Lexus considering high-performance driving school?
Time was when the notion of "Lexus performance" was measured in terms of panel gaps and service intervals. But as part of Toyota's plan to add driving emotion to the brand, the upscale marque is reportedly considering opening a series of high-performance driving schools... not unlike that of Ferrari or Land Rover.
According to Inside Line, the academy could possibly focus on more driving-dynamics oriented models, like the 2006 IS 350.
[Source: Edmunds Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
JayNorth 8:08PM (3/20/2006)
Looks like a TC with Lexus badging. Oh yeah, and 2 extra doors.
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Nico MCM 8:23PM (3/20/2006)
That would be awesome! I'll sign up now, just show me the dotted line!
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Tiger 8:31PM (3/20/2006)
1st step will be to teach people how to disable the VSC.
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snagger 8:39PM (3/20/2006)
I'm in favor.
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Doogs 8:42PM (3/20/2006)
I can just see it now...
"We WOULD teach you how to regain control in a skid, but..."
"We WOULD teach you how to power slide, but..."
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bernie 9:04PM (3/20/2006)
I'm starting to worry about Toyota now. I think they're getting drunk with their own success and losing discipline.
A huge increase in recalls, the introduction of a horrible looking full size truck two years late, another boring Camry, but this time with a Mazda front end...and now they're getting so far from ther core competence and into a driving school.
A couple months ago I would have said Toyota was poised to take over the world. Now they seem to be losing focus. I'm starting to think they're a GM waiting to happen.
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ShureF00t 9:06PM (3/20/2006)
"'Lexus performance' has always been a bit of an oxymoron..."
That's exactly the kind of mindset I have about Lexus, despites it's superb quality, styling, and refinement. I believe Lexus's marketing and PR department will have to do a lot more than just establishing a driving school to change my perception on this.
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Indian Cycle 9:12PM (3/20/2006)
#5 YOU'RE A NONSENSE TALKER.
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Gunnar Heinrich 9:13PM (3/20/2006)
I wonder what Lexus' competitive advantage over Skip Barber Racing School would be?
http://www.automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com
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Peter L. 9:29PM (3/20/2006)
The main advantage would be to learn how to drive your Lexus hard and keep it in control, vs. the cars that they would teach you with at Skip Barber (highly doubt they have any Lexus').
If they do it right, it would be pretty fun for some owners to learn the limits of their new car in a safe environment...
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Peter L. 9:36PM (3/20/2006)
The main advantage would be to learn how to drive your Lexus hard and keep it in control, vs. the cars that they would teach you with at Skip Barber (highly doubt they have any Lexus').
If they do it right, it would be pretty fun for some owners to learn the limits of their new car in a safe environment...
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whofan 10:03PM (3/20/2006)
"#5 YOU'RE A NONSENSE TALKER."
He`s talking about the car`s traction control preventing you from skidding and the ABS.
5.
"We WOULD teach you how to regain control in a skid, but..."
"We WOULD teach you how to power slide, but..."
This does look like desparate self promotion for Lexus.
If Cadiliac did this people would laugh.
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VW-Guy 10:13PM (3/20/2006)
I can see it now...
First step, decide exactly which shade of beige or silver you prefer.
Second, ensure it's equipped with an automatic transmission.
Third, we could teach you how to deactivate the VSC but our legal team has instructed us not to.
Fourth, you are not permitted to stray out of the middle lane and although you can leave your turn signal on in either direction, we suggest you leave it blinking right for the days activities.
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nezromatron 10:54PM (3/20/2006)
Seriously, what would they teach? How to drive a RX330 singlehanded while holding a latte and not spilling it?
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Indian Cycle 11:35PM (3/20/2006)
oops earlier i meant #6, that guy is talking nonsense.
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Brandon 12:45AM (3/21/2006)
I went to a Taste of Lexus last October and had a blast driving the entire line-up including the IS250 and 350. Had a blast and I could see the same crew hosting a performance school. Thumgs up to Lexus for considering it.
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David 12:47AM (3/21/2006)
I just saw the IS for the first time at an Auto Show; and I don't get it. The back seat is all but useless and they were so committed to a short wheelbase for the car that the length of the car between the B and C pillars looks like it belongs on another design entirely. The rear doors are small and compared to the fronts look like toy doors. Did someone at Toyota not get the memo that the new 3 Series has a useful back seat? And they want how much money for this car?
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bgdc 1:11AM (3/21/2006)
The article's author has obviously never driven an Is350. It's fast in a straightline but not a performance car in any way.
The tranny's slow to react - as is typical of manumatics - steering vague, handling titled toward soft and the car's got too many nannies. It's not a performance sedan but rather a fast luxury cruiser for people who want bland cars.
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Chris 1:24AM (3/21/2006)
#12 'If Cadillac did this people would laugh'
Cadillac along with Chevrolet are major sponsors of the very successful Bondurant school in Arizona. I've driven the CTS during a two day course there and was very impressed with the car's track capabilities in both factory and slightly modified configurations. Anybody who has driven a V Series product would not scoff at Cadillac's newly found dedication to performance driving.
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Rod 1:39AM (3/21/2006)
All of you who are knocking Lexus, just remember they started from scratch in 1989 or so and they are now the biggest sellers of luxury vehicles in the states. I wouldn't write them or their driving school off so quickly.
Rod
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