A First Look At The All New 2014 Lexus IS
Over the last 18 months you can really see Akio Toyoda’s fingerprints on the Lexus brand. For many years Lexus was considered a brand of fine cars with excellent build quality and a dealer network that set the standard for the industry. However, they were also thought of as bland and emotionless vehicles. Cars and SUV’s for those that wanted something nice, but didn’t care about cars or want to think about cars.
Akio’s statement was that cars bearing his family’s name WOULD have emotion, would have a connection to the driver, they would NOT be thought of as just a commodity item.
The all new GS was the first real statement along those lines and now with the 2014 Lexus IS, the third generation of the car, Akio has focused Lexus’ efforts into not just drawing event with cars like the BMW 3 Series and the Audi A4, but setting the standard for the small luxury performance segment.
The new IS draws from it’s larger stablemate, the GS, in several areas. The front end is a further, more aggressive evolution of the spindle grill, the interior continues the horizontal theme dash, and the rear suspension is derived from the GS as well.
The new IS gains 2.5 inches in wheelbase allowing for a further 1.6 inches of rear seat legroom. The overall length has been extended 3.5 inches, the trunk now has an additional .5 cubic foot of space and the first time offering a 60/40 split folding rear seat for additional cargo capacity.
When the new IS is ordered with Satellite Navigation, it comes loaded with 3D mapping including Street View. Traffic and weather information are now subscription free, weather is updated every 10 minutes and traffic every 2 minutes. Traffic also has the addition feature of Predictive Traffic which can forecast ahead 15, 30 and 45 minutes so that you can see what your route may look like, and if you should choose a different way. Also when you are running low on fuel gas stations will appear as Points Of Interest on the map.
The 2014 IS has all of the safety features you’ve come to expect on a car at this level, 10 air bags, Blind Spot Warning with Cross Traffic, lane departure alert, and Pre Collision Radar cruise control down to 25 miles an hour.
The F-Sport version of the new IS, available on both the IS 250 and the IS 350 is distinguished by a different nose and bumper, different seats, LED daytime running lights, variable adaptive suspension and additional drive modes of Sports S and S+. Also in the F-Sport is a different gage cluster that draws it’s inspiration from the LFA Supercar. The center dial slides from the center to the right and alters the information on the LCD gage cluster.
Optional on all models is the 15 speaker, 835 watt Mark Levinson audio system. The system features a full digital (Class-D) amplifier, 5.1 channel/7.1 channel surround system, a total of 15 GreenEdge™ ultra-high efficiency speakers and a Lexus-first Auto Volume System,which automatically adjusts volume when changing between sources or radio channels.
The IS 250 and 350 can be had either as Rear Drive or All Wheel Drive. Power comes from either a 2.5 liter V6 in the IS 250 offering 204 horsepower and 184 lb/ft of torque, or the 3.5 liter V6 in the IS 350 which offers up 306 horsepower and 277 lb/ft of torque.
Fuel economy is rated in the IS 250 at 21/30/24 (city/highway/combined) for the Rear Drive and 20/27/23 for the All Wheel Drive model. The IS 350 rates as 19/28/22 for the Rear Drive and 19/26/21 for the All Wheel Drive.
All IS 250’s, plus the IS 350 AWD will use a six speed automatic transmission, while the Rear Drive IS 350 will use the eight speed automatic from the outgoing IS-F.
On the road the new IS has a very comfortable and controlled ride quality, the cabin is very quiet, as you’d expect. However, when you put your foot down, there is a very sporty sounding exhaust, and when tossed aggressively into corners, the body stays very flat, and the handling is very neutral, with just a hint of understeer to keep you safe.
Lexus believe you can have your cake and eat it too with the suspension in the new IS. They have soften the springs at all four corners to make the ride more supple, yet larger anti roll bars allow the handling to be very sporty and controlled without being overly stiff. When you want a more aggressive suspension you can dial it up with the drive mode selector. In the standard IS you have a Sport mode, and in the F-Sport there are Sports S and S+ options. The additional modes will not only change the suspension calibrations, but alter how aggressive the throttle is as well.
