the target audience) that neither BMW nor Mercedes, which is owned by DaimlerChrysler, are planning to offer until later this decade. The German automakers are collaborating with General Motors on next-generation hybrid technology that the three will share and apply to whichever vehicles they deem appropriate.

Until then, the German automakers hope that most luxury buyers will not fall for the Lexus pitch. "We should not try to educate or teach the customer about what he or she wants," Helmut Panke, the chief executive at BMW, said in an interview this week.

But the Germans are certainly not standing still. At the New York show, lightning bolts crackled as Mercedes introduced the newest version of its midsize E-class sedan. BMW, meanwhile, is giving American customers the first look at its high-powered Z4 coupe, part of a lineup of new models on which it will spend 19 billion euros over the next few years.

Lexus's roots go back just 17 years to its beginnings as a bargain alternative to top-of-the-line European cars. But its biggest success by far has been in its sport utility vehicle lineup.

Despite a variety of luxury models, Lexus had stayed away from the highest end of the market, which the Germans long dominated. And it has never entirely shaken its image as a maker of cars that are highly polished and well engineered, but slightly bland. While Lexus did not give out a price for its new superluxury car, which goes on sale next April, industry analysts say they believe it will sell for at least $100,000, the same range as the Mercedes S-class and the BMW 750i.

To vault itself onto that ledge, Lexus has loaded all kinds of goodies onto the 600hL, starting with its 430-horsepower V-8 engine. All around the car are safety features meant to keep the car from hitting things and people, like the two cameras mounted on the front that spot objects as small as toddlers and warn the driver to stop.

Inside the passenger compartment, a camera is trained on the driver that sets off an alarm if his attention wanders. Mounted on the back is a system to parallel park the Lexus automatically.

Lexus contends that it is twice as quiet as any car on the road, maybe the quietest ever — just the thing to set off a 19-speaker stereo system and traffic congestion monitor.

Some of the features may someday show up in less expensive cars but for now, they cost — a lot.

"What's so important in this segment is craftsmanship," Mr. Carter said. "You expect workmanship in a vehicle of this class."

Such high-priced cars are often where the industry's most advanced technology first appears, but it can also be a turn-off to buyers if any problems occur. Mercedes has attributed its recent quality struggles to cutting-edge electronics and other features that still had some bugs to work out.

In the past, buyers might have forgiven luxury makers for the kinks as long as the ride and handling of their cars met their expectations. Not any more, and that is one reason BMW has not rushed to match Lexus in the hybrid vehicle race.

The 600hL will be Lexus's third hybrid vehicle, in addition to the RX 400h sport utility and the GS 450h, a sporty sedan. By contrast, BMW's first hybrid will not reach the market until 2008 at the earliest.

Mr. Panke said BMW decided to wait until it could develop a hybrid vehicle that was every bit as refined and powerful as its conventional cars.

A crucial question carmakers face is whether high-powered hybrids will offset the mixed performance that plagues their mass-market counterparts. This month, Ford began offering no-interest financing for 60 months on its hybrid Escape.

Ford's North American marketing chief, Cisco Codina, maintained this week that the no-interest plan had already spurred hybrid business. He said the incentive plan did not signify that hybrids were losing steam.

"There are always early adapters" who buy the first version of any vehicle, Mr. Codina said. Now, Ford is aiming at buyers who are asking, What's that going to bring for me?

Sales of the Honda Accord hybrid have also been slow. Dick Colliver, a Honda executive vice president, said at the auto show that the company might therefore cut production. He said a decision would be made later this year.

Ford, meanwhile, may soon bring its buyers a luxury hybrid. It plans to build a hybrid version of the coming Mark X crossover vehicle, which would compete directly with the Lexus RX 400h, on the market since last year. Mr. Panke at BMW, for his part, shows no anxiety about matching Lexus. He acknowledges that BMW's customers have asked when the company will have a high-powered hybrid but he contends that BMW's solution will feel like a BMW, not a car dreamed up in a research lab.

"The key question is, Will it have the performance?" Mr. Panke said. "The BMW customer will not sacrifice on performance."

2008 Lexus LS600 hL goes hybrid

2006-04-15T11:33:00.000-07:00

Lexus will be building their line in the future around a flagship hybrid vehicle. They used the bright lights of the New York Auto Show as the forum to show off the new 2008 LS600 hL. This is not the Prius-style hybrid that you are used to. It has a five-liter direct injection V8 engine which combines with a two-stage ‘electronic continuously variable transmission’ to produce up to 430 horsepower. That amount of power is equivalent to what is normally seen from a six liter V12. AWD makes sure that power makes it to the road.

The fuel consumption figures haven’t yet been announced, but they are rumored to in the same range as a mid-sized AWD V6 sedan. That means you get a V8 with V12 power for V6 gas bills. A pretty good deal. Combine that with the fact that the car will be certified as a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle, meaning emission levels 70% below competitors, and environmentalists with a need for power and luxury can rejoice. No word yet on price or availability, but it definitely won’t be cheap. My guess is that six figures to the left of the decimal are likely.

Lexus GS 450h: Why a hybrid that gets 19.6 mpg is best in class

2006-04-15T09:20:00.000-07:00

Knight Ridder Newspapers

By Matt Nauman

Perhaps it was the grandeur of the view from atop cracked and flooded-in-spots Sierra Road, but I had a moment of clarity while recently driving the Lexus GS 450h.

With the Santa Clara Valley below me, and dark clouds sitting heavy on the distant Santa Cruz Mountains, I paused after a few moments of exhilarating uphill driving and realized that the hybrid game is over.

Sure, Honda has a neat gas-electric Civic available, and sells two others. Yes, Ford has two small hybrid SUVs that have attracted a few buyers. And the hybrid cars.

com Web site says we'll have hybrid choices from Chevrolet, Nissan, Hyundai, Dodge, Porsche, Saturn, Mazda and Cadillac in the next two to three years.

But Toyota and its upscale Lexus division have won the day.

The words "hybrid" and "Prius" have become synonymous. The automaker offers two other hybrids right now _ the Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX 400h sport-utilities. Combined, they represented 71 percent of U.S. hybrid sales in 2005.

Two more hybrids from Toyota arrive in a matter of weeks _ a hybrid version of the bestselling Camry sedan and the GS 450h, a sport sedan and the subject of this week's test drive.

Expect more to follow in rapid succession. While others dither about the merits of hybrids, or how large the market might become, or their long-term viability, Toyota has systematically gained dominance.

The 2007 Camry Hybrid marks the closest that hybrid technology has come to the center of the auto market. The Honda Accord aimed for it, too, but missed the mark. With its V-6 powertrain and high price, the Accord hybrid resides in a place where near-luxury models sell. Indeed, at $31,540, it's nearly as expensive as a TL, and more expensive than a TSX, both from Acura, Honda's upscale brand.

The Camry, which blends a 2.4-liter gasoline engine with electric motors and a battery pack, will arrive with a $25,900 price tag when it goes on sale in May. It promises window-sticker fuel economy of 40 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.

The 2007 Lexus GS 450h, in contrast, is not a mainstream hybrid, nor is it what I could have conceived as being a hybrid just a half decade ago. Back then, we had the tiny Honda Insight and the less-than-beautiful first-generation Prius to choose from.

In comparison _ in price, style and performance _ the GS 450h is a world apart.

Any discussion of hybrid technology should start with the gas pedal. When I'm piloting a Prius, I drive diligently, conservatively, even annoyingly, to get good gas mileage.

I tried to do the same with the GS 450h. I feather-footed the gas pedal, coasted when I could, worked the brake pedal with relish to recapture braking energy.

Still, I failed.

In several hundred miles of driving a black GS 450h, I averaged 19.6 mpg. The car's EPA sticker says it should get 25 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

What to think of that gas mileage? Poor certainly when compared with the Prius or Civic, which promise 60 and 50 mpg in city driving, and achieve 44 and 36 mpg in combined real-world driving, according to Consumer Reports.

Still, I'm guessing that 19.6 mpg is close to what I would have gotten in a gas-only V-6 GS 300. It gets 22/30, the EPA says. And it's obviously much better than I could have gotten in the V-8 GS 430, which gets 18/25, the EPA says.

