New Lexus LF-LC concept to debut Down Under

 Lexus LF-LC concept - Detroit reveal
If you haven't seen enough of the Norelco-inspired Lexus concept from this year's Detroit show, just wait until October. The Australian International Motor Show has formally announced that Lexus will be bringing a hybrid coupe concept to the Sydney show floor, reportedly another version of the LF-LC that graced Cobo nine months earlier.

Car Advice says that the Aussie concept is likely to be differentiated from the concept we've already seen by employing an all-wheel-drive powertrain. Its gas-electric hybrid driveline is said to produce close to 500 horsepower, though we reserve the right to remain skeptical of anything still wearing a "concept" label, especially a vehicle that's likely three or four years out from production, assuming it gets the green light at all.

2013 Lexus LS

 2013 Lexus LS
In 1990, Nissan and Toyota both entered the luxury market with two new brands, each boasting a flagship premium full-size sedan. The Infiniti Q45 was aimed at the enthusiast with a powerful V8, limited-slip differential and a multi-link suspension. The Lexus LS 400, on the other hand, was all about luxury. The automaker surrounded its buttery-smooth V8 with aerodynamic (if banal) bodywork and lined its cabin with premium leather and fine wood.

Thanks to a clear message, a strong advertising campaign and a product solid enough to back both, Lexus sold more than 40,000 units that first year. Infiniti, in sharp contrast, was never able to capture the same momentum. By 1995, Lexus had introduced an all-new second-generation LS, followed by an all-new third-generation model six years later – and each introduction only served to drive the nails deeper into the Q45's coffin. By the time the fourth-generation LS arrived in 2007, the Infiniti Q45 was gone, and Infiniti nearly with it.

The Lexus LS continued to develop. What was originally a rear-wheel-drive sedan evolved into a model range of rear- and all-wheel-drive sedans, short- and long-wheelbase, with a choice of gasoline or hybrid drivetrains. The automaker's flagship continued to lead with technological innovation and unsurpassed luxury – but it still lacked a sporty quotient, a model seemingly necessary to run head-to-head with the Europeans.

All that will change in 2013. After a minor update in 2010, Lexus has unveiled a significant refresh for the new model year that encompasses all seven models in the lineup. But most importantly, the LS range now includes its first-ever performance-oriented model, the F Sport.

2013 Lexus LS side view2013 Lexus LS front view2013 Lexus LS rear view

Look back over the past two decades and one will realize that every generation and subsequent refresh of the LS has been evolutionary – until now. Thanks to a bold new exterior, its character buoyed by the automaker's prominent signature 'spindle' grille, the LS no longer appears bland and boring.

It arrives with a drag coefficient of just .26, making it again one of the slipperiest entries in its segment.
From the exterior, about the only part carried forward from last year's model are the doors. Bright chrome surrounds the new grille, and the bottom edge of the radiator opening and front bumper have been lowered. The hood features a raised bulge (purely cosmetic), traveling down its center, and the headlights are shaped more aggressively. Along the side, the sculpted lower rocker panels carry the new theme rearward. Out back, the sedan's tail is dramatically tapered in an effort to maintain uniformity with the front fascia and its dramatic new look.

The freshly sculpted exterior pleases more than just the eyes. Lexus has always been an innovator with regards to vehicle aerodynamics, and the freshened LS continues the trend. By paying attention to the small details, such as underbody air management and small stabilizing fins to control air rushing along each side, the Lexus arrives with a drag coefficient of just .26, making it again one of the slipperiest entries in its segment.

2013 Lexus LS headlight2013 Lexus LS wheel2013 Lexus LS taillight2013 Lexus LS exhaust tip

Lexus has also addressed exterior illumination. High-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps are standard (and two projector lamps at each front corner) with incandescent bulbs in other locations. However, customers may choose an optional all-LED setup with light-emitting diode front headlamps (utilizing three projector lamps behind each transparent cover) and LED bulbs in the turn signals, marker lights, brake and taillamps. Even the fog lamps are LED (a configuration that provides a clean, uniform color across all front illumination).

Those familiar with the cabin of the new Lexus GS will feel quite at home – their similarity is striking.
The interior has been completely reworked too. The objective was to deliver "confidence-inspiring spaciousness worthy of the Lexus flagship," says the automaker, and it looks as if they have achieved their goal. Compared to its predecessor, the new interior is more spacious, upscale and ergonomics have been improved. Those familiar with the cabin of the new Lexus GS will feel quite at home – their similarity is striking.

