ClubLexus

Legendary Skateboarder Tony Hawk Jumps a Pearl Yellow LFA

2012-05-15T19:16:25Z

If Lexus gave you an LFA to play with for a couple of days, what would you do with it? You probably didn't answer "jump it on a skateboard," but then again, you probably aren't Tony Hawk. ]]> and Lexus fan--parallel park the supercar rather than jump it. Not that he's a bad driver, he's just an awesome skater.

Man Crashes GS 430 Into Swimming Pool

2012-05-14T22:47:24Z

Photo: Beatriz Diaz

Just add this to the list of examples why drinking and driving is a bad idea.

A man crashed this GS430 through a cinderblock wall and into a pool last Sunday in the Southern California neighborhood of La Puente. After escaping the sinking car from the passenger side window, he was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.

]]> According the homeowner, this isn't the first time someone had hit the wall thanks to their home being located and the corner of a "T" shaped intersection. Though, this is the first time someone made it all the way through to the pool. I guess that makes this an accomplishment for Mr. Cabral.

Sound off! Tell us what you think in the forums!

Club Lexus Represents At Toyotafest 2012

2012-05-12T05:28:57Z

Our friends with the Toyota Owners & Restorers Club (T.O.R.C.) have done it again. They put together another successful All Toyotafest at the Queen Mary Events Park in Long Beach, CA. For those that don't know, All Toyotafest is the largest and most talked about Toyota, Lexus and Scion owners meet at one of the most picturesque spots on the West Coast. Owners and enthusiasts alike will travel from all over the world to come to this yearly Southern California event.

]]> This is not your average show and shine car show, it's a gathering of everything and anything Toyota. All types of Toyotas are represented here including the first the 1958 Toyopet Crown (the first Toyota sold in the USA), a brand spanking new, fresh from the port, plastic wrapped 2013 Scion FR-S and of course plethora of custom VIP inspired Lexus. Along with the 300+ registered Toyota family of vehicles, Toyota Motor Sales USA (including Lexus and Scion divisions) brings their arsenal of one-of-a-kind project cars which are usually roped off at an autoshow platform. Toyotafest is a place to look at, reminisce and dream about cars we love. It's a great place to share stories with other Toyota enthusiasts alike. It is a family event that both young and old can relate to and it's living history we at Club Lexus are proud to be a part of. And the best part is that it's free to all spectators. If you haven't been to Toyotafest, make sure to mark your calendars for the next one. Thanks to all the CL members who participated at this years event. Many have spent sleepless nights to finish those last minute mods and to those who traveled afar to join their Toyota family at this special annual event. Congrats to all the winners and thanks to all the staff, sponsors and participants that made the 17th annual All Toyotafest 2012 possible.

Talk about it in our forums and check out the rest of the photos: Toyotafest 2012 Aftermath Thread >>

Official 17th Annual Toyotafest 2012 Lexus Winners:

LEXUS - IS

1st: Louis A. 2002 IS300
2nd: Carl Z. 2008 IS 250
3rd: Drew M. 2006 IS 350

LEXUS - GS -

1st: Tuan N. 2000 GS 300
2nd: Mike V. 2007 GS 350
3rd: Hien Q. 2003 GS 300

LEXUS - Other - LS. SC, CT, etc

1st: Matt T. 2011 CT 200h
2nd: Oscar B. 1991 LS 400
3rd: James O. 2002 SC 430

The Lexus vehicles at Toyotafest 2012:

Magazine Outs LF-LC Convertible V6 Hybrid

2012-05-11T17:30:53Z

Do our eyes deceive? Are we finally getting an update to the SC 430? If this magazine is to be believed, then the next edition of Lexus' luxury coupe is going to be a doozy. In addition to carrying a 3.5L V6, it'll also be a hybrid. Not surprising, considering Lexus/Toyota's current direction of hybridizing everything, but it seems like a strange solution for a sports car.

