Autoblog

Lexus planning LF-A Roadster for 2014; seven-seat CUV delayed

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Crossover, Lexus

The super-hot Lexus LFA coupe may only have a production run of 500 units, but the candle might not burn out on this stunner anytime soon. According to Automotive News, Lexus will produce an LFA roadster, previewed by the 2008 Detroit Auto Show concept car pictured above. Interestingly, the report indicates that there will likely be a one-year hiatus in between LFA coupe and roadster production, so the droptop supercar should hit the streets in mid-2014.

Automotive News also reports that Lexus' long-rumored seven-passenger crossover, dubbed 'VX', has been delayed, even after several years of study. As far as the automaker's CUVs and SUVs go, the RX will get a redesign in early 2014, using some of the new bits found in the updated Toyota Camry platform. The larger GX, which was redesigned in 2010, will not see any major changes, and the grandaddy LX will likely carry on unchanged for the foreseeable future - possibly beyond 2015.

Lexus' sedan lineup will also see some big changes over the next few years, starting with the launch of the all-new 2012 GS early next year. Following that, the ES will be redesigned and tuned and a hybrid version will finally be offered. The smaller IS will get an overhaul in late 2012, based on a chopped version of the new GS platform.

Lexus planning LF-A Roadster for 2014; seven-seat CUV delayed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Despite tough year, Toyota finishes 2010 with best-selling car, brand and luxury marque titles

Zach Bowman — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Lexus, Scion, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

2010 Lexus GX460 - Click above for high-res image gallery

By most accounts, Toyota didn't have the rosiest of years in 2010. Hounded by safety recalls, lawsuits and government investigations, the automaker saw its once spotless reputation grow more sullied by the month. Still, it's important to note that none of these issues stopped the Japanese automaker from snagging some impressive U.S. sales titles, including the best-selling car (Camry), brand (Toyota) and luxury marque (Lexus) for 2010, not including fleet sales. All told, the entire company saw 1,763,595 sales through 2010 - a number that's more or less comparable to its 2009 figures. The Toyota brand itself walked away with 1,534,266 of those sales, while Lexus sent home 229,329 units and Scion managed to move a further 45,678 vehicles.

While the Toyota division's sales stayed flat for 2010 compared to 2009, Lexus sales jumped by 6.9 percent. The luxury brand's increase was driven largely by its light truck sales, which were up 13.3 percent compared to 2009. Interestingly enough, the Lexus GX saw sales increase by 165.6 percent over 2009 numbers, with 16,450 units sold. Hit the jump for the full press release. Thanks for the tip, Michael!

Gallery: 2010 Lexus GX460

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Despite tough year, Toyota finishes 2010 with best-selling car, brand and luxury marque titles

Despite tough year, Toyota finishes 2010 with best-selling car, brand and luxury marque titles originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus Safety Experience: Enthusiast knowledge made common

Jeff Glucker — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 09:33:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Lexus, Toyota, Luxury

Lexus Safety Experience - Click above for high-res image gallery

You're an auto enthusiast. You know what all the acronyms on the buttons around your dash stand for. You understand that braking power can beat engine power 99% of the time. That feeling you get from activating the anti-lock braking system? It's not "scary" and you know you should keep your foot down. The problem is that the average driver or new-car shopper is not an enthusiast. Lexus knows this and it has created an event to help educate its salesmen around the country, who in turn can better explain the safety systems available on the cars in the showroom.

The Lexus Safety Experience is a half-day event that highlights the safety tech fitted to most Lexus vehicles (some 2010 models and all 2011s). In short, it decodes the aforementioned acronym alphabet soup and then demonstrates exactly what each one does. What does VSC stand for? What is TRAC and VDIM? Is EBD something I should get tested for?

Answers: Vehicle Stability Control. Traction Control Activity Area and Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management. No, it means Electronic Brake-Force Distribution.

The terms might be foreign concepts to many of its customers, but Lexus is trying to change that. Not by telling its sales force what everything means - by showing them.

Gallery: Lexus Safety Experience

Continue reading Lexus Safety Experience: Enthusiast knowledge made common

Lexus Safety Experience: Enthusiast knowledge made common originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Oct 2010 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus GX officially off Consumer Reports "Don't Buy" list

Zach Bowman — Fri, 07 May 2010 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Safety, Lexus, Luxury

According to Consumer Reports, it's officially safe to wade back into Lexus GX waters. The luxury SUV has been removed from the infamous "Do Not Buy" list after Toyota solved the handling issues that landed the high-riding people mover in time-out. The Japanese automaker has corrected a software issue that allowed the vehicle to lose control during emergency braking maneuvers. All new models will be sold with the fix, and current owners have been asked to bring in their vehicles so that the repair can be made free of charge.

