Not Fair: Paris Hilton receives Lexus LFA for 30th birthday

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Lexus, Celebrities

2011 Lexus LFA

2011 Lexus LFA – Click above for high-res image gallery

Jealousy is an unbecoming trait… but sometimes it’s hard to ignore. You’re going to have to work extra hard to bury those feelings after we tell you what Paris Hilton has apparently received for her 30th birthday.

A 2011 Lexus LFA.

Okay, just tilt your head back and breathe. Hilton’s LFA still wears its factory yellow paint, though we wouldn’t be surprised to see (and hear) it roaming the streets of LA in a shade of pink very soon. According to the Daily Mail, Hilton’s 29-year-old boyfriend, entrepreneur Cy Waits, picked up the V10-powered Lexus two-door and surprised the heiress ahead of her birthday celebration.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Lexus LFA

Photos copyright (C)2011 Damon Lavrinc/AOL

[Source: Daily Mail]

Not Fair: Paris Hilton receives Lexus LFA for 30th birthday originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Lexus uses the LFA to teach a swimsuit supermodel about donuts

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Lexus

Rianne ten Haken circled by the Lexus LFA

Rhys Millen guides the Lexus LFA supercar around Rianne Ten Haken – Click above to watch video after the jump

Nissan may choose to use its Juke to square off with swimsuit-clad supermodels but Lexus takes a different route to interact with the pretty ladies… a circular one. Photographer Yu Tsai wanted a shot of a Lexus LFA performing a donut around model Rianne Ten Haken. He could’ve simply spent some time playing in Photoshop, but instead decided to capture the real thing.

Performing a perfect donut without bumping into the scanitly clad star of the photo shoot requires serious skill. Rhys Millen, son of Rod and nephew of Steve, lends his talented hands and feet so this stunt goes off without a hitch. You can tell that Millen has serious skills because they say a car will follow your eyes… and somehow Rhys was able to avert his gaze from Ten Haken. You, on the other hand, can stare wherever you like when you watch the clip posted after the jump.

Of course, we should also mention you can view the super-sized version of the pic above right here. Do the right thing.

Gallery: CEC Lexus LFA

CEC Lexus LFACEC Lexus LFACEC Lexus LFACEC Lexus LFACEC Lexus LFA

Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips/AOL

[Source: YouTube via 0-60]

Continue reading Video: Lexus uses the LFA to teach a swimsuit supermodel about donuts

Video: Lexus uses the LFA to teach a swimsuit supermodel about donuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus to finally debut LFA with exclusive Nürburgring package in Geneva

Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Lexus

Lexus LFA Nürburgring package

2012 Lexus LFA Nürburgring Package – Click above for high-res image gallery

Typically, when an automaker launches a new car, or even a variant on an existing one, we get a chance to see it up close at a major auto show within a matter of months at most. But it will have been the better part of a year by the time we see the Lexus LFA with the Nürburgring package in the flesh.

The track-focused version of the Toyota luxury division’s supercar was released all the way back in May 2010, but Lexus has only now announced that it will make its public debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March of this year. For a quick refresher, the ‘Ring edition LFA upgrades the 4.8-liter V10 by ten horses to 562 and drops the shift times down by 50 miliseconds to 150. It also gets an upgraded aero package, all for a $70,000 premium over the “stock” LFA’s $375k sticker price.

With only 50 of the total run of 500 offered with the package, this could be one of our only chances to see the track-prep’d LFA in the flesh, so watch this space in a few weeks’ time for live shots from the Geneva Palexpo show floor.

Gallery: Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package

[Source: Lexus]

Continue reading Lexus to finally debut LFA with exclusive Nürburgring package in Geneva

Lexus to finally debut LFA with exclusive Nürburgring package in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Man celebrates Lexus LFA arrival with donuts

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Lexus

Lexus LFA donuts

Javier Quirós takes his new Lexus LFA for a spin – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Lucky Lexus owners across the globe are eager to receive their new LFA supercars. Javier Quirós of Costa Rica is one such person, and decided to celebrate the delivery of his red LFA in a manner befitting such a vehicle… by doing a few donuts.

Don’t worry about Javier losing control of the 552-horsepower, 10-cylinder two-door. Quirós is a race driver with Gazoo Racing and president of Purdy Motor, the Costa Rican distributor for Toyota products. Javier has competed around the globe at tracks like Daytona and the Nürburgring.