For 30 years the BMW 3 Series has set the benchmark for the small sport luxury segment, and Audi in the last decade has been running neck and neck with BMW with their A4. Lexus have now gone all in on this segment, and just like when Lexus entered the market with the original LS, the Germans will be may need to re-evaluate their current efforts.
Pricing for the IS 250 begins at $35,950 and $39,465 for the IS 350, All Wheel Drive adds $2,515 to the IS 250 and $2,235 to the IS 350, all models of the new IS will be available mid Summer.
Lexus Introduces Significantly Refreshed LS
Over the last 18 months, Lexus has updated most of their entire lineup, with the exception of their flagship car the LS. Now, as we close out 2012, Lexus is ready to reveal the update to their flagship luxury sedan.
While the 2013 LS is a mid-cycle refresh, over half of the parts involved in building this car are completely new. There is a substantial rework of the exterior, which features Lexus’ signature spindle grill up front along with significant sculpturing throughout the body from nose to tail to greatly reduce aerodynamic drag.
In a market segment that puts a premium on perfection the new LS is positioning itself to once again be the standard by which others are measured. Not only is the exterior refreshed, the interior gets a complete makeover as well. The design concept 1st seen in the interior of the new GS is now brought in to the flagship LS sedan. One of the features of the interior is the 12.3 inch center display which can be organized into 3 different columns of information.
Interior materials also get an upgrade including a unique wood trim called Shimamocu. This unique wood trim takes 38 days and 67 different processes to complete. It has a horizontal grain pattern which helps to emphasize the with an interior space of the LS. If you choose to go with the hybrid version of the LS you can choose the bamboo wood option which gives a very nice look and feel to the interior.
Something else that is also unique in the LS is the analog clock in the center of the dash is linked via GPS to automatically update times, even when crossing into different time zones. So, let’s say you’re driving from Detroit to Chicago, where you go from the Eastern time zone to the central time zone, the clock will automatically update to the local time.
There will be several trim levels available in the LS, including the ultra-lux package which will have 4 different climate zone controls. All cars, 16 way power driver seat,” way adjustable passenger seats. Opt for the 600 L, or 460 L, and you will have rear seat that will recline, as an ottoman, and also massage functionality. It truly is an “Executive” sedan. The driver and passenger seats also have a unique climate control system integrated into them the seats sense body temperature and bring the temperature of the seats to the desired temperature, until the rest of the cabin can reach that temperature.
Depending on which trim level you get, the LS can have a sportier feel, but the emphasis of the LS has been, and always will be, that of late luxury sedan. As such, the emphasis is on a quiet interior and a smooth and comfortable yet very controlled ride. The LS will never be a Canyon Carver, but on tight twisty roads it can hold its own.
Powertrains are a carryover, a 4.6 L V-8 with 386 hp combined with an 8 speed automatic transmission will be standard. Elect for the hybrid version and you have a combined power rating of 438 hp between the gasoline motor and electric motor. The hybrid model also gets a redesign regenerative braking system which aids in recharging the batteries much quicker and more efficiently.
Available for the first time in the LS is the F-Sport trim. With the F-Sport you will get a deeper drill with other aero treatments, cooling ducts for the brakes, suspension lowered 10mm, Alcantera headliners, larger side bolsters in the seats,, paddle shifters and a Torsen limited slip differential.
You also get 19” BBS wheels that are unique to the F-Sport along with massive six piston Brembo brakes.
Pricing will be announced at the end of October and the LS’s will begin to go on sale in November.
The All-New Redesigned 2013 Lexus ES 350 & 300h
There have been five generations of the ES sedan since its introduction in 1989, and more than one million remain on the world’s roads. The folks at Lexus know that their entry-level luxury sedan could stand to be livelier if its going to attract younger buyers; but at the same time, they don’t want to alienate the traditional ES buyer, who averages 63 years in age, and have made the ES Lexus’ best-selling sedan.
