Autoblog

Lexus debuts GS450h ahead of Frankfurt

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Lexus, Luxury

With three different variants of the 2013 Lexus GS in the pipeline, Lexus is taking to the Frankfurt Motor Show to highlight the hybrid version just a few weeks after the GS 350 debuted in Pebble Beach.

Nothing's particularly different on the outside of the GS 450h compared to its standard sibling, with the exception of a few hybrid badges and Lexus' trademark blue logos. Under the hood, an Atkinson Cycle 3.5-liter V6 with a 13:1 compression ratio, some intake tweaks and a high-output, water-cooled electric motor brings output up to 338 horsepower and an undisclosed amount of torque. In standard Eco mode, the PCU dolls out 500V on justice while Sport increases voltage to 650V to maximize off-the-line acceleration. Lexus claims a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds, but isn't giving up fuel economy numbers just yet.

All the runnings bits from the standard GS carry over unchanged, including the Lexus Dynamic Handling System with four-wheel steering. Expect more from the show floor tomorrow, but in the meantime, check out the first batch of images and press release below the fold.

Continue reading Lexus debuts GS450h ahead of Frankfurt

Lexus debuts GS450h ahead of Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Toyota admits 270,000 cars have faulty engines worldwide

Zach Bowman — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 09:25:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Japan, Recalls, Safety, Lexus, Luxury

2010 Lexus LS460 Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

In 20 years, odds are few people will remember that 2010 was one of the worst years for Toyota in terms of recalls, but for now, it seems like the company just can't win for losing. The company has announced that it is currently preparing to recall a total of 270,000 Toyota Crown and Lexus LS, GS and IS models worldwide. As it turns out, some of the company's 4.6-liter V8 and 3.5-liter V6 engines were built using faulty valve springs that may cause the car to stall while driving. Around 180,000 of the faulty powerplants were sold outside of Japan.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the company says that some Toyota Crown, Lexus LS460, Lexus LS600h, Lexus LS600hL, Lexus GS350, Lexus GS450h, Lexus GS460 and Lexus IS350 models will be affected by the recall, and that it will initiate a procedure to fix the problem as soon as it can figure out a way to do so with the least amount of inconvenience to its customers.

The news comes as Toyota continues to try to put this year's bevy of recall issues behind it, including paying a $16.4 million fine to the U.S. government for delaying certain recalls. Thanks for the tip, everyone!

Gallery: Review: 2010 Lexus LS460 Sport

Photos by Frank Filipponio / Copyright (C)2009, Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

BREAKING: Toyota admits 270,000 cars have faulty engines worldwide originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: Lexus GS450h uses electrons for fun

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, Lexus, New Car Reviews, Luxury

Lexus GS450h - Click above for high-res image gallery

The love affair with batteries begins as a child. By the time your fifth Christmas rolls around, the moment you unwrap an electronic gadget your mind is already processing the thought, "Santa better have brought batteries..." Not only does that relationship continue as an adult, but what was once a simple tryst - "Mom, I need batteries for my Coleco Football" - has turned into a full-on romance (with every associated frustration) of our beloved battery-powered gizmos.

Like, for instance, the Lexus GS450h. One of the sleepiest of sleeper sedans, its batteries aren't responsible for keeping it running, only for supplementing the power of its 3.5-liter V6. And while hybrids have generally left us tepid, after a week with the Lexus, we're almost ready to ask automakers for another Christmas gift: Put batteries in everything, and do it just like this.

Gallery: Review: Lexus GS450h

Continue reading Review: Lexus GS450h uses electrons for fun

Review: Lexus GS450h uses electrons for fun originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus returning to Targa Newfoundland with GS 450h

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:34:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Sedan, Green, Lexus, Canada

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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Lexus brand isn't flying in Toyota's home market

Dan Roth — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Lexus, Toyota

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.

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Vote for CNET's Tech Car of the Year

Chris Tutor — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 11:32:00 EST

Filed under: Technology

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.

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Toyota fields Lexus GS450 hybrid racecar

Stuart Waterman — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 14:25:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Lexus, Toyota

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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