But there's a reason my foot outvoted my brain: The Lexus GS 450h gets a combined 339 horsepower from its hybrid parts. That results in a zero to 60 mph time of 5.2 seconds. The V-6 GS 300 takes 6.8 seconds to reach that speed, while the V-8 GS 430 takes 5.7 seconds.

For me, it was hard to resist the desire to push that pedal and feel this car glide. With the Lexus GS hybrid, acceleration is a smooth and powerful thing. It's otherworldly, even, considering you're using two types of propulsion, plus a gear-less continuously variable transmission.

Strange, then, that the burst of speed didn't feel strange at all.

Here's one way to look at it: With the GS 450h, you get fuel economy that's about the same as the gas-only V-6 GS and performance that's superior to the gas-only V-8 GS 430.

The price? That's another story.

The GS 300 starts at $43,845. The GS 430 begins at $52,070. The GS 450h is $55,595. With options, the one I drove cost more than $62,000.

Just as with its RX 400h SUV, Lexus demands a stiff tariff for this hybrid sedan. You get more _ better fuel economy and better acceleration plus standard features such as a moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, headlight washers, cooled front seats, a rear backup camera, a parking system that beeps when you're too close to the car in front or behind and more _ for the higher price, too.

In the end, buyers will get the best GS ever. It's just so supple and quick. It's very quiet, thanks to extra sound-deadening material and the hybrid powertrain that shuts off the gas engine when it's not needed.

The continuously variable transmission is satisfying here and a good match for the hybrid system.

My only complaint is about the steering, which felt a bit too light. In fact, when I drove the GS 450h hard, I found I missed the feeling of balanced weight that I get when I throw a nice BMW 5-Series around tight curves.

But that's a minor nit. Ultimately, the GS 450h is a comfortable sedan for four adults and a joy for its driver.

It comes with the full roster of safety items _ eight air bags, stability and traction control and such _ and all manner of goodies, from heated and cooled seats, to a back-up camera to a rear sunshade. Our car came with two options _ the wonderful Mark Levinson audio system and the DVD-based navigation system, and an active stabilizer system that included run-flat tires.

It took the car's sticker price to $60,000-plus, or the financial equivalent of that Sierra Road precipice. Still, if you can afford the view, it's worth enjoying.

Lexus Recalls 57,000 Cars for Wonky Seatbelts

2006-04-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Toyota’s issuing a worldwide APB for 57,000 Lexus GS and IS models built between July and December of 2005 due to a seat-belt winder that may not allow passengers to buckle their restraints. Approximately 29,000 of the cars were sold in North America. See, even Toyota screws up!

1992 Lexus LS400 from North America

2006-04-15T07:02:00.000-07:00

Air Conditioning Compressor went out two weeks after I bought it at 150,000 miles. $1500 for a new one.

When I bought it, the LCD display for the clock and stereo was already gone, and at $600 to replace it, it will stay that way.

Power window/locks switch in driver's door steadily going out, first the passenger door wouldn't lock, now the window won't roll down, and now the rear passenger window won't roll down. $500 for a new switch.

Rear main seal went at 160,000 miles. A clean $500 fix.

Smoothest, quietest ride I've ever experienced. Like riding on air. The V8 is so smooth, you don't even realize you're accelerating until you look at the speedometer.

Tons of power from the V8, but handles like a tuna boat.

Leather seats are in good shape at 165,000 miles, but they are hard compared to newer cars.

This car is smoother, and more pleasant to drive than almost all of the new cars on the market.

This car is in great shape for its age, but when something does go wrong, it's costly.

Fuel economy isn't bad, at around 22mpg, considering the V8, though you have to use premium gasoline.

Lexus announces official pricing for the new ES350

2006-04-10T14:45:00.000-07:00

Lexus announced pricing for the all-new 2007 Lexus ES 350 entry luxury sedan. The fifth-generation ES
goes on sale April 21 with a base Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $33,170. The 2007 Lexus ES 350 improves upon every level of comfort,
safety, performance and craftsmanship in the elegant five-passenger sedan.

"We believe the new Lexus ES 350 is better in virtually every way than our original LS flagship sedan," said Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager Bob Carter. "It's faster, more powerful and quieter than the vehicle that redefined the prestige luxury segment in the early 1990s."

The Lexus ES 350 features a 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivers 272 horsepower and 254 lb.-ft. of torque. It is substantially quicker than the model it replaces, with an estimated zero-to-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds.

Electronically controlled sequential fuel injection optimizes the fuel mixture and creates a precise burn, higher output and lower emissions to aid drivability and lend substantial improvements in engine efficiency with increased power and improved fuel economy.

A front-wheel-drive vehicle, the Lexus ES 350 features a six-speed automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i) and
sequential shift. Dual exhaust is standard, reducing exhaust backpressure at high rpm, and it has segment-leading efficiency. The Lexus ES 350's
manufacturer-estimated combined fuel consumption is 25 mpg (21 mpg city/30 mpg highway) and Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle II (ULEV II) certification is anticipated.

Additionally, the new Lexus ES 350 offers owners such standard safety features as Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC), an
electronic traction-control system that uses both throttle and brake intervention to help control wheel spin, as well as eight standard airbags, or 10 with the optional rear seat side airbags. For 2007, the ES gains new knee airbags for the driver and front passenger, as well as a twin-chamber front passenger airbag. Side-curtain airbags couple with front seat-mounted
airbags and the optional rear-seat side airbags, all designed to help offer additional crash-energy management for the front- and rear-seat occupants.

The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) in the new ES also includes variable-force front airbags for both driver and front passenger. Sensors determine the severity of the accident and in turn the force with which to deploy the front airbags, helping to provide an appropriate level of occupant restraint. Rear seat side airbags are offered optionally.

The Lexus ES 350 includes front side windows equipped with a water-repellant surface to help to bead rainwater, a rear back-up camera as part of the
available navigation package, as well as the first-ever intelligent Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS), which allows both right and left
front headlamp bulbs to swivel simultaneously to help illuminate a turn or curve as the driver steers into it.

The redesigned ES makes standard a long list of luxury features such as SmartAccess keyless entry, new push-button ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, 10-way power front seats with available memory, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with an integrated digital compass, and heated exterior mirrors. Additional standard luxury features include a sliding
center console, a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, a one-touch power moonroof, and an illuminated entry system that lights the exterior with puddle lamps and the interior cabin foot wells. Standard cloth seats are
also available in leather trim and extra-soft upgraded perforated leather trim for additional comfort. The three-spoke steering wheel features
easy-to-use controls for the audio system, trip computer and multi-information display, as well as a voice-control switch for the available Bluetooth(R) and navigation features.

Additionally, the Lexus ES 350's integrated Homelink(R) transmitter can control a variety of compatible home-security devices and systems.

An enhanced standard premium audio system brings an in-dash, six-disc CD-changer, MP3/WMA player or iPod connectivity, and an additional speaker
to the 2007 ES. The system also includes an Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL) to maintain consistent sound levels at varying vehicle speeds. Also available: The newest generation Mark Levinson(R) Premium Surround Sound
audio with a 7.1-channel speaker architecture, 10 channels of amplification with a total of 300 watts at 0.1 percent Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) and 14 speakers. The optional and newly upgraded fifth-generation Lexus DVD Navigation System offers eight million points of interest (POI).

The Lexus ES 350 features a more than two-inch longer wheelbase and more than an inch wider track, lending a confident stance. Its long hood, pulled-back cabin and short rear deck are characteristic of the new L-finesse design
theme recalling classic sports car proportions with a contemporary look unique to all new-generation Lexus sedans. It also provides increased rear legroom and a characteristic roomy driver- and front-passenger compartment.

On the Lexus ES 350, Lexus offers for the first time an optional Panorama Glass Roof, which creates an expansive feeling of openness for interior
passengers and extends over the entire passenger cabin. A manual interior shade is provided for the front and rear passenger compartments.

