Category: Lexus

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‘HOBBY HORSE’ POWERS INTO LEXUS LEXICON

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The birth of the Lexus GS F was something of a cloak-and-dagger affair with team leader, engineering boss Yukihiko Yaguchi, bypassing official channels to begin work on what was to become the Lexus IS F V8 sedan. Those after-hours sessions led to Yaguchi-san being involved in the RC F coupe and LFA supercar. Now comes the GS F four-door sedan. Yaguchi is still there, this time as emeritus chief engineer on the project. Heart of the GS F is a 351 kW 5.0-litre V8 mated with an eight-speed transmission driving… Read more

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LEXUS LS 2000 – 2016

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In 1989 the Lexus LS400 was the first Japanese car to tackle the upmarket German machines Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Audi A8 head on. Jaguar’s XJ was also in Toyota’s sights (Lexus is controlled by Toyota), though the British marque wasn’t doing particularly well at that time. Lexus tells us ‘LS’ stands for Luxury Sports, however there’s a lot more luxury than sport. Handling is certainly safe and secure but doesn’t provide the sporting enjoyment of the big name Germans and British sedans. The most noticeable feature of… Read more

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2016 LEXUS RX350 REVIEW

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In the Lexus naming system the letter ‘X’ stands for cross country. Not cross country as we understand it in Australia which means off-road work, but cross country in European speak; a vehicle suited to long distance on-road running. Grand touring with a little less emphasis on speed. Lexus RX is the midsize model in the range, sitting between the NX which is an on-road wagon and the LX which is a big beast, basically a Toyota LandCruiser with body mods and heaps more luxury bits. The fourth generation of… Read more

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LEXUS FLAGSHIP SUV TAKES ‘LINE’ HONOURS

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Lexus cut its SUV teeth on the RX line with the RX 300, launched in Japan and the US in 1998, however it wasn’t sold here. The second-generation luxury sport RX 330 V6 was released in Australia in 2003 with immediate success, becoming Australia’s most popular luxury SUV. The RX went on to be Lexus’ most successful model globally. Now the fourth generation introduces itself with the RX 200t at $73,000, plus on-road costs, the RX 350 Luxury comes in at $88,583 on road, the RX 350 F Sport at… Read more

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LEXUS LUXURY ON A NUMBER OF LEVELS

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The Lexus IS 200t is a success on many levels. Pricewise it’s positioned between the upper medium passenger sedan and lower premium car market; and it performs like a luxury sedan or a spritely sports coupe depending on how the driver sets up the controls. Finally, the IS 200t offers a level of comfort and convenience normally found in vehicles positioned well into the luxury car market. Which is aimed at further broadening its appeal. A replacement for the IS 250, sharp prices characterise the IS 200t range which consists… Read more

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LEXUS CT200h 2011 – 2015

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Lexus and its parent company Toyota have more experience in petrol-electric cars than any other maker. Lexus CT200h is the lowest cost model in the Lexus range by quite a margin, with new cars being sold from just $39,990 when launched in Australia in March 2011. While far from being a hot hatch the CT200h has a touch of sporting flair thanks to the sharp throttle responses that we love in all electric, or part-electric vehicles. Would you believe the Lexus CT200h was used in a celebrity race that preceded… Read more

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LATEST LEXUS LOOKS TO TRADITION

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Many automobile makers are trying their hardest to wring as much performance and fuel economy out of vehicles through force-fed ‘mini me’ motors with five, four, or even three cylinders. Then there are those companies that are run by old-school car enthusiasts who value performance and responsiveness courtesy of eight pots and above, pumping out power to burn. One such unlikely manufacturer following the tradition is Lexus, the luxury arm of Toyota, with its F Series designed to attract a new type of customer – one with a passion for… Read more

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LEXUS RX SERIES 2003 – 2015

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By EWAN KENNEDY CAPTION: A. B. C. BODY COPY Lexus RX has been a huge success for the upmarket Japanese marque since its launch in Australia in April 2003. More a high riding station wagon than a 4WD it has mild to medium off-road ability in its AWD versions, though very few owners ever take advantage of it. The introduction of the fourth generation RX series in November 2015 has created a lot of interest any many owners have traded up to one. Thus creating a rush on secondhand ones… Read more

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LEXUS POWERS AN SUV BIG LEAP

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When it comes to vehicle propulsion, Lexus has well and truly grabbed the petrol-electric hybrid bull by the horns. Other alternative power sources don’t get a look-in. And it seems the luxury arm of Toyota is on the right track. Diesel is rapidly falling out of favour after doing the dirty with the emission software sleight of hand by the Volkswagen Group; total electric is at the mercy of poor battery storage and hence range worries; and hydrogen fuel cells have so far failed to win the hearts, minds and… Read more

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MIDDLE-OF-THE-ROAD SEDAN STEPS UP WITH A TASTE OF LEXUS LUXURY

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The ES goes back almost to the beginnings of Lexus in Australia in the early 1990s, being the second car to come here after the LS 400. Since then it has pretty much ploughed a straight, if unspectacular, furrow. Now the mid-size sedan has been given a makeover to bring it into line with the latest company thinking and offer buyers an introduction, and possible step up, to the next level of Lexus luxury. This has been done by taking cues from the company’s L-Finesse design language. The new ES… Read more