Lexus
Driven: 2011 Lexus CT200h Premium
This is a more significant car than many may realize. Based on our consumer interviews, the CT200h captures the attention of many people actually in the market because it combines some features largely missing from the market so far. This, we think, is a car that every major OEM needs to study.
Quick Drive: 2011 Lexus LX570
“Smooth.” That’s the one word that kept creeping into my mind during my time with the LX. Something as simple as pulling away from a stoplight, regardless of throttle input, is a relaxed, comfortable experience. By relaxed, I certainly don’t mean slow, as the 5.7-liter V-8 provides more than enough power to get you going.
New York Preview: Lexus LF-Gh Hybrid Concept
Ahead of its debut in New York later this month, Lexus has indulged us with photos and details of the LF-Gh hybrid concept sedan. The concept gives us a preview of the future of Lexus design, as well as showcases the brand’s commitment to hybrid technology.
Friday Video: Wald Lexus LS600h Black Bison Edition
It’s no secret we are fans of what Wald International does. And we were again excited to see something from the Japanese tuners in our inbox this week. And this time, it’s a video.
Driven: 2011 Year In Review(s)
2011 has been a busy year in the Winding Road offices, with auto shows, new model launches, and the usual comings and goings of the automotive industry filling the virtual pages of our website. Even with all the activity, there has been a near-constant stream of automobiles filtering in and out of our parking lot, giving us no shortage of vehicular material to write about.
Lexus Prices CT200h Below $30K
In our freshly baked issue of Winding Road, we reviewed the Lexus’ newest offering, a sporty little hatchback hybrid called the 2011 CT200h. At the time of publishing, we didn’t have exact pricing for the car. Now we do.
List: Ten Of Wald’s Blackest Bison
Japanese über-tuners Wald have been wowing us, and subsequently you, with their Black Bison body kits for years now. Last week, it was the understated (ha!) cool of the JDM Vellfire minivan that got us pretty pumped up. So, for no particularly good reason save our love of these guys, we thought we’d string together some of our favorite Black Bison Editions from the last few years.
Driven: 2010 Lexus IS350C F Performance
I’m going to go out on a fairly robust limb and say that there are plenty of drivers who a) like convertibles and b) like performance cars and c) would love to find convertible performance cars that are basically as good as their coupe siblings. Unfortunately, with the exception of cars like the Porsche Boxster that are designed from the outset as roadsters, mostly this doesn’t happen. Instead, physics intervenes, and the process of adding the convertible feature adds weight, raises the center of gravity, and reduces torsional rigidity. None of those changes improve driving dynamics. Of course, different manufacturers manage these tradeoffs with differing levels of artistry, but it’s not nice to (try to) fool Mother Nature.
Ask It: 2010 Lexus IS-F
On a hot and humid Michigan day, we have taken delivery of a Lexus IS-F. Its 5.0-liter V-8 produces 416 horsepower and 371 pound-feet of torque. Power is transmitted through an eight-speed automatic gearbox, with paddle shifting.
We will be driving the IS-F for the next week, so let us know what your questions are.
Spy Shots: Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition At Nürburgring
Our spy shooter, busy at the Nürburgring, has caught the Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition taking a test lap. How fitting.
Ask It: 2010 Lexus GX460
Here, at our Ypsilanti, Michigan office, we have just taken loan of a 2010 Lexus GX460. We’re excited because we can’t remember the last time we dove a vehicle with a Knight’s Armor Pearl paint job.
Driven: 2011 BMW X5
For those wanting sporty vehicles with utility, BMW offers traditional wagons, a comprehensive range of X-type SUVs, and now the 5-Series GT crossover. So many choices likely meant many demands for BMW’s internal engineering teams. While an assumption on our part, it’s not a stretch to surmise that when time came for the current X5 to get a refresh, only the essentials were taken care of and not much else.
List: Ten Cars To Watch At The 2010 New York Auto Show
With less than 3 weeks until the doors open on the 2010 New York Auto Show press days, we have put together a list of new models and concepts that are expected to be unveiled at this years show.
List: Ten Cars To Watch At The 2010 New York Auto Show
With less than 3 weeks until the doors open on the 2010 New York Auto Show press days, we have put together a list of new models and concepts that are expected to be unveiled at this years show.
Wald Does Its Thing With The Lexus LS460
We have a Lexus LS460 at the office right now, but it doesn’t look nearly as good as the Executive Line version Wald displayed at the Tokyo Auto Salon, seen here.
Due To Recall, Toyota Suspends Sale Of Eight Models, Plans To Halt Production, Too.
Toyota has announced that it is suspending sales of eight models involved in the recall for the sticking accelerator, a recall wholly separate from the floor mat-related recall of certain Toyota and Lexus models. Because of a possibility of the pedal becoming stuck while depressed, certain year models of the RAV4, Corolla, Matrix, Camry, Avalon, Highlander, Tundra, and Sequoia, will not be sold until the problem has been solved.
First Look: 2010 Lexus GX460
Remember the Lexus GX470 — the body-on-frame SUV that slots between the RX and LX in the premium automaker’s lineup? Well, the near-forgotten ‘ute enters its second generation for 2010, complete with up-to-date tech and a more powerful/efficient engine. A slight refresh to the exterior design isn’t necessarily the prettiest thing we’ve ever seen, but it falls in line with the Lexus design language that we’ve seen on the RX crossover and LX full-size SUV.
Driven: 2011 Hyundai Equus Stops By For A Visit
When Hyundai launched the Genesis sedan a last year, we were very impressed. They managed to create a car unlike anything else they’ve ever done that was not only good to drive and extremely well-equipped, but priced substantially less than the competition. To continue on in this saga, Hyundai recently announced that they will be selling their larger flagship sedan, the Equus, in North America. This car is positioned to do to the Lexus LS what the Genesis has done to the Lexus GS and Infiniti M. (Note: Equus is what the car is called in other markets, and the official U.S. name hasn’t been decided upon at this time.)
Driven: 2010 Lexus HS250h
Don’t call it a Prius. First of all, the Lexus HS250h only gets a combined fuel economy average of 35 miles per gallon, compared to the Prius’s 50. They appeal to separate segments, have different engines, and the HS has many features unavailable to the Prius. The two cars even look totally different. The HS has had enough of being compared to its downmarket Toyota cousin.
Driven: 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport
After spending some time with Mercedes’ hot-burning C63 AMG, we thought it apt to give the rest of the C-Class range a shot to see if the new Benz C can all-around top other premium sport sedans like the BMW 3-Series and Lexus IS. While we did enjoy our C300 Sport, we found the $45,000 as-tested price a little high, especially when a BMW 335i offers better performance for a more reasonable price. Still, much of the blame for the hefty price tag is down to heavy treading on the options list…
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