My Perfect Automobile » Lexus

Lexus Hybrid SUV Will Debut at Geneva 2014

Larry Bell — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:29:56 +0000

Lexus hybrid (pictured: RX 450h)

Lexus will unveil its NX 300h hybrid car at next year’s Geneva Auto Show. The compact luxury SUV is expected to feature a four-cylinder, 2.5-liter hybrid drivetrain, much like the company’s ES 300h. With the Geneva event almost a full year away, Lexus has decided to debut a concept version of the NX on home turf, namely at the Tokyo Auto Show, which takes place in November 2013. Geneva, however, will have the honor of showing the production NX hybrid for the first time.

Lexus Hybrid: Video

Lexus has built a well-deserved reputation for delivering stunning concept and production cars. What the company has in store for next year’s Geneva show is likely to embody a few surprises that are not in any of the “official” press releases about the debut. The 2012 Detroit Auto Show was a good example of the Japanese carmaker’s ability to wow the media. At that event, Lexus took the wraps off its LF-LC two-door concept hybrid, which ended up being the most photographed vehicle among a sea of beauties. The video clip above shows the LF-LC (which stands for Lexus Future Luxury Coupe) in all its glory, even offering up some footage of the car in motion on a real street.

Lexus Hybrid

Lexus is the luxury division of Toyota. Its cars are currently sold in over 70 nations, making the brand Japan’s number one selling premium car. From a Nagoya, Japan, headquarters, Lexus maintains key operations facilities in California and Brussels.

Lexus officially trademarked the names NX 300h and NX 200t late last year, indicating that the Japanese luxury carmaker has a turbo version of the NX in the works as well. There is no word from Lexus about the availability of the new hybrid in U.S. markets.

For more information about Lexus vehicles, visit the Japanese automaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.lexus.com

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Luxury Cars for Sale: How to Sell Your High-End Ride

Larry Bell — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 13:03:10 +0000

Cadillac ELR hybrid-electric luxury car

When selling a luxury car online, experts recommend using several photos along with detailed descriptions. As with any higher-priced item, potential buyers want to know exactly what they are getting for their money. That’s why it is an absolute necessity to post high quality pictures in the listing. When you place an ad under the “Luxury Cars for Sale” section, take a bit more time with the description than you would with a lower-priced model. In this case, details are very important.

How to Prep Luxury Cars for Sale: Video

For one of the better instructional videos about how to prep a car for private sale, see the clip above. Though most of the advice could apply to any car, the film tends toward luxury vehicles specifically. In fact, you might recognize the sample car if you are a luxury vehicle enthusiast.
Note: Because the video was made for a UK audience, ignore the end section about legal paperwork. There is much less red tape involved when selling a used car in the U.S.

Top 10 Luxury Cars for Sale in U.S.

The car you are trying to buy or sell need not be in the top-10 listing of 2012 luxury cars for sale, but it is good to know what shoppers are looking for. Six through ten on the list, in order, are the Infiniti G, Acura MDX, Cadillac CTS, Cadillac SRX, and the Hyundai Genesis. Number five is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, while BMW vehicles hold third and fourth places. Fourth is the BMW 5-Series. Third place is BMW’s 3-Series. The number two best-selling luxury car is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Taking the top spot on the list is the elegant Lexus RS. For those keeping track, that makes four Asian brands, four German brands, and two U.S. cars (both Cadillacs!) in the top ten.

If you are preparing to sell or buy a luxury vehicle, use the following information site to acquaint yourself with the history of the segment, learn about the different types of luxury cars (compact, entry-level, mid-level, and high-end, for example), and become conversant with common jargon that goes with the territory.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxury_vehicle

To shop for or sell a car of any kind, begin at one of the highest-volume vehicle transaction sites on the Internet (link below). In less than five minutes you can have your vehicle listed, or locate the ideal car to suit your needs.
http://myperfectautomobile.com/classified/

Larry Bell

Lexus Hybrid is Ready for Geneva Show

Larry Bell — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 12:10:33 +0000

Lexus LF-LC concept for 2014

Lexus will be bringing at least three vehicles to the Geneva Auto Show in March; the hybrid IS 300h among them. The company’s F SPORT, plus the latest iteration of LF-LC will round out the trio of stunners the Japanese carmaker introduces to European markets. In fact, the trip to Switzerland will be the first time Lexus has shown the IS 300h in Europe. An enhanced version of the IS 300h, which Lexus has dubbed F SPORT, will also be on display at the show, complete with heftier drive power and sport styling.