About a month ago, Consumer Reports found that during testing, the stability control on the new GX failed to reign in wild slides, thereby creating a potential recipe for a roll-over. The magazine's testing resulted in an internal investigation at Toyota that eventually produced the software fix. To date, no one has been injured due to the glitch.

While the Lexus GX is officially back in the game, it may take some time before buyers stop associating the truck with the Consumer Reports black list.

[Source: Automotive News]

Continue reading Lexus GX officially off Consumer Reports "Don't Buy" list

Lexus GX officially off Consumer Reports "Don't Buy" list originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 May 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota reportedly testing all of its SUV's stability control systems

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Recalls, Safety, Lexus, Toyota, Luxury

2010 Lexus GX460 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Further proof that Toyota is taking Consumer Reports' recent test and subsequent Do Not Buy rating of its Lexus GX 460 sport utility vehicle seriously is a report from AutoWeek that the Japanese giant is testing all of the stability control systems used on every single one of its SUV models.

Toyota took the decisive action of issuing a stop sale on its new Lexus GX 460 here in the United States (also in the Middle East and Russia) after CR found that it was possible to coax the big 'ute into a massive sideways slide when the throttle is lifted mid-corner, seemingly defeating the standard stability control in the process. Under certain situations, the tall, heavy vehicle could potentially roll over.

According to Toyota, none of the 5,400 or so owners here in the States have reported any issues with their GX 460's handling characteristics, but that doesn't mean the issue isn't serious. Click here to read our own explanation as to what might be prompting the errant handling woes and expect to hear plenty more on these SUV handling issues in the coming weeks and months.

Gallery: 2010 Lexus GX460

[Source: AutoWeek]

Toyota reportedly testing all of its SUV's stability control systems originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota may be readying fix for Lexus GX 460 safety concerns as NHTSA begins investigation

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Lexus, Toyota, Luxury

2010 Lexus GX460 - Click above for high-res image gallery

That was fast. Just two days after Consumer Reports issued a "Do Not Buy rating "on the new Lexus GX 460 upon finding that it was possible to trip up the standard electronic stability control and initiate a potentially dangerous mid-corner tail-out drift of the big SUV, Toyota reportedly has a fix for the issue.

According to Japan's Nikkei daily, Toyota's solution to the GX's handling woes involves a reflash of the vehicle's electronic brain along with unspecified changes to "other aspects of the vehicle." Not particularly descriptive, but perhaps that shouldn't come as a surprise considering how complicated of an issue such handling foibles can be.

In related news, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is just now beginning its own investigation into the 2010 Lexus GX 460. NHTSA has procured the GX that Consumer Reports had been testing and is working to determine if the machine meets its own federal safety standards. No determination has yet been made as to whether the 5,400 or so GX 460s sold so far in the States will be recalled.

Gallery: 2010 Lexus GX460

[Source: Nikkei - sub. req. via TTAC, The Detroit News]

Toyota may be readying fix for Lexus GX 460 safety concerns as NHTSA begins investigation originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota issues stop sale on 2010 GX 460 [*Updated w/video]

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Recalls, Safety, Videos, Lexus, Luxury

2010 Lexus GX460 - Click above for high-res image gallery

It seems Toyota's learned a few things from its recent spate of recalls - react quickly, react decisively and repeatedly reassure customers that their safety is a top priority.

To that end, Toyota has issued a stop sale on the 2010 Lexus GX 460 after Consumer Reports deemed the SUV a safety risk earlier today and added the 'ute to its "Do Not Buy" list.

According to Toyota, the automaker is investigating CR's claims and using the consumer pub's testing methodology to determine how the SUV's emergency handling can be improved. Furthermore, any 2010 GX 460 owner concerned about their vehicle's safety will be provided a loaner vehicle from Lexus until the automaker can find a solution. Full details in the press release after the jump.

*UPDATE: CR video footage of the GX 460 in testing available after the jump.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Lexus GX460

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Toyota issues stop sale on 2010 GX 460 [*Updated w/video]

Toyota issues stop sale on 2010 GX 460 [*Updated w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports puts Lexus GX on "Do Not Buy" list due to rollover fears

Zach Bowman — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Safety, Lexus, Toyota, Luxury

2010 Lexus GX460 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Consumer Reports has officially given the Lexus GX the automotive equivalent of a black eye. The publication has deemed the high-riding luxury SUV a "safety risk" for its likelihood to go shiny side down during emergency maneuvers, and as such, has put it on the publication's infamous "Do Not Buy" list. During testing, the Consumer Reports crew found that the traction control on the GX would allow the vehicle to slide nearly completely sideways before getting everything in line.

