Lexus LX-Xh to debut at Paris Motor Show

After having naked snapshots taken in Australia, Lexus has decided to bare its goods at this year’s Paris Motor Show.

Well not much is known about Lexus’s IS 250 C convertible, asides from the fact that it doesn’t have a roof, but it will probably have a retractable hard top. Nissan’s G37/Skyline and BMW’s 3-Series coupes have them, so of course Lexus has to follow suit. Being unfashionable must be a cardinal sin or something.

Lexus is also planning on displaying its newly introduced LS 460 AWD and the LX-Xh hybrid at the Paris Motor Show. More information should be forthcoming soon.

Our take? The primary objective is, of course, not to fail at sexy.




via Motor Trend

Lexus Still the Most Dependable Car Brand

Ford, GM, and even Honda can crow over how their 90 day initial quality is comparable to that of foreign brands, but three years down the road tells the real tale.

That was the conclusion to a study was conducted by J.D. Power and Associates, including 52,000 original owners of 2005 model year vehicles, and was concluded in April 2008.

Lexus took first for the fourteenth year running with a reported 120 problems per 100 vehicles; a 25 problem improvement over the 2007 study. Long term vehicle quality improved in 2008 throughout the industry by about 10 per 100 vehicles compared to 2007.

The third year is when the rattlers come out of the nest; 75 percent more problems are reported in the third year of ownership than the first 90 days. Of course, customer satisfaction experiences a correlating decline.

Mercury, Cadillac, Toyota(!), and Acura trailed Lexus from second through fifth places in the study, respectively. The Tata-owned Land Rover still sits at the bottom of the list with a whopping 344 problems per 100 vehicles. Saab had the largest improvement with 65 fewer problems per 100 vehicles compared to 2007, but still sits below the industry average.

Lexus led in six vehicle segments with the winning models as follows: the ES 330, GX 470, IS 300, LS 430, LX 470 and SC 430. You made a good choice if you bought one of these.

Interestingly enough, automakers have yet to figure out ways to reduce five of the top ten complaints by consumers which include: excessive wind noise; noisy brakes; vehicle pulling to the left or right, issues with the instrument panel/dashboard; and excessive window fogging. Granted some of these so-called problems are trivial nonsense, but the customer is supposed to be always right.

Our take? A car is a long term investment and it should be pretty obvious where your money will be worth the most. But people will believe whatever they want to believe.


via MSN

2009 Lexus LS gets AWD

Torrance, CA - Lexus has announced the addition of all-wheel drive (AWD) versions of its flagship luxury sedan, the LS 460 and long-wheelbase LS 460 L.

The 2009 model year expands Lexus' AWD lineup, making the LS 460 the fourth luxury sedan to offer AWD performance following the IS 250, GS 350 and LS 600h L.

The AWD versions of the LS 460 and LS 460 L will utilize a drivetrain almost identical to their hybrid counterpart, the LS 600h L. The AWD system features a highly compact center TORSEN® Limited-Slip Differential (LSD) that distributes drive torque between the front and rear wheels. In normal driving conditions, the front and rear torque distribution ratio is set at a rear-bias 40:60, but it can instantly and optimally vary between 30:70 and 50:50 depending on driving conditions, thus helping to ensure excellent traction performance and driving stability.

The AWD LS 460 and LS 460 L are powered by a 4.6-liter V8 mated to the world's first eight-speed automatic transmission, identical to their rear-wheel drive equivalent. The AWD versions will produce 357 horsepower and 344 lb.-ft of torque and can accelerate from zero-to-60 mph in about 5.9 seconds.

In addition to the luxury, convenience and safety features found on the current LS 460, both AWD versions will come standard with air suspension, Variable Gear-Ratio Steering (VGRS), and Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS). The computer-controlled AVS system continuously adjusts shock-absorber damping rates to help provide comfort and handling precision. The VGRS system selects the steering gear ratio according to vehicle speed, enhancing responsiveness and driver control. VGRS also partners with the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system, making minor steering adjustments to help improve control during challenging road conditions.

The AWD models will also come standard with 18-inch wheels with all-season tires, a wood and leather-trimmed heated steering wheel and power rear sunshade for added luxury.

The 2009 LS AWD models will be available in dealerships in October 2008.

Pebble Beach Special Edition 2009 Lexus LS 600h L Makes Fashion Preview Splash

August 14, 2008 - Torrance, CA - Lexus introduced the first-ever LS 600h L Pebble Beach Edition and the sixth SC 430 Pebble Beach Edition to commemorate its continuing partnership with Pebble Beach Company.