Drivers now peer through the new three-spoke steering wheel to find four easy-to-read Optitron analog gauges, with a large tachometer and speedometer taking center stage (a 5.8-inch full-color TFT multi-function display splits above the two). Over in the middle of the dashboard, last year's touchscreen navigation has been replaced with a larger 12.3-inch multimedia display unit that has been set higher and further rearward (its interface is now the Lexus Remote Touch haptic feedback joystick). The HVAC, beneath the center vents, features a high-contrast 16-gradation full-dot organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, with a trick roll-up/down animation when used. The twin cupholders (previously to the right of the shifter) have been moved in front of the transmission lever, with the 12v accessory plug in the same area. The center armrest is still the largest storage compartment, remaining the home for the various infotainment interfaces (USB ports, iPod cables, etc...).

2013 Lexus LS interior2013 Lexus LS front seats2013 Lexus LS rear seats2013 Lexus LS trunk

In addition to premium leather upholsteries (smooth and semi-aniline), there are five trim treatments including new Shimamoku ("striped") wood, cabin LED illumination of different colors based on specific cabin location, and a slew of other enhancements. The upgraded LS passenger compartment, even in standard trim, is stunning, easily on par with the best in the segment.

Lexus says the standard sedan will run to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and on to a 130-mph electronically limited top speed.
In terms of the model breakdown, there are short- and long-wheelbase, rear- and all-wheel drive, the more athletic F Sport and lastly, a choice of powerplants. Mixed and matched, there are seven models: LS 460, LS 460 AWD, LS 460 L, LS 460 L AWD, LS 460 F Sport, LS 460 F Sport AWD and LS 600h L (also AWD, but it is left out of the nomenclature). Pricing, however, has not been released.

Under the hood, things are carried forward mostly intact from last year. The standard LS 460 models are powered by the automaker's naturally aspirated direct-injected 4.6-liter eight-cylinder (1UR-FSE) engine. For the 2013 model year, the oil pan has been redesigned and the engineers have focused their attention on reducing unwanted noise (part of the changes include a new dynamic damper and a new rear engine mount). The powerplant is now rated at 386 horsepower at 6,400 rpm (six more than last year) and 367 pound-feet of torque at 4,100 rpm in rear-wheel drive models. However, the same engine in the all-wheel-drive model is rated at 359 horsepower and the same torque. With a standard eight-speed automatic transmission (PRNDS with a snow mode), Lexus says the standard gasoline-powered sedan will run to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and on to a 130-mph electronically limited top speed. The manufacturer-estimated fuel economy is 16 city, 24 highway and 19 combined for the RWD model and 16 city, 23 highway and 18 combined for the AWD model.

2013 Lexus LS engine

The LS 600h L returns with a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain. Under the front hood is a naturally aspirated high-output 5.0-liter eight-cylinder (2UR-FSE) engine. With direct fuel injection, the engine is rated at 389 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque. Mated to two electric motors pulling power from nickel-metal hydride battery packs, the system is rated at 438 total combined horsepower. The gearbox is a two-stage continuously variable transmission (CVT) with three different operator-selected driving modes (Normal, Power and Snow). There is also an EV mode for driving under full electric power at low speeds. All LS 600h L models feature standard all-wheel drive with a Torsen limited-slip differential. The hybrid is about as quick as its gasoline siblings, but its EPA fuel economy is a tick higher at 19 city, 23 highway and 20 combined.

Lexus reportedly replaced more than 3,000 items – about 50 percent of the vehicle's components.
Lexus has also addressed safety in a big way with the new LS. In addition to all of the government-mandated equipment, the automaker's Advanced Pre-Collision Safety System (APCS) is designed to detect pedestrians and objects in the vehicle's path and bring the LS to a quick stop from speeds up to 24 mph if a collision is imminent (to see the system in action, watch our ShortCut video below). The available Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) has also been upgraded to operate at any speed, plus it is now able to bring the vehicle to a complete stop and accelerate once the flow of traffic has resumed. New to the LS is Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), which uses radar to monitor blind spots while driving and when the vehicle is in Reverse (Lexus calls this feature Rear Cross Traffic Alert, or RCTA).

Lexus reportedly replaced more than 3,000 items – about 50 percent of the vehicle's components – to develop the 2013 LS lineup and we cannot possibly discuss all of them. However, the good news after our day behind the wheel of several different models is that the effort is worth it – this luxury sedan is impressive.