Interestingly enough, while Consumer Reports tested the nearly-identical Toyota 4Runner, that SUV wasn't found to suffer the same problem with the traction control. Is it possible that all of the luxury goodies you'll find aboard the Lexus add enough pounds to overwhelm the vehicle's stability control, or that the Lexus has significantly different programming? It's possible.

So far, Toyota hasn't said much other than that it's concerned with the Consumer Reports findings. Considering that the Japanese manufacturer has had more than its fair share of bad publicity recently, being blacklisted by CR is just another log on the fire.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Lexus GX460

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Consumer Reports puts Lexus GX on "Do Not Buy" list due to rollover fears originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2010 Lexus GX 460 sticks to its trucky roots

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Lexus, First Drives, Luxury, Off-Road

2010 Lexus GX 460 - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2002 Lexus GX 470 was little more than a Toyota 4Runner with a healthy dollop of Lexus luxury on top, but at the time, it didn't have to be anything more than that. It seemed just about every automaker that had an SUV in the stable was introducing an uplevel version to capitalize on American consumers' insatiable appetite for luxury sport-utes, so why not Toyota? Lexus had already adopted the full-size Land Cruiser, so it made sense to bring along the 4Runner for the slightly less well-heeled.

Although it didn't set the charts on fire, the GX won over enough people that Lexus has continued churning it out virtually unchanged until now. In fact, the company easily moved every 2009 model it made. Still, even the best vehicles need to be updated from time to time, and with an all-new 2010 4Runner hitting dealers, it was time for this Lexus to undergo a similar overhaul. But the state of the economy, environment and the changing luxury SUV market itself meant that the Japanese automaker needed to rethink a few things for its sophomore endeavor. And it has.

We spent time on and off road in San Diego County during our stint with the new 2010 Lexus GX 460, and what we have learned was quite surprising. Despite the market's shift toward crossovers, the GX is still body-on-frame and has a V8, full-time four-wheel drive and takes up just as much space as the previous generation model. It still looks like a truck, drives like a truck and handles like a truck. But is that such a bad thing? Is there still a place for this type of vehicle... or is it simply an anachronism from a once-thriving, but now rapidly vanishing market? Follow the jump to see what we discovered.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Lexus GX460

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Lexus GX 460 sticks to its trucky roots

First Drive: 2010 Lexus GX 460 sticks to its trucky roots originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #154

Dan Roth — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:10:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Podcasts, Etc., Acura, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Infiniti, Lexus, Nissan

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Episode #154 of the Autoblog Podcast is here for your tryptophan-addled pleasure. Chris, Sam, and Dan kick it, starting with the BMW 5 Series, then move on to such appetite supressants as the Lexus GX, Acura ZDX and its pricing, and Infiniti's re-style of the massive QX56 rig. Before we become an emetic, we move on to the pretty new Infiniti M, the ongoing anticipation for a US-bound Chevrolet Spark, and Hyundai's new 2.4 liter direct-injection 4 cylinder for the next Sonata. We hit some questions, and wrap it up in time for pie.

If you're looking to bulk up on podcast excellence over the Thanksgiving holiday, check out our colleagues at Joystiq and Engadget. Let us know what you think by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening, we'll see you next week!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #154

Autoblog Podcast #154 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus GX460 to debut in China at Auto Guangzhou 2009

Alex Nunez — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Lexus, Toyota, Misc. Auto Shows, Luxury

2009 Lexus GX470: Its days are numbered

The arrival of the 2010 Toyota 4Runner meant that a luxury-badged cousin would soon follow. Sure enough, Toyota has announced that the new 2010 Lexus GX460 will be among the array of vehicles to be shown next week at China's Auto Guangzhou 2009 show. As the nomenclature would suggest, the next-gen GX will be powered by a 4.6-liter V8, which is rumored to make 300 horsepower in the GX460, a 37-hp bump over the 4.7-liter V8's output in the current vehicle (shown above).

According to scuttlebutt posted to ClubLexus.com following last year's New York City dealer meeting, we should look for the new GX to arrive in January 2010 with styling that borrows heavily from the full-sized LX570 SUV and electrically-folding third row seating. We'll keep our eyes peeled for photos and additional info, but in the meantime you can check out Toyota's brief PR after the jump.

Continue reading Lexus GX460 to debut in China at Auto Guangzhou 2009

Lexus GX460 to debut in China at Auto Guangzhou 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Next Toyota Landcruiser Prado/Lexus GX caught in the Middle East?

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Lexus, Toyota, Middle East

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado spy shots -- Click above for image gallery

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!

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2010 Toyota Prado/Landcruiser

[Source: Al Motor News]

Spy Shots: Next Toyota Landcruiser Prado/Lexus GX caught in the Middle East? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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