The vehicles were unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Lexus Fashion Preview on August 15, 2008. Production of these 2009 Pebble Beach Edition vehicles are limited to 50 LS 600h L flagship hybrid luxury sedans and 300 SC 430 hardtop convertibles. Pebble Beach Edition owners have the opportunity to customize their ownership experience by selecting from one of three distinctive merchandise packages: Callaway Golf Experience, Travel Package or Epicurean Encounter.

The LS 600h L's distinctive L-finesse styling is complemented by a unique exterior/interior color combination exclusive to the Pebble Beach Edition with a Truffle Mica exterior paint combined with an exclusive two-tone Alabaster and Black leather trim interior with Dark Grey Bird's-eye maple wood trim. Additional styling cues include 19-inch, five-spoke wheels with a unique finish, Pebble Beach interior badging, premium black floor mats with stainless steel badging, and blue illuminated scuff plates. The Pebble Beach LS hybrid comes standard with the Advanced Pre-Collision System (APCS) which incorporates the world's first system designed to help detect pedestrians in the vehicle's path, as well as world's first Driver Monitor System that helps warn drivers if it senses an obstacle ahead of the car and that the driver's head is not facing forward. The APCS system helps prepare the car for evasive action or collision by triggering appropriate sensors in the car and retracting the front seatbelts. Furthermore, the Pebble Beach Edition LS 600h L is equipped with the Advanced Parking Guidance System, Rear-Seat Entertainment System (RSES), power rear-door sunshades and rear-seat side airbags.

Celebrating its sixth year, the new Pebble Beach Edition SC 430 receives an exterior/interior color combination with a Mercury Metallic exterior paint and an exclusive two-tone Ecru and Black leather trim interior with Black Bird's-eye maple wood trim. The retractable hardtop convertible includes special-edition brushed chrome badging on the front fenders and center console, and an Ecru The Lone Cypress™ logo embroidered on black carpeted floor mats. It also features a color-keyed rear spoiler, 18-inch Machined Tourmaline alloy wheels, and white illuminated scuff plates. All-season run-flat or summer run-flat tires are available.

The Lexus partnership with Pebble Beach Resorts initiated in August of 2003 with the debut of the first Pebble Beach Edition SC 430. This established Lexus as the Preferred Vehicle of Pebble Beach Resorts and has offered Pebble Beach Edition Lexus owners a variety of amenities designed to evoke the exclusivity that comes with an excursion to the Pebble Beach Resorts. Presently, guests of Pebble Beach Resorts can experience the on-going partnership with complimentary time in a Lexus test-drive vehicle or transportation service to and from several locations in a Lexus Guest Transportation vehicle.

In February 2008, the Pebble Beach Edition RX 350 and ES 350 models were introduced into the collection. The LS 600h L is the fourth vehicle model to receive a Pebble Beach Edition package.

The 2009 SC 430 and LS 600h L Pebble Beach Edition vehicles go on sale in September and October 2008, respectively.

Lexus Personalization Program
Owners of an RX or ES Pebble Beach Edition can customize their ownership experience with the Lexus Personalization Program. Three distinct categories of packages are designed to invoke the unparalleled feel of the world-famous Pebble Beach Resorts: The Callaway Golf Experience, Travel Sets, and Epicurean Encounter. Owners can select from item(s) in one of the packages.

The Callaway Golf® Experience
Four exclusive packages are designed to improve the look and performance of one's golf game. One dozen personalized Callaway Golf Tour ix Golf Balls can be combined with a Callaway Golf Ft-I driver or Callaway Golf Hyper X driver and one X Hybrid. Three Callaway Golf X-Forged wedges and one Odyssey White Hot XG 2-Ball putter are matched to one dozen personalized Callaway Golf Tour ix Golf Balls. One case (12 dozen) of personalized Callaway Golf Tour ix Golf Balls is also available.

Travel Package
Pebble Beach Edition owners can carry style and refinement from their vehicle into a luxury hotel with one of three luxury luggage packages. A café-colored three-piece leather luggage set includes two cabin duffels, one carriage duffel, and personalized embossed luggage tags. Two pairs of Callaway Golf Eyewear complement the café-colored leather briefcase or the café-colored leather tote bag.