So what we find is evidence of a trickle-down design and engineering shown to great effect with Lexus’ new ES 350 and 300h. Both from an exterior and interior stand point, the new ES takes many of its design cues from the elements introduced in the GS. As part of its complete redesign for 2013, this sixth-generation ES features sleeker styling, shorter overhangs, quicker steering, ECO, Normal AND SPORT driving modes and a tweaked suspension, all to provide a bit more masculinity and athleticism. The hybrid adds the additional low-speed, short-distance, pure-electric EV mode.
Also available only in the hybrid model is the bamboo interior trim option that was originally available in the new GS. Officials at Lexus say that if there is enough demand, the bamboo trim might be made available in the regular ES 350. They also went on to state that they have received positive feedback about the bamboo trim from journalists and consumers alike and are waiting for more data before moving forward to offer the option in models other than the hybrid.
What stands out most is the styling. The formerly conservative ES sheds its pinstripes in favor of Lexus’ new design language, sporting the signature spindle grille along with LED lights. In addition, the car is slightly lower and an inch longer, but the overhangs shorten on its 2-inch longer wheelbase. On the inside, the longer wheelbase results in an additional four inches in rear-passenger leg room.
The ES 350 retains its 3.5-liter V6, similar to the Camry, that puts out 268 horsepower and comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Powering the hybrid is a 2.5-liter I-4 Atkinson cycle four-cylinder along with Toyota’s hybrid drive system, where the combined total of the two produces 200 horsepower. The system employs a continuously variable transmission (CVT), borrowed completely from the Camry hybrid.
The hybrid launches from 0 to 60 mph in a respectable 8.1 seconds which is a whole second slower than the 7.1-second sprint posted by the ES 350. Fuel economy in the hybrid is 40 city and 39 highway and a combined 40. The V6 posts 21 city, 31 highway, and 24 combined.
The long list of standard equipment for the ES includes a moon roof, keyless start, power everything, cruise-control, backup-camera, eight-speaker audio, and more. On the options list are Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Departure Warning, radar cruise control, navigation, 15-speaker/835-watt Mark Levinson audio and panoramic sun roof.
Overall, the all-new redesigned 2013 Lexus ES has surprised us with its sportier, bolder styling, more engaging driving dynamics, roomier interior, and it is still bank-vault quiet as a Lexus is expected to be. Slated to arrive in showrooms mid-August, pricing probably won’t be announced until closer to launch date. So continue to follow us on Twitter and check-in on our Facebook community to be one of the first to be notified as soon as it arrives.
Lexus Unveils All-New 2013 ES 350 and First-Ever ES 300h Hybrid at New York International Auto Show
Lexus today unveiled the all-new 2013 ES lineup, including the ES 350 and ES 300h equipped with Lexus Hybrid Drive. Featuring a progressive new design and enhanced handling, the 2013 ES sedan is set to continue as a favorite of luxury car buyers.
“The Lexus ES brought new levels of refinement, sophistication and quality to the entry luxury segment when it entered the market in 1989, and through the years it has consistently been a sales leader for us,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “Now, with both gas and hybrid versions, the 2013 ES promises to lead Lexus forward once again.”
ES 350 Now Complemented by ES 300h Hybrid
For the first time, the Lexus ES will be available with Lexus Hybrid Drive. Featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine, the ES 300h hybrid is expected to earn an EPA fuel economy rating of approximately 40 mpg combined city/highway.
This new, low friction twin cam engine utilizes a sophisticated power management system, 12.5:1 compression ratio, and Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i). The beltless motor is designed to improve fuel economy and durability, and a near zero evaporative fuel system helps reduce emissions.
The ES 300h hybrid offers the driver four modes: Normal, Sport, Eco and EV. EV mode allows short distance drives, at reduced speed, using only the power from the hybrid battery pack. Normal mode provides a blend of performance and efficiency that is suited to everyday driving, while Eco mode favors fuel economy. Sport mode increases powertrain responsiveness.
The ES 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine with Dual VVT-i. The six-speed automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i) provides enhanced performance, fuel efficiency and smooth shifts. Low friction materials further improve efficiency.