Our first jaunt was in the range-topping LS 600h L with the optional rear lounge seating. The updated cabin is every bit as comfortable as it appears in the pictures. The 16-way power-adjustable front seats are some of the best we have ever dropped into, and there was plenty of room for our feet, head and arms in all directions. Every component that a body part may contact is soft to the touch and richly textured, all very well done. Even though the location of some of the switchgear is strange (the parking brake is below the ignition button), we acclimated quickly. We did find the black box hovering just in front of the headliner (housing the APCS cameras) a bit intrusive, but we eventually looked right past it.

It was immediately apparent that Lexus has polished its flagship hybrid better than the belly of Air Force One.
The LS 600h L is the heaviest (at a whopping 5,200 pounds) and arguably least engaging of the range. Nevertheless, it surprised us with its quiet and seamless power delivery. Although we are no fans of the CVT, and we continue to question why anyone would buy the pricey hybrid for any reason other than the blue badge (the $40,000 premium only delivers one mpg better combined fuel economy), it was immediately apparent that Lexus has polished its flagship hybrid better than the belly of Air Force One. It is absolutely dead quiet at a standstill (the combustion engine shuts down at idle) and only minimally louder at speed. There was always torque on hand and the hybrid transition is virtually seamless. Yet despite our awe over its advanced technology, and our amazement that it works so well, we'd still prefer the gasoline-fed LS 460 L AWD.

Our next jaunt was in the LS 460 F Sport AWD, technically the second sportiest of the lineup (behind the standard LS 460 F Sport). The F Sport model boasts a sporty interior with bucket front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters and aluminum trim. It is mechanically differentiated by its standard Torsen limited-slip differential (RWD models only, as the AWD models have a Torsen center differential), sport tuned air suspension (lowered by 0.4 inches), Brembo brakes (with six-piston monobloc calipers in the front) and 19-inch forged alloy wheels (with a choice between summer and all-season tires).

2013 Lexus LS driving2013 Lexus LS driving

After leaving the parking lot, we immediately set the F Sport's Drive Mode to its most aggressive "Sport S+" setting (putting the powertrain, air suspension, electric power steering and variable gear ratio steering into their firmest configurations) and headed for the mountains. In this mode, body roll was nearly eliminated, but damping was not overly firm. The steering was a bit heavier, but still lighter and slower than most of its full-size European competition.

Engineers have opened the F Sport's exhaust and acoustically enhanced the growl coming from the engine (it is not played through the speakers).
Acceleration is plenty strong, and the engine enjoys spinning around the tachometer, but we missed the immediate low-end torque that the Europeans are delivering with their forced induction powerplants these days. Lexus hasn't forgotten how to isolate the passengers from what's going on ahead of the firewall, as the engine is all but silent in the standard models. The F Sport is different though, as the engineers have opened the exhaust and acoustically enhanced the growl coming from the engine (it is not played through the speakers). It sounds okay, but not even half as good as the music made by the GS 350 F Sport.

We pushed the big F Sport harder to probe its limits and immediately praised the more aggressively contoured front seats and the thick leather-wrapped steering wheel that was easy to grip (we find wood gets slippery). To the engineering team's credit, the sporty Lexus handled better than any LS we have ever driven. Under the control of a skilled driver, it would embarrass many in a sports car trying to outrun it. Even with rather lifeless feedback through the steering wheel, placing wheels on specific parts of the pavement wasn't an issue. And as much as we could tell, the brakes were solid and easy to modulate.

2013 Lexus LS rear 3/4 view

But in our opinion, the LS F Sport still falls short of handling benchmarks such as the BMW Alpina B7 (we are discussing sporty driving dynamics, not acceleration). Both vehicles have a curb weight of about 4,600 pounds, but the BMW feels more agile and light as speeds increase, while the Lexus is best described as accurate and stable. The suspension in the BMW will confidently absorb sharp undulations in the roadway, while the Lexus almost felt overwhelmed (to the credit of Lexus, and the pacification of its customers, the LS F Sport did ride much more comfortably than the B7 when driven civilly). BMWs may be driven surprisingly fast in anger, and they seem to thrive on the pressure, but the Lexus didn't seem to want to lose its temper – it remained, for lack of better words, a Lexus.

The 2013 Lexus LS model range is not forgettable. Rather, we'd call it significant.
We've been driving Lexus LS models for a long time. They are consistently safe, comfortable and accommodating. They are also mostly characterless.

