The Lexus Enthusiast

Homestead Hot Laps in the Lexus LFA

2009-11-06T14:50:33+00:00

As part of their North American LFA press event in Miami, Lexus gave the journalists the opportunity to experience a hot lap around the Homestead Speedway with an experienced race car driver behind the wheel—here’s footage from two such runs:

Love the interior sound, especially now that I know it was tuned by musicians.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Lexus LFA

2009-11-06T14:31:01+00:00

Edmunds Inside Line has put together a great list of ten things you didn’t know about the Lexus LFA—here’s an example:

Spectacular Sound

Two separate ducts route intake noise into the firewall from the intake manifold, allowing two different octaves of engine music to penetrate the passenger compartment. As a result, the LFA’s engine note dominates the driving experience.

Developed in conjunction with Yamaha’s musical instrument division, engineers tuned the LFA’s engine note the same way sound is tuned in an Ovation guitar. Uniquely shaped ribs in the intake manifold cover are designed precisely to produce a pleasing engine note.

Amazing that Lexus would work with musicians to perfect the LFA’s engine note—amazing attention to detail. Another fact—the supercar is equipped with Launch Control, and the 0-60mph time of 3.6 seconds was recorded without utilizing it, meaning the car is likely to be even faster than the official numbers.

Other things you didn’t know about the LFA? You’ll have to check out the list for yourself.

[Source Inside Line]

Auto Express Comparison: Lexus RX 450h vs. BMW X5 30d

2009-11-05T23:38:04+00:00

Auto Express compared the 2010 Lexus RX 450h to the BMW X5 30d SE to see which SUV is the better buy:

...which car more successfully mixes eco-friendly credentials with rugged versatility and luxury?

There’s no denying the X5 still rules the roost for image and driving dynamics. Plus, the big boot and seven-seat potential make it a practical proposition. Yet the latest Lexus is a huge improvement over its predecessor.

The RXh trounced the X5 in fuel efficiency, delivering 44.8 mpg compared to the diesel’s 34.4 mpg (British). Along with its “refinement, sophistication and impressive emissions”, the Lexus SUV took first place in the comparison.

[Source: Auto Express]

2010 Lexus LS 600h Commercial

2009-11-05T19:35:35+00:00

There’s a new 2010 Lexus LS 600h commercial from Lexus Japan:

This LS features an L-Select bright-red & black interior—don’t know if that would be my first pick with a white exterior.

(On a side note: Why do all the press photos & video have to feature the same color car? I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing the new LSh in something other than white.)

2010 Lexus LS 600hL Photos & Information

2009-11-05T19:23:02+00:00

A large photo gallery of the 2010 Lexus LS 600hL has been released by Lexus USA:

One of the photos in particular gives us our best look at the grille and the new headlight design, which incorporates a thin light strip that mirrors the taillight design:

I don’t know that these photos make the new grille any more appealing, there’s still the impression that the front-end is too small for the rest of the car. But then, I didn’t like the HS front grille much either until I saw it in person.

Another point of interest is the new LCD instrument panel display with its digital speedometer:

Also issued was a press release about the 2010 LSh, look for that after the jump.

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2009 Lexus SEMA Showcase Video

2009-11-04T16:47:23+00:00

Along with the usual press photos, Lexus has also put together a video showing their stable of customized SEMA cars:

It’s a nice lineup of cars this year, though I would have preferred to see more done with the GS. Also, I hope the wheels on the TRD (orange) IS-C make it into the F-Sport lineup (though I can’t say the same for the GS’ customized grille).

Lexus F-Sport Event in California

2009-11-04T16:28:17+00:00

Lexus USA is holding an F-Sport event November 12th at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California:

One Day Only at Auto Club Speedway…

An exclusive opportunity to experience the performance and appearance-enhancing F-Sport™ accessories on a custom autocross course at California’s premiere track- Auto Club Speedway..

Come out and experience racing inspired components that help provide more control, agility and a sportier appearance. Choose from F-Sport IS or GS models or enjoy the eye-opening acceleration of the IS F.

And just for attending, you could win a hot lap in the Lexus F Performance flagship: the all-new 552 hp LFA, driven by champion professional driver, Scott Pruett!

Registration is limited, so visit the F-Sport Event website to secure your spot (and if you’re planning to attend and would be interested in taking a few photos, please contact me).

[Source: Lexus]

Lexus LFA Instrument Panel Video

2009-11-03T16:11:56+00:00

There were some quick shots of the Lexus LFA’s instrument panel in the official press video, but this autoshow simulator footage shows just how amazing the supercar’s display really is:

With the moving chrome ring, there’s a real mechanical feel to the interface, making it look even more like it’s from the future—absolutely beautiful shutdown sequence as well.

Lexus USA October 2009 Sales Report

2009-11-03T16:02:44+00:00

The October sales numbers for Lexus USA are in, and both the car & truck divisions posted positive year-to-year gains:

	October			Year to Date
	2009	2008	% CHG	2009	2008	% CHG
IS	3,162	2,772	10.0	31,073	43,144	-28.0
HS	1,527	0		3,312	0
ES	4,413	4,141	2.8	37,844	54,783	-30.9
GS	494	819	-41.8	5,771	13,838	-58.3
SC	41	98	-59.7	636	1,787	-64.4
LS	804	1,502	-48.4	8,192	17,532	-53.3
Total Cars	10,441	9,332	7.9	86,828	131,084	-33.8
RX	8,316	5,180	54.8	73,641	68,399	7.7
GX	341	1,204	-72.7	5,524	14,036	-60.6
LX	404	567	-31.3	2,917	6,983	-58.2
Total Trucks	9,061	6,951	25.7	82,082	89,418	-8.2
Total Sales	19,502	16,283	15.5	168,910	220,502	-23.4

As the volume sellers in the car lineup, it’s nice to see the ES & IS rebounding into positive percentages. The HS also builds on its sales last month and is giving the overall numbers a nice boost. More and more, it’s clear the redesigned RX was a strategic success, as it continues to car the brand through this recession.

On the flipside, the GS & LS are showing sustained declines, and although the minor redesign of the LS may serve up an increase, it’s unlikely the GS will show much improvement until the model redesign (expected in 2011). The GX has hit rock bottom as buyers await the new 2010 GX 460 (expected in dealerships early January).

SEMA 2009 Lexus Car Guide

2009-11-03T00:16:11+00:00

SEMA, the annual automotive specialty products tradeshow, starts tomorrow, and will feature seven Lexus automobiles, including the North American debut of the LFA and the winner of the SEMA Showcase contest—here’s a full breakdown of the participating vehicles:

IS 300 by DAVID HUANG

Description

David Huang invested over $100,000 in his IS 300 and it shows. Dubbed the “IS 1000,” this Lexus SEMA Showcase winner features an estimated 1,000-horsepower engine, custom color-shift Midnight Purple paint, custom body and frame work and custom suspension.

Highlights

JDM 2004 ARISTO 2JZ-GTE w/ VVTi
JDM Work 20-inch VS-XX anodized-chrome with BF Goodrich KDW/TA tires
JDM ENDLESS rotors and calipers
JDM Zeal Function X’s coilovers
JDM HKS purple sway bars and Kansai rear strut tower bar

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