Archive for Lexus
Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition Returns to its Home…
Posted by: | CommentsEarlier in the year we saw the Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition lapping the Nordschleife by legendary Chief Engineer & Driver Hiromu Naruse, and unfortunately the horrific accident which cost his life.
After an absence of nearly 3 months its good to see Lexus testing a fresh faced prototype on the legendary circuit.
The Lexus LF-A is powered by a 4.8 liter V10 that delivers a maximum output of 560 HP, but for the LF-A Nurburgring Track Edition the output will be raised to 570 hp. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph will be made in 3.7 seconds, and top speed will go up to 210 mph.
This limited production model will only achieve 50 units but you still have the choice of four colours and a choice of three interior colour schemes.
You can differentiate the 2 models by the addition of a fixed spoiler and revised front splitters and a track honed setup specially developed for the ring.
Welcome back Lexus!…..
Lexus Terms for LFA Ownership Revealed Stateside.
Posted by: | CommentsLexus have revealed the conditions of purchase of the Lexus LFA supercar, this is not to be a lease only deal but the lucky owners can own the vehicle outright but has to promise first refusal to Lexus.
You just have to pay $300,000 (€228,000) up front.
Customers in the U.S. can purchase the car but, for the next 2 years, can only sell it back to the dealer for the original sticker price or its fair market value, whichever is lower.
If the owner sells the LFA privately without first giving the buyback option to the dealer, then the dealer is owed whatever profit is made on the sale plus legal fees.
This aggresively written contract should turn away any potential buyers of the first Lexus supercar, I think if I had 200k spare I would wait for the McLaren’s MP4-12c.
The LFA is a beautifull car but come on Lexus get it right!
[Source: Autoblog.com]
Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition Chief Test/Engineer Hiromu Naruse Dies in Crash.
Posted by: | CommentsYesterday on the roads near the Nurburgring, has cost the life of the infamous Toyota/Gazoo chief test driver and engineer Hiromu Naruse.
The 67-year old was driving a Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition when it crashed into another prototype the BMW 3-Series.
The BMW test drivers, age 34 and 33 years old were also injured, with one in critical condition.
Hiromu Naruse started his career with Toyota in 1963, And Contributed in important role in developing the Lexus LFA and was a key member of the Gazoo racing team at this years ADAC 24h Race.
Perhaps a rename of the “Nurburgring Edition” is called for perhaps simply the “Naruse Nurburgring Edition” would be a fitting tribute for the historic man and marque.
Our condolences go out to all at Lexus and Gazoo Racing.
Lexus LFA shatters Champagne Flute Commercial
Posted by: | CommentsThe commercial teasingly titled “Pitch,” Lexus employed a renowned physicist from a leading university to help determine which type of champagne glasses have the same frequency as the LFA’s revving engine. (The pitch of the glass needed to precisely match the pitch of the engine in order for the flute to shatter.) Lexus racecar driver Scott Pruett then “drove” on the dynamometer until the engine revved to 7,000-9,000 rpm-creating just the right frequency of vibration to break the glass. And, yes, the entire crew wore earplugs during filming.
Lexus worked with a team of engineers to enhance the acoustics of the LFA’s 4.8L engine by meticulously tuning its multi-stage exhaust system. From the elegant, yet understated idle rumble to the goosebump-worthy wail of the high-revving V10 engine, the LFA was deliberately engineered to deliver a sound unlike that of any other road car.
After studying the unmistakable soundtrack generated by Formula 1 cars at maximum revs, the team created the signature LFA sound beginning by emphasizing the secondary combustion frequency of the engine and then introducing primary, secondary and tertiary firing harmonics.
It’s not the first time Lexus has used champagne glasses in an ad. Now an almost iconic expression of the brand’s pursuit of perfection and pioneering innovation, they were originally used in the brand’s launch commercial in 1989. In one of the most memorable TV spots in history, the new LS sedan revved to high RPMs as a pyramid of champagne glasses was carefully stacked on the car’s hood. As the speedometer approached top speeds, champagne was poured into the top glass and elegantly flowed into the glasses below-without spilling a drop or razing the pyramid.
Most recently, in a 2006 commercial, the ground-breaking park assist feature on the LS 460 was engaged to dramatically and precisely parallel park the vehicle between two giant pyramids of champagne glasses-without touching a glass.
“Pitch” can be viewed at YouTube.com/lexusvehicles. It will air primarily on Americas cable television and during sporting events such as the 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and the USGA U.S. Open Championship. A 3-D version of the spot will play in theaters beginning July 2 to coincide with the debut of a 3-D summer blockbuster.
Download the Lexus Ringtone for the Iphone and smartphone.