But the 2013 Lexus LS model range is not forgettable. Rather, we'd call it significant. Aside from the many improvements, which will likely escape from mind, the full-size luxury sedan will be remembered for its daring spindle grille and the introduction of the enthusiast-targeted F Sport. The standard sedan and hybrid are both sound steps forward, and each will spend little time gathering dust in the showroom. While the new enthusiast model falls short of segment leading – consider it a solid base hit – it is unquestionably the sportiest and most engaging LS we have ever driven. Lexus customers should be elated.

If you were behind the wheel of this LFA, where would you let the open road take you?

Photo: If you were behind the wheel of this LFA, where would you let the open road take you?

Lexus challenges passengers to control their heart rates... in a hybrid

Picture the scene: You're in a quiet place; a forest. The grass is green, the sky a perfect shade of blue. It's sunny; the temperature is hovering somewhere near perfect and a gentle breeze wafts by. You look at the pretty flowers – bend down to reach one... then, BAM!

No, we're not talking about Bambi versus Godzilla – though we do offer Marv Newland a healthy round of applause. What's we're talking about is the Lexus GS Hybrid. Or, more specifically, the car's Italian advertising campaign as seen in the video below.

Lexus claims its 2013 GS 450h can accelerate from 0 to 60 in just 5.6 seconds, courtesy of its 3.5-liter V6 engine and electric motor hybrid powertrain that puts out a combined 338 horsepower. Combine that level of thrust with rear-wheel drive and a professional driver and you've got yourself some fun at the race track.

Lexus decided to put this combination together, mixing in a blend of new-car shoppers to see what effect its hybrid sedan had on the heart. Scroll down below to watch it all unfold.

                            

Lexus tops quality survey, Ford stumbles again


lex660.jpg
Lexus makes the best-quality cars in the U.S., and automakers overall are much better at eliminating problems that land vehicles in the repair shop, according to a new survey of car owners.
Toyota's luxury brand had the fewest problems per 100 vehicles in a survey of 2012 models by research firm J.D. Power and Associates. The brand was followed by two other luxury carmakers, Jaguar and Porsche, which tied for second place. Cadillac and Honda rounded out the top five.
Cars and trucks sold in the U.S. had the highest quality since J.D. Power started doing the study in 1987. Still, quality was hurt by widespread glitches in technology such as touch-screen controls and voice-recognition software, said David Sargent, the firm's automotive vice president.
Companies have learned quality manufacturing techniques from top competitors, and they're using higher quality materials than in the past, he said. Quality has improved so much during the past decade that the difference between the best and worst brands is less than one problem per vehicle, according to the study.
"Everybody in the industry knows that if they don't keep improving, they're going to fall behind," said Sargent.
In the nationwide survey, J.D. Power asked 74,000 people who bought or leased 2012 models about how reliable their vehicles were and whether they had problems with knobs, switches, electronics and other items in the first 90 days of ownership.
It's the first major assessment of quality for 2012 vehicles. Consumer Reports magazine's influential quality study comes out in October and includes other years. J.D. Power follows up with a long-term quality study in March.
In the J.D. Power survey, the entire industry cut the number of problems per 100 vehicles by five to a score of 102.
Here are some highlights from the study:
WINNERS: Lexus owners reported only 73 problems per 100 vehicles. Lexus wins consistently because quality and customer service have guided the brand since its first car went on sale in 1989, Sargent said. Cadillac was Detroit's top entry at fourth, and Honda was the highest-ranking mainstream brand at fifth.
LOSERS: Italy's Fiat tied for last in quality with Mercedes' smart brand. Both had 151 problems per 100 vehicles.
BEST MODELS: Ford and Lexus had the top cars or trucks in three categories. Infiniti, Nissan and Toyota each won two categories.
TECHNOLOGY WOES: Sargent said the poor quality scores for new technology came because people had trouble adjusting to the devices, and because some of them don't operate right. Electronics are making their way from luxury to mainstream brands where they are new to people. "There are a lot of problems where the system just doesn't work as designed," he said.
MOST IMPROVED: Jaguar, which went from 21st place last year to second this year, and Nissan, which improved 11 spots to tie for 12th. Jaguar was weighed down last year by problems with the XJ model, which was new for 2011. Fixing those problems vaulted the brand, which has only three models, toward the top, Sargent said. Nissan improved by hard work across all of its models, he said.
GOING BACKWARD: Troubles with touch screens and automatic transmissions continued to hurt Ford, which finished 27th out of 34 brands in the survey. Ford was a star in 2010 at fifth place, but tumbled when it introduced its complicated MyFordTouch screens. Buyers also were annoyed with constant shifting by transmissions in small cars. Sargent said J.D. Power surveyed people who bought cars before Ford unveiled a major fix to its touch-screen. "That fix has taken MyFordTouch quite a ways toward where it needs to go," he said.