]]> The magazine doesn't tell us anything new about the LF-LC that we didn't already know, but it's still something of an odd duck. The hybrid 3.5L V6 powertrain targets power instead of efficiency. That might sound odd at first, but the instant torque of an electric motor with the reliability and range of a gasoline engine is an attractive prospect.

Hopefully the new SC will also borrow the LF-LC's sleek styling. It's unclear whether it'll be a hard or soft-top convertible, though our money is on a solid roof similar in style to their competitors (like the Mercedes' SL).

Of course, this is pure speculation and fuel for the rumor mill, but we can't help but wonder... Could a hybrid luxury coupe compete with the German "superpowers"? Would it be too expensive? And finally, how dope would it look on air bags? We may never know, but we'd sure like to find out.

Join the discussion in the forums!

Lexus' Changing Direction

2012-05-09T19:01:05Z

"...We can't just be looked at as an upgraded version of Toyota."

That's the word from Lexus brand manager Kiyotaka Ise who has succinctly summed up the motivation behind Lexus' new direction. The reality for Lexus is that they're still being seen as a fancy Toyota. That might be hard to hear, but it's a true and well deserved assessment.

]]> Someone not familiar with the brand could easily mistake the LX as a worked over Highlander and the ES a Camry with a facelift. That might be comforting to former Toyota owners looking to trade up to something familiar and reliable, but that's a survival strategy. Not a winning strategy. Ultimately their cars need to be desirable in order for them to compete-or to even be seen as competition-with their rivals in Germany. Comfortable doesn't cut it.

Lexus' new direction with GS and the now ubiquitous spindle grill are their first steps in trying to evoke "emotional design." It's a little like Lexus is entering their awkward teenager phase. Their cars are going through some funky bodily changes and they can't stand being like their parents. Should this new direction be successful, Lexus' new design process will make it's way to their parent company. Toyota President Akio Toyoda explicitly said this at the GS's reveal at Pebble Beach last year. "Lexus is leading the way in how the entire Toyota Motor Corporation should operate."

In that case, we hope that Lexus' new direction is genuinely exciting. The new GS is a great start, as is the spindle grill. They're a sign that Lexus is doing something they haven't done before: They're being bold.

Will everyone like it? No, but everyone doesn't have to like it. Not everyone liked the CLS when Mercedes released it, but it was different. Not everyone liked the "Bangle butt" BMW 7 series, but they were different. More importantly, they were successful. Lexus, it seems, has learned that lesson and are doing something different. That'll separate them further from Toyota, sure, but when you're trying to capture the imagination of customers, that's the best possible move to make. As long as they keep doing the important things well, they can just let the haters keep on hating.

Is Lexus headed for destiny or disaster? Join the discussion in the forums!

2012 LX Gets Wet In New Advert

2012-05-07T20:15:30Z

We've all seen some variant of this commercial before, where cascades of "rain" water highlight all the car's notable styling elements. For 2012, the LX has a brand new styling change that deserves attention (hint: It's the grill) What else to do but pour water all over it in slow motion?]]>
Of course, you don't get to hear the all aluminum 5.7L V8 and it's 383 horses. Nor will you be able to see what it looks like handling through a corner or how the interior is arranged. This video is about style, of which the LX has plenty... I guess.
That said, the new SUV does do something new. It's sporting the hourglass shaped, spindle grill that Lexus has slapped on their newest cars. Aside from that, it's business as usual for Lexus' biggest SUV. It remains spacious, comfortable and as capable as it has always been. Just not terribly thrilling.

Tell us what you think in the forums!

Lexus Driver Plows into Graveyard

2012-05-04T18:39:19Z

Police are looking for a student in North Carolina who crashed their 2006 ES into a cemetery knocking over at least a dozen headstones in the process. As if causing a ruckus among the dead wasn't bad enough, the driver abandoned their car and left the scene on foot. Classy.