You can’t see it in the video but we imagine Mr. Quirós’ smile is wider than the grille on the front of his new LFA. This is LFA #0014, which Quirós specially requested from Akio Toyoda because 14 is his usual racing number. Click past the jump for the clip.

[Source: YouTube via LexusEnthusiast]

Continue reading Video: Man celebrates Lexus LFA arrival with donuts

Video: Man celebrates Lexus LFA arrival with donuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago Preview: Lexus bringing tuned… CT 200h?

Filed under: Aftermarket, Chicago Auto Show, Hybrid, Hatchback, Lexus, Luxury

Lexus CT200h by Five Axis

If you just can’t wait for SEMA 2011, head to this year’s Chicago Auto Show. Lexus is bringing a little Las Vegas to the Windy City with a version of the company’s CT 200h hybrid hatchback tuned by the go-fast gurus at Five Axis. The car wears a custom widebody kit, unique paint and a lower suspension courtesy of Tein.

Stoptech hardware handles braking duties, and the interior has been saddled with enough tech to put a man on the moon. The Five Axis CT 200h will be joined by the crowd of tuned Lexus vehicles that we saw at SEMA 2010 too, including cars by VIP auto salon and Paul Tolson.

Lexus says the vast majority of the company’s 20,000-square-foot booth will be devoted to the company’s performance aims and that the luscious LFA will make an appearance as well. Something tells us that machine just might overshadow the widebody CT 200h. Hit the jump for the full press release.

[Source: Lexus]

Continue reading Chicago Preview: Lexus bringing tuned… CT 200h?

Chicago Preview: Lexus bringing tuned… CT 200h? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CEC announces Lexus LFA customization program

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Lexus

CEC Wheels Lexus LFA

CEC Lexus LFA – Click above for high-res image gallery

Los Angeles-based tuner CEC has announced a new partnership with Lexus North America to create a tuning program for the Lexus LFA. Limited to just three vehicles, these unique supercars will feature a variety of enhancements created specifically for each customer. “We believe these three CEC Tuner Edition LFAs will be the most expensive and rarest of all the LFA supercars that Lexus will manufacturer and sell worldwide,” said Sherif Yassa, Vice President of CEC.

Thanks to the technical innovations that went into building the LFA, the CEC upgrades will mostly be limited to aesthetics. “We looked at the LFA and what Lexus engineers had done, and knew it would be crazy to try and improve it from a performance or engineering standpoint,” said Claus Ettensberger, founder of CEC. Even so, the tuner has managed to squeeze an extra 10 horsepower from the 4.8-liter V10 and trimmed shift times to .15 of a second.

While we don’t have any photos of the trio of custom LFA supercars quite yet, CEC did have an LFA on display featuring their lightweight forged wheels. You can see high-res photos of the car in the gallery below.

Gallery: CEC Lexus LFA

CEC Lexus LFACEC Lexus LFACEC Lexus LFACEC Lexus LFACEC Lexus LFA

Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

CEC announces Lexus LFA customization program originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 29 Jan 2011 19:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus LFA launch control details revealed

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Lexus

2011 Lexus LFA

2011 Lexus LFA – Click above for high-res image gallery

As any drag racer will tell you, achieving the perfect launch is something of an art form. Or maybe it’s closer to a religion to the people constantly struggling to find exactly the right RPM, clutch technique and number of prayers to the God of the Quarter Mile.

Naturally, having a computer take all the guesswork out of the process (cheating? Not if everyone else is doing it… and they are) makes everything more than a little bit easier. The Lexus LFA is the latest supercar to get the technology here in the States. But how does it work?

Glad you asked. Lexus’ carbon fiber wonder-mobile is finally hitting the streets, and its handy-dandy owner’s manual outlines the launch controll process rather nicely. Nicely, but not exactly easily… as you might expect from a factory-installed technology that is known to be rather stressful on drivetrain components. See what we mean after the break.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Lexus LFA

Photos copyright (C)2009 Damon Lavrinc / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Lexus Enthusiast]

Continue reading Lexus LFA launch control details revealed

Lexus LFA launch control details revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Behind the scenes with Lexus’ ‘The Hard Way’ spot

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Lexus, Luxury

Behind the scenes clip from Lexus' The Hard Way Chain commercial

Behind the Scenes of Lexus’ “The Hard Way – Chain” commercial – Click above to watch video after the jump

Lexus has released a new line of commercials that revolve around the theme “the hard way.” In one such commercial titled Chain, Lexus attaches cables to an LS sedan and raises it off the ground. The idea is to show you how strong the chassis is because it can support its own weight when lifted into the air. Since the theme is “the hard way,” the weight of just one single LS clearly isn’t enough and Lexus attaches four vehicles to LS and raises them all in the air.