Lexus Boosts RX Manufacturing in Canada


Lexus RX Cambridge Manufacturing
Lexus RX manufacturing at the Cambridge plant in Canada is set to receive a big boost after a major announcement this morning:
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. (TMMC) announced today that it will invest more than $100 million and hire approximately 400 employees to increase Lexus RX production at its Cambridge, Ontario facility.
Overall Lexus RX capacity will increase by 30,000 vehicles to 104,000 units, including 15,000 RX450h vehicles, the hybrid electric version of the popular Lexus. The investment will take Toyota’s annual production capacity in Canada to 500,000 units.
Toyota is targeting early 2014 for expanded Lexus production.
The Canadian plant is the only factory outside of Japan to produce Lexus vehicles, and has been manufacturing RXs since 2003.
Automotive News has some additional insight into the story:
Toyota produced about 81,000 RX SUVs at Miyata [factory in Southern Japan] in 2011.
The total number of vehicles produced at the Miyata plant would likely be unchanged, as other models would be made instead of the RX, said the source, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak about the matter.
Toyota is set to make an announcement on the matter soon, the source said.
Shifting 30,000 units out of Japan brings an opportunity to use that output for another model — whether that’s an existing model or something brand-new is where it gets interesting.
(Of course, it might be something as simple as increasing ES production — we do know that Lexus is forecasting an additional 20,000 ES worldwide sales.)

The Official Unveiling of the Lexus LF-LC Concept Vehicle

2013 Lexus GS 450h

Ever since the Prius unexpectedly became the Xerox of hybrids and a greenie icon, Toyota has been trying to figure out how to apply the technology to its other models. Its results have been decidedly mixed, nowhere more so than with its luxury lineup. But with the 2013 Lexus GS 450h, Toyota thinks it has finally figured out what a hybrid luxury car should be.

From a sales perspective, the first-generation GS 450h was a disappointment. While we liked it quite a bit when we test-drove it a couple years ago, Lexus just hasn't been able to move the metal. Introduced to much fanfare in 2006 as a 2007 model, the GS was Lexus' second hybrid and the first rear-wheel-drive hybrid on the market. Lexus touted it as a performance sedan, even as Toyota was heavily marketing its hybrids as fuel sippers. Whether consumers were confused or not, they never took to the hybrid GS. Sales peaked at just below 1,800 in that first year and have gone down in each successive year. In 2010, Lexus sold barely 300 GS hybrids, roughly four percent of total GS sales, which were about 7,000.

The cognitive dissonance presented by Lexus hybrids has been an issue since the brand launched its first, the 2006 RX 400h SUV. Only marginally more powerful than the standard RX, its improvement in fuel economy was similarly slight at launch. The LS 600hL – the brand's halo car before the LFA sports car came along – is a six-figure, 20-mile-per-gallon hybrid marketed as having V12 performance with V8 fuel economy, the rough equivalent of ordering a Diet Coke with your Super Size Big Mac Extra Value Meal. The "Lexus Prius" HS 250h, with neither particularly good fuel economy (35 mpg combined) nor any sporting aspirations, has been a critical and sales disaster and is rumored to be on the chopping block. While Toyota's simple, "better mileage" definition of its hybrids is clear, Lexus has combined green machine and muscle car in varying doses, such that you never quite know what you'll be getting with a gas-electric Lexus.

2013 Lexus GS 450h side view2013 Lexus GS 450h front view2013 Lexus GS 450h rear view

While the new GS 450h continues to pay homage to two different masters, Lexus has, from the outset, done a better job at splitting the difference. With an entirely new V6 engine and revised hybrid system, the 2013 model has remarkably improved fuel economy, while sacrificing just a bit on the raw performance side. According to Lexus, the new model will be rated at 31 mpg combined (29/34 city/highway), an improvement of eight miles per gallon over the old 2011 model. Do the math and that's a 35-percent improvement, which seems like a pretty good tradeoff for less than half a second in 0-60 time. By Lexus' stopwatch, the 2013 GS 450h does 0-60 miles per hour in 5.6 seconds, compared to 5.2 seconds for the old GS hybrid.

