Lexus has announced Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) for its 2010 models, most of them get an increased price tag with some upgrades as well. Please note that the prices do not include a delivery, processing and handling fee of $875. The models will arrive at dealerships later this month. Lexus’ Safety Connect telematics system is now available as standard on most non-navigation equipped models such as IS 250, IS 350, IS F, IS 250C, IS 350C, RX 350 and RX 450h, while the full Lexus Enform with Safety Connect is standard on most of the models with navigation. Complimentary one-year trial subscriptions of Lexus Enform and Safety Connect are included. As part of the Lexus Enform navigation platform, XM NavTraffic(R) and XM NavWeather(TM) are available via individual XM(R) subscriptions and include a complimentary 90-day trial subscription.
The IS 250, IS 350 and IS F also enter the 2010 model year with an updated premium audio system with an optional hard disc drive navigation system, while the IS F gets new 19-inch wheels, a limited slip differential, and foldable rear headrests.
For 2010, the SC 430 receives new 18-inch wheels, side mirrors with puddle lamps, an updated navigation system and updated Mark Levinson audio, as well as some new colors.
The new HDD navigation system is standard on SC 430 and LX 570 and available for IS 250, IS 350, and IS F. The Lexus Navigation System includes Voice command, a casual-language based voice recognition feature, and enhanced Bluetooth with phonebook download.
Lexus has announced U.S. pricing for the 2010 HS 250h, which is regarded as the world's first dedicated hybrid-only luxury vehicle. The standard version starts at $34,200(plus $875 for delivery), while the Premium model at $36,970. Considering the price, it’s clearly that the 2010 Lexus HS 250h is positioned at the entry-level sector of the luxury sedan market. Comparing to Toyota's own Prius and its biggest competitor, the Honda Insight, the price of the 2010 HS 250h seems higher. However, things become different when considering of the fuel efficiency. Prius is rated at 51mpg city/48mpg highway while HS 250h gets 35mpg city/34mpg highway rating.
Under the hood, the HS 250h gets a 2.4L four-cylinder, rated at 147 horsepower. Combined with the electric motor, total output is 187 horsepower. Although most high-tech engines require high-test gasoline, the HS 250h is fully capable of running on 87 octane.
One great feature of the HS 250h we would like to mention is that, 30 percent of the HS’ materials are derived from plant-based materials, with 85 percent of the car being fully recyclable – including the batteries. Green enough! Meanwhile, the HS’ .27 drag coefficient and heavy use of spoilers and diffusers help overall efficiency.
With a nameplate of luxury vehicle, the HS 250h is available with a range of options, including the new Remote Touch controller also found in the 2010 Lexus RX, which simply aren't avalable on the Prius. The HS 250h is also the first vehcle to offer Lexus' Enform with Safety Connect telematics system. LED taillights, a heads up display, power seats and Lexus’ new Enform telematics are also available. Optional equipment includes satellite navigation with traffic, stocks, sports and weather updates and LED headlights.
German tuner Lorinser is best known for modifying Mercedes-Benz cars for the past few decades. Now the company has tried their first ever Asian adaptation. Meet the Lorinser Lexus LS 460, which is an excellent result and the first Lexus Lorinser has tuned. The Lorinser kit for the LS sedan is indeed an attractive appearance package consisting of a body kit with new front and rear bumpers, new alloy wheels, side skirts and new exhaust tips.
No power work was done under the hood of the German-tuned Japanese luxury sedan, since the 380hp (280kW) V8 engine and its 5.7 second 0-62mph (100km/h) time were deemed good enough.
Engineers first subtly attacked the front fascia with a new spoiler that incorporates new, round foglights. The front bumper also appears to be a bit more squared off, giving the car a more stately appearance. Side sill changes are substantial, but not aggressive, and warn onlookers that the car has some power under its hood.
Modifications at the back are a bit more noticeable, although Lorinser kept the 460's rear light cluster intact. A rear wing has been added on to the boot, and a new apron has been installed. These show more sporty characteristics, as the apron incorporates an air inlet, race-inspired grill, and quad-tipped dual exhaust. The package is rounded off with custom made light-alloys.
Lorinser hasn't let out the pricing or availability of its Lexus LS460 upgrade kit or revealed if any further upgrades are in the works.