Lexus Hybrid: Video

In a highly creative Lexus commercial, below, the company shows what it means by the “pursuit of perfection.” as we are treated to a revving, humming RX F Sport dangling in mid-air, its wheels spinning at top speed. It doesn’t really make sense until you see the spot, but the gist of it seems to be that Lexus will not rest on its laurels. The Japanese luxury carmaker is headed for Geneva with a contingent of its elite vehicles, a hybrid concept car among the bunch.

Lexus Hybrid

Lexus will also show off a brand-new version of its auto show exhibit stand, which has been significantly reworked and laid out in a “parking lot” style, sporting an enclosed, rectangular structure on one end of the space and the show cars “parked” on the remainder of the extended floor area.

Geneva will also be the first time Lexus has presented the LF-LC hybrid concept in opal blue, a fresh version of the concept that seems to act as a crowd magnet wherever it makes an appearance. The company has not announced a complete list of its Geneva lineup, but as the show approaches, there should be more news about which Lexus vehicles will be making the trip from Japan to Switzerland.

For more about Lexus vehicles, see the Japanese automaker’s official website:
http://www.lexus.com

Larry Bell

NAIAS Sets Attendance Record

Larry Bell — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:30:30 +0000

NAIAS: 2014 Lexus IS is a crowd-pleaser

Final numbers are not yet in, but all the data is pointing to a record-setting 2013 Detroit Auto Show. Preliminary data being collected early Sunday, Jan. 27, the final day of the show, points to a healthy 2013 event. In fact, the show had its best first weekend in many years, tallying over 100,000 paying attendees on opening day, which represents an 8-year high. The NAIAS charity preview, an annual staple of the car show, posted a 30 percent increase in donations from last year’s total, this time collecting over $4 million for a group of Detroit children’s organizations.

NAIAS: Video

One of the highlights of the 2013 Detroit Auto Show was the Lexus display, featuring the new model IS sedan. The short interview clip below goes into detail about the company’s plans for the IS hybrid, which will not be sold in the U.S. for now. This year’s NAIAS also brought the Cadillac ELR electric hybrid, what many consider a groundbreaking design and a turning point for the legendary carmaker. Via Motors showed off its newest line of extended-range electric trucks to round out another very green Detroit Auto Show.

NAIAS Attendance

Show officials expected the final day of NAIAS to log over 100,000 visitors, similar to opening day. If estimates hold, it looks as though the 2013 Detroit Auto Show will reach an attendance total that is the best in nearly a decade. Some media pundits point to the increased turnout as an overall sign of an improving U.S. economy, in the transportation sector at least. Detroit’s event is the first major auto show of the calendar year and is used as a benchmark for many similar events later in the year. When the NAIAS has a good turnout, the auto industry typically has an up year as well.

For information about the North American International Auto Show, and to be put on the list for updates about next year’s event, see the official website for the show:
http://www.naias.com

Larry Bell

Lexus to Reveal Autonomous Car Plans at CES Conference

Larry Bell — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 04:41:52 +0000

Lexus LS

Just before the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next month, Lexus will reveal its autonomous car plans to media during a press conference on Jan. 7. In addition to its driverless car scenario, Lexus executives will delineate the company’s newest high-tech engineering systems that help drivers operate vehicles. Collision-avoidance, navigation, and all sorts of warning devices are among the new wave of technology. Many expect Lexus to use its popular LS model as the experimental car for the demonstration in Las Vegas.

Lexus Autonomous Cars: Video

Lexus is not the first company to try its hand at driverless car technology, nor will it be the last. The short news clip above is a good introduction to the concept of driverless transportation. Most of what is being developed right now will be on the roads within a year or two. In some cases, as in Nevada and California, driverless vehicles are already plying the streets, though in very limited, and closely monitored, experiments. Those two states have led the way with legislation allowing for the registration of the new cars. As one of the engineers in the video mentions, the biggest obstacles are public acceptance and cost. While the public’s feelings about driverless cars are likely to change as the models become more common, the cost of driverless vehicles typically hovers around the $100,000 mark, and higher. When and if costs come down, watch for more fleet usage of the technology.

