First Impression: Lexus LFA

Lexus was founded in 1989 to function as Toyota's luxury brand. The first two cars made by Lexus were the LS 400 and ES 250. In 2005, Lexus premiered a supercar concept and showed a more refined supercar concept in 2007. In 2008, Lexus reveal a roadster version of the supercar concept. In October 2009, Lexus revealed the production model at the Tokyo Auto Show. Lexus calls the supercar the LFA. The LFA is the first ever supercar made by Lexus. In December 2010, the first LFAs went into production. Over a 25 month span with 20 LFAs produced monthly, 500 LFAs will be produced.

I first saw the Lexus LFA at the June 2011 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. There was a huge crowd around the LFA. It is a nice looking grand tourer, but there were better looking grand tourer at the event. The LFA's exterior was deisgned with an emphasis on downforce. With air intakes in the back, one would think the engine is in rear, but the rear air intakes help cool the breaks. The side mirrors are designed to help funnel air into the rear air intakes. The engine is actually in the front-middle of the car.The gap between the hood and front bumper help feed air to the engine. It has a small trunk in the rear that is accessible by lifting the rear glass. This is a great initial supercar by Lexus.

The LFA is powered by a 4.8L V10, paired to a six-speed semi-automatic transmission, that produced 552 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. The LFA goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 mph and reaches a top speed of 202 mph. Prices for the LFA start at $375,000. The Lexus LFA is fast, but it is very expensive for car that goes 202 mph. There are cars that are faster and quicker than the LFA and cost less than $200,000.

Jay Leno did a feature of the LFA, which can be seen at www.jaylenosgarage.com. Richard Hammond reviewed the car during Top Gear Series 14, Episode 7. The LFA is playable in Grand Turismo 5, Shift 2: Unleashed, and Forza Motorsport 3.

Final Thoughts: The LFA is the best car made the Toyota Motor Company. It shows that Toyota and its other brands can make exciting high performing vehicles while making boring hybrids at the same time. Toyota can produce the Prius and the Lexus CT 200H hybrids while producing the Lexus LFA. One of Toyota's rival, Honda, stopped making the NSX and S2000 to focus on the production of the CR-Z and Insight hybrids. Compared to the Nissan GT-R, the Lexus LFA is faster and quicker and has a better design. It is fast, but there are several cars that are quicker, faster and less expensive than the LFA. The LFA is a very clever super car and is the fastest production car made in Japan. The price is just too high for what it is. The Ferrari 599, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, and Lamborghini Gallardo are faster and less expensive than the LFA. Still, there is nothing like the LFA on the road and this car will stand out in parking lots and on the roads. People will stop to look at it.

CarJunkie
Photo taken from a digital camera

First Impression: Lexus CT 200h

Lexus is  the luxury brand of Toyota. Lexus is known for making luxury cars and sport sedans. The brand produced its first supercar, the LFA, in December 2010. Lexus also has made hybrid versions of its popular models, the HS (IS hybrid), RX, GS, and LS hybrids. These car have good performance. When I first saw the CT 200h hybrid, I thought maybe Lexus would make a vehicle that is only available with hybrid drivetrain that is not slow. Then I remembered who owns Lexus.

I first saw the CT 200h at the 2011 Houston Auto Show. This was one of two hybrids that Lexus was exhibiting. The other was the LS 600h. My initial thought was "Great another hybrid hatchback." I was going to just ignore this car, but commercials started airing and Lexus was claiming 40+ mpg in the commercials. I took a look at its performance and was not impressed.

The Lexus CT 200h is powered by a 1.8L I-4 engine and a high-output, permanent-magnet, electric-drive motor with an EV mode that produce 134 hp and 152 lb-ft.  It goes from 0-60 mph in 9.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 113 mph. It has the same 0-60 time as the third generation Toyota Prius and has a higher top speed than the Chevrolet Volt and Prius. The price for the CT 200h starts at $29,120.  It is cheap for a Lexus but it is one of the slowest cars Lexus currently makes. This is Lexus' version of the Toyota Prius, just with a higher top speed.

It is a new car, so it has not been featured in video games. There are reviews online of this car, but nothing from Top Gear or Jay Leno's Garage. Motorweek will be featuring the car next month.

Final Thought: It is cheap and slow. There are better cars for under $30,000. Any Volkswagen Golf would be a better buy than the CT 200h. It is another hatchback that is is not "hot." The CT 200h is the Prius of Lexus.

Carjunkie
Photo taken from a camera phone

Lexus Teases the LF-Gh Hybrid Concept ahead of NYIAS World Premiere

Toyota's luxury brand Lexus released the first official teaser shots of the new LF-Gh hybrid concept car, which will make its world debut at the upcoming 2011 New York International Auto Show (April 22 – May 11). The name of the concept stands for Lexus Future Grand Touring Hybrid, and according to the Japanese company, the LF-Gh “sets out to redefine the premium grand touring sedan.”

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Price Increases for Toyota, Lexus and Scion in the U.S.

The Toyota group has announced price increases for most 2011MY cars, SUVs and trucks it sells under the Toyota, Scion and Lexus brands. These increases will be applicable for cars produced from May onwards. The only models that will keep the same prices are the Tacoma pickup truck, Yaris sedan, Scion tC, Scion xB, Lexus CT 200h and Lexus LFA.

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High Demand for German Luxury Cars in the U.S. and China

Germany’s car market has definitely seen better days, as sales in the first 11 months of 2010 are down 25.2% compared to the same period last year. However, strong demand for luxury cars in the U.S. and China is keeping premium automakers like Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz busy during the holiday season and, most importantly, profitable.

“2010 was expected to be a tough year all round” John Lawson, a London-based analyst at Citi Investment Research, wrote in a report. “But rich China sales have leapt (and) foreign exchange has been very supportive”.