The commercial does an excellent job of conveying Lexus’ solid built quality through a visual exercise. Is it real though? You bet’cha it is… and to show how they did it, Lexus has released a behind-the-scenes video and it’s hanging around after the jump. We also threw in a few more examples of Lexus’ “The Hard Way” campaign just for the fun of it. Enjoy!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Behind the scenes with Lexus’ ‘The Hard Way’ spot

Video: Behind the scenes with Lexus’ ‘The Hard Way’ spot originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota and Lexus show off at Tokyo Auto Salon

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Coupe, Sedan, Hatchback, Lexus, Toyota, Tokyo Auto Salon, Design/Style

Lexus F-Sport CT200h

Lexus F-Sport CT200h – Click above for high-res image gallery

You’ve seen the Toyota GRMN iQ Racing Concept (lucky you!), and now it’s time to divert your attention towards the rest of the Japanese automaker’s wares being shown off at the Tokyo Auto Salon.

First up is the Toyota Prius G Sports Concept, which features the kind of gaping maw only the Mama Cylon could love. Rounding out Toyota’s offerings is the TRD Auris GT Concept, which we think actually looks kinda nifty with its subdued body kit and blindingly bright yellow paint.

Lexus wasn’t left out of the proceedings either, and its machines are arguably more interesting than its mothership’s. There’s the F-Sport CT 200h (a future production model) taking center stage with its unique alloy wheels, body kit and Recaro seats, which is joined by the IS F Club Circuit Sports Racer and a set of Club Performance Accessories for the IS F that include front and rear spoilers and a carbon fiber hood.

Last but certainly not least is the Gazoo Racing Lexus LFA supercar that raced at last year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours race. See both sets of vehicular craziness in our high-res image galleries below, then check out all the details in the press releases after the break.

Gallery: Toyota at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon

Toyota TRD Auris GT ConceptToyota Prius G Sports ConceptToyota GRMN iQ Racing Concept

Gallery: Lexus at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon

Lexus F-Sport CT 200hLexus IS F Club Circuit Sports RacerLexus IS F Club Performance AccessoriesGazoo Racing Lexus LFA

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota and Lexus show off at Tokyo Auto Salon

Toyota and Lexus show off at Tokyo Auto Salon originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: BYD to unveil Lexus RX-influenced S6 hybrid in Detroit

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, China, Crossover, Electric

BYD S6 DM

BYD S6 DM – Click above for high-res image gallery

Whenever we hear that a Chinese automaker is working on a vehicle that’s “influenced” by some other successful model from an established global company, we wince a little. After all, we’ve seen quite a few less-than-convincing attempts to go along with a few couldn’t-tell-the-difference carbon copies. And neither of those options are acceptable.

From what we can tell, BYD’s S6 (shh – don’t tell Audi) DM crossover could be considered a little of both. From the profile, you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for a couple-year-old Lexus RX. From the front, we see clear influence from General Motors’ European arm, Opel. That said, it appears to be a passable effort on the styling front, and it’s what’s underneath that derivative skin that’s what really counts.

The DM in the ‘utes name stands for Dual Mode, as in a hybrid that can be powered by electricity only or a combination of the electric motors and gasoline engine. The drivetrain consists of a 14-horsepower electric motor that powers the front wheels and a 102-horsepower gasoline engine powering the rears. That’s not a lot of power, but at least the two systems can work together to offer all-wheel drive.

We’ll be on the lookout for this machine at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show next week. In the meantime, check out a few images in our gallery below.

Gallery: BYD S6 DM

BYD S6 DMBYD S6 DMBYD S6 DM

[Source: China Car Times]

Report: BYD to unveil Lexus RX-influenced S6 hybrid in Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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