If you wondering what all this has to do with the world of automobiles, Lexus’ European division announced today that it has received the royal stamp of approval from His Serene Highness [HSH] Prince Albert II of Monaco. The latter appointed the Japanese automaker as the official supplier of luxury cars to the blue-blooded residents of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco.
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It’s a great bit of advertising and holds up pretty well even today. There is one question that many would-be Lexus owners may be asking themselves today: are the cars still as good as they were back then? Has engineering perfection über alles survived twenty years of market reinvention and product development?
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This particular broadcast ad is titled “Chain” and it shows a crane slowly lifting the front end of a LS, which is attached to four more Lexus models (RX, GS, ES and IS) using nothing more than cables and stretch bars. At the end of the spot, a $375,000 LFA comes into the shot and parks directly below the chain of vehicles weighing a total 21,000 pounds.
The key point here is that the commercial is real and that no special effects were used for its creation as Lexus proves in the 'Behind the Scenes" video.
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Lexus will also show off the CT 200h F-Sport concept fitted with 18-inch wheels shod in Pirelli P-Zero Nero 225/40 tires, a big brake kit with cross drilled rotors and an adjustable sport suspension. Full details and pictures after the break.
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Fortunately, Brian Fox has done just that. His company, Fox Marketing, has taken the LS 600h L and made it show worthy. More pictures and specs after the jump.
The recall affects approximately 138,000 Lexus vehicles powered by 4.6 and 5.0 liter V8 and 3.5 liter V6 engines in certain 2006, 2007 and 2008 GS, IS and LS models. No vehicles from the current 2010 model year nor 2009 are affected.
Earlier today, Toyota announced that approximately 270,000 vehicles (Lexus IS, GS and LS, and Toyota Crown) sold worldwide risk engine failure.
In particular, the world's biggest carmaker said it discovered "improperly functioning valve springs" in some engines that could lead to abnormal engine noise or unstable idling, and in some instances, even cause the engine to stop while in motion. Toyota said that there are no reported accidents related to this issue.
The models in question are the LS460 and LS460L as well as the LS600h and LS600hL hybrids equipped with the Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS), with the recall covering around 11,500 vehicles worldwide including 3,800 units sold in the U.S., 4,500 in Japan and about 40 cars in the UK.
The 2010 model year brings a price increase for most Lexus models, ranging from $300 for the IS 250 and IS 350 to $900 for the GS 450h and SC 430. The company also announced pricing for its updated flagship limo, the 2010 LS 600h L that starts from $109,675 including a delivery, processing and handling fee of $875.
The new LS 600h L hybrid sedan benefits from a subtle makeover that includes revised front grille, bumper and tail lights, plus newly designed 19-inch alloy wheels, exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals and exhaust diffusers.
Also new are the front active headrests, the standard Intuitive Park Assist with Advance Parking Guidance and Intelligent High-Beam, a driver's seat with auto slide-away, an LCD instrument cluster, rear power sunshade and an upgraded navigation system.
Finally, the repackaging of the battery pack has resulted in the increase of the LS 600h L's trunk capacity by nearly two cubic feet.
Making their world premiere in Frankfurt alongside the rest of the revised 2010 model year Lexus LS range, the LS600h hybrid and its long-wheelbase sibling receive a gentle facelift with mild cosmetic tweaks that differentiate them from the petrol models, updated equipment, a new ECO driving mode, more powerful brakes and a repackaging of the battery pack. The 2010 LS600h and LS600h L are distinguished visually mainly by a new four-bar grille and front bumper with redesigned air intakes and foglamps.Other details include the new one-piece rocker moulding and new door mirrors with chrome highlights that now incorporate twin LED turn signals and puddle lamps, while the range of exterior colours has been increased.
In the cabin the instrument panel has been redesigned and now includes a new full color, TFT LCD display and the upper air vents have been set apart from the instrumentation on the centre console. Furthermore, there's a new navigation system and the EMV multi-display touch screen has large switches and rearranged layout for the audio controls while both front seats are equipped with new, inflator operated active headrests.
Changes to the hybrid system include the introduction of a new ECO mode, which modifies the throttle action and performance of the air conditioning system to support fuel-efficient driving, and the repackaging of the battery pack into two sections of six and 14 modules that has reduced its overall size and freed up more luggage space in the boot.
Lexus says that the Hybrid Drive system has also been revised to meet Euro V exhaust emissions standards, but with no change to the car's performance with the 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine and 165kW electric motor producing a combined output of 439bhp and 520Nm of torque, giving a 0-100km/h (62mph) acceleration in 6.3 seconds. CO2 emissions are 219g/km and combined cycle fuel economy remains at 9.2lt/100km (25.3mpg US or 30.4mpg UK).
Finally, the Japanese firm's flagship hybrid has been fitted with with larger, 380mm ventilated front disc brakes with six-piston callipers, rotors and pads jointly developed with Brembo.
The LF-Ch premium compact hatch concept will be joined on the Lexus Frankfurt motorshow stand by the world debut of the updated LS 460 and LS 600h models, both of which were prematurely revealed through a leaked JDM brochure a few days ago. On the outside, the LS range has been updated with restyled front and rear bumpers, reworked headlights and tail lamps, new front grille and mirror housings with integrated turning signals plus fresh alloy wheel designs.Other changes for Lexus' flagship sedan include interior design revisions, updated standard equipment as well as suspension modifications.
Lexus has also further differentiated the LS600h hybrid from the gasoline-only LS460 models through bespoke exterior and interior styling cues that include a unique grille and bumper treatment. In addition, the Japanese automaker said that it has improved packaging, and numerous enhancements to the vehicle's Lexus Hybrid Drive system.
Pictures of the updated 2010 Lexus LS sedan made their way on the internet after a Japanese brochure was leaked ahead of the car's launch that will most probably take place at the Tokyo motorshow this fall. The brochure pictures show that the 2010 model year LS has received a bit of a spit and polish, with subtle styling tweaks inside and out while the Lexus also added a new sportier trim to the range called "Version SZ".
So what's new for the Japanese firm's flagship sedan model? Well, on the outside changes include the newly designed front and rear bumpers, revised headlights, tail lamps and front fog lights and a different grille while plus new alloy wheel designs and mirror housings with integrated turning signals.
Inside, from what we can tell, the LS gains a spanking new instrument cluster that incorporates a night vision system right in the middle of the speedometer.
Finally, at least in Japan, the 2010 LS will be available in a new sportier trim level called "Version SZ". We're not aware of any mechanical or chassis upgrades (we wouldn't bet on it though), but the sedan does get a mild aero kit, a different front grille and beefier alloy wheels.
Source: Power Weblog , Via: Autoblog & Lexus Enthusiast