The interior boasts premium wood, polished metal and leather accents-luxury accoutrements never before seen in the entry luxury segment-while the cabin is complemented by intelligently designed displays and controls and bright, clear Optitron gauges combined with smartly
integrated metallic and authentic brown walnut.

With improved value, competitive pricing and features previously unavailable in the entry-luxury segment, the all-new 2007 Lexus ES
represents the best value in its segment.

Long Beach: Lexus race report

2006-04-09T15:10:00.000-07:00

PRUETT, DIAZ PUT LEXUS IN LONG BEACH WINNER'S CIRCLE

LONG BEACH, Calif. (April 8, 2006) -- After relinquishing the lead on the track onLap 6, the Ganassi Racing crew took over and re-gained the lead with a quick pit stop and driver change under a full-course caution on Lap 12 and then Scott Pruett took it the rest of the way to give he and co-driver Luis Diaz a 3.989-second victory over rivals from Porsche and BMW in today's Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series event at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

With their second victory of the season, Pruett and Diaz, who captured the pole position on Friday, moved into the series points lead with 111 points.

"It's awesome to be in Victory Lane here in Long Beach," said Pruett, who now has five Long Beach victories in four different classes to his credit. "A party at "the Beach" is always fun and always exciting. We had to drive as hard as we possibly could. The team did a great job in the pits and Lexus gave us a great motor with increased drive-ability."

While the driving of Pruett and Diaz captured the headlines, it wasn't the only stellar drive from a Lexus-powered team as Oswaldo Negri carved through the field from the 16th-spot on Lap 12 to earn a fifth-place finish for the #60 Flight Options Lexus-Riley for Michael Shank Racing (MSR) along with co-driver Mark Patterson. As the race was winding down, Negri's highlight reel performance included passing three cars for position on a single lap.

Cort Wagner and Mike Borkowski made it three Lexus-powered entries in the top-10 with a ninth-place finish in the #6 Graydon Elliott Fusion Racing Lexus Riley for MSR. After a 17th-place in qualifying, the duo moved up eight spots during the 52-lap event.

The victory is the third in four races this season for Ganassi Racing and Lexus after winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the Mexico City event to open up the 2006 campaign. Today's triumph is the 11th for Lexus in 30 Rolex Series events since entering the series in 2004.

Lexus now takes a 12-point lead over Porsche in the Daytona Prototypes Manufacturer's Championship after four rounds of the 14-round title chase.

The Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series returns to action at Virginia International Raceway, April 23.

"Quotes"

SCOTT PRUETT, #01 CompUSA Lexus-Riley: "It's awesome to be in Victory Lane here in Long Beach, A party at "the Beach" is always fun and always exciting. This is the place to be. The 23 car kept us on our toes and it turned out to be a fast, qualifying-paced race.We had to drive as hard as we possibly could. The team did a great job in the pits and Lexus gave us a great motor with increased drive-ability."

LUIS DIAZ, #01 CompUSA Lexus-Riley: "It feels like Scott and I are now even after this one. He helped me win in Mexico City and now I've helped him win in front of his family in California. It's still a long way to go in the championship, so we need to keep our heads down and continue to get the job done."

OSWALDO NEGRI, #60 Flight Options Lexus-Riley: "We have had a couple of tough races the last two races, so I wanted to be a little conservative and just make sure we got to the finish. So I'd study the cars ahead and just focus on where they were weak, so I was able to make some good clean passes and move up pretty well. In the last few laps, something sounded funny with the engine, so I just backed off and made sure we got to the finish. Fortunately, everything was fine and we finished without a problem and hopefully can pick up some momentum in the points."

MARK PATTERSON, #60 Flight Options Lexus-Riley: "Watching Oz (Negri) make up all that time to the guys in front each lap was really something else. The car was beautifully set up, and it just gave me the confidence to keep finding more time out there without having to do anything silly. I think if Oz had a few more laps, the guys ahead would have been in trouble, but its good to get another solid points finish under our belt, and we'll be looking for more of the same at VIR."

CORT WAGNER, #6 Graydon Elliott Fusion Racing with MSR Lexus-Riley: "The track got very slick right away, so the car was a bit of a handful. I was really busy out there, working to learn the track a bit still, and still trying to make up time to the leaders, so when the balance went off, things were a bit tricky. But, it was great to be racing on this track for the first time, and we stayed out of trouble to take a top ten at the end."

MIKE BORKOWSKI, #6 Graydon Elliott Fusion Racing with MSR Lexus-Riley: "I was hoping to make up more positions there in the closing laps, but unfortunately, the braking in the car seemed to go away, and I just didn't want to take any chances. So I struggled a bit with that, but we were able to avoid any kind of trouble, so we'll take this top ten and just get ready for VIR."

-Lexus/Toyota Motorsports

Lexus IS

2006-04-09T06:49:00.000-07:00

Lexus IS
Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Production: 1998–present
Class: Compact luxury sports sedan
Similar: BMW 3-Series
Infiniti G35
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Acura TSX

The Lexus IS is a rear-wheel drive, compact luxury sports sedan manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corp. under the Lexus brand and originally sold as the Toyota Altezza in Japan. The model was introduced to slot below the ES in the Lexus lineup and to compete against the BMW 3 Series and the Nissan Skyline/Infiniti G. The first-generation Altezza (codename XE10) was launched in Japan in October 1998, while the Lexus IS 200 made its debut in Europe in 1999 and the IS 300 in North America in 2001.

The "IS" stands for "Intelligent Sport."

First generation

Also called: Toyota Altezza
Production: 1998–2005
Body style: 4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
Engine: 2.0 L 1G-FE I6 (AS200)
2.0 L 3S-GE I4 (RS200)
3.0 L 2JZ-GE I6 (AS300)

The Altezza came in 3 variants:

The AS200 (Chassis code TA-SXE-10, sedan or TA-GXE-10 FR Gita wagon, TA-GXE-15, 4WD Gita wagon), powered by a 1G-FE inline-6 engine generating 160 PS JIS (118 kW) or 155 PS DIN (114 kW) and mated to a 6-speed manual transmission (4-speed automatic optional)

The RS200 (Chassis code GH-SXE-10, sedan) powered by a Yamaha tuned 3S-GE inline-4 engine generating 210 PS JIS (154 kW) and mated to a 6-speed transmission (5-speed automatic optional)

The AS300 (Chassis code TA-JCE-10 FR Gita Wagon,or TA-JCE-15, 4WD Gita wagon) powered by a 2JZ-GE inline-6 engine generating 220 PS JIS (162 kW) or 215 hp SAE (160 kW) and mated to only a 5-speed automatic for the FR Gita Wagon or a 4-speed automatic for the 4WD Gita Wagon. Lexus IS300 share this chasis rather than the SXE-10 chasis.

European and North American-market Lexus IS vehicles, as well as the Japanese hatchback version called the Gita (called Lexus IS Sportcross in the U.S. and Europe) were only available in the 6-cylinder versions. US and European sales of the Lexus IS 300 were disappointing. In the American market, after hitting a high of 22,486 units in 2001, IS sales dropped below the 10,000-unit mark in 2004. The IS200 fared better in Europe and Asia, but still fell well short of the sales volume achieved by the likes of the BMW 3 Series.

Tuning
The 2JZ-GE powered Lexus IS series are popular amongst tuners in the U.S. because of their 6-cylinder engines. The Altezza is mostly popular amongst tuners not only because of its possible engine swap for the previous generation Toyota Supra's 2JZ-GTE motor, but as it is view as the successor to the renowed AE86. Modified versions of the 2JZ-GTE have been seen with over 1000hp.

In Japan, the RS200 version is more popular due to its better handling (because of the lightweight yet powerful engine in the front). There are a wide availability of tuning parts, although the engine block is similar to the last of the SW20 MR2 and ST202 Celica, it is tuned by Yamaha and offers Dual VVT-i. As a result, a number of tuning companies modified the IS/Altezza over the years.

