lexus

The 2019 New York International Auto Show

April 21, 2019 by ponycargirl Leave a Comment

2019 is a curious year for the New York International Auto Show – at first look, there are some automakers that are notably absent – BMW, MINI, Volvo, and Mitsubishi skipped the show this year. In automotive parlance, the show is leaner, or more “muscular”. However the space on the show floor was taken up by some fresh new faces, most prominently with Rivian, the U.S.-based company producing electric adventure vehicles with a 400-mile range.

There were some significant launches; among them, Hyundai showed up with the 2020 Venue, a new SUV, as well as a sleek new Sonata with a digital key. Lincoln thankfully dropped the confusing letter-number naming convention with the Corsair, a compact luxury crossover that can seat five people. Toyota’s new offerings include the new revamped Highlander as well as a cute Yaris hatchback. Subaru showed off their sixth-gen 2020 Outback in the middle of a rather nice-smelling booth highlighting national forests.

Concept cars were super slick, creatively named, and largely electric – Kia revealed their HabaNiro concept with 300-mile all electric range. The Genesis Mint luxury electric concept was hard to even get close to after an off-site reveal the night before. VW showed up with not one but three concepts: the ID. Buggy, the compact Tarok Pickup Concept, and the Basecamp (the latter two have combustion engines). Another company new to NYIAS, Mullen, revealed the modular, aluminum and carbon fiber Qiantu K50 electric sportscar.

In the “If You Have to Ask You Can’t Afford It” supercar section of the show, Swedish maker Koenigsegg introduced their road-legal Jesko to North America, and Sleepy Hollow, New York’s Glickenhaus drove his 700-hp SCG 003S to the show. Dubbed the world’s most expensive SUV, the oddly angular and very very large Karlmann King will set you back about $2.3 million – perhaps more if you choose the armored option.

And then there were the special editions – so many fancy badges! Nissan was celebrating the 5oth Anniversary of the GT-R with some beautiful classics joining the 50^thAnniversary Edition. Tangentially, there is another larger independent booth display of classic of Z’s downstairs. (Not to be outdone, Toyota is displaying some classic Supras – JDM fans, this show’s for you). Dodge’s Challengers and Chargers will now be available in the Stars & Stripes Edition, and Alfa Romeo created a limited-edition 019 Quadrifoglio NRING (Nürburgring) for both the Stelvio Quadrifoglio and Giulia. Last but not least – Ford celebrated Mustang Day with the Ford Mustang Performance Package and hot dogs.

The New York International Auto Show in the Jacob Javits Center is open until April 28, 2019.

AIM VASSER SULLIVAN to Field Two Lexus RC F GT3 Race Cars in IMSA’s GTD Class in 2019

October 19, 2018 by Media press release Leave a Comment

Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada (October 16, 2018) -. AIM VASSER SULLIVAN (AVS) is a newly formed motorsports entity that includes AIM Autosport, a championship-winning organization, partnering with IndyCar winning team owners Jimmy Vasser and James “Sulli” Sullivan to campaign two Lexus RC F GT3 race cars in the GT Daytona (GTD) class of the IMSA WeatherTech Championship beginning in 2019.

Vasser and Sullivan were allied and partners from 2011-2016 with KVSH Racing in the IndyCar Series. During that time they won the 2013 Indianapolis 500 and went on to win five more IndyCar races over a three-year period (2014-2016). In 2018, they formed a partnership with Dale Coyne to establish Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser-Sullivan to compete in the IndyCar Series with driver Sebastien Bourdais. In its first year, the team earned multiple podiums including winning the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, and finishing seventh in the 2018 championship standings.

AIM Autosport has won races and championships in every level of motorsports they have competed in with customer racing programs dating back to the 1990s, including the 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series GTD championship.

“Having the opportunity to campaign two mighty Lexus RC F GT3 cars in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship in partnership with Jimmy and Sulli is fantastic,” said AIM VASSER SULLIVAN co-owner Andrew Bordin. “To compete for wins and Championships in this ultra-competitive class requires excellence in all aspects of racing and we now have all of the right pieces in place.”