Signature Lexus Design
The new ES features a lower, progressive profile, and clean, continuous styling lines from front to rear. All four corners are pulled tightly inward to the wheel arches, creating distinctive proportions. The wheelbase of the new ES has been lengthened by 1.8 inches, while the overall length of the vehicle has grown by just one inch, resulting in a more spacious interior.
The new ES unmistakably bears the new face of Lexus with its distinctive, spindle grille. The LED daytime running lights and combination rear lamps reflect the “L” design motif. The ES 350’s rear bumper sports dual exhaust pipes, while the ES 300h hybrid features a distinctive rear design with hidden exhaust and an integrated spoiler. New exterior colors for the 2013 ES include Fire Agate Pearl and Silver Lining Metallic.
Interior Designed for Comfort and Spaciousness
The modern interior of the 2013 ES has been designed to provide both a sense of openness and security. Sightlines and visibility are improved, controls are logically placed, and new cabin materials express a high level of craftsmanship.
A newly sculptured seat enhances driver comfort. The steering wheel angle has been reduced from 24 degrees to 22 degrees for a more natural control position. Fluid-filled engine mounts, new sound absorbing materials and a tuned engine intake minimize the intrusion of outside noise.
Greater rear seat legroom and knee room are the hallmark of the redesigned, more spacious cabin. Knee room is increased by 2.8 inches and legroom is increased by 4.1 inches. The new design also offers additional foot room below the front seats.
Available comfort and convenience features include manual door window shades, a power rear shade, and a one-touch power trunk closer. Optional ambient lighting, discretely placed under the wood trim, softly illuminates the surfaces of the instrument panel and all four doors.
The new ES will feature enhanced NuLuxe seating surfaces, developed to reduce environmental impact. Genuine leather is also available, as is semi-aniline leather for an even more refined look and feel. Interiors are available in Black, Light Gray, and Parchment. Trim colors and materials include Piano Black, Espresso Bird’s-eye Maple, and Bamboo.
Crisp, Confident Driving Dynamics
Suspension and steering changes and a stiffer body deliver more precise handling. Opposite-wound coil springs on the front suspension enhance straight-line stability. Revised rear suspension geometry and improved shock absorber damping characteristics enhance ride comfort. A reduction in the steering gear ratio delivers a more responsive and direct steering feel. Increased body rigidity is achieved through lightweight, high tensile strength steel, added bracing and additional spot welds. Despite its larger size, roomier interior and additional luxury appointments, the weight of the new ES is reduced by almost 90 pounds.
The ES will be equipped with standard 215/55R17 low rolling resistance tires on 17-inch alloy wheels, and for the first time, available 18-inch high-gloss alloy wheels.
Driver-Focused Cockpit
Designed with attention to ergonomics and driver focus, the cockpit features separate display and operation zones to help keep the driver’s eyes on the road. The instrument panel, with its long, layered look, places the main information display directly in the driver’s line of sight. Just below the center display is a self-illuminating LED analog clock. Controls are clustered beneath the information zone, on the steering wheel, and on the center console.
The second-generation Remote Touch Interface (RTI) allows the user to operate the climate, audio, phone controls, optional navigation system and more. The screen menus are selected with a controller conveniently located on the center console. RTI reduces eye and hand movement, helping reduce effort and distraction.
Safety Features
An array of safety features aid the driver. The available Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) helps detect vehicles in side blind spots. The RCTA alerts the driver to rear cross traffic when backing out of a parking spot. Available Lane Departure Alert (LDA) is integrated with automatic high beam dimming technology. The available Pre-Collision System (PCS) uses sub-millimeter wave radar to detect obstructions and prepare the vehicle for a potential collision.
The ES features a segment-leading 10 airbags as standard equipment, including driver and front passenger knee and front air bags, as well as front and rear seat-mounted side and curtain airbags. Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) front seats are designed to limit excessive head movement in certain rear-end collisions helping to decrease the severity of whiplash-type injuries.