TTE converted an IS 200 first, and within a few years RMM in the US converted an IS 300. The MillenWorks-built Lexus IS 430 was unveiled at the 2003 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The IS 430 prototype is an IS 300 fitted with a 4.3 L V8 from the Lexus GS 430. Lexus dubs the IS 430 a one-off with no plans for production. In Europe, Toyota Team Europe (TTE) shoehorned a supercharged 4.3 L V8 into a Lexus IS 300 bodyshell, the result is a 405 PS ECE (298 kW) saloon capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds. TTE also produced an aftermarket supercharger kit for the Lexus IS 200, raising the power output to 204 PS ECE (150 kW).

At the mean time, a number of Japanese tuning firms, HKS, Blitz, Top Secret, Sard, Power Enterprise, including Toyota's own TRD, started to develop plenty of performance parts, typically from super chargers, turbo chargers, and even individual throttle bodies, and sometimes complete car conversions.

The RS200 is also used by many racing teams, including TRD (Toyota Racing Development), to race in various touring car championship series across Asia. A Lexus IS 200, based on a heavily modified RS200, has also raced in the British Touring Car Championship with limited success.

Second generation

Production: 2006–present
Body style: 4-door sedan
Engine: 2.5 L 4GR-FSE V6 (IS 250)
3.5 L 2GR-FSE V6 (IS 350)

The second generation IS was redesigned for the 2006 model year and was introduced in the fall of 2005. The Toyota Altezza name ceased to be used with the introduction of the Lexus name in Japan. A pre-production example of the model was shown in the 2005 Geneva Autoshow. The slow-selling SportCross station wagon version was dropped from the lineup worldwide.

For the United States, three Lexus IS models are sold by Lexus:
IS 250 - 2.5 L V6, 204 hp (152 kW), Rear wheel drive
IS 250 AWD - 2.5 L 4GR-FSE V6 with all wheel drive, 204 hp (152 kW)
IS 350 - 3.5 L 2GR-FSE V6, 306 hp (228 kW), Rear wheel drive

The Lexus IS 250 RWD comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, and a 6-speed automatic transmission is available as an option. The Lexus IS 250 AWD and the Lexus IS 350 are only available with the 6-speed automatic. A precrash system is a novelty in the market.

The Lexus IS 350's performance has been admirable, and its acceleration is class-leading. Some say this marks Lexus' first foray into the "sport compact" market that compares fairly well with its German competitors. However, prevailing criticisms are that its steering is not as communicative as that of the BMW 3 Series, its stability and traction control systems cannot be fully disabled, and that the higher-performance Lexus IS 350 is only offered with an automatic transmission.

There are rumors of a higher performance IS, likely with a V8 engine, but there have been no official announcements yet.

Lexus JX

2006-04-09T06:36:00.000-07:00

Lexus JX
Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Production: 2008–present
Predecessor: Lexus LX
Class: Fullsize SUV
Similar: Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
Infiniti QX56
Cadillac Escalade ESV
Lincoln Navigator L

The Lexus JX 470 will replace the Lexus LX470 in 2007, making its debut as a 2008 model. Lexus is expected to introduce a new 5.4 L V8 engine in the Lexus JX. With this engine, it is possible that the model will actually be named Lexus JX 540 by the time it reaches production. The Lexus JX will be based on the next generation Toyota Sequoia, though the current Lexus LX is based on the Toyota Land Cruiser.

Lexus ES

2006-04-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

Lexus ES
Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Company
Production: 1989-present
Class: Mid-size
Body style: 4-door sedan
Related: Toyota Camry, Toyota Windom, Lexus RX, Toyota Camry Solara, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Sienna, Toyota Avalon
Similar: Acura TL, Infiniti M35, Volvo S60, Cadillac CTS

The Lexus ES series is a family of mid-size sedans produced by the Lexus division of Toyota from 1989 to the present and built in Tsutsumi, Japan. The series has always been built off of the Toyota Camry platform and features a V6 engine and automatic transmission. For long, it had been Lexus's entry-level car, competing with the Infiniti I30 and Acura TL, until the arrival of the Lexus IS in 2001. The Camry and ES do generally not directly compete, as the ES offers a more upscale ride, more elegant styling, and more luxury features. The Lexus ES250 was built from August 30, 1989 until July 5, 1991. The first Lexus ES300 was built on September 9, 1991 as a 1992 model. From the second generation onwards, the ES was sold in Japan as the Toyota Windom.

First generation (1989-1991)

The first Lexus ES (codename VZV21) debuted in 1989 as the Lexus ES 250 (the 250 denoting a 2.5 L engine) with the Camry's 156 hp V6. This car was not offered in Japan, but shared much with a Japanese-market Camry hardtop variant. The Lexus ES250 was a hastily conceived and reskinned Camry in order to avoid introducing the Lexus nameplate with one model, the Lexus LS400.

Second generation (1992-1996)

Completely redesigned for 1992 and now based on the VCV10-series Toyota Windom, the model was renamed the Lexus ES 300 to reflect the half-liter bump in engine displacement. This second generation was significantly larger and more curvacious (as was the Camry) and sported a 185 hp engine. The 1993 Lexus ES 300 was the last Lexus sedan to offer a 5-speed manual transmission until the IS300 was introduced.

Third generation (1997-2001)

The third generation (designated MCV20) appeared in 1997 with a 200 hp 3.0 L V6. It featured a design which was evolutionary from the VCV10, and featured a more rakish profile, sharper body lines, reflector instead of projector headlights, and a more luxurious interior. The new Lexus ES was also slightly longer but weighed slightly less than the previous generation. The power rating would grow to 210 hp in 1999, and the model would receive a slight facelift in 2000.

Fourth generation (2002-2006)

A year after the Lexus IS became Lexus's entry-level car, an upsized, fourth generation ES (designated MCV30) debuted in 2002, possessing, among other enhancements, a more luxurious interior and a drive-by-wire electronic throttle. Now that the sport end of the market was covered by the new Lexus Lexus IS, the Lexus ES became even more of a luxury car and dropped any sporting pretensions. In 2003, for the US and European markets, a new 3.3 L engine producing 225 hp replaced the old 3.0 L unit and the car was renamed as the Lexus ES 330 (the ES 300 is available in the MCV30 body style in the Middle Eastern and Asian markets). In 2005, the Lexus ES received a facelift with new front and rear fascias, clear taillights, projector headlights, and a redesigned grille.

Fifth generation (2007-present)

The fifth generation Lexus ES debuted at the Chicago Auto Show in February of 2006. It will remain a mid-size car based on the Toyota Camry, and it will arrive at dealerships in the spring of 2006 as a 2007 model.

The new Lexus ES, now called the Lexus ES 350, features the first use of a six-speed automatic transmission in a front wheel drive Toyota vehicle. The engine is the 272 hp (203 kW) aluminum 3.5 L 2GR-FE V6 engine with variable valve timing. Toyota estimates that this combination will accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in less than 7 seconds. Fuel economy is estimated at 21 mpg (11.2 L/100 km) in the city and 30 mpg (7.8 L/100 km) on the highway.

The vehicle features anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist as well as stability control and traction control. Other new features include a three-panel glass sunroof, radar-based adaptive cruise control, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a parking-assist warning system.

Lexus GS

2006-04-09T06:19:00.000-07:00

Lexus GS

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Company
Production: 1991–present
Predecessor: none
Class: Midsize luxury car
Body style: 4-door sedan
Platform: FR
Similar: BMW 5 Series, Infiniti M45, Acura RL, Cadillac STS
The Lexus GS is a rear-wheel drive, luxury sports sedan manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corp. under the Lexus brand and sold as the Toyota Aristo in Japan. Based on the platform and running gear of the Toyota Crown, it was introduced in 1991 in Japan and two years later in the US, Europe and selected markets in Asia. The model was designed to fill the gap between the ES and LS and to provide Lexus with a sports sedan that could compete with the BMW 5-series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Though essentially identical, GS and the Aristo differ in their engine and transmission combinations as well as equipment packages.