]]> An eyewitness saw a man running from the crash, but police have yet to find the owner. They have narrowed down the owner to a student at Eastern Carolina University, but have yet to find him. ECU police actually saw the car speeding earlier in the evening, but were unable to catch the high-speed Lexus.

The police visited the home of the car's owner, but he wasn't there. Until they find him, the Lexus will be kept in storage by the police.

A Million Ways to be Cool: The IS 300

2012-05-01T17:16:07Z

With all this talk of potential new models for Lexus, it's easy to forget the cars that first stoked passion in the Lexus lineup. A lot of people would claim the SC 300 as the first sporty Lexus, but the car that really captured the eyes and imagination of the tuning world was the IS 300.]]>

Now, it's an import icon in terms of performance prowess, but also in terms of pure style. To that end, we've collected some of our favorite videos from Youtube and Vimeo that show off a few different looks and approaches to the most flexible car in Lexus' history. We're not saying these are the hottest IS 300s ever or anything like that. Think of this more as... Inspiration.

PARK HARD >>

Next Generation IS F With 450+ Horsepower?

2012-04-24T07:28:31Z

What if the next Lexus IS F was bigger and badder? How about 450 horsepower, available in sedan as well as coupe and convertible form and aimed at Deutschland's best? Sound good? So far we think so.
]]> According to the folks at Best Car Magazine, the next Lexus IS F may get 475 PS (469.5 HP) out of a 5.0L V8 and will be available for the first time in coupe and convertible variants. This is welcome news for those looking for a true BMW M3 competitor. Now the big question is, will we see a real 6 speed manual or a dual clutch type transmission? We pray to the Lexus gods for this to happen. So what about that blurb on the GS F? More to come...

Stats:
2014/2015? Lexus IS F

Overall Length: 4680mm (184.3")
Width: 1820mm (71.7")

Height: 1400mm (55.1")

Engine: V8 DOHC
Displacement: 4968cc
Power: 475ps (469hp) @ 7000rpm
Economy: 10.0km/l (23.5mpg)

What do you think the next Lexus IS F will have? What would you like to see? Lets talk about it!

Daigo Saito's SC430 is a 2JZ Drift Terror

2012-04-23T20:41:19Z

Daigo Saito's SC430 is an odd duck in the world of drifting. V8's are generally popular because they make gobs of power easily. Rebellious drifter Daigo scrapped the SC430's V8 for a turbo six-cylinder legend: a 900hp 2JZ... on low boost.

]]>

Crank up the boost and suddenly the SC430 is a 1200 HP, tire melting, smoke-and-noise generator. We love it.

These two videos were shot at Formula D Long Beach where Daigo came away with a podium finish. He's a masterful wheelman, as the vimeo video shows.That car is also something else. How often do you see the SC430 out on a track kicking ass like this? With a Supra motor no less! The power is ridiculous, and if you want, you can ride along to get a feel for what it's like in the video below.

Don't worry, it's short, sweet, and loud.

V8's beware! Discuss Daigo's Sweet ride in the forums!

AllData Opens Up TSB and Recall Info to ClubLexus Members!

2012-04-19T01:01:58Z

Over the years, the ClubLexus community has transformed this site into an essential resource for any Lexus fan--and we're constantly looking for ways to make it better. Hit the jump to get the scoop on this latest addition to the site!

]]>

So we're excited to announce that ClubLexus members now have access to another fantastic resource. Through our partnership with AllData, community members can now explore any technical service bulletins or recalls effecting their vehicles. AllData provides a description of the problem, the date it was issued, and details on the solution. Just go to the "TSBs" link in the nav bar and use the drop downs to get details on all the alerts issued for your vehicle.

And it gets better! ClubLexus members will also get a discount if they're interested in receiving full access to all the service bulletins and integrated repair info used by the pros. Head over to AllData to check out the great packages they offer for tuners and DIY mechanics.