AIM VASSER SULLIVAN will operate from the current AIM facilities in Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada and a newly established US-based race facility located in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“Sulli and I are excited and looking forward to entering a new chapter in our racing careers,” said AIM VASSER SULLIVAN co-owner Jimmy Vasser. “I have driven sportscars before, but my career was pretty much limited to the 24 Hours of Daytona, including a ‘class’ win in 1992 and second overall in 2008. The AIM VASSER SULLIVAN TEAM, with the support of Lexus and our sponsors, has the tools to get the job done and we are looking forward to this new challenge.”

The RC F GT3, which is based upon the production Lexus RC F high performance coup, initially debuted in IMSA competition at the 2017 Rolex 24 at Daytona. In its first two IMSA WeatherTech seasons, Lexus earned five pole positions, two race wins and finished third in the 2018 GTD Manufacturer point standings.

“We believe AIM VASSER SULLIVAN is a great fit for our organization as we continue to evolve our race program,” said David Christ, group vice president and general manager, Lexus division. “Lexus F is a brand infused with motorsports technology and the high performance capabilities of the RC F GT3 on the race track has proven Lexus as more than just a luxury automaker.”

“It’s been exciting for Lexus to get back into sports car racing with the RC F GT3,” said Mark Egger, motorsports manager, Lexus division. “We’ve been able to build our fan base through on-track performance and by engaging with consumers at our Lexus Racing Experience activation, and look forward to continuing that growth in our new partnership with AIM VASSER SULLIVAN.”

The team will announce its 2019 driver line ups in the coming weeks.

Ride the “No Style” 1975 Corolla with Matt Farah

July 31, 2014 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

When I was in high school, maybe about 1983-ish, I very nearly owned an absolutely perfect 1975 Toyota Corolla. It had two doors, four forward gears and a fresh coat of dark blue paint. The guy wanted $1,100 for the car, so I gave him a couple of hundred bucks deposit, the rest payable the next day when he handed me the ownership and keys. That same evening, he was rear ended by a bus. Fortunately, dude was ok, but the ‘Rolla was toast. The next morning, he gave me my cash back. That is the closest I have ever come to owning something like Mark Stil’s ride.

Of course, Stil’s machine as you can see above is absolutely nothing like the car I almost owned, with the exception of the name and outer body shell. Stil used his skills as a Hollywood movie set fabricator to jamb the dirty bits of a Lexus SC400 underneath a ’75 ‘Rolla. Oh, and a supercharger.

Then, he let my old buddy Matt Farah, from The Smoking Tire loose in the thing on a canyon road. Lucky bastard.

I do have to say that if there is anyone who looks almost as ridiculous as me behind the wheel of a tiny car, it is Farah!

Review: 2014 Lexus IS-F

April 24, 2014 by Tom Williams Leave a Comment

I won’t joke, dear reader. Being a car journalist is one of the greatest jobs one could ever hope to have, and I am extremely fortunate to have been an editor at The Garage for the past five years. That position became even sweeter when my Lexus press fleet manager told me he had an IS-F available if I wanted it. Needless to say, it did not take me long to make up my mind. Granted, when you think of Lexus, what comes to mind? Well, it’s the preferred car of real estate agents here in coastal Connecticut. Lexus has built a strong reputation for bullet proof reliability, class, and luxury, and deservedly so. But performance? Excitement? Not so much. Lexus is looking to change that, and anything with a Lexus badge with an ‘F’ attached to it is meant to arouse the enthusiast’s soul as much as seeing AMG or M attached to a Mercedes-Benz or BMW. Did Lexus pull it off? Read on to find out.

As a premium Japanese company, Lexus took a very American approach to the IS-F. They simply took their most basic four door sedan, the IS-series, and shoe-horned a huge honking V-8 under the hood. The IS is a smart looking car on its own, but the transformation to muscle car was less than elegant. That giant V-8 needs engine room, and the end result is a bulbous hood that does the IS no favors. The fake brake ducts aft of the front wheels did not impress. Oh, and the double stacked exhaust pipes out back? Yeah, fake. The IS-F redeems itself with drop dead gorgeous 19″ BBS alloys showing Brembo brake calipers, but Lexus, come on. No fake body add-ons. You’re better than that.