Lexus Safety Connect, including Enhanced Roadside Assistance, an Emergency Assistance Button (SOS), Stolen Vehicle Location services, and Automatic Collision Notification to a Safety Connect center is standard on the new ES. A one-year trial subscription for Safety Connect is included.
Lexus Multimedia
The new ES features the next-generation Lexus Enform® system. Lexus Enform® provides seamless connectivity with Bing™ search, iHeartRadio, MovieTickets.com, OpenTable®, Pandora®, Yelp® and Facebook Places through compatible smart phones. Apps are updated through over-the-air downloads, so new apps and content can be added as they become available. One-year trial subscriptions to Lexus Enform with Safety Connect and the Application Suite are included.
The standard Lexus Premium Sound System features eight speakers with Automatic Sound Levelizer, CD player, USB/iPod® connectivity, Bluetooth® and a SiriusXM receiver. The available Display Audio package adds a seven-inch screen, a backup camera, HD Radio™ with iTunes® tagging, Bluetooth audio, phone transfer, and a vehicle information display. The optional HDD Navigation System includes voice command and an integrated backup camera.
An available 15-speaker Mark Levinson® audio system features an eight-inch display screen, HD Radio™ with iTunes® tagging, DVD audio/video and a SiriusXM receiver. Exclusive GreenEdge technology from Mark Levinson doubles the output of the amplifier, while reducing energy consumption by fifty percent.
“The new Lexus ES 350 and ES 300h hybrid combine technology, style and performance to please current ES owners and attract new buyers,” said Templin. “With the addition of the ES 300h, Lexus truly offers something for everyone in the entry luxury segment.”
The 2012 Lexus IS-F
With the exception of the LF-A when you think Lexus, you think conservative, understated luxury car. Lexus has always been the “safe” choice when you wanted a luxury car, but didn’t want something from Germany.
The IS range from Lexus tends to fly under the radar. Most people tend to focus on three models in it’s lineup. The top end LS, the mid level ES and the RX crossover. While there is nothing wrong with those vehicles, they don’t come within a solar system of what you might consider engaging drivers cars, but that’s not what they were designed to be either.
The IS is the exception to that rule. Even in it’s standard IS 350 guise, the IS does not feel “blandtastic” it does have strong elements that at times make you scratch your head and wonder how did this one make it through. That’s before we get to the IS-F.
If you like fun and engaging cars to drive, then the Lexus IS-F is for you. It starts under the hood with a 416 horsepower 5.0 liter V8 which sends power to the rear wheels via an eight speed automatic gear box. It should be required in owning or driving this car that you either (a) have a radar detector, (b) have an attorney on retainer, or (c) be on good terms with your local police department.
Why you ask? Because once you hit about 3500 rpms the exhaust note is so glorious, that you want to keep hearing it! We hope which ever engineers were responsible for tuning the exhaust note got a large bonus because this is one of THE GREAT V8 exhaust notes of all time!
The suspension also gets an upgrade over the standard IS 350. The ride is firmer, but it is also not harsh, it is something that is very livable in everyday driving. The IS-F does corner flatter and is quicker to change directions when called on to do so quickly.
As fantastic as the engine is, the brakes on the IS-F are equally as good. The pure stopping power can generate enough negative g-forces to make you think your eyeballs will come out of their sockets. Yet unlike many big brake systems, it doesn’t feel light a light switch which is either on or off, there is a nice linear travel, with excellent feedback. The brake system is sourced from Brembo and have 14.2 inch discs up front with six piston calipers and 13.6 out back with two piston calipers.
Inside the car has all the luxury touches one would expect in a $60,000 car. The leather is of good quality and the micro-fiber inserts in the seats give it an even more upscale touch. In hot or cold clients the micro-fiber is much more comfortable than leather, while waiting for the cabin to come up or down to temperature. It also offers better traction for your backside when you decide to push the car hard.
Looking onto the instrument cluster, a 9000 rpm tachometer is dead center and dominates your view. While the tach may go to 9,000 shift are handled closer to 7,000. There are a series of lights that change from yellow to red as you close in on the redline helping you if you are choosing to shift up manually in the gearbox.
