Lexus – Page 24 – Automobiles Review

2010 Lexus GS 450h with better equipment at lower price

Lexus revealed a lot of styling, technical and equipment revisions for GS 450h – full hybrid car. The model line-up is rationalized to just two trim levels – SE and SE-L. There are new exterior colour choices, alloy wheels and interior equipment.

GS 450h is powered by 3.5 liter petrol V6 and compact 650V electric motor, which provides extraordinary good fuel economy and low emissions.

Another feature is revised Pre-Crash Safety system and active headrests. It includes pre-crash brake technology, pre-crash seatbelt and brake assist functions.

Both front seats have new, inflator-operated active headrests, which are activated by a signal from the ECU should the car suffer a rear-end impact. The inflator slides a piston into the headrest, unlocks the mechanism and projects the headrest forwards and upwards to support the head and reduce the risk of whiplash injury.

Some of the interior upgrades include a new 40GB hard disc drive (HDD) navigation system, which gives Europe-wide coverage with traffic information data capture in each country. Additionally, the HDD provides 10GB of storage space for sound files.

There are two available audio systems: a 10-speaker Lexus premium package and a 14-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound System giving 5.1-channel surround sound on selected CDs and DVDs. Both systems have USB port and audio jack plug for wide range of portable music players. The Bluetooth, provided as standard, includes an audio streaming function. DAB digital broadcasts can be received by the audio system, but it is an option.

In the cockpit there is a new hybrid-blue backlit stop/start button and the choice of a new Venaro Grey semi-aniline leather upholstery option, with contrasting black stitching and grey bird’s eye maple wood grain trim.

The exterior features new front grille design, hybrid-blue rear lamp clusters, a new 18-inch alloy wheel design has been introduced for the SE-L model. The SE version rides on 17-inch alloys, with five-double-spoke 18-inch wheels available in a combined package with parking sensors.

The range of colours includes three new shades: Vanilla Mist, Richmond Green and Atlantic Blue.

GS 450h pricing, VED and insurance groups

MODEL	OTR PRICE	VED BAND	INSURANCE GROUP
GS 450h SE	£43,035	I	41E
GS 450h SE-L	£47,280	I	41E
GS 450h SE-L with ACC/PCS and sunroof	£50,185	I	41E

Option prices

18in wheels and parking sensors (SE grade)	£1,000
Maru 18in wheels	£1,500
Baransu 18in wheels	£1,500
DAB audio reception	£360
Metallic/mica paint	£595

May 15, 2010

ASI transforms the Lexus LX 570 into an INVADER

In order to fit the Lexus LX 570 luxury SUV with more aggressive and sleeker appearance and to boost its performance figures to new heights, Asi, the Japanese styling and tweaking expert is about to unveil the Asi LX 570 INVADER program.

Charged with hyper-bold and highly sports-dedicated vision, the Asi LX 570 INVADER is undoubtedly one of the most thrilling and anticipated enhancement programs for the off-roader, due to the its aftermarket goods lack. In addition to the new look, the specialists at Asi are also planning an exclusive power increase, which will take the output of the Lexus SUV’s 5.7-liter V-8 engine to the stunning amount of more than 600 horsepower. Thanks to that, the refined sports luxury ride will be able to cover the zero to 100 km/h acceleration sprint in less than 5 seconds.

May 6, 2010

Lexus LFA supercar even faster with Nurburgring performance pack

Lexus, the luxury vehicle division of Toyota Motor Corporation marks the participation of its LFA supercar in the challenge of the Nurburgring 24 Hours race with mega exclusive, new high-performance package engineered to appeal to customers seeking top-end track ride. (more…)

March 29, 2010

Lexus inveils the mysterious CT 200h hybrid compact ride

The new Lexus CT 200h is the first full hybrid vehicle to be launched in the premium compact segment. Entering production in late 2010 and set for sale worldwide, the full hybrid model will provide a new gateway to the Lexus range and attract new, younger customers to the brand.

The CT 200h was designed and developed with the European market in mind. Lexus’s first five-door compact car, its size, packaging, full hybrid technology and low emissions fully address the requirements of discerning, environment-conscious customers in a key market sector. At the same time, it does not compromise the quality, refinement and driving pleasure that are the hallmarks of every Lexus. (more…)

February 26, 2010

Lexus with all-new full hybrid premium ride for Geneva 2010

Lexus has announced its plans to premiere the first full hybrid ride in the premium compact segment, the all-new Lexus CT 200h. (more…)

February 12, 2010

2010 Lexus LX 570 packs new features and vision

Lexus, the famous luxury marque has unwrapped the 2010 Lexus LX 570 off-roader. The luxurious Lexus LX 570 SUV gets improved specifications and a fresh re-styled vision. (more…)

February 4, 2010

Lexus LFA is the “Must Have” supercar

In the three months since it was unveiled to the public at the Tokyo motor show, the Lexus LFA has been greeted by critical and public acclaim worldwide. Even though it is one of the most exclusive supercars money can buy, the number of formal expressions of interest in purchase received by Lexus is already greater than the limited production run of just 500 examples.

This does not mean that anyone wanting to own an LFA has missed their chance, as they can still register their interest up to mid-March and the end of the Geneva motor show. It is at this point that the 500 cars will be allocated across the 56 countries where they are on sale, with confirmed orders with deposits to be invited from the end of May. (more…)

January 22, 2010

Acoustic engineering creates Formula 1-inspired soundtrack for Lexus LFA

Not only does the Lexus LFA deliver thoroughbred supercar performance, the sound it makes is every bit as thrilling. The acoustic performance of the V10 engine and exhaust system has been fine-tuned to create a unmistakeable “soundtrack” that rises from a rumbling note at idle to a nape-tingling red-line wail.

The acoustic team studied the noise made by a Formula 1 car at maximum revs, then applied detailed design features to create an exhaust note for the LFA that is unlike any other car on the road, enhancing the sensation of speed and acceleration.

The main silencer is made of titanium and has a valve-actuated, dual-stage structure that channels the exhaust flow according to engine speed. Up to 3,000rpm, the exhaust valve stays closed, routing the flow through multiple chambers, creating an unobtrusive note. Above 3,000rpm the valve opens, allowing the exhaust to bypass these chambers and flow into a single resonance chamber, before exiting through the stacked trio of tailpipes.

The V10’s induction system was also modified to complement the engine’s acoustic qualities. The uniquely formed horizontally split resin surge tank – a unique design – mimics the acoustic chamber of wind and string instruments: up to 4,000rpm it emits the engine’s primary firing frequency of 300Hz; this changes to 400 to 500Hz as the engine revs climb to 6,000rpm; and a peak is reached at 600Hz as the engine wails towards its 9,000rpm red line.

The air intake is made from a porous duct material to generate bass to mid-range tones. The LFA development team called this acoustic effect Resonated Complex Harmony.

The engine’s induction and exhaust soundtrack are channelled into the LFA’s cabin, so people on board can enjoy the experience as much as those on the outside. The main sound channel that pipes in the engine’s induction notes runs from the surge tank into the cabin below the main dashboard panel.

Two further sound channels run to an opening in the upper cowl on top of the dashboard structure and a reflector panel low down at the front of the cabin. Together with the primary sound channel, these put the driver at the centre of the LFA team calls the 3D Surround Sound Concept.

December 11, 2009

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