The 2011 GS was offered with three engine choices: A 303-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, a 342-hp 4.6-liter V8, and a hybrid V6 with a combined output of 340 hp. Lexus has simplified all that in the 2013 redesign and now your choices boil down to hybrid or not, with the V8 gone. According to Lexus, nobody bought the V8-powered GS 460 anyway, and by its estimation, the new hybrid will serve well as the top-of-the-line model. The new hybrid V6, while still displacing 3.5 liters, has been redesigned to run on the Atkinson cycle, hence the improved fuel economy. Total system output is 338 hp, compared to the non-hybrid's 306.

2013 Lexus GS 450h engine2013 Lexus GS 450he engine2013 Lexus GS 450h engine detail

The hybrid battery pack still uses nickel-metal hydride batteries, but they have been repackaged to give the GS hybrid more trunk space (13.2 cubic feet, up from 10.6 on the old model). Toyota has also upgraded the hybrid controller (it's now similar to the one found on the LS 600hL) for improved cooling and thus, greater efficiency. Maximum voltage is limited to 500 in eco mode, while peaking as high as 650 volts in Sport mode. And yes, there is a Sport mode in the 2013 GS 450h, just as in the standard GS. In fact, there's even a Sport-Plus mode in the hybrid, which stiffens up the shocks, as well as offers the more aggressive throttle response and tighter steering feel of the regular Sport mode. Putting the drive selector into Sport also pulls a nifty trick on the hybrid's power gauge, which as you can see in our Short Cut video below, magically turns into a tachometer, not unlike it does in the CT 200h. The GS hybrid also has a button-activated EV mode, just like Toyota's other hybrids, and a button for traversing slush and snow.


Thankfully, we drove the car in Southern California along with the standard GS 350, so we didn't need to press the latter, opting to leave the drive selector alone and stay in the same normal mode used for EPA testing for the majority of our time behind the wheel. During our short afternoon, we saw 29 miles per gallon during a 100-mile drive that included some rigorous right-pedal application and manual shifting of the car with its steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The fuel economy was clearly the thing about the GS 450h that impressed us most, but the hybrid also benefits from all the styling, interior and chassis upgrades afforded the standard GS 350, as detailed in our First Drive. We're quite fond of the GS overall, and while we're not so sure we agree with Lexus' proclamation that the hybrid stands atop the model range – more like beside it – it is the only way to get the optional bamboo interior trim, which looks quite nice. And how else would you not-so-subtly let your passengers know that you care about the environment than to bedeck it with a sustainable plant?

2013 Lexus GS 450h interior2013 Lexus GS 450h gauges2013 Lexus GS 450h multimedia system display2013 Lexus GS 450h drive mode control knob

Turning to matters of greater importance, our initial impression was that the GS 450h felt a lot heavier than the standard GS. Indeed, at 4,190 pounds there's nearly 400 more pounds of Lexus in the hybrid. When we did punch up the Sport-Plus mode to try and make the car feel smaller, it helped, but there was still no confusing the hybrid for the standard GS. Good thing most owners aren't going to have both cars parked side-by-side in their driveway.

But thanks to the almost-instant torque of the GS 450h's electric motors, the car can leap off the line with a good bit of aggression, though dead-stop acceleration in a hybrid is always going to feel different than it would in a V8. Smooth power delivery is the GS's forte, and the extra push of the electric motors at speed is blended with the torque of the engine as well as we've felt in a hybrid. The brakes, on the other hand, still feel like regenerative brakes. They bite like real brakes, but then the hybrid system's computer takes over the car's deceleration and your attempts at modulating them will go for naught. This is probably the biggest impediment towards making a hybrid sports sedan feel "right," and suffice it to say that Lexus has yet to find that magic.

2013 Lexus GS 450h grille2013 Lexus GS 450h headlight2013 Lexus GS 450h wheel2013 Lexus GS 450h taillight

But it has found the right trade-off between performance and fuel economy. While this "top-of-the-line" model isn't any faster than the GS 350, and given its weight penalty it's not the standard model's dynamic equal either, the GS 450h still seems more like what a hybrid Lexus should be. Lexus made a big deal at its introduction about the GS 350 being a "no compromises" sports sedan, but the irony here is that Toyota's engineers made a lot of good compromises to make the hybrid turn out this well.

