Lexus Car Talk » Trey

Lexus unwraps GS 450h at Frankfurt Auto Show

Trey — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:27:24 +0000

Following on the momentum of the launched of the 2013 GS 350 last month, Toyota’s luxury brand Lexus unveils the 2013 hybrid GS 450h. Just like the GS350, the GS 450h gets a new cabin and sheet metal plus its hybrid drive has been upgraded and extensively revised. The Lexus GS 450h is expected to go on sale early next year in the U.S.

The new hybrid system used by Lexus for the 2013 S 450H has a V6 Atkinson-cycle engine that runs on gas and a pair of electric motors for the rear wheels. This revised hybrid system achieved better fuel mileage and emission reduction while giving out a performance similar to a V8 gas engine.

Like the recently released GS 350, Toyota reworked the chassis of the GS 450h which improved the driving dynamics of the car with technologies like DRS or Dynamic Rear Steering and AVS or Active Variable Suspension.

The interior of the car makes use of different interfaces for the driver for safety, alertness, and comfortable ride.

Lexus also makes use of the Dynamic Handling System for the GS 450h that intergrates the DRS, AVS, steering with variable gear-ratio, and VDIM or Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management. Buyers will also benefit from the LKA or Lane Keep Assist, blind spot monitor, a head up display, Night View, and pre-crash safety technology.

Lexus set to launch RX hybrid spawned from RAV4

Trey — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 03:47:52 +0000

Lexus is set to unveil a baby brother of their successful hybrid crossover the RX450h. The new vehicled dubbed as the CX 300h, according to sources, will be based on the Toyota RAV4 so most likely it will also be marketed in North America.

The RAV4 currently has no hybrid model but if Lexus will be doing the CX 300h then most likely we will hear of a RAV4 version in time. If the tandem hybrids will come, it will mimic the tandem of the bigger Hybrid Toyota Highlander ad the RX 450h of the Lexus which share a common platform.

The RAV4 might have a fully electric version to be launched by next year. This electric vehicle will be worked on by the team of Tesla and was first unwrapped at the Los Angelese motor show back in 2010.

The upcoming Lexus CX 300h is set to meet head on with the crossovers of other premium brands like the X1 of BMW, Q3 of BMW, the EX from Infiniti, and the SRX by Cadillac.

Experts assume that the CX 300h hybrid might use an engine that is bigger than the 2.5L four that is utilized for the Hybrid Synergy system for the hybrid Camry and the HS 250h.

The smaller crossover on a hybrid system will boost the presence of Lexus in the market in addition to the RX crossover that they have for the US market.

Lexus leads luxury sales in the U.S. based on October stats; BMW closing in based on November performance

Trey — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 23:40:50 +0000

Lexus is on top of the luxury car sales charts in the United States besting Mercedes-Benz and BMW for the month of October. The luxury line of Japanese carmaker Toyota attributes the boost in sales to the consumer discount programs that they are currently implementing. This is the first time for Lexus to regain leadership since May.

The numbers of Lexus rose by 8.1% translating to 21,091 units compared to BMW’s 17% growth or 19,272 vehicles and Mercedes’ 1% or 18,351 units.

Lexus has been the consistent leader on the boards since 2000 but has been suffering due to the massive vehicle recalls while BMW and Mercedes-Benz has been enjoying the benefits of launching their new models. According to some reports, Lexus has increased the consumer incentives to around $2,152 per vehicle in October compared to $923 in the same period back in 2009. These numbers do not include the non-luxury vehicle deliveries.

The luxury arm of Toyota has been very aggressive recently to be back from the sideline and compete again with BMW and Mercedes. Lexus reports total US sales of 183,529 units from January through October of this year versus 178,080 of Mercedes and BMW who leads globally at 176,736.

According to analysts, Lexus wants to grab the number 1 spot for the year but it will not be very easy when you look at the historical for December which shows the strong performance of Benz. It will definitely be a good race to the finish line.

With the recently released November sales statistics, BMW overtakes Mercedes-Benz and is putting the pressure on the current leader, Lexus.

Video: Lexus LFA shatters champagne flute glass in latest market pitch

Trey — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:15:37 +0000

We have not heard a lot about the about the carbon fiber genius Lexus LFA after the supercar from Toyota hit the autoworld last year. It seems the Japanese carmaker prepared something behind the walls for its latest market push for the Lexus LFA.

In its latest commercial, the Lexus LFA uses its V10 engine to shatter a champagne glass. The commercial was shot in a very modern studio and involved not only directors but physicists who determined the right glass for the ad.

It was pure science as the video below will show. Plus some drama, of course.

No camera tricks were used only microphones in the studio were set up to focus the precision sound of the Lexus LFA. The engine was started and the wheels of the supercar turned the dynamometer. It goes to 150, 170, beyond 200, then bang, the glass shatters and goes to the recycling bin.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Japanese luxury brand worked with engineers to improve the acoustics of the 4.8L engine of the LFA by tuning the different segments of its exhaust system. Safe to say, the LFA roars like not other car on the streets.

If you want a sound like this on you cellphone, Lexus gives away for free an LFA ringtone. Just go to www.lexus-lfa.com and click on Digital Premium.