Lexus is the luxury car division of Japanese Import Car maker, Toyota Motor Corporation. The first Lexus was introduced in the United States in 1989. Lexus is now sold globally and has become Japan’s largest selling make of luxury cars. Lexus is headquartered in Toyota, Aichi, Japan.The Lexus LS was the flagship sedan project that began in 1983. The sedan was launched in 1989. Lexus added sedan, coupe, convertible and SUV models in later years. A hybrid version of the RX crossover debuted in 2005. Additional hybrid models were soon added to the Lexus lineup. In 2007, Lexus launched its performance division with the IS F sport sedan.Lexus cars have incorporated touchscreen navigation system interfaces, a smart key entry and startup system, SmartAccess, and Optitron gauges. In 1989, Lexus became among the first luxury line to equip models with premium audio systems, in partnership with stereo firm Nakamichi. Optional surround sound systems are offered via high-end audio purveyor Mark Levinson. In 2006, the LS 460 climate control system included the first ceiling air diffusers and infrared body temperature sensors in a car.In 2006, Lexus incorporated the first eight-speed automatic transmission in an automobile with the LS 460. The gearbox was later adapted for the GS 460 and IS F models. Continuously variable transmissions, regenerative braking, and electric motors have been used on all Lexus hybrid models. Lexus executives in 2007 signaled intentions to equip further models with hybrid powertrains. Safety features on Lexus cars include stability systems, backup cameras, swivel headlights, and sonar warning systems. The Lexus Pre-Collision System (PCS) integrates multiple safety systems. The first car safety systems with infrared and pedestrian detection capabilities, lane keep assist, a Driver Monitoring System with facial recognition monitoring of driver attentiveness, and rear pre-collision whiplash protection, were introduced by Lexus as part of the LS 460 PCS in 2007.
Would you like to drive a luxury sport sedan and feel like you are driving a coupe or roadster? Well then step into a Lexus IS F and find out what it feels like to experience a great ride. When the IS F was introduced five years ago it was less than inspiring. It gave…
What is the one thing people do not like about convertibles? Most people would say the lack of insulation and the road noise. Well welcome to the 2012 Lexus IS 250C, a convertible with a hard top that drives, feels and sounds like a coupe. Having said all that, one must realize that to have…
The 2012 Lexus ES 350 is everything you would want if what you want is luxury in an entry-level luxury sedan. That is a carefully crafted statement so you would be advised to read it again. The ES350 is heavy on luxury; the flip-side of that is that there are some things lacking when it…
If you have time over the holidays you might want to go see the new Tom Cruise movie “Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol” playing at most theaters now. What you will notice immediately is that in the movie Cruise does not drive a single Japanese import car. That may not seem terribly important to you…
One of a kind; those words are rarely used in the automotive business where conformity seems to be the order of the day. Then in 2010 along came the Lexus HS 250h and a leader was born in a previously-nonexistent category. Combining superior gas mileage with luxury simply had not been accomplished until Lexus unveiled…