First generation (1991-1997)

With a body styled by the famous Ital Design firm, the Aristo was launched in October 1991, offering two versions: the R6 3.0 with a 24-valve, 276 hp (205 kW) twin-turbo 2JZ-GTE engine, and the 3.0Q with a 226 hp (169 kW) 2JZ-GE engine. A third model, the 4.0Zi-Four joined the Aristo lineup in 1992 and given the chassis code UZS143. This model came with the 1UZ-FE engine also found in the Toyota Celsior/Lexus LS and the Toyota Crown Majesta and standard four wheel drive. Production of the Lexus GS 300 (JZS147) began on February 22, 1993 at the Tahara, Japan assembly plant. The only engine available for the export markets was the 2JZ-GE.

Second generation (1997-2005)

The second generation Aristo was launched in Japan, codenamed JZS160 for cars with the 2JZ-GE engines and JZS161 for those with the 2JZ-GTE twin-turbo engines. VVT-i was now standard, resulting in a bump in torque. The twin-turbo version was available with electronic four-wheel steering, VDC and an automatic gearbox with a manual sequential mode. No 4WD models were offered.

The GS began production in the JZS160 body style on August 4th, 1997 and was launched in 1998. The American market Lexus GS 400 was equipped with a UZ-series V8 that produced 300 hp and 310 ft·lbs of torque. Edmunds reported a 0-60 time of 5.4 seconds for the 3693-pound sedan. Again, no turbo models were offered outside Japan.

In 2001, the engine received a 0.3 liter bump in displacement and the model was renamed GS 430. Peak horsepower was unchanged, but torque increased to 325 ft·lbs.

The Lexus GS was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1998. It also made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1998 through 2000.

Third generation (2005-present)

The third generation Lexus GS was first sold in 2005 as a 2006 model, with the chassis codename GRS190. The model lineup included the Lexus GS 300, with a 3.0 L V6 3GR-FSE engine, and the GS 430 with the same 4.3 L V8 used in the previous model. The GS 300 has a direct-injection engine for all markets except for Continental Asia. The 3.0 L engine is also found in the Toyota Mark X as well as the Zero Toyota Crown. A 4WD option was made available in the Lexus GS300 only.

A 3.5L Lexus GS 350 is expected to replace the Lexus GS 300 and a 4.6L Lexus GS 460 to replace the 4.3L Lexus GS 430 by 2007. Production of the 3rd generation began on January 24, 2005.

The equivalent Aristo was not released as Toyota sought to align all world markets (Japan included), using Lexus as their premium brand worldwide. This Lexus GS gives it reminescence of the BMW 5-Series.

Lexus GS450h
Unveiled at the 2005 New York International Auto Show, the hybrid GS450h will join the GS line for 2007. It is the first mass-production rear-wheel drive luxury hybrid car. Its powertrain includes a naturally-aspirated 3.5 L 2GR-FSE V6 engine mated to an electric motor and a continuously variable transmission. Toyota expects the 'GS 450h to receive a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle rating and to set pricing at $55,595.

The Lexus GS 450h weighs 4134 lb (1875 kg), but the combined hybrid powertrain produces 339 hp (253 kW), allowing the Lexus GS to accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.6 seconds. Lexus promises combined city/highway fuel economy of 28 mpg (8.4 L/100 km).

75 "Neiman Marcus Edition" Lexus GS450h sedans were offered as the annual holiday catalog car at a price of $65,000. All were sold in less than three hours on October 19, 2005 and will be delivered around April of 2006. The Lexus GS450h went on sale in Japan on March 16, 2006.

Lexus LF

2006-04-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

Lexus LF

The Lexus LF line is a series of concept cars built by the Lexus division of Toyota Motor Corporation. The "LF" stads for L-Finesse, a new design direction by Lexus.

Lexus LF-A

The Lexus LF-A is a 2-door concept car Toyota produced under the Lexus brand. The Lexus LF-A's 5-liter (or smaller) engine produces at least 500 horsepower (373 kW), propelling it to a top speed of approximately 200 miles per hour (322 km/h). It débuted at the 2005 North American International Auto Show.

Lexus LF-C

The Lexus LF-C is a concept car Lexus unveiled at the 2004 New York Auto Show. The Lexus LF-C is fitted with a V8 engine.

Lexus GX

2006-04-08T12:49:00.000-07:00

Lexus GX

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Production: 2003—
Class: Mid-size SUV
Similar: Acura MDX, BMW X5, Land Rover LR3, Porsche Cayenne

The Lexus GX 470 is a mid-size SUV built in Tahara plant in Japan and sold only on the North American markets by Toyota's luxury division Lexus. It was introduced in November 2002 as a 2003 model as Lexus's true answer to the BMW X5, Acura MDX, Mercedes-Benz M-Class and Porsche Cayenne, and is visually almost identical to the current models of Toyota Land Cruiser sold on the European markets.

The 2005 Lexus GX 470s are powered by a 4.7 L, 32-valve, four-cam V8 engine with 270 hp (201 kW) at 5,400 rpm and 330 ft·lbf (447 N·m) of torque at 3,400 rpm. This is also the largest engine that has ever been put into a Lexus.

The Lexus GX 470 has a welded steel body, an electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission, a 4 wheel drive system, and its interior offers a place for up to eight passengers.

This vehicle is a competent contender for serious off-roading while civilized enough for everyday driving. The MSRP is averaged at about US $50,000. It has won various awards including 4-Wheeler of the Year from 4X4 Magazine.

In the Lexus lineup, it is situated between the premium Lexus LX 470 and the entry-level luxury Lexus RX 330.

Lexus SC

2006-04-08T12:02:00.002-07:00

Lexus SC

Lexus SC
Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Production: 1992–present
Class: Personal luxury coupé
Similar: Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, Jaguar XK8

The Lexus SC series is a personal luxury coupé manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation under the Lexus brand and sold in Japan as the Toyota Soarer. The first generation, available as the Lexus SC 300 or Lexus SC 400 was in production from 1991 until July 7, 2000. A second-generation model, the Lexus SC 430, went into production in 2001. The first generation Lexus SC 300/Lexus SC 400 were assembled at Toyota's Higashifuji Technical Center in Motomatchi, Japan.

The Lexus SC is a front engine, rear-wheel drive design and was sold with either I6 or V8 engines.

First Generation (1991-2000)

Production: 1991–2000
Successor: Lexus SC430
Body style: 2-door coupé
Engine: 3.0 L 2JZ-GE I6
4.0 L 1UZ-FE V8
Transmission: four-speed automatic
Related: Toyota Soarer

The Lexus SC 300 and Lexus SC 400 were mid-sized coupes available in the United States with a 3.0 L inline 6 2JZ-GE (Lexus SC 300) or a 4.0 L V8 1UZ-FE (Lexus SC 400). In Japan, an additional engine choice was a 2.5 L twin-turbo inline 6 on the Toyota Soarer 2.5GT-T/TL. The V8 1UZ-FE motor, also used in the LS 400, was reported to have cost over US$400,000,000 in research and development. During its almost ten-year model run, the first-generation SC underwent only minor changes and facelifts.

The SC 400 was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1992. It also made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1992 through 1995.

Second Generation (2001-Present)

Production: 2001-present
Predecessor: Lexus SC400, Lexus SC300
Body style: 2-door coupé convertible
Engine: 4.3 L UZ-FE V8
Transmission: five-speed automatic
Related: Toyota Soarer

Lexus showcased its new sports convertible, the Lexus SC 430, at the Paris Motorshow in 2000, and the car entered production the following year. Power was provided by a 4.3 L 3UZ-FE V8 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.

Lexus designers from Europe and Japan worked together to create the convertible's sleek, streamlined design. The car features a retractable aluminium hardtop, all-leather interior, and 18 in alloy wheels. It can seat four and has a base price of US$63,825.

Competitors include the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, BMW 6 Series, Jaguar XK8, and Cadillac XLR.

In 2006 the Lexus SC430 was entered in the SuperGT race series in the GT500 class (cars with approximately 500 horsepower). Extensively modified from the factory car, one of the four Lexus SC430's entered in the championship won the opening round of the race series held at Suzuka Circuit in Japan.