The Lexus LF-A, rumored debuted at October's Tokyo Motor Show, has been spotted testing on a number of occasions. Recently, new details have emerged about the production version of the Lexus LF-A, confirming much of what was already suspected. The LF-A's powertrain has previously been speculated as a 5.0L V10 engine rated at over 500hp (373kW), and the latest report says it will be over 550hp (410kW) and capable of a top speed of 218mph. This means the upcoming supercar will offer similar performance figures to much more prestigious exotics such as the Ferrari 599 GTB and Lamborghini's Murcielago LP640.
Other details include six-piston brake calipers with carbon-ceramic discs, titanium mufflers, a six-speed sequential automatic gearbox, and run flat Bridgestone tires – all fitted as standard.
A hybrid variant should also be available, but it’s unknown how much power this version will have or what affect the heavy batteries and extra motor will have on handling and weight - or if the hybrid system will be anything more than badging and lip-service to the concept. The car's front mid-engine placement, along with a rear-mounted transaxle and rear-mounted radiators, should allow for excellent weight distribution, however. The production is limited to only about 500 units, unless demand proves high enough to support more, though it will cost more than $200,000. Worse still, only 350 of them will be made in left-hand-drive for worldwide consumption.
BMW was the top-selling brand for a full year was back in 1997. But since 2000 Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus has been sitting on top of the US luxury brand market. Now things are going to change. The king may be coming back! It’s reported that BMW has overtaken Lexus to become the best-selling premium marque in the United States so far this year. Lexus hit high ratings in both dependability and satisfaction surveys, however, Lexus is suffering from a sales decline of 37.2% this year, according to data compiled by Autodata Corp. BMW sales are down this year as well but not as severely as those of Lexus, with the German automaker’s figures dipping 30.5% to 76,819 for the first five months of this year, which is slightly ahead of Lexus's 73,186. The worst performance luxury brands, incidentally, were Bentley and Maybach, both of which are experiencing sales declines in excess of 60%
BMW claims that dependability and enduring quality have been the reasons why they became number 1 in sales during the early part of this year with the 3-series, 5-series and X5 range making most of the sales numbers.
"We have been seeing, all year, customers remain cautious, and when they shop for premium products, they are buying brands that have a history of value, dependability and enduring quality," BMW’s U.S. chief Jim O'Donnell told The Detroit News. "This has helped sales in our core 3-series, 5-series and X5 range."
But the year is not over yet. Lexus has recently launched its new RX SUV and the new HS 250h compact hybrid is also due to hit the streets in coming months. Who will be the winner is still uncertain.
Toyota’s premium division, Lexus, get us a new 2010 Lexus HS 250h, which is claimed to be not only the world's first hybrid-only luxury sedan, but also the most fuel-friendly luxury vehicle extant. The 2010 Lexus HS 250h is actually Lexus’ fifth foray into the world of fusing gasoline and electricity; the LS 600h, GS 450h and two generations of hybrid RXs have been met with varying degrees of sales success. During the launch, Lexus was at pains to make sure we did not confuse this car with the Prius. The Lexus is certainly destined to be more expensive and exclusive than Toyota's popular hybrid, but it's also a fundamentally different type of car.
What's under the hood is the start of the divergence: the HS 250h gets its own version of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive hybrid system, combining a 147hp, 2.4L four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine with a 40hp electric motor system, together making 187hp. That gives the HS the oomph to get to 60mph in just 8.4 seconds, about 1.5 seconds quicker than the Prius.
That leads to less efficiency, of course. EPA fuel economy ratings are 35mpg city, 34mpg highway - It is not as green as Prius and Insight, but the city number blows away any other compact luxury sedan in the North American market, including the diesel BMW 335d, which is rated at 23 mpg around town and 33 mpg on the highway. As with most hybrids, however, real-world conditions proved a bit less forgiving than the optimistic EPA ratings. We saw about 30mpg keeping with fast-moving Orange County traffic, then in a separate loop, driving the HS aggressively on a short 12-mile stretch of hilly roads, mileage dropped below 22mpg. In exceptionally gentle, controlled conditions on level roads, the HS eked out 46mpg - about the same you'd expect from the Prius in normal, with-traffic driving.
