NEWS: Stunning New Lexus IS Revealed

Lexus are on a mission. Having just re-vamped the luxury limo range, and showcased the LF-CC and LF-CC concepts last last year, now here's the first official images of the new-generation Lexus IS, released ahead of the car’s world debut at the Detroit motor show, when it will be unveiled January 15th. The new IS features: 

• Powerful and elegant exterior references Lexus’s LF-CC concept car
• Clean cabin design with sportier driving position
• Increased wheelbase and width make for more cabin space and greater luggage capacity
• IS F Sport models display individual exterior styling and adopt more supportive seats

Lexus say: "The pictures reveal powerful and elegant exterior styling and a cabin that is more spacious and driver-focused. Even at first glance it is clear to see how faithful Lexus has remained to the acclaimed LF-CC concept car that trailed its design thinking at last year’s Paris motor show."
The exterior design features an LF-CC concept-inspired spindle front grille arrangement, rapidly becoming a hallmark of all new Lexus models, the bulk of the cabin concentrated towards the rear, with a rising line flowing from the lower body into the rear lamp clusters and a new "powerfully articulated" headlamp cluster design, with Lexus’s signature L-shaped daytime running lights presented independently below.
And on the inside, is gorgeous, clean lines and "an ergonomically ideal environment created for the driver." It is a work of art we reckon – featuring little touches like a new LFA-style steering wheel design and position, giving a sportier feel. And the centre console controls feature a Lexus first: electrostatic switches that need just a finger touch to adjust the air conditioning temperature. The new IS’s increased width and longer wheelbase also allow for significantly more comfort for rear seat passengers and greater luggage capacity, too.
Additionally, the new IS F Sport models can be instantly recognised thanks to their special grille and front bumper design. The “waistline” of the spindle-shaped grille is set higher than on the standard models, creating a larger lower grille that can draw in the greater volume of cooling air needed for sportier driving. And the IS F Sport also has an exclusive seat design that provides extra support. The seats are made using an integrated foaming method that ensures there are no gaps between the upholstery and the filling, giving both excellent comfort and great lateral holding – not to mention nowhere to drop the contents of your pockets!
It looks excellent and we can not wait to test it. See more images on our Facebook page. Meantime, do enjoy our very recent Lexus special here.

NEWS: Final Lexus LFA Rolls Off Production Line

The 500th and last LFA in the production run – a white LFA Nürburgring Package – rolled off the line at the Motomachi Plant, Aichi Prefecture on December 14, 2012, looking ace and marking the end of production for Lexus very first supercar. The incredible 412PS, 480Nm, 200mph, 4.8-litre V10 Japanese beauty made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic and loaded with technology has to be one of the cars of the year. And despite the fact only a lucky 500 will get to own and enjoy the LFA, fear not – as Lexus say they "are learning from LFA engineering to directly influence new Lexus products," and that "production knowledge of Carbon fibre components to be applied to future Lexus vehicles." That is great news.
As the final vehicle left the production line, LFA chief engineer, Haruhiko Tanahashi said: "I’ve lived and breathed supercars for the past decade. Specifically one supercar, LFA. Very few people have the opportunity we had to create a world-class supercar from a blank sheet of paper."
Production at LFA Works started exactly two years ago, on December 15, 2010, and included a team of around 170 hand-picked takumi workers involved in parts manufacturing, vehicle assembly and painting. The LFA was produced at the rate of just one car per day.
Find out more about the LFA here  and read the latest Lexus special of Road Magazine FREE here.

MAGAZINE: Latest FREE Road Magazine: Luxurious Lexus

Open publication - Free publishing - More cars

In this month's FREE Road Magazine, we take a closer look at the "manufacturer of the decade" – Lexus – reviewing the brand new 2013 LS Range loaded with world first technology and featuring an all-new 460 F-Sport, test the outgoing GS250 V6 in advance of the all-new 2013 GS range UK launch, look in depth at the updated CT200h hybrid hatch & review the awesome Pikes Peak IS F CCS-R V8 muscle. The pursuit of perfection is here in abundance this month. Enjoy! And join us on Twitter (@roadmagazine) and Facebook to let us have your thoughts on the Lexus cars tested in this issue, and on our magazine & blog. Thanks, Team Road.

VIDEO: New Lexus GS - Heartbeat Challenge!