Lexus LS

2006-04-08T12:02:00.001-07:00

Lexus LS

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Company
Production: 1989–present
Class: Full-size luxury car
Body style: 4-door sedan
Similar: Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Lincoln Town Car, Cadillac DTS, Infiniti Q45

The Lexus LS (sold as the Toyota Celsior in Japan) is a V8-powered, rear wheel drive luxury car that serves as the flagship of Toyota's luxury Lexus division. A length of almost five meters (200 in) gives the Lexus LS a "large car" classification in Europe as well as in the United States. According to reviews, the LS 400 has one of the most silent cabins among modern cars and is sometimes hailed as one of the most refined, well-engineered and technologically advanced vehicles in the high-end luxury car segment. As the LS's suspension is tuned primarily for ride comfort and isolation, the model is often accused of not being as sporty as German competitors such as the BMW 7 Series. The exterior design has also been referred to as being unexciting and ordinary, yet has superb fit-and-finish and one of the lowest drag coefficient of any sedan on the market.

First generation (UF10)

Lexus LS 400 (UF10)
Production: 1989-1994
Engine: 4.0 L V8
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 110.8 in (2814 mm)

UF10 I (1989)
The UF10 I Lexus LS 400 was produced from 1989 to 1994. The model introduced the Lexus nameplate to the US, and soon after won critical acclaim, becoming Wheels magazine's Car of the Year and earning a place on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1990. The Lexus LS 400 was initally intended to be introduced as a standalone model for Lexus, but ultimately was sold alongside the Lexus ES 250, an entry-level luxury car that was based on the Toyota Camry.

UF10 II (1993)
For the 1993 model year, the Lexus LS 400 (now designated as the UF10 II) was introduced with larger brake rotors, standard passenger's side front airbags, larger wheels and tires, and numerous other upgrades.

Second generation (UF20)

Lexus LS 400 (UF20)
Production: 1995-2000
Engine: 4.0 L V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 112.2 in (2850 mm)
Length: 196.7 in (4996 mm)
Width: 72 in (1829 mm)
Height: 56.5 in (1435 mm)
Curb weight: 3890 lb (1764 kg)
Fuel economy: 19 mpg (12.4 L/100 km)/City
25 mpg (9.4 L/100 km)/HWY
Fuel capacity: 22.5 gal.

UF20 III (1995)
Introduced in 1995, the UF20 III Lexus LS 400 was an evolutionary redesign of the Lexus LS and featured a new body that eliminated 300 lb from the previous car. The wheelbase was increased by 1.4 in, resulting in more interior and trunk space, yet the overall length of the car remained at 196.7 in. The durability of the brake system was improved as well.

The most noticeable cosmetic upgrades included a new front fascia with an increased gap between the headlights and grille, new headlights and taillights, as well as a redesigned interior with a more modern dashboard layout.

UF20 IV (1998)
For the 1998 model year, the UF20 IV Lexus LS 400 was introduced. New interior amenities included retractable rear headrests, wood accents on the leather-bound steering wheel and gear selector, and a navigation system with a concealed antenna. A new "jam protection system" for the vehicle's windows was designed to reduce the risk of possible injury by preventing the windows from closing if an object came in between the window and the door frame. Door window controls were also added to the vehicle remote control.

Exterior updates included new five spoke wheels as well as redesigned rear view mirrors that reduced the amount of wind noise. The automatic headlights were now equipped with a delay feature that allowed the headlights to remain on while the occupants exited the vehicle.

The revised Lexus LS 400 featured Toyota's new 290 hp VVT-i UZ engine mated to a smooth five-speed automatic transmission. The drivetrain improvements not only enabled the 3,890 lb sedan to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds but also improved the vehicle's fuel economy.

Third generation (UF30)

Lexus LS 430 (UF30)
Production: 2001-2006
Engine: 4.3 L V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 115.2 in (2926 mm)
Length: 197.4 in (5014 mm)
Width: 72.0 in (1829 mm)
Height: 58.7 in (1491 mm)
Curb weight: 3990 lb (1810 kg)
Fuel economy: 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km)/City
25 mpg (9.4 L/100 km)/HWY
Fuel capacity: 22.2 gal.

UF30 I (2001)
For 2001, the UF30 I Lexus LS 430 was introduced. While previous LS redesigns were evolutionary, the 2001 update was a more thorough update of the model's exterior and interior. The UF30 had a completely redesigned suspension and a brand new 4.3 L engine generating 290 hp (216 kW) and 320 ft·lbf (434 N·m) of torque. A three-inch wheelbase stretch resulted in more interior volume than the competing Mercedes-Benz S-Class and allowed the engine to be positioned farther rearward for better balance. Features such as Dynamic Laser Cruise Control, a DVD-based navigation system and heated & cooled seats became available. These and other features, such as sonar assisted parking, power rear seats with massage and a rear cooler were bundled in the 'Ultra Luxury Package.'

In the interior the most notable desing changes included additional woodgrain trim on the dashboard and doors as well as the addition of an LCD screen on the center console. The exterior of the vehicle was completely new with the vehicle's dimensions increasing in terms of length and height.

UF30 II (2004)
The UF30 II was introduced in 2004. Lexus freshened the front & rear fascias and added as standard equipment previously optional features, such as a one-touch power moonroof, power rear sunshade, and lighted rear-seat vanity mirrors. Some features previously included in the Custom and Ultra Luxury packages became available separately. The transmission got an added sixth gear, and keyless 'smart access' and Bluetooth technology became optional, while a pre-collision system, similar to Mercedes-Benz's Pre-Safe, which used millimeter-wavelength radar to predict crashes and allow distance-aware cruise control, was added as an option. Other updates included different wheels, projector headlamps, and LED taillights.

The 2001 to 2006 LS 430 was the most reliable luxury sedan in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality survey, and the early models of this series were the most reliable cars in the survey. In later studies of defects after 3 years of ownership, the Lexus LS 430 is also at the top of the pack.

Fourth generation (UF40)

Lexus LS 460 (UF40)
Production: 2007-present
Engine: 4.6 L V8
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 116.9 in (2969 mm)
121.7 in (3091 mm)
Length: 198 in (5029 mm)
202.8 in (5151 mm)
Width: 73.8 in (1875 mm)
Height: 58.1 in (1476 mm)
Curb weight: 3990 lb (1810 kg)
Fuel economy: Mid-20s/City
High-20s/HWY
Fuel capacity: N/A

UF40 (2007)
Introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, a redesigned Lexus LS will arrive for the 2007 model year. The new LS will use either a 4.6 L V8 producing 380 hp (283 kW) and 370 ft·lbf (502 N·m) or a hybrid V8. An 8-speed automatic transmission will be the world's first. The car's complex electronic and safety systems have been shown in detail [2] at the Geneva Motor Show in February, while the hybrid version will debut at the New York Auto Show in April.

New high-tech options on the Lexus LS 460 will include a 19-speaker "Reference Surround Sound System" with an 8 GB hard drive, front and rear climate-comfort seats, and a 4-zone climate control with an air purifier. A new automatic parking system with a push-button starting feature, as well as the 8-speed automatic transmission will both be standard features.

The 2007 Lexus LS will also mark the first time the car is sold as under the Lexus marque in Japan — the Lexus brand was launched there in 2005 as part of Toyota's vision to make Lexus a 'global luxury brand.'

Lexus LS 460 L
For the first time, Lexus will offer two wheelbases. The base Lexus LS 460 will use the shorter 116.9 in (2969 mm) wheelbase, while the gasoline engine will also be offered as a long 121.7 in (3091 mm) wheelbase LS 460L.

The Lexus LS 460L will also feature an optional rear seat comfort package. The package includes a reclining right-hand side rear seat with massage features. Both rear seats will feature an automatically operated footrest while an LCD screen will be an available option for the rear seat compartment.

Lexus LS 600hL
A long wheelbase, hybrid LS will be sold as the LS 600hL. Although the details will emerge at the 2006 New York International Auto Show, it is speculated that the 67 hp hybrid motor used in the Toyota Prius will be mated to a new 380 hp Lexus V8, producing a total of approximately 447 hp, which would be on par with the BMW 760Li.