Best be quick with those shifts as the engine revs very quickly! In first or second gear it is not difficult to bounce the engine off the rev limiter because the engine revs so quickly. There is a digital readout on the tach to tell you your speed, to go along with a smaller speedometer to the right of the tach.
The IS-F has an optional Mark Levinson audio package that comes with navigation. If you are familiar with the system in other Lexus models, it’s features are similar. To our ear, it could use a little more base, and a little more “presence” in delivering the audio, and that is true in listening to several different genres of music, from classical, to jazz, rock and trip hop.
Fuel economy is not unreasonable for the IS-F, the EPA rates the car at 16 city/23 highway/18 combined. Our experience with the car says those numbers are very close, and thats when were were not shy with the right foot. Take it a little easier on the loud peddle and you will see the number increase. We saw fuel economy at almost 20 in the city and 24 on the highway driving in a more restrained manner.
The IS-F has to rate as the most fun cars to drive in the Lexus lineup outside the $400,000 LF-A. The best part of the LF-A is that it doesn’t scream performance car, even though there are some very aggressive styling cues. There will be many a shocked BMW M3 driver when they see the IS-F’s taillights disappearing into the distance, and that may be the point, excellence in performance doesn’t have to be flashy, just quiet professionalism.
Toyota, Lexus and Scion Dominate J.D. Power 2012 Vehicle Dependability Study
Eight Lexus, Toyota, and Scion models captured segment awards in the 2012 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study, a performance equal to all other vehicle brands combined and more than twice as many as the runner-up nameplate.
- Lexus is the number one nameplate improving by 23 fewer problems/100;
- Toyota is the highest ranked non-premium nameplate and tied for third place overall, improving by 18 fewer problems/100; and
- Scion achieves its highest ever position at fifth place, jumping up 17 positions and improving by 55 fewer problems/100.
|
Segment
|
Ranking
|
Model
|
Problems/100
|
|
Sub-Compact Car
|
1
|
Toyota Yaris
|
97
|
|
2
|
Scion xD
|
113
|
|
|
Compact Car
|
1
|
Toyota Prius
|
80
|
|
2
|
Toyota Corolla
|
93
|
|
|
Compact Crossover SUV
|
3
|
Toyota RAV4
|
121
|
|
Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle
|
1
|
Scion xB
|
100
|
|
Compact Sporty Car
|
1
|
Scion tC
|
123
|
|
Entry Premium Car
|
1
|
Lexus ES350
|
81
|
|
Midsize Car
|
3
|
Toyota Camry
|
105
|
|
Midsize Crossover SUV
|
3
|
Toyota Highlander
|
111
|
|
Midsize Van
|
1
|
Toyota Sienna
|
123
|
|
Midsize Premium Crossover SUV
|
1
|
Lexus RX350
|
85
|
|
Large Premium Car*
|
1
|
Lexus LS460
|
72
|
|
Large Car
|
2
|
Toyota Avalon
|
100
|
|
Large Pick Up
|
1
|
Toyota Tundra
|
108
|
|
Lexus Nameplate
|
1
|
|
86
|
|
Toyota Nameplate
|
3 (tie)
|
|
104
|
|
Scion
|
5
|
|
111
|
|
Premium Brands Industry Average
|
129
|
||
|
Non-Premium Brands Industry Average
|
144
|
||
Additional examples of Toyota’s commitment to the highest standards for quality, safety, reliability and retained value include:
- Lexus was the highest ranking nameplate in the industry in the 2011 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study and earned more segment awards than any other premium brand.
- The Lexus IS won the entry premium car segment in the 2011 J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study.
- Toyota and Lexus won 11 awards – more than half the 21 total awards – in IntelliChoice.com’s Best Overall Values of the Year.
- Fifteen Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles were named 2012 “Top Safety Picks” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, more than any other automaker. The 2012 models are: Toyota Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Prius, Prius v, Sienna, Tundra Crew Cab, Venza, and Yaris; Lexus CT 200h and RX, and Scion tC, xB, and xD.
- The 2012 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and Scion tC earned five stars for Overall safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the highest rating possible.