Pricing of the GS 450h won't be announced until March 2012, ahead of an April release. Lexus is holding firm on the GS 350 at a base price of $46,900 (plus $875 handling), but there's no telling if it will do similarly with the hybrid. The outgoing GS 450h carried a hefty $12,050 price premium over the base GS, but did include a higher level of standard equipment. Lexus has some ambitious expectations for the hybrid GS, especially when you consider that it hasn't cracked four-digit sales since 2007. Lexus reps said they expect 10 percent of GS sales to be hybrids, which would put annual sales of the GS 450h at about 2,400. Yes, that's a projected 800 percent improvement.

2013 Lexus GS 450h rear 3/4 view

But before we deride this as simply crazy talk, it's worth reflecting on the most recent hybrid to join the Lexus lineup, the 2011 CT 200h. The 42-mpg compact hatchback has far outpaced expectations, selling over 12,000 units through November. Its raison d'etre is to offer high mileage first, albeit wrapped in a sporty package. That the GS 450h is now following suit shows that perhaps Lexus has finally decided paying fealty to fuel economy makes as much sense for it as it does for Toyota.

Read more here    

New Lexus LFA Reviews, Specs, & Pricing



Get details on the new Lexus LFA in the Motor Trend new car buyer's guide. With helpful data on pricing, reviews, safety ratings, specs, car pictures, and dealer rebates, you'll have all you need to make a decision on whether to purchase the new Lexus LFA.

New Lexus CT 200h Reviews, Specs, & Pricing



Get details on the new Lexus CT 200h in the Motor Trend new car buyer's guide. With helpful data on pricing, reviews, safety ratings, specs, car pictures, and dealer rebates, you'll have all you need to make a decision on whether to purchase the new Lexus CT 200h.

Bugatti Veyron, Lexus LFA, McLaren MP4-12C and Lambo Aventador in 1/4-mile shootout... who wins?

Automobile Magazine scribe Jason Cammisa was sent into the desert to referee four carbon-fiber-bodied wild animals fighting it out over the quarter mile: the V8 McLaren MP4-12C, the V10 Lexus LFA, the V12 Lamborghini Aventador and the W16 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport. It's a tough job, innit?

The Head 2 Head race was run elimination style, with the winner of each two-up challenge facing the next devil up the totem pole. Although you might not have any doubts about the eventual victor, how each of these supercars fared is good watching. See all the screaming for yourself in the video below.        

                   

Congratulations!

Congratulations Jana Walker on the purchase of your 2012 CT 200h from Eskridge Lexus!

Sales Consultant Nathan Gardner

Fun Reads

How about a fun riddle challenge today! The first 10 Eskridge Lexus fans to correctly answer the riddle will have a chance at winning a FREE Managers Special Car wash! Good Luck

A traveller comes to a fork in the road which leads to two villages. In one village the people always tell lies, and in the other village the people always tell the truth. The traveller needs to conduct business in the village where everyone tells the truth. A man from one of the villages is standing in the middle of the fork, but there is no indication of which village he is from. The traveller approaches the man and asks him one question. From the villager's answer, he knows which road to follow. What did the traveller ask?


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Eskridge Lexus Incentives Rebates Offers

At Eskridge Lexus, Incentives, Lexus Factory Rebates, Offers and our large inventory can all be accessed through this site. Eskridge Lexus Discounts Norman and Incentives are what we do, providing Lexus Factory Incentives for Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and the surrounding region.
You came to the right place - Eskridge Lexus. You made the right decision to buy or lease a Lexus. Now it's time to get the right deal - the kind of deal that Eskridge Lexus Incentives, Rebates offers can provide.

Best Luxury Brand: Lexus

Like the Toyota brand from which it spawned, Lexus is taking home its second big Best Resale Value Award in three years, again topping established automakers such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW for Best Luxury Brand honors. Now into its third decade, the Lexus lineup has grown to include a wide range of vehicles bookended by the sub-$30,000 CT 200h hybrid and the six-figure LF-A supercar – every one of them roaming the earth surrounded by a glowing aura of quality that draws new- and used-car buyers alike. Combined with a renowned dealership experience, buying a Lexus is the beginning of what many owners cite as their most pleasant car ownership experience ever.