Lexus Autonomous Cars

Lexus and its parent Toyota have been working on proprietary systems called ITS, which stands for Intelligent Transport Systems. ITS uses radio-wave communication between cars in order to deter collisions. The technology allows the vehicles to communicate with one another to prevent various types of accidents.

For more about Lexus, see the Japanese automaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.lexus.com

Larry Bell

Lexus IS Sedan to Debut in Detroit

Larry Bell — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 02:08:11 +0000

Lexus LF-CC concept car

Lexus announced this week that it will debut its 2014 IS sedan at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in January. Replacing the venerable IS, this third generation vehicle will be the smallest sedan that Lexus has ever offered for sale to the public. In the U.S. marketplace, the car will face stiff competition from the Mercedes-Benz C-Class as well as the BMW 3-Series. While Toyota’s luxury division has been skimpy with details about the new IS line, expect four- and six-cylinder versions at the very least, and a possible inclusion of a hybrid drivetrain, if the company’s recent habits can be a clue. Lexus is currently attempting to bolster its hybrid offerings, and the new IS would be the perfect opportunity to add one more hybrid to the collection.

Lexus IS Sedan: Video

In pure Lexus fashion, the following video survey of the car is not narrated, contains no humans, and features slow, eerie music as background. The car itself, which was code named LF-CC when it debuted, is stunning both inside and out. It became the third generation of the formidable sales champ for Lexus, which has been around for six years already, since model year 2006. The completely redesigned styling of the new IS has spilled over to many other Lexus models.

Lexus IS Sedan

If you love the Lexus LF-CC concept upon which IS will be based, don’t expect the new version to be an exact replica. As is always the case with concept-to-production translations, something is usually lost. But Lexus has been reliable in the past in its ability to bring as much of the concept as possible into its production models. At the Detroit Auto Show, most of the major auto manufacturers are planning to have at least one major debut vehicle.

For all things Lexus, see the Japanese automaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.lexus.com

Larry Bell

Lexus Hybrid LF-CC to be Reality

Larry Bell — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 20:36:23 +0000

Lexus hybrid LF-CC

Industry insiders are reporting that the Lexus LF-CC concept car will see production status within about two years. The sleek, ultra-futuristic vehicle was on display at the LA Auto Show this week. When the car finally does land in showrooms, expect a futuristic price as well, along with a hybrid system that is similar to the current 350h. Specifics are hard to come by for the production version of the LF-CC, but Lexus will almost certainly offer the new model in its prime U.S. market.

Lexus LF-CC: Video

Enjoy an up-close look at the LL-CC from its display area at the LA Auto Show. See if you can figure out why everyone who approaches the car becomes instantly fascinated by the rear lights and their puzzling design. Maybe it is because you can put your face right up to the things and not actually see the center. They really do seem to recede into infinity. In any case, there is a lot more to the hot Lexus concept than just that “fading dot matrix pattern,” as Lexus calls it. For starters, the front engine, rear-wheel drive car uses Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive, and the glass roof features super lightweight design. Notice the brushed metal trim and interior wood accents. This is one concept car that lives up to the hype.

Lexus LF-CC

Already out front in the mainstream hybrid segment with its highly popular Prius, Toyota appears to be making a strategic move with the LF-CC, hoping to create an upscale hybrid-sport image for itself. From the look of the concept car that is currently making the rounds of international auto shows, the company is on the right track. Some Lexus devotees think the car will compete directly with the new BMW 4-Series, which makes perfect sense based on exterior styling alone.

For more about all the newest products from Lexus, see the Japanese carmaker’s official site:
http://www.lexus.com

Larry Bell

Hybrid, EV Markets Growing Rapidly

Larry Bell — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:56:20 +0000

Hybrid, EV Market: Toyota Prius is a major player

By every measure, the production of hybrid and electric automobiles is growing. Ford’s C-Max, the Chevy Volt, and the entire family of Toyota’s hybrids are testament to the fact that, while pure electric vehicles await vital infrastructure, the segment known as “alternative fuel transportation” is building a firm base of customers in the U.S. and abroad. Toyota, as a case in point, has sold over four million hybrid cars worldwide. In fact, hybrids now account for a full 15 percent of the Japanese carmaker’s total sales units.