- *The Premium Car segment is not represented in the 2012 VDS due to the small sample size for the segment.
Lexus’ Stunning LF-LC Wins Prestigious EyesOn Design Award
Lexus showed us a glimpse of the future at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan with the unveiling of the LF-LC concept. The team behind the futuristic looks of the vehicle is none other than Lexus’ Calty design studio in Newport Beach, California. As a formula, the LF-LC Concept is a hybrid 2+2 coupe that aims to provide driving dynamics as cutting-edge and sharp as its headlights — if it were to be built.
More importantly, however, is the design of the vehicle, as it points toward what we can expect from Lexus in the coming years. The bold LF-LC shows off the brand’s new spindle grill look, while the lights the front headlamps are in shapes so original they cannot be mistaken for anything else.
What we do similarities with, however, is the beloved LF-A supercar in the LF-LC’s overall profile. If Lexus were to make an LF-A that seats four, chances are it will be pretty close to looking like this. The interior is very well appointed with rich leather and suede, futuristic seating, intricate stitching, and about half a tree’s worth of wood, with a massive center stack bringing the entire cabin together. It’s so big in fact, that Lexus’ designers were able to fit a touch-sensitive 12.3-inch LCD screen that handles all infotainment, climate control, and navigation responsibilities.
Hopefully this rakish coupe will find a way to showrooms in the not-too-distant future. If it does, Lexus claims that the LF-LC will ”remain within reach for premium buyers.” If the LF-LC were to enter production tomorrow, chances are it would match up somewhere with the BMW 6 Series, or perhaps even the Maserati GranTurismo.
Lexus Continues Bold New Styling Direction At The 2012 NAIAS
In the past year, Lexus has shown glimpses of its bolder, more confident brand direction with new vehicles such as the CT 200h hybrid, LFA supercar and all-new GS sedan. This year’s exhibit at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) will exude excitement as the display highlights Lexus’ latest product offerings, including a breath-taking concept vehicle that is already garnering significant media attention.
Utilizing 14,300 square feet of floor space, the exhibit is divided into distinctive zones, including performance, hybrid and luxury. Overhead sail-like canopies mark the threshold of the exhibit, ushering guests into the “GS Gallery.” The all-new GS has become synonymous with the brand’s redefined image and new evocative styling.
“The 2013 GS has become symbolic of Lexus’ dynamic future,” said Paul Rohovsky, National Manager – Lexus Engagement Marketing. “The GS 350, along with its hybrid variant, the GS 450h, and optional F Sport package, play a vital role in conveying the boldness that customers can expect to see from Lexus moving forward.”
Further proof of the brand’s evolving design direction will be found in the LF-LC sport coupe, a concept vehicle making its worldwide debut on Jan. 9 at NAIAS. Crafted by Toyota’s Calty design studio in Newport Beach, Calif., the LF-LC’s clean lines emphasize motion, creating a distinctive look for this futuristic vehicle. Within the exhibit, a special pavilion, featuring an immersive theatre experience, has been created specifically for the LF-LC.
Lexus’ 552-horsepower LFA will be located at the heart of the exhibit, spearheading the performance zone. The LFA is a platform that demonstrates Lexus innovation and use of advanced materials and processes that are challenging conventional thinking in every detail of automotive design and production.
Another vehicle making its worldwide debut in Detroit is the updated 2013 Lexus LX full-size sport utility vehicle, due out later this year. The LX has earned the distinction of being amongst the best vehicles in its class since its introduction more than 15 years ago. This venerable vehicle will be flanked by other popular SUVs in the Lexus lineup, the RX and GX.
Interactivity was instrumental in the creation of this year’s exhibit as evidenced by an area dubbed “Engineering Amazing.” This gallery has several interactive displays that illustrate Lexus’ endless pursuit of perfection though engineering expertise and craftsmanship.
Toyota, Lexus, and Scion Vehicles Earned Top Safety Pick Awards for 2012
Is the safety of a vehicle a major consideration in your next purchase? Then you will be happy to know that fifteen Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick awards. The 15 models chosen between Toyota, Lexus, and Scion, are more than any other automaker!