The interior of the IS-F is bona-fide Lexus grade, meaning superior fit and finish, and quality materials. Lexus has one of the best infotainment systems in the business, so using the IS-F’s vast technological abilities is as easy as pie. Seats are supportive and very comfortable, but sitting inside the cabin offers little in terms of feeling like you are in a very special car. As for living with the IS-F, as Lexus’ smaller sedan, rear seat room and trunk space are on the small side. But you don’t buy an IS-F for trunk space.

You buy an IS-F for what is under the hood. In this case, it is a 5.0L V-8 cranking out a healthy 416hp, driven to the rear wheels, as God intended. That power is managed through an 8-speed automatic-sorry purists, Lexus will not sell you a stick shift IS-F. Which is OK, but the IS-F’s tranny is slick and ready to cooperate. 0-60mph comes in a scant 4.7 seconds. Power is available all the time, the IS-F has such a fat torque band you are never left wanting for power and the tranny is almost as good as Mercedes-Benz at reading your mind to grab the right gear. The IS-F is sprung damn tight, so handling is spot on, but shod with summer tires the ride was stiff and unforgiving in late winter Connecticut.

If the IS-F is Lexus’ answer to a muscle car, it does so wrapped in true luxury. Standard features include a push button start, leather sport seats, power moonroof, auto dual zone climate control, premium audio system, GPS navigation, Bluetooth, and power tilt/telescoping steering wheel. All in, our IS-F rang in at $67,510, including delivery charges.

I wanted to love the IS-F. The car is perfect. It is mad as hell. It is ferocious. It is stupid fast, and does everything you ask of it. But for as awesome its capabilities, the Lexus left me cold. I once drove a BMW E46 M3, and it was the best car I ever drove, hands down. Better than my own Porsche 911. I was so smitten I was ready to rob banks just to have than damn M3. And that’s my problem with the IS-F. For as capable as it was, it never left me wanting to take the long way home.

Perhaps I can summarize the Lexus IS-F on my last trip before the car was to be picked up. I was listening to Lithium on XMSirius radio. The band? Vertical Horizon, the song, ‘Everything You Want’. The lyrics? See below.

I am everything you want.

I am everything you need.

I am everything inside of you that you wish you could be.

I say all the right things at exactly the right time.

But I mean nothing to you, and I don’t know why.

Review: 2013 Lexus LS460 AWD

June 11, 2013 by Tom Williams 2 Comments

There are some car stories out there that are so fascinating, they bear repeating-not just for those who lived and remember that time, but for those too young to recall. Here at The Garage, we are members of Generation X, who grew up with the notion that Japanese cars were great cars with exceptional reliability, but luxury? Not a chance. That changed in 1986 when Honda introduced Acura as an upscale brand, and the automotive world held their collective breath to see if North Americans would accept the notion of an upscale, premium Japanese car. They did, and the Acuras were, and are fine cars, but Toyota had far bolder plans. Forget about accepting the notion of accepting a premium Japanese brand. Toyota was creating the Lexus LS, and its sole mission was to target the vaunted, legendary Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Remember, Toyota’s most luxurious car ever sold here prior was the Cressida. To say the project was an ambitious one is putting it mildly.

And so the Lexus LS debuted in 1990, and was quite a success. Infiniti answered with its Q-Series, but that car failed to find as many buyers, and eventually faded away. Acura has yet to even try to compete against the LS. It is a remarkable success story of a company entering a very hostile market dominated by German marques of great distinction and provenance. At the time, Lexus was doing the unthinkable. Now, in 2013, the Lexus LS is completely accepted as a peer to the Audi A8, BMW 7-Series, and of course, its target, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. While the auto magazines out there continue to gush about its German rivals, the LS has generally been respected, but overlooked.

