Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Lexus returning to Targa Newfoundland with GS 450h]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/13/lexus-returning-to-targa-newfoundland-with-gs-450h/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/13/lexus-returning-to-targa-newfoundland-with-gs-450h/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/13/lexus-returning-to-targa-newfoundland-with-gs-450h/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



At last year's Targa Newfoundland, driver Mark Lachapelle brought his Lexus GS 450h -- yeah, that's a hybrid -- home 18th overall, and sixth in his division. This year he'll return to the 2,200-kilometer race which runs over six days through the central and eastern part of the island.

The 339 hp Lexus is the only one of last year's hybrid contestants to return, and is kitted for duty with just a safety cage, performance exhaust and upgraded shock absorbers. Slotted into the modern division, this year's race will pit the Japanese hybrid against big bore Americana: among other competitors, Ralph Gilles and Karen Wagner are scheduled to drive a Dodge Challenger SRT in the same class.

Targa Newfoundland runs from September 13-20, and if you want to keep up with the action in a timely manner, check out Autonet.ca. For you French speakers, go to the French version of Autonet.ca, or PassionPerformance.ca.

[Source: Lexus]

Lexus returning to Targa Newfoundland with GS 450h originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In trying to establish a Japanese-market foothold for Lexus, Toyota has seemingly fallen prey to the same tactic that made the Cadillac Cimmaron such a maroon. When trying to launch a brand, especially an upscale brand, it's not advisable to rebadge existing models and crank up the price. It doesn't seem to matter how good the car is, or how swanky the new $10-million-a-pop showroom is, once an Altezza, always an Altezza, and paying 20 percent more for the same car with a different logo is rightfully galling.

Japanese luxury car buyers also have quite a taste for European iron, specifically German cars from the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes. Enthusiasts in Toyota's own backyard echo the universal car-guy complaint that Lexus vehicles lack personality. There's no denying that Lexus cars are well-made and capable, and the IS-F may finally infuse the brand with enough attitude to woo buyers of storied marques. Currently, most Lexus buyers in Japan are stepping up from Toyota ownership. Less than 5 percent of sales are conquests, and actual sales have lagged behind projections. Lexus offerings have been expanded from the initial IS, GS, and SC models to include the LS, and the RX will be coming in 2009. While it may appear less than successful so far, Toyota can afford to be patient. American buyers have fully embraced Toyota and Lexus nameplates to the point where they're both smashing successes. In another two to three years, we're betting Lexus will have a cheery song to sing in Japan.

[Source: Businessweek]

Lexus brand isn't flying in Toyota's home market originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brandhome markethome market salesHomeMarketHomeMarketSalesjapan domestic marketjapan salesJapanDomesticMarketJapanSaleslexuslexus brandlexus gslexus gs 450hlexus gs 460lexus gs450hlexus gs460lexus is-flexus japanlexus lslexus ls 600hlexus ls 600h llexus ls460lexus ls600hlexus ls600h hybridLexusBrandLexusGsLexusGs450hLexusGs460LexusIs-fLexusJapanLexusLsLexusLs460LexusLs600hLexusLs600hHybridLexusLs600hLsalestoyotatoyota lexusToyotaLexusSat, 22 Mar 2008 16:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Vote for CNET's Tech Car of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/20/vote-for-cnets-tech-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/20/vote-for-cnets-tech-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/20/vote-for-cnets-tech-car-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under:

In case you somehow hadn't noticed(?!), it's not only deer and turkey season, it's also automotive award season. And here's yet another trophy for those keeping track of all of them. CNET.com wants you to help decide their 2006 Tech Car of the Year Award winner. They've done the hard work and weeded out the really big turkeys to give you a list of some real dears.

In early voting, the Lexus LS460 L, with its 19-speaker sound system, live traffic GPS and self-parking system is leading the other nine contenders. So what's it gonna be for you? Acura's RDX with voice commands? Audi's adaptive-suspension-equipped Q7? BMW's 335i with its adaptive cruise control and iDrive? Or are you more a Cadillac guy, voting for the Escalade with OnStar?

See the other five contestants after the jump.

[Source: CNET]

Continue reading Vote for CNET's Tech Car of the Year

Vote for CNET's Tech Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Dec 2006 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Acura RDXAcuraRdxAudi Q7AudiQ7BMW 335iBmw335icadillac escaladeCadillacEscaladecamry hybridCamryHybridcnet awardcnet tech car of the yearCnetAwardCnetTechCarOfTheYearinfiniti g35InfinitiG35jaguar xkJaguarXklexus gs450hlexus ls460LexusGs450hLexusLs460mercedes s550MercedesS550Wed, 20 Dec 2006 11:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota fields Lexus GS450 hybrid racecar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/05/toyota-fields-lexus-gs450-hybrid-racecar/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/05/toyota-fields-lexus-gs450-hybrid-racecar/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/05/toyota-fields-lexus-gs450-hybrid-racecar/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Toyota Motor has announced that it has entered a race-prepped version of its Lexus GS450h hybrid sedan in Japan's Tokachi 24-hour endurance race. The car (shown above in preliminary livery) will be raced by Sigma Automotive Racing Division (SARD), a group that races Toyotas in the Japanese Super GT series.

The GS450h racecar is spec'd at a maximum hybrid system output of about 345 hp, with peak output of the gas engine of 295 hp, and peak electric motor output of nearly 200 hp. The race-ready Lexus races in a class with a relatively hefty minimum weight of 3,417 lb, and has received the usual top-to-bottom list of race modifications, including:
  • reworked suspension
  • wheels and tires
  • rollcage
  • fuel cell
  • limited-slip differential
  • uprated brakes
  • aero modifications
The Tokachi 24-hour race is part of a race series for production-based cars, broadly similar to the U.S. SPEED World Challenge.

[Source: Toyota]

Toyota fields Lexus GS450 hybrid racecar originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Jul 2006 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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