Commenting on today’s announcement, Steve St. Angelo, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., said, “Safety is a core value that dates back to the foundation of our company. IIHS’ awards further recognize our commitment to helping protect drivers and passengers.
The 2012 model year winners are
For Toyota: Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Prius, Prius v, Sienna, Tundra Crew Cab, Venza, and Yaris
For Lexus: CT 200h and RX
For Scion: tC, xB, and xD
According to the IIHS, Top Safety Pick awards recognize vehicles that do the best job of protecting
people in front, side, rollover, and rear crashes based on ratings in IIHS tests.
The IIHS Top Safety Pick award is the private sector’s counterpart to the government’s own five star rating systems for vehicle safety conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Over recent years it has been difficult for automakers to ace both tests. Today’s announcement shows they are improving safety.
The Frankfurt Motor Show Introduces the All-New 2013 Lexus GS 450h
As a leader in hybrid technology, Lexus reinforces its commitment to furthering the technology with the all-new 2013 GS 450h. When it was first introduced in 2007, the GS 450h was the first hybrid-powered luxury sport sedan to hit the market. Today, it is the world’s first premium performance sedan to be equipped with a V6 Atkinson cycle gas engine and two-motor hybrid system, in a front engine-rear wheel drive vehicle.
Equipped with a second generation Lexus Hybrid Drive system, GS 450h engineers have aimed for reductions in fuel consumption and emissions, while providing exhilarating performance. As with all Lexus hybrid vehicles, the new GS 450h is a full hybrid capable of operating the gas-only or electric-only modes, as well as a combination of both.
“The all-new GS 450h will provide our customers with an exciting blend of performance and precision in a new hybrid package,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager in the U.S. “With its dynamic exterior styling, roomy interior and advanced technology features, the GS 450h further demonstrates Lexus’ mastery of the luxury hybrid.”
With total system output of 338 hp, acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds is effortless. Conversely, fuel consumption is expected to be improved by more than 30 percent. The GS 450h is targeting certification as a Super-Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle II (SULEV II). The new GS hybrid also features a Drive Mode selector. In addition to the Normal mode, the driver is able to customize the driving experience using Eco, Sport S, Sport S+ and EV modes.
A newly redesigned suspension system guides the 2013 GS through corners with precision. The standard 17-inch alloy wheels are paired with 225/50R7 tires while the optional 18-inch alloy wheels are equipped with 235/45R18 tires. The Electronically Controlled Braking (ECB) system characteristics have been modified to provide greater responsiveness from the first touch of the pedal. Improvements in driving dynamics are accomplished through such advanced technologies as Active Variable Suspension (AVS) and Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS). Other cutting-edge systems available on the GS 450h include the Lexus Dynamic Handling System which integrates AVS, DRS, variable gear-ratio steering and the latest iteration of Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management. Also offered are an advanced pre-crash safety system, Lane-Keep Assist (LKA), blind-spot monitor, Lexus’ Night View system and a head-up display.
On the outside, the 2013 GS expresses a new generation of Lexus’ design philosophy with its precisely sculpted exterior and will lead the rest of the lineup in an entirely new direction. Exclusive to the hybrid model is a unique three-lamp design that aligns the turn signal and Lexus-first high and low beam LED lamps in a single horizontal row. In addition, the rear bumper covers the exhaust pipe apertures. The GS 450h can also be distinguished by Lexus’ signature blue hybrid badging.
On the inside, this hybrid will share the same luxuries and technologies as its gas counterpart, including next generation Remote Touch; analog clock with LED indicators, carved from an ingot; and a new energy-saving auto climate control system called S-Flow that focuses airflow only to the front area where passengers are actually seated. A few notable differences include a bamboo-finished steering wheel, which reinforces the sustainability of the GS 450h, and the hybrid monitor.
“There is no other mid-luxury hybrid like the new GS 450h,” said Templin. “The handling, acceleration, and design of this Lexus hybrid are impeccable. We can’t wait for customers to drive one.”
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