With a refresh for 2013, that needs to change. From the start, the LS has been described as a good looking car, but a little lacking in personality. Luxurious, yes, but memorable, no. With the spindle grill now seen across the Lexus line, the LS has finally, after all these years, seemed to have gotten its own identity at the top of the luxury car class. The inverted Lexus ‘L’s’ continue at the front end with daytime running lights. For once, you know that it is a Lexus coming up behind you. Curvy fender flares and a sculpted hood surface provide an air of elegance and seriousness befitting a car of this stature. Our test car, finished in Fire Agate Pearl, a sort of cigar paper brown that seemed to hint at the age of the ‘Mad Men’ television series. Offset with optional 19″ alloys, our LS460 had a level of presence and gravity unlike no other LS before it.

First and foremost, the Lexus LS was, is, and always will be a full-size luxury sedan, and it is the cabin that makes all the difference. Here, the LS excels. In a car of this level, when you settle in behind the wheel, you need to feel as if you are in a special car. Ultra-soft leather, muted metals, gorgeously finished and sculpted wood surround you. This is not simply a space for occupants to sit in to reach a destination, it is akin to observing fine furniture. Yes, the attention to detail and craftsmanship is that good. But it exists in a perfectly functional environment with seats offering exceptional comfort and support. Of course, the latest in technology and infotainment is right there, but Lexus presents it all in a very user-friendly format. Lexus understands that true luxury is to pamper and relax you, not intimidate, such as some of the LS’ chief German rivals often do.

The Lexus LS460 is motivated by a 4.6L V-8 rated at 386hp, paired to an 8-speed automatic. Buyers have the choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, but the latter choice will cost you six horsepower. For a New Englander like myself, the assurance of all-wheel drive is the way to go. Lexus claims a 0-60mph time of just under six seconds. Some reviewers complain the LS does not offer as much power as some of its rivals. Notice I said ‘not as much’ instead of ‘not enough’. Having logged plenty of miles on the interstate and on country two-lanes, the LS460 had plenty of power in every situation thrown at it, and even offered a nice purr from the V-8 when pushed.

In speaking of the nature of the LS on the road, the operative word is ‘composed’. This may be a large, heavy car, but from behind the wheel you would never know it. The mark of a great handling large car is that it never feels large-the LS shrinks around you. On a Spring drive up to gorgeous Kent Falls, Connecticut, I was easily keeping up with an Audi S4 on the scenic, curvy roads of Route 7. He was pushing it, as was I, and I can imagine it must have shocked him how well I kept up, as my passengers were as cool as cucumbers. That said, I wouldn’t challenge the S4 to a lap at Laguna Seca, but it speaks volumes of the work of fine-tuning the LS’ handling that it never even broke a sweat with a spirited drive in the country with a pure-bred sport sedan.

While the Lexus LS was once a one-flavor for all car, several variations now exist. Rear or all-wheel drive, standard or long wheelbase, hybrid, and the more aggressively tuned F-Sport. Our test car was a standard wheelbase LS460 with all-wheel drive. As you could expect, the list of standard features is generous, including HID bi-xenon headlights, LED exterior and interior lighting, Safety Connect (similar to GM’s OnStar services), Navigation, a huge 12.3″ hi-res display screen, Lexus Enform to hook up with your smartphone apps, intuitive park assist, moonroof, leather seats, wood and aluminum trim, and premium audio, for a base price of $74,935USD. To that, our test car added Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross traffic Alert, the Comfort Package (ventilated front seats, power rear sunshade, heated rear seats, power trunk), 19″ alloys, Semi-Analine leather interior with Alcantara headliner, and a Mark Levinson 19 speaker audio system for a total of $82,010, including destination charges. Inexpensive? Hardly.

