Showing posts with label Lexus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lexus. Show all posts

Friday, June 29, 2012

Déjà Vu: NHTSA Asks Toyota to Recall Lexus RX Over Floor that May Trap the Gas Pedal


The unintended acceleration problems continue to persist and haunt Toyota as federal safety regulators said on Friday that they have asked the company to recall around 154,000 Lexus RX SUVs from the 2010 model year after discovering a potential issue with the driver's floor mat that could lead to the accelerator pedal being entrapped. Read more »

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Scoop: Is Lexus Preparing One Final Special Edition Version of its LFA? [w/Video]


A teal colored Lexus LFA prototype with some interesting details captured the attention of our spy photographers at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

For starters, this particular LFA model is equipped with the Nürburgring Edition package that includes a front spoiler made from CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastic), a fixed rear-wing, fin-type side spoilers, a canard fin plus exclusive mesh-type wheels.

If you look a little bit closer, however, you will notice several differences such as the carbon fiber dressed hood with the additional air-vents and roof, the larger and more rounded rear wing and the black stripes with the "AD-A" nameplate just above the side sills.

Read more »

Wald International Turns Toyota's JDM Vellfire Minivan Into a Lexus of Sorts


Among the many models Toyota keeps for select markets in Asia is the Alphard luxury people carrier and its slightly sportier-looking twin, the Vellfire.

These two models are the latest vehicles to fall in the hands of Japanese tuning firm Wald International.

Perhaps the more interesting of the two styling tunes is the one Wald prepared for the Vellfire, which in factory trim, features a different fascia than the Alphard along with an aero kit.

Read more »

Friday, June 22, 2012

2013 Model Year Brings Small Price Increase but No Changes for Lexus GX


While Lexus' top execs may be mulling a car-like unibody architecture for the next GX, the current body-on-frame model carries over unchanged for the 2013 model year.

However, the new model year moniker brings a modest $200 (or 0.3%-0.4%) increase to the Lexus GX 460's price tag with the Base model now starting at $53,445 and the better equipped Premium model from $58,240.

Read more »

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Kids Troll Dad Trying to Fix Lexus by Electrocuting Him


Have you ever heard the saying, fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me? How about fool me thrice and, damn, you're good?

Either this guy is one of the most patient dads we have ever laid eyes on or someone is pulling our leg with this video that shows a man trying to fix his first generation Lexus IS, supposedly with the help of his son.

Read more »

Lexus Brand and Porsche 911 Top J.D. Power's 2012 Initial Quality Study, Jaguar Jumps to Second Spot


Before you rush to remind us that we have already posted the results of a 2012 study from J.D. Powers and Associates back in February, allow us a moment to explain.

The previous findings were for the 2012 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study that recorded problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of three-year-old (2009 model-year in this case) vehicles.

This latest study is called 2012 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS) and it measures vehicle quality in a period of 90 days of ownerships from new. So with that out of the way, let's see what the study found.

Read more »

Monday, June 11, 2012

Lexus Gives IS F CCS-R its First Shakedown Test in the States


Lexus is wasting no time preparing the IS F CCS-R racecar for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on July 8.

Straight after its arrival in the States, the Lexus motorsports team took the IS F CCS-R to the Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, California, for its very first test on U.S. soil.

Read more »

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Lexus Brings IS F CCS-R to the U.S. to Compete in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb


Lexus has welcomed the IS F CCS-R racer to the U.S. as its first ever entry in Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, which will take place in July.

The IS F CCS-R is the racing version of the Lexus IS F Circuit Club Sport concept dispalyed at the 2010 Tokyo Motor Show. It has taken part in several races such as the VLN 10 event at the Nürburgring.

Read more »

Thursday, May 31, 2012

2013 Lexus ES Fuel Economy and Performance Figures, Hybrid Returns up to 40mpg [76 Photos]


We are still waiting for Lexus to price the new ES sedan, but today, the Japanese automaker released EPA estimated fuel-economy ratings and performance figures for both the 2013 ES 350 and ES 300h.

The new ES 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine rated at 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,700, linked to a six-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels.

According to Lexus, the mid-size saloon completes the 0-60mph (96km/h) sprint in 7.1 seconds and the quarter mile in 15.1 seconds, and tops out at 130mph (209km/h – electronically limited). It returns an EPA estimated 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined.

By comparison, the outgoing 2012 ES 350 does 0-60mph in 7.0 seconds, the quarter mile in 15.2 seconds and achieves 19mpg city, 27mpg highway and 22 mpg combined, meaning that the new model is equally fast but more fuel efficient.

Read more »

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Lexus Contemplating a Unibody Architecture for GX and Turbo Engines


Could the next generation of the Lexus GX luxury SUV abandon its current body-on-frame platform for a car-like unibody architecture? Mark Templin, group vice president of the Lexus division, believes it is an option.