We've just had a close final look back at the out-going GS250 in full in the latest Lexus special of Road Magazine here. So, enter the all-new, facelifted 2013 GS model range, being given a proper run for it's money in this ace video, impressing potential clients – by getting their heart rate up and over 120bpm. Funny! And just how good does the new GS450h look in full oppo? We love the Jekyll & Hyde factor of Lexus Cars, do you?

VIDEO: Lexus CT 200h Kylie Minogue Advert

Sure most of you will have seen this, but who needs another excuse to enjoy Kylie looking sexy in a Lexus CT200h, as tested in full in the latest FREE Road Magazine? See the world's first full hybrid hatchback and read our POV on it here: http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_31_small

VIDEO: New 2013 Lexus LS 600h Launch Film

Take a closer look around the range-topping new 2013 LS, the incredible 600h. Amazing thing eh?
Read about some of its phenomenal world first technology and get the full range story, with 460, new 460 F-Sport and the 600h in our latest FREE issue of Road Magazine at:
http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_31_small

VIDEO: Lexus IS F CCS-R Conquers Pikes Peak

To back-up our packed Lexus special of Road Magazine this month, here's an edited video of the incredible, awesome-sounding V8 Lexus IS F CCS-R's historic first race with Ken Gushi at the helm at the amazing Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, from August 12th this year. Read the full story in the issue FREE here: http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_31_small

What a cool, cool car eh? 

NEWS: New Lexus LS Range Unveiled

We love the Lexus LS range here at www.roadmagazine.co.uk: It's THE perfect limo. When we tested the LS600h (http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_15), we found it lacking nothing and nigh-on-perfect. But Lexus obviously thought their flagship model could be improved upon, amazingly – as they have just revealed a brand new LS range, starting from £71,995 and including world-first technologies – like their digital ‘climate concierge’ system (monitoring facial temperatures of the driver and passengers!). Luxury is all in the details folks!
There's also a brand new F Sport model available for the first time (pictured), a re-introduction of the LS 460 petrol model following requests from customers and there will be three models in the range: LS 460 Luxury, LS 460 F Sport and a full hybrid, 5.0-litre V8 with 439bhp LS 600h L Premier, costing £99,495. The LS is available to order now, with customer deliveries from January 2013.
Lexus say: "True to Lexus tradition, the price tag includes a high specification that is rich in advanced ‘world-first’ technology and luxury features, combined with precision fit and finish and attention to detail. For the first time, the LS range includes an F Sport model, combining sporting exterior and interior design elements with numerous dynamic enhancements."
The LS 460 also makes a welcome return, in two trims, Luxury and F Sport and is powered by a 382bhp (285kW) 4.6-litre V8 Dual VVT-i petrol engine. The Luxury is equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic bi-xenon headlamps, and LED daytime running lights. Cabin comfort is assured with leather upholstery, four zone climate control featuring nanoe technology, and air conditioned electrically adjustable front seats (16-way for driver and 14-way for front passengers). The interior is lit by the world’s first Dynamic Illumination System with soft white interior lamps and a dynamic instrument panel lighting that moves and changes in intensity in line with vehicle start-up and switch-off. On-board entertainment is provided by a 19-speaker Mark Levinson audio system with DVD player, DAB tuner, Bluetooth and USB/Aux ports. Satellite Navigation and on-board entertainment information is presented on a 12.3-inch central display – the largest on the market today. Meanwhile, the LS 460 F Sport builds on the Luxury specification with 19-inch F Sport alloys, Brembo brakes, a lateral damping system, a Torsen limited slip differential, and suspension modifications. The exterior look of the car is augmented with F Sport design elements, including a more aggressive front spindle grille and sports styled bumpers. The interior has a sportier look too, with a dark cabin finish, perforated leather seats and steering wheel; Lexus scuff plates, aluminium pedals, and an aluminium effect finish on the dashboard.
There will be a range of options, to go with the well-specced LS range, including: Night view system, which captures images of the night time field of view using a near-infra red camera and displays the night vision images on the 12.3-inch central display, as well as metallic or mica paint, in a range of eight exterior colours in the LS Luxury and Premier and seven in the F Sport range (which will have black upholstery as standard, but can be specified with Sport White). F Sport models will also feature aluminium dashboard inserts as standard, regardless of interior upholstery.

New LS prices

MODEL	OTR PRICE
LS 460 Luxury	£71,995
LS 460 F Sport	£74,495
LS 600h L Premier	£99,495
OPTIONS	PRICE
Night view system	£1,515

We can't wait to try it out... and play with the new toys! 