But remember-the bogey was always the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It was in 1990, it is in 2013. Don’t believe me that Lexus is still trying to beat Mercedes at their own game? Consider this. If you demand a V-8 powered S-Class with all-wheel drive, 19″ wheels, and the top-spec audio system-in other words, equipped just as our LS460 was-it will cost you a whopping $25,000 more. That’s something to consider. For the Lexus LS, the quality and luxury were always there. With the 2013 Lexus LS460, the persona and swagger this car has been begging for has finally arrived. And for the price Lexus is charging, Audi, BMW and Mercedes should take notice. The automotive media may have dismissed the Lexus LS, but you heard it from The Garage this is the ultimate evolution of Japan’s premier luxury sedan.

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Lexus Discontinues HS250h

May 17, 2012 by Tom Williams Leave a Comment

There is little doubt that Lexus stands as one of the premier Japanese luxury automakers, and can boast a long list of successful cars, crossovers and SUVs. However, even with the best of intentions, not every car can be a smashing success, and in this case, the HS250h was such an example. The HS was not Lexus’ first foray into selling a hybrid car, but while prior Lexus hybrids were built to offer hybrid technology as an added level of performance with decent fuel economy, the HS250h took a different tact. This was a straight up hybrid, no different from a plain Jane Prius.

The HS250h debuted as a 2010, and sold 10,663 cars in the US, far short of Lexus expectations. If that wasn’t bad enough, 2011 saw sales go into a free fall, dropping to 2,864 cars, a staggering 73 percent drop. In a report from Inside Line, Lexus halted production of the HS250h in January 2012. And no wonder, with a paltry 591 cars sold as of the end of April. With no action on the dealer showroom floor, Lexus never even attempted a hail Mary to revive the HS, and let the car quietly die.

The funny thing is, I actually liked the HS250h. The Garage reviewed one shortly after its introduction. I got what the HS was meant to be, and found it to be a handsome, comfortable car. Lexus is about to roll out the all-new ES series, which will have a hybrid version, but when asked, the ES hybrid is not a replacement for the HS. I say why not-the HS failed as a premium hybrid sedan, and with the ES Hybrid, an HS replacement would only cannibalize sales.

Max Orido tests Lexus V8 powered FT-86 drift car

April 2, 2012 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

The long anticipated Toyo-Baru twins aren’t even in showrooms here in North America and already the home market racers have cars in hand and are performing some wild ass conversions. Check this clip of long time Japanese racer turned drifter, Max Orido, in a Toyota FT-86 that has already had an engine transplant. That’s right, Orido’s guys have shoehorned a Lexus V8 into the diminutive coupe.

Hit the jump to see the car in action. Be sure to crank it up loud!
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Lexus stuns the crowd with LF-LC concept at Detroit

January 13, 2012 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

Every single surface of this machine has the most sensual curves. Without sounding too soppy, the LF-LC is absolutely gorgeous. Do I care that it is a hybrid? Nope, not one bit!

Check out our gallery and the Lexus presser after the break.
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Wet track + stupid journo = bent Lexus

September 26, 2011 by Gary Grant 3 Comments

In case you missed it the original report from Los Jalops, an auto journalist ran out of talent while driving the Lexus IS-F you see above at Monticello Motor Club last week. Perhaps “ran out of talent” is not a fitting comment, as the Armco was impacted half a lap into this guy’s first (and last) lap of the day.

The incident happened during the track day portion of the International Motor Press Association’s annual Test Days event. Historically held at Pocono Raceway, IMPA moved the event to Monticello due to its proximity to The Big Apple, where many members reside.

In addition to Matt Hardigree’s rant in Jalopnik, Jack Baruth has added his comments over at The Truth About Cars. I agree wholeheartedly with both of them that the journo involved is a dink with no regard for his fellow scribes, nor for the carnage he left in his wake. The guy is a douche.
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Review: 2011 Lexus IS350C

August 8, 2011 by Tom Williams Leave a Comment

While the IS-series have been been a part of the Lexus family for several years, in 2010 a retractable hardtop convertible was added. I was able to briefly sample an IS250C a couple years ago-I was generally happy with the package, as it seemed to embody all that one would expect from a Lexus, but the 2.5L 204hp V-6 left me wanting for more power. Thankfully, Lexus offers a more robust IS convertible in the IS350C that delivers the power the price promises. And instead of a thirty minute stint at the wheel, the IS350C would be my daily driver for a full week. Read on to see how it was to live with the IS, and is it worth the premium over the IS250C?