Engine Specifications

Lexus LS 400/430 model years
	1990-1994	1995-1997	1998-2000	2001-present
Gears	4	4	5	5-6
Power	173 kW (250 hp)	186 kW (260 hp)	214 kW (290 hp)	214 kW (290 hp)
Torque	353 Nm (260 ftВ·lbf)@4400rpm	366 Nm (270 ftВ·lbf)@4500rpm	407 Nm (300 ftВ·lbf)@4000rpm	434 Nm (320 ftВ·lbf)@3400rpm

Future possibilities

Critics point out the absence of a range-topping V12 as another significant omission in the Lexus lineup. The closest competitors to the upcoming Lexus LS 460 such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class offer range-topping S600 and S65 AMG sedans with powerful V12 engines and prices exceeding US$120,000. For 2007, a gasoline-electric hybrid variant currently dubbed the LS 600hL (see above) will become available in the Lexus lineup and is expected to boost the esteem of the Lexus LS. Critics, however doubt whether Lexus will be able to command more than $12,000 premium over Lexus LS 460L, thereby resulting in a MSRP in $80,000-85,000 range for LS600hL; still $15,000 short of the $100K ultra-luxury segment mark.

Rumors persist that a new and improved version of a Toyota V12 used in the Japanese Toyota Century will be upgraded to more than 500 hp (currently 280 hp) for the European and North American markets to more successfully compete in the ultra-luxury segment with the Mercedes-Benz S600 and BMW 760, but nothing concrete has been confirmed by Toyota.

Awards

The LS has received numerous awards since its introduction.

The first-generation Lexus LS earned a place on place on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list and became Wheels magazine's Car of the Year.

The Lexus LS 430 was judged as the "Finest Luxury Sedan In America" by Automotive Marketing Consultants, Inc. in a 2002 comparison test. Competing against ten other luxury models, including the Mercedes S500 and the BMW 750iL, the Lexus LS placed first in three out of seven categories: NVH, ergonomics, and utility. The Lexus LS 430 was also the quietest car in the comparison, with an idle reading of just 31.1 decibels in the front seat.

Trivia

Antony Leung, the former secretary of finance of Hong Kong, purchased an Lexus LS 430 just before implementing a new tax that would have cost him an additional HK$50,000. The scandal, known as "Lexusgate", led to his resignation.

The third season of the popular BBC television program, Spooks, featured a number of Lexus LS vehicles as part of the brand's introduction in the British market.

The 2005 J.D. Power initial quality study found just 90 problems per 100 Lexus LS vehicles, the first time in the study's 16 year history for a vehicle to have less than one problem per vehicle.

Bill Gates owned a 1990 Lexus LS 400 in burgundy and subsequently donated it to the Pacific Crest Outward Bound School in Portland, Oregon in 1995.

A Toyota Celsior is one of the cars driven in the racing arcade game and manga Wangan Midnight. The car, driven by Gen Sasaki (Gatchan), is often regarded as a joke due to the ricer features and Gatchan's reluctance to give his car more race features like removing excess weight and using garish bodykits.

Lexus LX

2006-04-08T12:02:00.000-07:00

Lexus LX

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Production: 1996–2006
Successor: Lexus JX
Class: Full-size SUV
Related: Toyota Land Cruiser
Similar: Lincoln Navigator, Infiniti QX56, Cadillac Escalade, Land Rover Range Rover

The Lexus LX is a sport utility vehicle sold by the Lexus division of Toyota. Also, it was Lexus's first SUV. It has a 4.7-liter, four-cam V8 engine with four valves per cylinder. The Lexus LX has a welded steel body and a capacity to seat eight passengers.

The Lexus LX470 shares the same floorplan and most body panels with the Toyota Land Cruiser. The current Lexus LX 470 differs from the Land Cruiser only in its front optics and a more luxurious interior.

Despite being one of the most expensive SUVs, Toyota said it would halt production of the Lexus LX for 2006. It will be replaced by the larger Lexus JX (based on the Toyota Sequoia) for 2008.

Lexus LX In Popular Culture

Rapper Notorious B.I.G.'s Hypnotize had the lyrics "...in the Lexus LX, four and a half." The reason why he chose those lyrics is because it was derived from the short-lived Lexus LX450 from 1996-1997, before being replaced by the Lexus LX470 for 1998.

Lexus RX 400h

2006-04-06T09:19:00.000-07:00

Lexus RX 400h

The Lexus RX 400h is an automobile assembled by Toyota Motor Corp. under the Lexus brand name using Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive technology. It is called the Toyota Harrier Hybrid in Japan. After first being introduced in January 2004 at the North American International Auto Show, it would become the world's second mass-produced hybrid SUV, after the Ford Escape Hybrid. In November 2004, Toyota announced the American launch of hybrid Lexus / Toyota SUV will be delayed to the 2006 model year, with European and Asian launches during 2006. The Toyota version of the same car debuted in Japan on 22 March 2005, the same day as the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

Toyota will price the Lexus RX 400h/Harrier Hybrid at a substantial premium over the non-hybrid Lexus RX300 / RX330 / Harrier. The list price in Japan ranges from 4.095 million Yen to 4.62 million Yen. In US, it will be priced at US$49,185, which is a $5,600 premium over a similarly-equipped Lexus RX 330.

The gasoline-powered part of the engine system is a 3.3 L 3MZ-FE V6, very similar to the one found in the Lexus RX 330. It produced, in the case of the Harrier Hybrid, 211 hp JIS (155 kW) and 288 Nm (212 ft·lbf). The petrol engine is aided by a maximum of two additional electric motors, one driving the front wheels, producing 167 hp JIS (123 kW) and 333 Nm (245 ft·lbf) and connected to the CVT gearbox, and the other driving the rear wheels, producing 68 hp JIS (50 kW) and 130 Nm (95 ft·lbf). The whole system, called Hybrid Synergy Drive, produces a maximum of 272 hp JIS (200 kW). Under normal driving conditions, only the front motor and petrol engine will be used. The rear motor will only be used under full-throttle acceleration or when the front wheels lose traction. The petrol engine will switch off automatically and the car will be electrically driven when either stationary, decelerating, or being driven at a slow speed. A Ni-MH battery is responsible for powering the motors, and it is charged during deceleration.

The assistance of the electric motor increases the vehicle's performance; the Lexus RX 400h / Harrier Hybrid can reach 60 mph (97 km/h) in less than 8 s, quicker than the petrol-only RX. Despite the increased performance, the Lexus RX 400h / Harrier Hybrid consumes roughly the same amount of petrol as a compact four-cylinder saloon and it qualifies as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) in America. Under the Japanese "10.15 mode" fuel consumption standard, the Harrier Hybrid can run 17.8 km per litre of fuel (compared with the standard coil-sprung V6 3.0 L Harrier, which returned 9.4 km/L). In Japan, it qualifies as a "4-star" LEV-car, where it produces 75% fewer emissions than the standard specified in Heisei 17 (i.e. year 2005).

Controversy

As of autumn 2005, the Antonov Automotive Technology BV Plc company has sued Toyota, the Lexus brand mother company, over alleged patent infringement relating to key components in the Lexus RX 400h's drivetrain and the Toyota Prius hybrid compact car. The case has been pending in secret since April 2005, but settlement negotiations did not bring a mutually acceptable result. Antonov eventually took legal recourse in the German court system, where decisions are usually made relatively swiftly. The patent holder seeks to impose a levy on each vehicle sold, which could make the hybrid SUV less competitive. Toyota fought back by seeking to officially invalidate Antonov's relevant patents.

Lexus

2006-04-02T14:48:00.000-07:00

Lexus is a brand name of the Toyota Motor Corporation for its line of Japanese luxury vehicles. Lexus-branded vehicles are sold in North America, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Latin America, Asia and Oceania. Until 2005, Lexus vehicles were sold under the Toyota marque in Japan until its introduction there that year.

The Lexus Brand

Lexus was inspired by the success of the Toyota Supra sports car and the luxury Toyota Cressida models. Both the Supra and Cressida were rear wheel drive cars with a powerful 7M-GE/7M-GTE engine. The first Lexus-badged models, the V-8 powered LS 400 and the smaller, Toyota Camry-based ES 250, appeared in 1989.

