Just a quick reminder — there’s only one more week to submit your suggestions to the Lexus Ideas Engine project.

Last week, I spoke with Lexus Global general manager Andrew Kirby (who announced the project earlier this month), and found out that he personally reviews and approves every idea & comment with his team every day — clearly, this initiative is being taken very seriously, and really is your best chance to have your ideas heard.

(I also recommend going through the ideas that have been submitted and voting for any you would like to see implemented — there’s some great ones in there.)

Visit the Lexus Ideas Engine

There’s obviously some styrofoam under the camouflage that’s deforming the c-pillar, but the overall profile appears to be the same as the current-generation — let’s zoom in on the last photo for a better look at the rear:

The tailpipes also bring the current LS to mind — though with the addition of the diffuser, the entire rear design appears to be very similar to from the new GS.

All in all, not much to look at — these photos do suggest that the upcoming LS is an evolution of the existing model, but with all that camouflage, who can tell?

[Source: Club Lexus Facebook]

By way of My.IS, it’s been discovered that Lexus has trademarked the Spindle Grille in both the USA & Canada.

First off is U.S. trademark #85609282, which just covers the general shape of Lexus’ new grille design:

The Canadian trademarks are much more specific, with four different variations:

1. Filed under trademark #1575185, this illustration resembles the F Sport grille design seen on the new GS & RX models.
2. Filed under trademark #1575186, this grille design has yet to be used on any Lexus model, but does have a similar pattern to the current-generation IS.
3. Filed under trademark #1575191, this third grille design looks similar to the LX, ES, GS & RX front-ends.
4. Lastly, trademark #1575192 is a general-purpose, all encompassing design that would allow for future variations to the spindle grille.

The purpose of Lexus trademarking their new grille is definitely a curious move, as I can’t imagine any manufacturer wants to open up the pandora’s box of involving the courts in automotive design similarities.

(Still, I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a common practise but rarely reported.)

[Source: My.IS via Kaizen Factor]

At long last, the 2013 Lexus GS 450h is now starting to arrive in dealerships across North America, with a starting price of $58,950 in the USA and $64,650 in Canada.

(Lexus also posted some nice new photos on their Facebook page that are worth checking out.)

See more information about the GS 450h

Normally, I wouldn’t even link to this video of a second-gen Lexus LS having its roof chopped off during some idiotic demonstration at Stance Wars in Belgium, but I’ve been receiving email about it all day.

(What an absolute waste — I didn’t even bother watching.)

Don’t watch this video (via Carscoop)

Of course, with the now standard Lexus camouflage covering up everything, there isn’t all that much to look at — here’s a zoomed-in look at the front-end:

Along with the hint of the L-LED daytime running lights, we can see the basic shape of the spindle grille — given the slats in the grille, it would appear this is the standard or hybrid LS, not the F Sport version that’s already been teased:

With this prototype out on public roads, this is sure to be the first of many photos out there — hopefully we get a closer look shortly.

What do you think? Did I miss anything?

[Source: Club Lexus Facebook]

Lexus Magazine has some behind-the-scenes details on how the next-generation ES will be manufactured at the Miyata plant in Japan.

(One example: there’s an artificial road simulator for testing every vehicle’s quietness and vibration levels right on the production line.)

Read the Lexus Magazine Story

Speaking of Lexus LFAs being delivered, there’s an interesting feature over on the Toyota Driver Seat blog about the steps necessary to prepare an LFA for its owner.

(An amazingly detailed process, right down to custom pink pallets the LFA travels on.)

Read the story at Toyota’s Driver Seat

Even though it wasn’t one of the standard Nürburgring Edition colors, I can see why two owners decided on red (the first owner went with Pearl Red)– it looks fantastic, and suits the car perfectly.

[Source: Lexus Facebook]

Strangely enough, we might be looking at one of the reasons the HS was discontinued — the application of the spindle grille only heightens the comparisons to a certain Toyota model, which doesn’t fit very well with Lexus’ plan to separate the brand’s visual design from Toyota.

[Source: Theophilus Chin]