It seems as if Lexus has been working on the LF-A supercar forever. Or at least six years. It's been shown in three different concept forms, including a convertible, at auto shows since 2005 and it has twice participated in the Nürburgring 24. Toyota has never publicly confirmed whether it will actually produce the LF-A, although britain's Autocar now reports that the super-Lexus will go on sale in October at a price estimated at £250,000, or nearly half a million dollars.

Until now, no one outside of Toyota's test and race drivers has actually driven the LF-A. Lexus brought the LF-A racer to the Goodwood Festival of Speed last week and Autocar got to sample it briefly on a rainy track. With a 5.0-liter V10 putting out over 500 horsepower, the 3,300-pound LF-A certainly has performance to spare. The V10 apparently really comes to life above 5,000 rpm. If (and that's a really big if) the LF-A is produced, it might only be a limited run of 500 units. Given Toyota's losses and the current economic environment, it's anyone's guess whether it'll happen, but we may find out at the Tokyo Motor Show this fall. Hat tip to RDS



[Source: Autocar]

While the Lexus IS C is enjoying strong early sales and the luxury Toyota marque prepares to launch a version with the 5.0-liter V8 from the IS F, the top-of-the-line SC 430 grows increasingly irrelevant and long-in-the-tooth. However, contrary to reports that surfaced this time last year – 'tis the season for convertibles, after all – Lexus is indeed planning a successor to the range-topping coupe-cabrio.

Reports indicate that, far from the IS C replacing the aging SC 430, a clean-slate successor to the big roadster is in the planning stages. Because the SC has been around so long, Toyota's designers and engineers are reportedly going back to the drawing board. What they're apparently coming up with eschews the current model's complex folding hard top – one of the first on the market after the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 Spyder and Mercedes SLK – in favor of a simpler, lighter folding soft top.

With a new SC 430, an IS F convertible and a potential LF-A roadster all in the pipeline, the forecast looks sunny for Lexus.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Lexus has high hopes for its new IS250 C and IS350 C convertibles, and early returns give the Japanese automakers cause for optimism. Car and Driver is reporting that Toyota's upscale division will build a droptop version of its bonkers IS F sports sedan, and plans for that model are surely buttressed by brisk initial sales of the new IS convertible models. Wards Automotive says that IS250 C and IS350 C folding hardtop convertibles are being picked up faster than they can be made, prompting Toyota to increase production at its Kyushu plant in Japan to 1,200 units per month. The ISC is so hot in the Northeast that the region will begin receiving 225 units per month.

Scott Wracher, general manager of the brand's eastern area, says 85% of the convertible IS models will have the 204 hp, 2.5-liter V6, while only 15% will have the more potent 306 hp 3.5-liter V6. The manual transmission 250C stickers at $38,480, and $43,940 will net you the auto transmission-equipped IS 350 C (plus $875 for destination). The IS convertibles also have a lengthy list of expensive options, which will easily push the MSRP up to (and over) $50,000.

In related news, C&D's sources suggest that hopes for a roadster version of the on-again/off-again LF-A supercar (currently 'on again,' for those keeping tabs) are increasingly unlikely.


Photos copyright ©2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc
[Sources: Car and Driver; Wards Automotive]

A tipster in the Middle East has sent pics of what looks to be the area's next Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (known as the Lexus GX stateside). If it is the next version of the SUV, Toyota has gone for a massaging routine as opposed to brute force change. A reshaped front fascia contains swoopier headlights, a vertical-bar grille similar to that of the Australian model), and a raised lower bumper detail. The changes are minimal out back, with more pronounced taillamps and a unique U-shaped chrome taillamp garnish.

As the vehicle seen here is thought to be based on the same platform as the current model, it isn't clear if this is the same chassis that is expected to underpin America's next Toyota 4Runner/GX expected this Fall. In the Gulf region, Al Motor News figures that the predecessor's Toyota engines will carry over: a 2.7-liter four-cylinder and a 4.0-liter V6. The Gulf-market Lexus is also expected to get a 4.6-liter V8 engine option with 310 horsepower.

These shots were apparently taken at a dealer inventory lot, so it is assumed the Prado will be shown officially in the not-too-distant future. You can get a sneak preview for yourself in the gallery of photos below. Hat tip to Ebraheem!



[Source: Al Motor News]

According to a report from Auto Motor und Sport, Toyota is considering a partnership with Daimler to build Mercedes-Benz' A- and B-Class sub-compacts on the Japanese automaker's MC platform. The idea is to maximize the efficiency and output of Toyota's European plants, and could also include sharing development costs on each brand's next generation flagships: the Lexus LS and Mercedes S-Class. Daimler has dismissed the report as "speculation," while a Toyota Motor Europe spokesman toed the company line, only saying "It's part of our normal business practice that we regularly talk to other carmakers but there are no specific projects planned at the moment."