2013 GS sedan continues the evolution of Lexus

(Credit: John Scott Lewinski)
LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif.--After years of hearing that its cars are smooth and tech-rich while lacking the passion and fun that appeal to devoted drivers, Lexus might be getting it.
To prove it's headed in a new direction branded by "emotion" and "passion," Lexus gathered journalists at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel along the Pacific coastline between Los Angeles and San Diego to test-drive the 2013 Lexus GS on a route across the SoCal freeways, along the coast, and over mountain roads. The six-cylinder midrange luxury sedan will greet showrooms in three primary setups--the standard 350, the 450h hybrid version, and a tuned F Sport for the biggest performance fans.
Lexus has never been interested in the fins, vents, and flashy exhaust pipes of some performance cars, so much of the 2013 GS body design remains simple and easily identified as a conservative Lexus. But, taking a page from its ridiculous king of the line, the Lexus LFA, the GS greets you with a dual, up/down grille--with its underneath layer sporting three angled scoops.
(Credit: John Scott Lewinski/)
The interior features include that familiar Lexus mix of leather and wood trim. The hybrid model throws in that little extra piece of "green" flair by accenting its doors panels and dash with bamboo. But it's technology that really dominates the experience of sitting in a GS. Lexus introduced a center console mouse/joystick device in its 2011 models, allowing drivers or passengers to guide a cursor through onscreen menus while the car is in motion--though some attention-rich functions are suspended when the wheels are in motion.
Previous models set the joystick where the shifter stick would be "on the floor" of most car designs, with a click button on both the right and left side of its pedestal. The 2013 GS removes those buttons and allows a simple downward push of the joystick to click onscreen selections.
Another big debut is the center dashboard's 12.3-inch-wide screen, the industry's largest such display. The extra visual space allows Lexus to combine elements that other screens can't handle, such as a guidance map and complete menus or a directions list and audio options. To take advantage of the size increase, Lexus also improved and enriched its map software, providing finer route guidance details, more destination names, and clearer dimension highlighting to help guide your eye en route.
Once the GS was set free along the various Lexus-approved driving routes, its 2013 improvements came to the foreground.

(Credit: John Scott Lewinski)

By focusing on a mix of lighter refined materials, engineers increased body rigidity by a reported 14 percent without adding an ounce to the vehicle's overall weight of 3,800 pounds. Add that tightened stiffness to a new multilink rear suspension creating four-wheel-steering, improved traction control, and optional all-wheel drive, and you have a standard-issue V6 GS that confidently goes where you point its nose. The 350 power plant is a 3.5-liter, 306-hp engine harnessed by a six-speed automatic, serving up fuel economy of 19/28 mpg.
The hybrid GS 450h combines the V6 with an electric motor to produce 338 hp with a maxed-out mpg of 29/34. That electric motor is mounted above the back axle for weight distribution, so the GS 450h models are available in rear-drive exclusively.
However, for an eager driver, the F Sport setup is the most attractive. Stylized with the now-familiar F badge and including 19-inch wheels, it also has huge 14-inch front brake rotors, tightened-up suspension, and a variable gear ratio steering system. The F Sport is the only model in the line to include the Lexus Dynamic Handling System, which turns the rear wheels slightly to improve bite and reduce understeer.
As Lexus executives there stayed on message by stressing themes of newly found "passion," the F Sport proved the most worthy recipient of that expressive noun. On its multiple laps around a test track set up at the former El Torro Marine Base (current home of the U.S. variant of "Top Gear") the F Sport provided more raw excitement than either the 2011 Mercedes Benz C350 or the 2011 BMW 535i on hand for direction comparison. It's not often a Lexus will let you drive hot enough to leave a smell of simmering rubber as you de-car, but the GS F Sport had all sniffing happily as they hopped out of the driver's seat.
The final take on the 2013 GS reports a much improved driving experience and easily the third best performing car in the Lexus line--behind the IS F and the celestial LFA. If designers wanted to introduce more "emotion" and enjoyment into this car, mission accomplished. But, a little more outward flair and cosmetic design spicing might further distinguish the model for drivers reconsidering the performance capabilities of Lexus.

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More Lexus RX F Sport Rumors

Lexus RX F Sport
Backing up previous rumors out of Australia & Japan, Taiwanese website Autonet is reporting that Lexus plans to release a RX F Sport package this year.
According to Autonet, the RX F Sport would be fitted with a sports suspension (likely based on its existing Sports Package), a mesh grille, 19″ wheels, and a new body kit — or in other words, all the standard Lexus F Sport upgrades.
Should this rumor be true — and at this point, I’m inclined to think it is — a RX F Sport would not only add a new dimension to the Lexus’ best selling vehicle, but would also be another strong signal of the brand’s dedication to its performance reinvention.
(Personally, I like the idea. Balancing out the utility & popularity of the RX with the styling & performance upgrades of a F Sport package makes for an interesting combination, and one that may ultimately draw a different kind of customer to the SUV — I know I’m certainly paying attention.)

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