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Japan’s Economic Future in Doubt: A National Introspective

It’s not been a good year for Japan. China has recently overtaken the Land of the Rising Sun as the world’s second biggest economic power and a recall of over ten million vehicles by one of the nation’s biggest and most respectable companies, Toyota, kicked off a global PR debacle that some analysts predict will take years to recover from.

Add to that Japan’s aging population, its growing national debt and heavy reliance on manufacturing, all of which are effectively killing what was once thought destined to be the world’s leading economic superpower. The departure of its fourth Prime Minister in three years and a nasty diplomatic row with China over the detention of a trawler captain by the Japanese Coast Guard is also hurting.

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Toyota Settled an “Unintended Acceleration” Lawsuit with US$10 Million

The families of four people killed in an accident allegedly caused by the now infamous “unintended acceleration” throttle-gate, sued Toyota earlier this year and reached a settlement in September. At the time, the amount was not made public, but now, the Los Angeles Times is reporting that a lawyer representing Bob Baker Lexus of San Diego, California, a defendant in the case, has revealed that the Japanese maker agreed to pay US $10 million. Read more »

New Lexus CT-200h Hybrid Priced from $29,995 in the U.S.

Lexus has dropped pricing details for its all-new CT-200h ahead of the hybrid model's U.S. market launch in early March. The five-door model will be priced from $29,120, plus $875 for delivery, processing and handling, which comes out to a total of $29,995 [about €22,450] making it the least expensive car in the Lexus lineup in the U.S.

“For just $1,000 more than the cost of a non-luxury hybrid, buyers can indulge in a CT 200h with our proven Lexus Hybrid Drive technology,” said Mark Templin, group vice president and general manager, Lexus Division. “Lexus hybrids currently make up 90 percent of all luxury hybrid sales in the U.S., so you can imagine how excited we are to continue our leadership in this market with the CT 200h.”

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2010 Lexus ES 350

The Lexus ES 350 debuts revised styling, new luxury amenities and the all-new telematics system, Lexus Enform™ and Safety Connect™, for 2010. Newly standard rear seat-mounted side airbags bring the number of airbags in the ES 350 to 10.
In its fifth generation, the Lexus ES 350 continues to blur the line between “entry luxury” and “prestige luxury.” Revised headlamps, a new grille, new grille surround, chrome body side molding and new front bumper with revised lower intake and integrated fog lamps underscore the car’s refined character. Side mirrors now feature integrated turn signals, and the tail lamps are redesigned. Elegant new exterior colors accentuate the distinctive design in the 2010 ES 350.

When the Lexus ES 350 was introduced in 2007, was accepted as the Best New Cars of 2007 list of the combination of comfort, luxury and value-for-money. Now in its third year of production, the ES 350 was little changed - as a reason to love him. But some new competitors emerging in recent years - so that no ES 350 is still outstanding?
Lexus surplus handsome, smooth, quiet and comfortable, 0ffer similar choices to those found in high-end model of the Lexus, the name was so reasonably priced. Leather seats are an additional option fee.

Description

• Lexus 350 ES is the entry-level model; share mechanical bits with the Toyota Camry
• Price range: $ 35.145 - $ 46.625
• Model tested / price: ES 350 Pebble Beach Edition, $ 41,995
• EPA fuel economy estimates: 19 MPG city/27 MPG highway
• Best rivals: Lincoln MKZ, Infiniti G37, Sedan Hyundai Genesis

For 2010, renowned Lexus luxury is enhanced by revised steering wheel controls, as well as new wood trim choices. A revised center console offers more storage than before. An array of new user technologies expands navigation capability and music playing options. The updated optional navigation system features improved Voice Command casual-language voice recognition to enhance owner convenience.
The new standard Lexus Memory System controls and stores settings for the driver’s seat (except lumbar), outside mirrors and steering wheel. Rain-sensing windshield wipers, previously optional, are now standard.

CT 200h Akan Tampil di Geneva Motor Show

After six months of the LF-Ch concept released American manufacturer, Lexus, CT 200h introduce their latest models at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show next few months. Lexus is a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, which serves the U.S. market for the first time introduced the first hybrid variant of the pure premium compact car segment that would compete with the Audi A3 and BMW 1 series.

For 2010, renowned Lexus luxury is enhanced by revised steering wheel controls, as well as new wood trim choices. A revised center console offers more storage than before. An array of new user technologies expands navigation capability and music playing options. The updated optional navigation system features improved Voice Command casual-language voice recognition to enhance owner convenience.

The new standard Lexus Memory System controls and stores settings for the driver’s seat (except lumbar), outside mirrors and steering wheel. Rain-sensing windshield wipers, previously optional, are now standard.

In this redesigned hybrid car a few sides that seem CT200h dynamic. Like the front bumper design that has sharp corners. Shape design is very helpful at all sides of this luxury car aerodynamics. Design front and rear lights that are designed to create smoke CT200h sporty. There is also a side of the stern spoiler and alloy wheels CT200h bar radius of 10 which makes this car look more sporty and elegant.

While part CT200h, there are luxury and quality materials in order to compete with other luxury cars. Examples such as the entertainment features that can be accessed using 8-inch LCD. Japanese luxury car manufacturer has not released official details of CT 200h, but estimated the car was going to use Lexus Hybrid Drive technology, the second generation that has the ability to walk by using electricity.

Posed hybrid system would save fuel consumption and reduce exhaust gas emissions is very friendly lingkungan.Pada CT200h part hybrid car engine capacity of 1800 cc assisted electric motor works. However, there is no data to say how the energy generated is environmental friendly cars. Apparently, these hybrid cars will be placed under the IS sedan and the Lexus 250h hybrid HS.