The Lexus marque was launched in the United States in 1989, prompted by the successful launch of the Acura marque three years prior. Lexus launched later in the UK and Australia, in 1990.

An image consulting firm presented a list of 219 names, from which Vectre, Verone, Chaparel, Calibre and Alexis were top candidates. While Alexis quickly became the front runner (possibly due to the association with the Alexis Carrington character on the popular 1980s primetime drama Dynasty) and later morphed to Lexus, the name has been attributed to the combination of the words "luxury" and "elegance." According to Toyota, however, the name had no meaning and was just meant to be pleasing and easy to remember. Just prior to the release of the first vehicles, the database service LexisNexis obtained a temporary injunction forbidding the name Lexus from being used as they stated it might cause confusion. Upon reflection, the court lifted the injunction, deciding that there was a low likelihood of confusion between the two products.

Another theory has surfaced, claiming that the Lexus name was given to the project by Toyota in the mid-80s, as an acronym for Luxury EXport United States.

Hunter Communications, the agency who designed the "L" logo and also presented the name to Toyota management, says Lexus was born of the "LE" on the automaker's luxury edition vehicles, which created the acronym "Luxury Edition for the United States" or "LEUS" with the "x" from "luxury" added to form "LEXUS".

The marque was finally introduced to the Japanese market on July 26, 2005. The compact IS 250\IS 350, convertible SC 430, and midsize GS 350/GS 430 will all be available in Japan in the 2006 model year.

In some countries, like New Zealand, Ireland, and the UK, where there is a market in grey imports of Japanese cars, some equivalent Toyota models have been retro-fitted with Lexus badges, although they still differ from officially imported Lexus models.

Lexus directly competes with such luxury brands as the Europe's Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Volvo, the American Cadillac and Lincoln, and Japanese peers Acura, which launched three years before, and Infiniti which started later in the same year.

Vehicles

The flagship LS 400, known as the Toyota Celsior in the Japanese domestic market, had a unique design, sharing no major elements with previous Toyota vehicles, with a new 4.0 L V8 engine. It was widely praised for its silence, well-appointed interior, fine engine performance, outstanding build quality, and value. (In some markets, it was priced against mid-sized Mercedes-Benz and BMW models, while offering size, performance, and quality comparable to their full-size cars). It was generally regarded as a major shock to the European marques, but was criticized by automobile columnists for anonymous styling and a suspension regarded as too compromising of handling for ride comfort. Nonetheless, the LS 400 won several major motoring awards when released.

These attributes have been maintained in subsequent versions of the LS, including the LS 430, and the range has been expanded with other models (the Toyota Windom-based ES 330, the small, sporty, rear-drive IS 200 and IS 300 (based on the Japanese Domestic Market Toyota Altezza), the Toyota Land Cruiser-based LX 470 SUV, and the GS models, based on the Toyota Aristo). The world's second mass-production hybrid SUV was a Lexus (After the Ford Escape SUV in summer 2004). The SC 300/400 (based on Japanese Domestic Market Toyota Soarer) was Lexus' first coupe that made its way to the United States. Subsequently the second generation SC 430 became the first convertible ever to be offered by the company. Lexus has been the number one selling luxury nameplate in the United States for the past 5 years.

Factories

Many Lexus vehicles are manufactured in the Tahara, Japan plant, a highly sophisticated, computerized manufacturing plant. The North American-market RX 330 (since the 2004 model year) is produced in the city of Cambridge, in Ontario, Canada, and is the first Lexus plant located outside of Japan.

Service

Lexus has become known for efforts to project a luxury image even with service provided after the sale. The waiting areas in the service departments are complete with such amenities as a refreshment bar, business center that is soundproofed and stocked with computers and a fax machine, and the service bay is lined with large picture windows to allow the customers to watch the repairs.

Motor Sports

Lexus has been participating in endurance racing, in particular the 24 Hours of Daytona. In 2005 Lexus was runners-up and in 2006 it won the championship. Although Toyota has won this prestigious race in the past it was the first time that its luxury arm emerged as the winner. Lexus is also going to participate in 12 Hours of Sebring which now form a part of American Le Mans. There has been speculation of a Lexus F1 operation in the near future, in line with its expansion into the luxury car markets, and increasing competition with BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Lexus may enter for the 2007 Formula 1 season as an engine supplier to the WilliamsF1 team, using Toyota engines rebadged as Lexus, but these rumors are purely speculative.

After the release of the Lexus brand on the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) in 2005, four SC430 coupes were entered in the SuperGT series in the GT500 class. In the first race of the 2006 series, an SC430 took the chequered flag.

Lexus Trivia

In the United States, Lexus Financial Savings Bank, in conjunction with US Bank, has launched a Lexus Pursuits Visa Card.

Lexus was requested by Steven Speilberg, an ardent fan of Lexus and himself an owner of LX 470, to design a vehicle which would fit the requirements of year 2054 for his movie Minority Report. Lexus came up with an advanced vehicle which would run on fuel cells and have many advanced safety features including a crash-proof structure. (Lexus' cinematic concept car also appears in The Island, though it's colored blue, not red.)

The ES series is roughly based on the US Toyota Camry

The IS (Toyota Altezza in Japan) series is roughly based on the Toyota Cressida luxury sedan, which was discontinued in 1992 in the US partially because of dropping sales due to the launch and success of the Lexus brand.

After being discontinued in 1992, the X chassis code for Cressidas was still in use in Japan under the Mark II, Chaser, and Cresta names until the early 2000s.

Future of Lexus

Although Lexus has had phenomenal success in the US since 1991-1992 — within 3 years of its introduction in 1989 — it has been struggling outside North America, including its home country, Japan and in particular Europe. Automotive analysts have pointed out that Lexus has been so successful in North America because the wide consumer base of Toyota and in particular the baby boomers wanted something more luxurious as they were becoming older and their surplus incomes were allowing them to migrate to brands such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. The huge success of Lexus was in part due to the fact that its higher levels of quality and cut-rate prices enabled it to retain those migrating customers and keep them "in the family".

However, this also had negative repurcussions as Lexus gradually cemented an image of cut-rate brand, which would offer similarly equipped cars at tens of thousands of dollars less than its primary competitors, Mercedes-Benz and BMW. The former chief of BMW, Eberhard von Kuenhiem predicted that this strategy would work to some extent in US, but not in Europe, where the words premium and luxury do not go well with cut-rate pricing. Some automotive experts believe that Lexus' failure to woo European customers and its very slow incremental increase in European arena is because of the serious damage Lexus has done to its brand image. This has led some automotive thinkers to believe that unless Lexus prices its products head-to-head with the European premium brands and emphasizes its superior quality, reliability and engineering, it will not be able to succeed globally.

Lexus Cars

Lexus, a marque of Toyota, road car timeline, 1989-present

Type

80s

1990s

2000s

Compact

IS 200/300

IS 250/350

Midsize

ES 250

ES 300

ES 300/330

ES 350

GS 300

GS 300/400/430

GS 300/430/450h

Fullsize

LS 400

LS 430

LS 460/600h

Crossover

RX 300

RX 330/350/400h

SUV

GX 470

LX 450

LX 470

JX 470

Sports

SC 300/400

SC 430

Concept

IS - compact RWD/AWD
- IS 200/IS 300
- 2006 IS 250/IS250 AWD/IS 350/IS 220d
ES - midsize FWD
- ES 250/ES 300/ES 330
GS - midsize RWD/AWD
- 1993 GS 300
- 1998 GS 300/GS 400
- 2001 GS 430
- 2006 GS 300/GS 300 AWD/GS 430/GS 450h
LS - full-size RWD
- 1989 LS 400
- 2001 LS 430
SC - coupe/coupe convertible RWD
- 1992 SC 300/SC 400
- 2002 SC 430
RX - crossover SUV
- RX 300/RX 330
- RX 400h - hybrid crossover SUV
GX - midsize SUV
- GX 470
LX - large SUV
- LX 450/LX 470
JX - large SUV
- 2007 JX 470
LF-C - concept car
LF-A - concept car