Lexus debuts dimpled LS 460 L for U.S. Open

John Neff — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:27:00 EST

Golf ball dimpled Lexus LS 460 L - Click above for high-res image gallery

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

Gallery: Golf ball dimpled Lexus LS 460 L

[Source: LimaOhio.com via Kicking Tires]

Lexus debuts dimpled LS 460 L for U.S. Open originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus provides IS-F prize for Wii tennis tournament

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 20:04:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Etc., Lexus

To tie into its sponsorship of the U.S. Open, Lexus is going to host a "Virtual Tennis Open" using the Nintendo Wii. The tourney will be for charity, but the top prize of a one-year lease on a Lexus IS-F is for the winner to keep and use as he or she pleases. Hosted by tennis champ Andy Roddick, the tourney will take place at New York's Rockefeller Center next month, while money gathered from entrant fees in the three-day tournament will benefit the Andy Roddick Foundation for neglected, abused and sick children. The IS-F, which we just saw in action up in Monterey, will also be one of the prizes awarded to the men's champion in the real U.S. Open next month.

[Source: Brandweek]

Lexus provides IS-F prize for Wii tennis tournament originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Aug 2007 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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