Hybrid, EV Market: Video

If you are not already clued in to the Lexus “h” designation for its hybrid-drive cars, the following video clip will burn the image into your memory bank. A fun, entertaining company production, it is actually one of many “Power of ‘h’” spots, each one more creative and unusual than the last. What the clip refers to as LHD, or Lexus Hybrid Drive, is discussed by a soft-voiced narrator over the performance of a violinist and one other performer who are there to drive home the point of cleanliness, quietness, performance, and fuel-efficiency. Trust us; it all makes a lot more sense when you watch the video. In fact, the whole impression is very Lexus, very upscale, and paints hybrid technology as the modern wonder that it truly is.

Hybrid, EV Market

California and New York residents who own a Chevy Volt hybrid car will be able to drive in special highway lanes. Ford’s addition of a range of hybrids, and the Focus EV, are another sign that the huge automakers are in the green game for the long haul. The C-Max hybrid offers an impressive 47 mpg, which bests its closest rival in the Toyota Prius family, the Prius v.

For all the latest news about Toyota Motor Co., see the official corporate website:
http:www.toyota.com

Larry Bell

Cost Effective Hybrids: Top Three

Larry Bell — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 22:05:02 +0000

Cost effective hybrid: Mercedes-Benz S400

A recent study by research company Vincentric named the Lincoln MKZ, Mercedes-Benz S400, and the Lexus HS 250h as the three most cost-efficient hybrid vehicles sold in the U.S. The study looked at the premium that buyers pay up front, compared to lower fuel and cost of ownership items over a five-year period. Surprisingly, owners of hybrid vehicles enjoy cost savings in many other categories besides fuel expenses. The Lincoln MKZ hybrid, for example, topped the list, with a cost savings of $7,001 over a non-hybrid model of the same car.

Cost Effective Hybrids: Video

For an up close and personal preview of the 2013 Lincoln MKZ hybrid, watch the brief video clip that follows. Silently, you will be taken on an exterior and interior tour of the stunning, luxurious hybrid, which happens to be offered in three separate powertrain varieties. Pick from the EcoBoost model that offers a 20 percent improvement in fuel economy over its 2012 iteration. If you prefer the V6, a 3.7-liter MKZ still outperforms its 2012 sibling in the fuel economy department by 5 percent. Finally, the 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder hybrid delivers top-level fuel frugality with a whopping 41 city and 36 highway rating. Available all-wheel-drive adjusts power instantaneously.

Cost Effective Hybrids

Second on the list for cost-efficiency was the Mercedes-Benz S400, which saves its owners $4,242 over the cost of a conventional S550 Mercedes-Benz. The bronze medal, third-place, in the survey went to the Lexus HS 250h, which showed a savings of $3,747 over a five-year period. Some of the other ownership costs that were factored into the study included financing, maintenance, insurance, depreciation, fees, taxes, and repairs. For the models listed, hybrids saved many thousands of dollars for their owners.

For more information about some of the hybrid vehicles mentioned above, see the official corporate websites:
http://www.lincoln.com
http://www.lexus.com
http://www.lexus.com

Larry Bell

Lexus LF-LC Hybrid Comes Out, Down Under

Larry Bell — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 13:45:17 +0000

Lexus LF-LC concept hybrid

The official, new name of Lexus’s stunning concept car is LF-LC Blue, and it is currently captivating crowds of onlookers at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. A short list of the vehicle’s amenities includes a pair of 12-inch LCD touch-screens, sculpted air-intake vents, wrap-around windows, and a carbon-fiber body. Those who love hybrids and power will notice the 500-horsepower drivetrain and high-energy battery pack. Lexus says such organic design is the future of hybrid vehicles.

Lexus LF-LC: Video

The following clip features interior and exterior shots, and even a rare bit of driving footage, of the breathtakingly hot Lexus LF-LC Blue concept, which is currently on display at the AIMS. This is actually the second version of the car, which made its debut in Detroit in January of 2012. The color is a nod to Australia’s naturally occurring opal gemstones, which are a unique hue, like the LF-LC. Auto show officials love this car because it is an instant crowd pleaser and ticket seller. Geneva event personnel say the LF-LC was one of the show’s top draws. The initials stand for Lexus Future-Luxury Coupe.