"There is a potential that at some point, when we replace the GX, we can have a car-based SUV," Templin told Wards Auto during a recent media event.

Read more »

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

How to Turn a Lexus LS 400 into a Convertible on the Spot


Reinforced A-pillars and pyrotechnically charged roll hoops are obviously not on the menu for this second-generation Lexus LS 400 Cabriolet, which was created in a matter of minutes during a DIY coachbuilding lesson at the 2012 StanceWars event in Belgium this past weekend.

Make the jump to view the videos for yourself.

Read more »

How to Turn a Lexus LS 400 into a Convertible on the Spot


Reinforced A-pillars and pyrotechnically charged roll hoops are obviously not on the menu for this second-generation Lexus LS 400 Cabriolet, which was created in a matter of minutes during a DIY coachbuilding lesson at the 2012 StanceWars event in Belgium this past weekend.

Make the jump to view the videos for yourself.

Read more »

Toyota and Lexus Cumulative Hybrid Sales Since 1997 Top 4 Million Vehicles


As of April 30, the Toyota and Lexus brands have both sold more than 4 million hybrid vehicles around the world since the market launch of Toyota's first hybrid model in Japan, the Coaster Hybrid EV in August 1997, followed by the Prius in December of the same year.

Global sales of the Prius began in Europe, North America and other regions in 2000, with the second-generation of the model landing in showrooms in 2003. The Japanese automaker then expanded the use of its hybrid system on other models such as minivans, SUVs, rear-wheel-drive sedans and compact hatchbacks.

Read more »

Toyota and Lexus Cumulative Hybrid Sales Since 1997 Top 4 Million Vehicles


As of April 30, the Toyota and Lexus brands have both sold more than 4 million hybrid vehicles around the world since the market launch of Toyota's first hybrid model in Japan, the Coaster Hybrid EV in August 1997, followed by the Prius in December of the same year.

Global sales of the Prius began in Europe, North America and other regions in 2000, with the second-generation of the model landing in showrooms in 2003. The Japanese automaker then expanded the use of its hybrid system on other models such as minivans, SUVs, rear-wheel-drive sedans and compact hatchbacks.

Read more »

Monday, May 21, 2012

Refreshed Lexus RX 450h Priced from £44,495 in Britain


The global rollout of the facelifted Lexus RX crossover continues with the launch of the RX 450h in the UK. The hybrid model is on sale now with on-the-road prices ranging from £44,495 to £55,495.

The revamped RX 450h is offered in four trim levels including the base SE, the Luxury, the newly introduced F Sport and the Premier.

Read more »

Refreshed Lexus RX 450h Priced from £44,495 in Britain


The global rollout of the facelifted Lexus RX crossover continues with the launch of the RX 450h in the UK. The hybrid model is on sale now with on-the-road prices ranging from £44,495 to £55,495.

The revamped RX 450h is offered in four trim levels including the base SE, the Luxury, the newly introduced F Sport and the Premier.

Read more »

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Who Knew? Lexus Ceased Production of HS 250h in January 2012!


Just because the Toyota Group is the king of hybrids does not mean that all of its products are a runaway success. Take Lexus' HS 250h dedicated hybrid sedan, which was introduced in North America in August of 2009, for example.

In 2010, Lexus sold a mediocre 10,663 units of the HS 250h, which at the time was priced from $34,200. The following year was worse, much, much worse with sales plummeting 73 percent to a pitiful 2,864 units or less than 240 cars per month.

Read more »

Who Knew? Lexus Ceased Production of HS 250h in January 2012!


Just because the Toyota Group is the king of hybrids does not mean that all of its products are a runaway success. Take Lexus' HS 250h dedicated hybrid sedan, which was introduced in North America in August of 2009, for example.

In 2010, Lexus sold a mediocre 10,663 units of the HS 250h, which at the time was priced from $34,200. The following year was worse, much, much worse with sales plummeting 73 percent to a pitiful 2,864 units or less than 240 cars per month.

Read more »

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Lexus Conducts Voluntary Safety Recall of 2013 GS F Sport Sedan Over Steering Problem


Only a few months after reaching showrooms in the U.S., the 2013 Lexus GS sedan has suffered its first recall, or to be precise, a voluntary safety recall.

However, not all GS variants are affected as the recall concerns approximately 650 units of the 2013 GS 350 rear-wheel drive model with the F Sport package to update the Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) electronic control unit (ECU) calibration.

Read more »

Lexus Conducts Voluntary Safety Recall of 2013 GS F Sport Sedan Over Steering Problem


Only a few months after reaching showrooms in the U.S., the 2013 Lexus GS sedan has suffered its first recall, or to be precise, a voluntary safety recall.

However, not all GS variants are affected as the recall concerns approximately 650 units of the 2013 GS 350 rear-wheel drive model with the F Sport package to update the Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) electronic control unit (ECU) calibration.

Read more »