Epicurean Encounter
Those owners interested in improving their culinary skills can choose the Epicurean Encounter. They can select a six-piece Viking® Santoku Cutlery Set including 10-slot maple knife block or a four-piece Viking Cookware set. Both come with a Viking Cooking School $200 gift card redeemable for cooking classes or merchandise online at vikingrange.com. The package also offers the option of a café-colored leather wine tote and a diverse selection of wines from member wineries of the highly regarded Napa Valley Vintners.

About Lexus
Lexus has become synonymous with luxury since its introduction in 1989. By offering some of the finest quality luxury vehicles and providing benchmark customer service, Lexus has remained the top-selling luxury nameplate in the United States for eight years in a row. Lexus and its 223 dealers have repeatedly achieved high honors for both the products they sell and the customer service they provide.

About Pebble Beach Company
Pebble Beach Company, headquartered in Pebble Beach, Calif., owns and operates the world-famous Pebble Beach Resorts®, including The Lodge at Pebble Beach™, The Inn at Spanish Bay™ and Casa Palmero®. The company also operates four renowned golf courses: Pebble Beach Golf Links®, Spyglass Hill® Golf Course, The Links at Spanish Bay™ and Del Monte™ Golf Course. Its other famed properties include the scenic 17-Mile Drive® and The Spa at Pebble Beach™. In addition to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance®, Pebble Beach Resorts® annually hosts the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, The Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach and the Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational. Pebble Beach Golf Links® has hosted four U.S. Opens, four U.S. Amateurs, one PGA Championship, and will host its fifth U.S. Open in 2010.

Lexus, again, Number One as Most Dependable Brand

Lexus still takes the blue as the most dependable luxury car.

J.D. Power and Associates conducted a survey in 2008 that shows Lexus still setting the benchmark for quality for your buck. The survey separated the luxury car market into seven segments and Lexus took the top for nearly every segment except one, where the Honda S2000 won out in the compact premium sporty car category. No. 2 in the same segment was a tie between the BMW Z4 and the Porsche Boxster. Why wasn’t it a Lexus? Because Lexus doesn’t have a sporty luxury car, yet.

Lincoln’s Town Car also made a decent showing, coming in second for the large premium car segment, second to Lexus’s LS 430.

What differentiates the models that did well against everything else? Their model designs have been consistently upgraded over the years, taking into account feedback from customers. Other luxury brands that did comparably well were Acura, BMW, Lincoln, Jaguar, Porsche and Infiniti.

Our take? Porsche may be the more desired luxury brand, but Lexus is certainly the smarter choice.


via Forbes

Lexus LF-A breaks $200,000 Barrier

Toyota's spiritual successor to the Supra, their last great sports car, may be priced as high as an eye-watering $225,000. According to insiders anyway.

Oh, and that's for the to be introduced first coupe. Expect the roadster to be dearer still.

Though many will scoff at the thought of paying for a Toyota/Lexus than the Ferrari Toyota benchmarked, Toyota intends to deliver performance worthy of the high asking price.

500 horsepower from a 5.0 liter V-10, in trappings comparable in size to a Ferrari F430 should endow the car with super car level performance.

Our take? To think, people complained of the high price of the Supra.

via edmunds

2009 Lexus RX 400h Slight Price Hike of $500

Torrance, CA - Lexus announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the 2009 SC 430 luxury hardtop convertible, LX 570 premium luxury utility vehicle, GX 470 luxury utility vehicle, and the current RX 400h hybrid luxury utility vehicle.

The 2009 model year SC 430 luxury hardtop convertible receives new side mirrors with incorporated turn signals and will have a base MSRP $66,805, an increase of 0.7 percent or $450.

The 2009 LX 570 will be available in an all-new Costa Azul Mica exterior color and will feature an available Luxury Package that includes semi-aniline leather-trimmed seats, Bubinga wood-trim, cool box, smart card key and 20-inch alloy wheels with a unique finish. The LX 570 base MSRP will be $75,705, an increase of 1.3 percent or $1,005.

The GX 470 carries over unchanged for the 2009 model year and will have a base MSRP of $47,615, an increase of 0.6 percent or $300.

The 2008 RX 400h front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive hybrid luxury utility vehicles will carry base MSRPs of $42,080 and $43,480 respectively, an increase of 1.2 percent or $500. Pricing for the 2009 RX 350, which went on sale in February, remains unchanged with an MSRP of $37,700 for the front-wheel drive model and $39,100 for the all-wheel drive.