The root cause of the difference in efficiency between the Prius and HS 250h isn't just under the hood, however. At 3,682lb, the HS weighs a whopping 600lb more than the 2010 Prius and about the same as the bigger Camry Hybrid - which, by the way, can out-accelerate the HS.
All that weight comes from somewhere, and a quick perusal of the spec sheet shows a fair bit of its technology - the kind of tech that drives gadget fiends wild. In addition to LS-like high-tech features such as Intuitive Park Assist, a new heads-up display, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, front and rearview monitors, and Lane-Keep Assist, the HS 250h also adds the very slick haptic joystick control for the multimedia/navigation interface.
In addition, Lexus boasts that the HS 250h’s interior is the first vehicle to use Ecological Plastic for its upholstery. Made from plants, using a photosynthesis process, it can be reclaimed through thermal recycling, which is near-carbon-neutral. It’s just a start, but it amounts to around 30 percent of the interior and luggage trim area.
Overall, 2010 Lexus HS 250h is appealing for its well-built interior and quiet ride, which it owes to details like an acoustic windshield and triple-layer door seals. In addition to its quiet interior, it is silent outside too, so much so that some sort of motor “noise” should be added for safety sake to remind you that the vehicle is running or to let a pedestrian know the car is about to move.
The new HS 250h will no doubt appeal greatly to those who value the hybrid badge and the Lexus label above all else. It’s predicted that more than some buyers would expect in a Lexus HS.
The current Lexus GX midsize luxury SUV has been on market since 2003 and has enjoyed some success during that time, managing to rack up to 35,420 sales in 2004 - its best year on record and easily eclipsing the company’s annual target of 20,000 units. But sales have been on the decline ever since, because demand in the midsize luxury SUV segment declined. Last month GX sales were down more than 66 percent. But it seems that Lexus still wants a continued presence in the midsize luxury segment. According to Ward’s Auto, Lexus intends to launch a new version of the Lexus GX SUV this fall. The new model is expected to feature all-new sheet metal as well as a 310hp (231kW) 4.6L V8 in replacement of the current model’s anaemic 263hp (196kW) 4.7L V8. This new 4.6L engine, incidentally, is the same unit used in the 2010 Toyota Tundra.
The current body-on-frame construction will remain, but expect radically different styling as well as a redesigned rear door. The interior will also be fully updated, with more luxurious trim and an updated navigation system coming as standard.
“The largest SUVs have been hit the hardest, but there’s still a segment of the population that wants those vehicles,” Lexus General Manager Mark Templin told Ward’s.
The new GX will likely be called the GX 460 and bow in towards the end of the year as a 2010 model.
Whether a new look GX will bolster demand, we are waiting to see.
Lexus' much anticipated IS Convertible went on sale in Tokyo today, a car that the Toyota luxury division has been working on for the past year or so in order to compete with similar offerings from BMW and Audi. With the new convertible, Lexus has revealed that it will be hoping to steal away sales from other premium brands, namely the 3-series and previous A4 convertibles. Speaking with Automotive News, Lexus project manager Keiichi Nishiyama revealed that pricing for the car will start at under $40,000. Unsurprisingly, Lexus is targeting the U.S. market even though the financial crisis seems to be deepening rather than improving.
The carmaker is hoping to sell around 1,600 units of the IS250C per month around the world, but 70% of these sales are expected to come from the U.S. alone. That means that Lexus is expecting U.S. customers to account for around 1,120 units per month, or 13,400 sales per year.
The IS convertible will be offered in two versions: the IS 250C and the IS 350C. The IS 250C, which is equipped with a 2.5-liter V-6 engine, will start at $39,365 while the IS 350C with a 3.5-liter V-6 will start at $44,815. The SC 430 is positioned well above the IS 350C at $67,680 with a 4.3-liter V-8. (All prices include an $875 destination fee.)
The IS convertible "is meant to appeal as an entry-level Lexus," says project manager Keiichi Nishiyama. "Its main target is overseas customers, especially in North America." But the IS faces stiff competition, both from the stalwart BMW 3-series convertible and the new Infiniti G convertible.
Creating a new entry-level Lexus convertible means that customers will not have to rely on the expensive (and frankly outdated) SC convertible to get their top-down Lexus kicks. When the car arrives in the U.S. this June, Lexus is hoping that it can pick up the slack of falling SC convertible sales. A convertible version of the IS 350 is expected to be launched later in the year.
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