Source: LEXUS
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Nurburgring 24h Free-Practice Gazoo Racing Lexus LFA #lexus_eu
Posted by: | Comments
Today we spotted the Gazoo’s second time entry in to the ADAC 24h with the Lexus LFA undergoing free practice on the legendary North loop, The engine has a clinical note to its throttle response and the gear changes sounded very fluid.
The cars will be driven by a mix of Japanese and German drivers, including Toyota master test driver Hiromu Naruse, Akira Ida, Takayuki Kinoshita,Juichi Wakisaka, Armin Hahne, Jochen Krumbach and Andre Lotterer.
Powered by a 552hp V10 the LF-A certainly isn’t lacking for performance. Indeed, in road-going trim Lexus claim their supercar can reach 100km/h in 3.7 seconds, and is able to exceed 200mph (320km/h+).
Good Luck Lexus!
Gazoo Racing and the 38th Nordschleife ADAC 24h
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Amongst the rumours of an “Nurburgring Edition LFA”, there has been one confirmed story that the Lexus LFA will compete in the legendary Nurburgring 24h. (Lexus Press Release)…..
LEXUS MOTORSPORT IN 2010
· Lexus to compete in 38th 24 Hours Nurburgring with production LFA
· Entry of two LFAs prepared by the GAZOO Racing Team
· Super GT500 and Super GT300 titles to be defended with SC430 and IS350
Lexus has always considered GT motor sport to be an ideal global medium through which to
reinforce the excitement, high performance and driving enjoyment inherent in the brand.
Combining cutting-edge technology with the extremes of mechanical endurance, motor
racing plays a key role in not only fostering the peerless quality, durability and reliability which
lies at the heart of every Lexus, but also in honing the technical skills of company personnel
involved in the development of its production vehicles.
To that end, Lexus’ 2010 motor racing programme includes the entry of its remarkable LFA
supercar in the 24 Hours Nurburgring endurance race, and the defence of its titles in both the
Super GT 500 and GT 300 Japanese racing series.
LFA production car at 24 hours Nurburgring
The 38th running of the gruelling 24 Hours Nurburgring endurance race marks the third
consecutive entry of the Lexus LFA and, significantly, the first participation of the car in
standard production guise. Entering two race prepared LFAs, the 2010 GAZOO racing
team will make its fourth appearance at the Nurburgring 24 Hours.
The 38th 24 Hours Nurburgring endurance race will be held at the Nurburgring Circuit in the
state of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, between 13th and 16th of May.
Lexus LFA – #Geneva 2010
Posted by: | CommentsAfter spotting the LFA in an extended roadtest the middle of last year in the German Eifel Valley. (Article)
The car was shown off in all its livery on the 80th Geneva Lexus Stand.
Press Release:-
Since its debut at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, global demand for Lexus’ thoroughbred LFA supercar has remained consistently strong, and the level of demand is now in excess of the announced 500 unit production run.
However, Lexus has not yet confirmed any orders, and prospective customers who have not yet registered their interest should not be deterred.
The deadline for receiving initial expressions of interest is set at mid-March, to coincide with the end of the Geneva Motor Show. Thereafter, the process of allocating the 500 units across the 56 countries wherein the LFA is being offered will begin.
Final allocation will be fixed in April, and individual orders confirmed with customers by the end of May.
Lexus CT 200h #Geneva World Exclusive
Posted by: | CommentsEntering production at the end of 2010 for sale throughout the world, the CT 200h is Lexus’ first ever compact, five-door car. It marks the introduction of the first, and only, full hybrid vehicle to the European premium compact segment.
Retaining strong visual links to the LF-Ch concept, the CT 200h has a highly distinctive, sharp-edged, resolute appearance which immediately sets it apart from rivals. Its interior brings unprecedented levels of quality, refinement and progressive luxury to the segment.
Combining a 1.8 litre VVT-i petrol engine and a powerful electric motor, the CT 200h’s Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain combines 2.0 litre performance with class leading CO2 emissions. It offers customers a choice of two distinct driving moods -Dynamic, or Relaxing- in conjunction with four, selectable drive modes.
Featuring a new platform with unique double wishbone suspension architecture to the rear, the Lexus CT 200h has been specifically developed to combine superior driving involvement and handling agility with the ride comfort expected of any Lexus.
Created for those who wish to lower their emissions but not their standards, the CT 200h is new gateway to Lexus, and will bring a younger group of customers to the brand.
- A new gateway to Lexus progressive luxury
- First, and only, full hybrid vehicle in the premium compact segment
- Powerful, dynamic evolution of Lexus’ unique L-finesse design philosophy
- Lexus Hybrid Drive 1.8l powertrain with class-leading CO2 emissions
- Significantly fewer NOx emissions than an equivalent diesel engined vehicle and almost no particulates
- Two distinct driving moods – Dynamic, or Relaxing
- Engineered to deliver a dynamic driving experience
