Auto News & New car review

The Lexus IS250 is a chick car. Funny that. Its predecessor, the IS300, was such a guy car. In fact, every time I see a male of the species behind the wheel of a Lexus IS, I check my theory by scoping the badge. Sure enough: it’s an IS350. Strange. The IS250 is a great entry-level luxury car. While it’s slower than the 350, not everyone can afford to pay that much needs that sort of power. So why aren’t more guys driving one? Read the rest of this entry »

LEXUS surprised few by revealing an all-new version of its top-shelf LS sedan at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit yesterday.
Though the Toyota luxury brand’s fourth-generation flagship is virtually identical to the LF-Sh hybrid concept shown at Tokyo in October, it’s the LS460’s preliminary specs that are the real news. Read the rest of this entry »

The 2008 Lexus GS makes its mark with sense as well as speed, restraint as well as luxury. Although it’s easy to think of it as an alternative to an Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz, the Lexus GS embraces an entirely different set of values. Read the rest of this entry »

The Lexus ES 350 is a mid-size sedan that celebrates smoothness, quietude and sophistication. The Lexus ES doesn’t suffer the hard ride of a German sports sedan. You can safely sip a cappuccino on the way to work. The ride is smooth, the engine is smooth, the six-speed automatic is flawless, everything is quiet. Read the rest of this entry »

I disagree with every review of the Lexus LS600hL ever written. Categorically. To a man, my colleagues misinterpret the most expensive Lexus as a misguided planet-saver that doesn’t deliver enough mpg to justify its sky-high price tag. Read the rest of this entry »

When driving the Lexus IS 350, it’s easy to forget that it’s a sedan. Virtually everything about the car, aside from its looks, says “sports car.” It all starts when you push the engine start button. The VVT-i-equipped 3.5-liter V-6 comes to life with a ferocious growl, and you won’t be able to resist giving the throttle pedal a few extra taps just to hear the throaty exhaust note again. Then it’s off to the races. Punch the throttle and every bit of the engine’s 306 bhp and 277 lb.-ft. of torque is transferred to the rear wheels via a smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission. Read the rest of this entry »

The Lexus LF-A concept car will participate in the Nürburgring 24 Hour Race on 24-25 May 2008 as part of ongoing development.

Testing the vehicle on the famous Nürburgring circuit for 24 hours under gruelling race conditions will provide Lexus engineers with a unique opportunity to acquire knowledge that can be used to further the vehicle’s overall development. Read the rest of this entry »

If Lexus gave out awards to its own cars, the second-generation IS unveiled at Geneva would certainly garner the company’s Most Significant trophy, just as it scored the coveted AutoWeek hardware (AW, March 14) of the same name. Forget about a Formula One-inspired, six-figure supercar in the vein of the LF-A concept shown at Detroit (AW, Jan. 17). Build such a bank breaker and the Jay Lenos of the world will undoubtedly come, but the IS will serve as Lexus’ Sherpa. It needs to carry the company’s new look, new mechanicals and hoped-for buffed image up the mountain that forms the ultra-competitive entry-level luxury sport sedan segment. Read the rest of this entry »

The all-new 2008 Lexus LX is a true luxury vehicle first and foremost, with advanced safety, comfort and quality features. It’s a big, heavy vehicle that can tow big loads, haul heavy cargo, and transport people and gear across great distances in comfort. It uses the same heavy frame and stout powertrain as the Toyota Land Cruiser.
Like the Land Cruiser, the Lexus LX 570 is designed for extraordinary versatility and an unusual combination of utility and luxury. But with the Lexus, luxury comes first. Read the rest of this entry »

The Lexus IS 300 stuffs snappy performance and superior quality into a sassy compact four-door sedan. It’s the enthusiast’s choice among the more affordable cars in the Lexus stable and, inside and out, it looks like nothing else in the lineup.

The Lexus IS 300 is comparably priced with the more conservative Lexus ES 330, but is targeted toward a younger audience. While the ES 330 uses a V6 and front-wheel drive, the IS 300 uses an inline-6 and rear-wheel drive. The ES is smooth and sophisticated; the IS is hip and aggressive. With 215-horsepower, rear-wheel drive and road-hugging handling, the IS 300 is an alternative to the benchmark BMW 3 Series and Nissan G35. The SportCross sport wagon brings practicality to the mix. Read the rest of this entry »