Visually, the two cars are indistinguishable, and I found it ironic that the IS350C I received was the same color, and had the same wheels its lesser brother I had driven previously. Which is a good thing. Our test car, finished in Matador Red Mica had a rich appearance, and the optional 18″ graphite alloys gave the IS a serious, sophisticated touch. Adding to the premium look were the LED daytime running lights, included in the optional Luxury Package. From the front, the car is instantly recognizable as a Lexus IS-a handsome car, but understated. With a car like this, car designers face a major challenge to make a car look great, while being capable of swallowing a hardtop roof into its trunk. Not easy. From the rear, the IS350C looks better in person than in pictures. It is not ungainly, but there is no denying it is big. I did wonder what a difference it would have made if Lexus made the car a rag top.

But you’re not looking at the hump of the IS350C when you’re driving it, and it is in the interior where the Lexus really comes into its own. Everything looks, feels, and smells just right. Seats that coddle you, wrapped in buttery smooth leather, faced with crystal clear gauges, rich looking wood trim and basically every creature comfort you could hope for, the IS350C is the sort of car that melts all the stresses of the day moments after you step inside. And that is precisely what one expects from a proper Lexus. Top up, the car is an isolation chamber, top down, you’re feeling the sun and wind through your hair (not too much, just right), resplendent in the comfort, the quality sound from the stereo, and the pleasure in every surface you touch is high quality.

So, how does she go? Well, as one would hope in a premium luxury convertible, the IS350C is rear wheel drive. And while the IS250C gets you around, the IS350C moves with authority, thanks to its 3.5L V-6, rated at 306hp, paired to a six-speed automatic. 0-60mph comes in just under six seconds, so there is no question the car is quick. But this is not a car for stop light drag races. The satisfaction with the IS350C is knowing that silky smooth engine has just the right amount of passing power when you want it. Top down, the IS felt rock solid with no cowl shake. Ride and handling is comfortable, and perfectly competent-in other words, just right for a grand tourer.

Which makes me scratch my head when other reviews start comparing the IS350C to cars like the BMW 3-series convertible and Infiniti G37 convertible-two cars that are far edgier and more intense than the Lexus. Can you drive the Lexus hard and fast? Sure, but that’s not what the IS350C is about, and Lexus understands its buyer well enough to know they’re not being cross-shopped with the guy seeking a BMW 335i with a six-speed manual and M Sport Package.

So how was it living with the IS350C? A breeze, really. Granted, as a married guy with a five year old, I’m probably not the demographic for this car. But yes, the IS350C did day care drop off duty just fine, car seat and all. In particular, I loved the one-touch button to slide the passenger seat forward for easy ingress/egress for my son. It being early July, I had the top down at every moment, so much as the weather allowed. The top lowers in about twenty seconds, but with the top down, forget about trunk space. For a weekend getaway, you have to choose to put the luggage in trunk and drive with the top up, or go top down, with your bags in the back seat.

So, what does all this cost? A Lexus IS350C starts at $45,840USD. Our test car included options such as 18″ alloys, headlight washers, Luxury Package (includes bi-xenon headlights, LED DTRLs, heated/ventilated seats, one-touch fold and slide seats, leather and wood trim), Navigation Package and Intuitive Parking Assist for an as delivered total of $53,692. Hardly inexpensive, but about what you would expect for a car in this league.

In sum, the IS350C acquits itself flawlessly as a premium convertible. It is the perfect car for summer night cruising in total comfort and style, which I can personally attest to, as the IS proved to be a great companion for cruising on a lovely Fourth of July weekend here on the coast in Connecticut, as we chased firework shows. And for that, the IS250C would have done just as well, but for the couple desiring a getaway car for their weekend retreat out of town, I say go for the gusto of the IS350C.

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