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via Reuters]

Life is hard at the top, whether that precipice happens to be at the zenith of the overall sales chart or of a specific market niche, such as Lexus' position as the best-selling luxury automaker in the United States. Toyota's posh brand has held the top spot since the year 2000, with BMW perpetually trailing in second place. Could 2009 finally be the year that BMW breaks through to number one?

So far this year, Automotive News is reporting that BMW's 76,819 total sales in the States puts the German brand slightly ahead of Lexus, which has moved a total of 73,186 units thus far in '09. Both brands are down somewhat from 2008, though BMW's 30.5% decline is not quite as severe as Lexus' 37.2% fall. Neither automaker is interested in boasting of its successes in this market, though BMW will gladly accept the extra market share. Speaking to Automotive News, Jan Ehlen, a spokesman for BMW of North America, said:

This year's emphasis is on maintaining our market share and even growing our share a bit. If this results in remaining in the top spot of the premium market, that would be a nice bonus.

[Source: Automotive News]

According to a report from Japan's Best Car Magazine, Lexus is working on a new performance version of its LS460 luxury sedan. Oddly, the publication says that the amped-up luxury sedan will not carry the 'F' designation that we would expect (as affixed to the automaker's only other performance car, the IS F).

Instead, the new LS460 will reportedly get an SZ suffix, and we have no idea what those letters may stand for, if anything. Included in the transformation will be a full body kit with a new black chrome grille, an uprated Brembo braking kit and a new set of BBS alloy wheels.

There's no word on what may power the super sedan, but retaining the LS460 designation leads us to believe this may just be a styling, handling and braking package. Interested? Start saving now – the new Lexus LS460 SZ will reportedly go for $94,425 (JDM) if it does indeed ever hit the market. Hat tip to Andrew!

[Source: Best Car via 4WheelsNews]

J.D. Power and Associates has released its 2009 Initial Quality Study (IQS) and Lexus has taken the top spot away from Porsche, the initial quality leader for the past three years. The annual J.D. Power study measures IQS based on problems reported per 100 vehicles (PP100) -- a lower score means a lower rate of problem incidences and higher quality.

This year, the industry average is 108 PP100, demonstrating a steady improvement from 118 PP100 in 2008, and 125 PP100 in 2007. In addition to the marked improvement by the industry overall, many brands continued to perform well in 2009. Following Lexus and Porsche is Cadillac (which moves from 10th rank position in 2008 to third in 2009), Hyundai (jumping from 13th rank position in 2008 to 4th in 2009) and Honda (up from 7th in 2008 to 5th in 2009). Infiniti, second in last year's study, drops to 11th overall, while Suzuki posts the largest improvement in ranking, moving from 32nd place in 2008 to 9th in 2009. The complete J.D. Power press release and charts can be found after the jump and in the gallery below.




[Source: J.D. Power and Associates]

Now that Tiger Woods is no longer shilling for Buick, the opportunity for another automaker to enter the golf world and attract some eyeballs is wide open. Lexus is a sponsor of the U.S. Open that just teed off this week, and to make sure its participation is remembered, the Japanese automaker commissioned the production of an LS 460 L with a dimpled body just like a golf ball.

The creation of this oddity is actually an interesting story. At the PGA Golf Show in Orlando, FL last January, Lexus approached Brad Smith of Lima, OH who earns a living making those mailboxes shaped liked giant golf balls. After being asked by Lexus if he could put the same surface on a car, Smith approached his friend Rick Davis and together they found a composite polymer that would work. The two buddies built the car in Davis' two-car garage, though Lexus likes to refer to their operation as the "firm" responsible for the car's creation. Lexus took delivery of the dimpled LS last week right before it made its debut at the U.S. Open in New York on Tuesday.

Dimples help you drive a golf ball farther, faster and with more control. Do you they do the same for the Lexus? Perhaps Tiger Woods should get behind the wheel and find out.

Photos courtesy of Gavin Jackson and The Lima News



[Source: LimaOhio.com via Kicking Tires]

Toyota may be struggling to make money and keep up sales right now, but the Japanese automaker is still cruising along when it comes to hybrids. The Prius is a big reason why Toyota has secured 75% of the hybrid market, and the company is expecting its upmarket sibling, the Lexus HS 250h to do the same for its luxury division.

Automotive News is quoting Toyota execs who say that the company is expecting 25,000 HS250 sales in the first 12 months on the market. That's a piffling number compared to the 180,000 units the company expects to sell of its third-generation Prius, but that would still be more hybrid sales than any other luxury brand.

While Lexus has hybrid versions of the RX, GS, and LS models, only the HS will be a dedicated hybrid-only proposition. In fact, the HS 250h will be the sole dedicated gas-electric vehicle in the entire luxury automotive segment. While the hybrid market has dried up somewhat along with the rest of the industry in 2009, Toyota sees signs that the market will soon improve. Mark Templin, group vice president of the Lexus Division, told AN that 60% of Lexus buyers are willing to consider a hybrid.



[Source: Automotive News (subs req'd)]