Lexus RX450h Joins Google's Autonomous Army

2012-04-18T21:33:00Z

This RX450h is a new addition to Google's fleet of autonomous robot cars. It was spotted cruising the streets of southern california, presumably acting as a harbinger for the impending robot revolution. Of course, Google has been slow to admit the true goals behind their projects. Instead they insist they just want cars that can drive themselves.

]]> slightly less ridiculous with a bundle of electronics duct-taped to the roof.

Spy Shots: 2014 Lexus IS Test Mule

2012-04-17T17:51:10Z

It's been 3 years since the IS got it's mid-cycle refresh, but the Lexus faithful are still clamoring for a new entry in the extremely popular car line. At least we know now that Lexus hasn't been resting on their laurels thanks to these new spy shots.

]]> This development mule lacks the camouflage mainly because it's not wearing new body panels. The unpainted fenders and tape are a dead give-away though.

Admittedly, fans of the IS line that are hankering for a new model still have a while to wait. There aren't any words from Lexus about the next IS, but chances are it'll come in a sporty V6 (hopefully with turbos). We're more curious about what'll fill the lower rung of the IS line. It doesn't seem likely that they'll continue with three different V6's when turbocharged 4 bangers are netting such awesome numbers in mpg and power. Who knows? Maybe it'll be a hybrid.

We do know is that a new IS is overdue. Lets just hope it doesn't lose that sporting character that makes the IS line such an attractive car.

Photos Via: TopSpeed.com

The new IS is coming! Head to the forums to join discussion.

The Hottest IS F Combination Ever?

2012-04-13T06:22:33Z

It's unbelievable to think that the IS F was introduced over 5 years ago at the 2007 North American Int'l Auto Show in Detroit. This first Lexus F car was introduced with 6 exterior and 2 interior colors. Ultrasonic Blue Mica (8U1) with Alpine leather interior was the one. During our recent visit to the 2012 New York International Auto Show, we spotted a gem at the Lexus booth, a 2012 Lexus IS F in Nebula Gray Pearl (1H9) with Red Leather Interior!

]]>

Since its introduction, the IS F has gone through a series of updates in its current lifecycle, like the addition of a badly needed Torsen limited slip differential for 2010. Revised and retuned suspension specs, Alcantara seating surfaces, and the relocation of the SPORT mode button on the steering wheel for 2011.

For 2012, the changes are minor but they result is substantial. The new gray dubbed Nebula Gray Pearl replaces the very popular Smokey Granite Mica (1G0), and a new Red leather interior replaces the not so popular Orange and Terra Cotta leathers of previous years. Black and Alpine interiors still remain on the roster but the Alcantara trim is exclusive to the Black leather. Lastly, a very good looking and easy to clean split 7 spoke 19" BBS wheel is standard across the board.

There's no doubt the 2012 IS F has aged gracefully but continues to be a rising star with every update. With the IS F's new shoes and Nebula & Red color combination, this maybe the hottest Lexus IS F ever!

New for 2012 Lexus IS F:

Nebula Gray Pearl (1H9) Exterior
Red & Black Leather Interior
Red leather shift knob, Red leather steering wheel insert
New 19-inch split 7 spoke forged aluminum BBS wheel.

What do you guys think? Is this the best IS F color combo to date? Let's talk about it! >>

Sexy AND Safe: 2013 GS Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick

2012-04-11T18:46:46Z

The 2013 GS is Lexus' newest award winner, as it was just recognized as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. It passed with flying colors in all trials, including roll over, roof strength, side impact, and frontal offset crash tests.

]]> Notably, this award marks a real improvement over the last outgoing model which scored as merely acceptable in roof strength tests. Of course, this isn't the first time a Lexus has been been given top mark for safety. The Ct 200h and the RX were also recognized as being super safe when things get topsy-turvy.

Lexus will probably place this one on the shelf between the two JD Power awards they won earlier this year. At this rate though, they've got to be running out of space.

Lexus does it again! Hit the forums for more GS goodness!