Find out more and see more images at: https://www.facebook.com/lexus?fref=ts

VIDEO: Blue Lexus LF-LC concept car

Lexus are on a massive roll at the minute – building some truly outstanding cars and getting under the skin and into the brains of the Porsche, BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz drivers. Now they've just revealed this – the LF-LC Blue concept, at the Australian International Motor show. It uses carbon fibre elements incorporated using the technology developed for the awesome Lexus LFA supercar, and it also showcases the Lexus Hybrid Drivesystem – engineered to deliver highest power output yet, at 500bhp (372kW). Nice!
The LF-LC is a further development of the model which became the sensation of the Detroit motor show earlier this year and now it swaps that car’s burning red exterior for a lustrous Opal Blue finish, inspired by the natural base colour of the Australian gemstone. It's a stunning, futuristic looking set-up, as the video shows.
Lexus says: "The LF-LC combines advanced technologies and materials with an organic design that points to styling cues that will influence future Lexus sports models. The concept in particular pioneers use of lightweight carbon fibre and the next generation of Lexus’s industry-leading full hybrid powertrain. The experience and in-house capabilities Lexus has gained in the development of the LFA supercar have directly benefited the creation of the LF-LC, notably in the successful marrying of carbon fibre and aluminium alloy materials in its construction to achieve a light body mass: It provides an ideal platform for the next generation Lexus Hybrid Drive system. Dubbed Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive, it features a new, high-energy battery pack designed to deliver to greater power from a unit that is smaller than those used in Lexus’s current full hybrid model range. LF-LC Blue demonstrates what the future may hold for sports cars. Lexus has been synonymous with hybrid power, superior build quality, comfort and reliability; with the LF-LC it now reinforces its design and technology credentials. The concept hints at what is to come from Lexus, which is now actively studying how it can engineer and build a vehicle like this in the future." We think it's mega, and having driven the existing hybrid range already this year (to be show-cased in a forthcoming Lexus special of www.roadmagazine.co.uk) and seen just how special they are... we are very eager to test the new breed. Going to be seminal we reckon... but what do you think?

VIDEO: Pikes Peak Lexus ISF CCS-R - First Test Run

It's Pikes Peak this weekend in Colorado Springs, and Lexus will be competing for the very first time in the all-new, 416bhp IS F CCS-R V8 race car. Here it is in action for the very first time, with Brian Smith, VP Lexus Marketing, discussing the engine and modifications to the ISF CCS-R. The Lexus IS F CCS-R will be lining up against 200 other entrants at the start line of the 90th running of the iconic event, held in the USA on Sunday 12 August. Known as ‘the race to the clouds’ it takes place on a 12.42-mile track that features 156 turns and rises a total of 4,720 feet to the finish line at the summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado. Decked out in eye-catching orange mica and black, the Lexus IS F CCS-R uses a modified 416bhp version of the 5.0-litre V8 engine used in the road car, twinned with an eight-speed semi-automatic gearbox. The CCS-R first appeared at the the Tokyo Auto Salon in Tokyo, in 2011. In a race where the thin air at the top of the mountain can cut performance by up to 30 per cent, weight saving is critical – so carbon fibre is used for the bonnet, doors, dashboard and even the door handles. The windows are made from a lightweight polycarbonite material as well. It's a serious machine.
To find out more:
Go to Lexus website: http://www.lexus.com/
Find Lexus on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexus
Follow Lexus on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/lexus
Lexus Drivers: http://drivers.lexus.com
L Studio: http://www.youtube.com/user/lstudiopresents
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/lexus
Best of luck to the beast and all at lexus _ we love it at Team Road. And we will be reporting back on how they get on at Pikes Peak here and in www.roadmagazine.co.uk Lexus & Toyota special, later this year.

NEWS: New Lexus World Premier @ Geneva Motor Show

The Geneva Motor Show (march 6th) will see the World premiere of the new Lexus RX 450h and RX 450h F Sport full hybrid luxury SUV's and the LF-LC hybrid sports coupe concept. Due to go on sale this summer, the new RX will "continue to play an important role in the Lexus model range." Other highlights of the Lexus presentation at Geneva will include the first European appearance of the much-acclaimed LF-LC hybrid sports coupe concept, and the new GS 450h and GS 450h F Sport. And, sticking with the green, eco, EV, hybrid theme, do read the latest issue of Road Magazine FREE at: http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_24s/1