Lexus LF-LC Hybrid

Lexus used a combination of carbon fiber and aluminum to give the car its lightweight, efficient fluidity that is just one part of what the company calls the Lexus Hybrid Drive system. In Australia, a Lexus spokesperson said, “The LF-LC is part concept, part reality. The concept hints at what’s to come from Lexus, while the reality has us actively studying how we can engineer and build a vehicle like this in the future. One of the many unique design elements of the car is the touch-screen, which does not force the driver to shift position or alter the line of sight in order to operate the controls.

For more about Lexus vehicles, see the carmaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.lexus.com

Larry Bell

Lexus ES 300h Hybrid: Fresh Design

Larry Bell — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 15:06:06 +0000

Lexus ES 300h

Once called an entry-level Lexus hybrid, the ES 300h has been completely redesigned for 2013. One of the very first luxury hybrids on the market, the 300h is no longer the plain-Jane that some had labeled it. This recent effort to break away from a staid image caused Lexus designers to add all sorts of luxury touches to the reliable hybrid. This new incarnation is also better proportioned and features a longer wheelbase. Hand-stitched leather interior, better aerodynamics, and ultra-comfortable seats round out the aesthetic offerings.

Lexus ES 300h: Video

As car reviews go, the following video is one of the better of the lot, dishing out informative, unbiased data on the ES 300h, and pointing out some interesting factoids along the way. For example, the engine system in the 300h is the exact same one Toyota uses in the Camry hybrid. The narrator praises not only for the car’s fuel efficiency, but the updated, stylish interior redesign which includes unique touches of bamboo in the panels and elsewhere. Watch the two-minute clip to hear the reviewer’s final verdict.

Lexus ES 300h

The Lexus Hybrid Synergy Drive system goes a long way toward adding enough power to make this four-cylinder car feel like something much more muscular. With a fuel efficiency of 40/39 and 200 total horsepower, most who have spent time behind the wheel say the switch between gasoline and electric power is not noticeable. Read a dozen reviews of the 300h and you will keep coming across the same words; luxury, reliability, quality, comfort. This is Lexus doing what it does, and that means constantly making improvements to every car they produce. The ES 300h is no exception, with a sticker that is quite non-shocking for a Lexus hybrid, starting at $38,850.

For a lot more about all the Lexus vehicles, and some amazing, high-resolution photos, see the Japanese automaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.lexus.com

Larry Bell

Lexus LF-CC Concept: Fresh Hybrid

Larry Bell — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:44:07 +0000

Lexus LF-CC concept hybrid

What many are calling the company’s next IS, the Lexus LF-CC concept hybrid will be unveiled at this month’s Paris Motor Show. In an effort to live up to a company pledge of offering more engaging, sportier vehicles, the LF-CC is one of the most anticipated concept developments in the automaker’s history. Even the initials, LF-CC, stand for something revelatory, “Lexus Future Coupe Concept.”

Lexus LF-CC: Video

The ultimate in hypnotic car videos, the following footage of the new Lexus LF-CC concept hybrid will make you want to fly to Paris and attend the auto show in person. In a scant minute-plus duration, the official Lexus production delivers stunning exterior shots and one tantalizing interior view, complete with loads of super-high tech components. Looking more like a miniaturized cabin of a space ship, the LF-CC truly lives up to the flashy image of a sleek, futuristic concept car.

Lexus LF-CC: Details

The air intakes as well as the grille are up-sized, while door handles and headlights have been absorbed into the exterior design in a way that shows off the LF-CC’s new face. Like most concept cars, much that is on the new LF-CC will never see production, but one cannot help thinking that Lexus designers are having a blast along the way.

According to company officials, the hybrid powertrain in the new concept will start showing up in production versions of other Lexus models in the near future. Will the upcoming IS model with its hybrid system be available in the U.S.? According to those in the know, the answer is no. At least not for now. Word is that the production version of the IS, which is largely derived from the LF-CC, will be available by the early part of next year.

For more about all the offerings from Lexus, see the company’s official website:
http://www.lexus.com

Larry Bell