Recently in Lexus Category

A review of the 2012 Lexus LFA Prototype has been published over at LeftLaneNews.com. 'Equipped with a single choice of Formula 1-inspired V10 power, the LFA utilizes the Lexus Type 1LRGUE engine. It's a 4.8-liter powerplant, developed from experience with Toyota's F1 team that shares no parts with any other Lexus automobile, save for the paper oil filters. By design, it is lower, shorter and narrower than the 3.5-liter V6 engine utilized in many other Lexus models in the lineup. In the process, though, it produces 552 horsepower peaking at 8,700 rpm (you read that right), and 354 lb-ft. of torque at 6,800 rpm. Constructed by sub-contractor Yamaha, the engines will be hand-built and finished with a plaque signed by the engine builder, a de rigueur move for high-end performance cars these days. Cylinder heads and intakes are designed using normal practices, but Yamaha's musical instrument division has jumped into the fray to enhance the engine sound by tuning the intakes to bring different harmonics to the car.'

Car Advice have published a review of the 2009 Lexus GS 450h petrol-hybrid sedan. 'It's not a beautiful looking car, but the overall shape and lines are smooth and un-cluttered although, the tailgate area is more a squaretail and seems a tad too busy for my liking. The rear track appears almost narrow, but that's just a perception. Two large adults will enjoy a comfortable ride slumped in the rear seats, with plenty leg and headroom. While there's room for a third passenger, that person wouldn't want to be any taller than 175cm and short legs would be mandatory on any trips longer than 10 minutes. There's also plenty of elbow space between the driver and front passenger, making for comfortable family drives, as no one ever feels hemmed in.'

A review of the 2010 Lexus LS 460 Sport sedan has been posted over at LeftLaneNews.com. 'The 2010 LS 460 Sport is a dressed up version of the short wheelbase LS 460 thanks to a unique blacked-out mesh-style grille to differentiate between the chrome found on the regular model. A special ground effects package with front and rear spoilers, side rocker panels, and a new rear diffuser impart the look of speed and performance as best they can on this big luxo-sedan. The sportiness carries over to the interior as well. The addition of black and saddle interior leather trim with matte brown ash veneer trim around the dash and center console give a much more aggressive appearance than what is seen in the lighter-colored LS leathers.

A review of the 2010 Lexus GX 460 LUV has been posted over at LeftLaneNews.com. 'New for 2010, the GX 460 is the second generation of what Lexus calls a "Luxury Utility Vehicle" that sees as its competition the Land Rover LR4, Acura MDX, BMW X5 and Audi Q7. Within its own family, the GX slots between the brutish LX 570 and the futuristically shaped RX 350. The new GX carries forth with Lexus' L-Finesse design language, this time evoking the feel of a "machined steel bar" concept to impart a feeling of strength and toughness, according to designers. Sharing platforms with its corporate North American-specification Toyota 4Runner cousin, the GX 460 features softer edges and more generous proportions than its taut relative. Few owners are likely to realize that the GX 460 is nearly identical to the rest-of-the-world Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, a smaller companion to the Land Cruiser sold in North America.

The USATODAY have published a review of the 2010 Lexus IS 250C convertible. 'The IS convertible is derived from hardware underpinning the IS sedan. A key difference: The sedan offers all-wheel drive. The convertible doesn't. Also, the convertible is about 300 pounds heavier than the sedan. But that extra weight is toward the rear, so Lexus says the drop-top has the coveted 50/50 weight balance - half the weight on the front wheels, half on the rears. The sedan is 52/48. Hard to enjoy the benefits of 50/50, however, when the car's leaning so much in corners that you don't want to drive it hard in the first place.

A review of the 2008 Lexus IS F has been posted over at MotorTrend.com. 'For 2010, Lexus has made some noteworthy improvements to the IS F. A limited-slip differential is now standard as is Bluetooth streaming audio. There's even a snazzy new design for the 19-inch wheels. But until Lexus incorporates suppler suspension tuning, or at least adjustable dampers with a legitimate comfort setting, the IS F will remain the poster boy for teeth-chattering transportation. So soften those shocks, Lexus, and we'll be all smiles.'

Jalopnik have published their "test driven" review of the 2011 Lexus LFA. 'The LFA has an unprecedentedly low center of gravity of 17 3/4" -- located directly beneath the steering wheel's rim. So far a conventional attribute executed perfectly, but how that CoG got there is way more complicated. First, the engine is located way back in the engine bay and mounts to a 6-speed rear-mounted transaxle through a carbon torque tube. The oil coolers are in the front fenders, while the radiators are at the rear to aid weight distribution, they're fed by the shoulder scoops. That creates a 48% front, 52% rear distribution for the 3263 Lb curb weight. That accounts for the CoG's position front-to-rear, but not vertically. That was achieved by using a world's first counter gear to raise the relative height of the torque tube, allowing the engine to be mounted incredibly low in the car, accounting for the CoG's height.'

A review of the 2010 Lexus LFA sports has been posted over at InsideLine.com. 'For a car that is yet to be launched, the 2010 Lexus LFA has had an extraordinary number of face-lifts. First it was a front-engine coupe and then it became a convertible. First it was built in aluminum, then later in carbon-fiber. The engine was to be a V10 derived from Toyota's Formula 1 engine, but then the F1 rules changed to specify V8s and we wondered if the LFA's engine would change, too. The final solution is a front-engine coupe built around a carbon-fiber monocoque and dressed with carbon-fiber body panels. This latest styling iteration has moved on significantly from the last showcar, and it's meant to be far more dramatic. "We wanted the front half to have a face and to have a distinctive character," says LFA Chief Engineer Haruhiko Tanahashi. "It needed to make a very strong statement and be recognizable as an LFA even from 100 meters away."

The Garage Blog have published a review of the 2010 Lexus HS250h sedan. 'The Lexus HS250h is an all-new model for Toyota's luxury brand. Although Lexus is no stranger to hybrid technology, the HS (for Harmonious Sedan) is their first dedicated hybrid. According to Lexus, 60% of entry-level luxury car buyers said they would consider a hybrid in that class if one were available. There is a huge misconception out there that the HS250h is simply a tarted-up Prius, but there is no truth to that. The HS is actually based on the Euro-market Toyota Avensis.'

A review of the 2010 Lexus HS250h has been posted over at CNET. 'Like the Prius, the HS features four drive modes for its hybrid power train: normal, ECO, power, and EV. Eco mode dulls the throttle response to smooth out pedal inputs of lead-footed drivers, while also reducing the power draw of the climate controls. When you're in a hurry, hit the Power mode to sharpen the performance for better acceleration at the expense of a few mpgs. Normal mode attempts to evenly balance economy and performance. EV mode forces the vehicle to operate under electric power only at low speed. However, a few conditions must be met. The battery must be sufficiently charged and you must treat the accelerator pedal like an eggshell. Even then, you'll only get a few miles of sub-20mph driving before the battery drops below the safe level and the gasoline engine fires up to recharge it.'