Lexus Announces Intent to Voluntarily Recall Certain LX 470 Vehicles to Address Potential for Steering Shaft Disengagement
TORRANCE, Calif., July 29, 2010 -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced that Lexus intends to conduct a voluntary safety recall of approximately 39,000 2003-2007 Model Year LX 470 vehicles to address a steering shaft condition. No other Toyota or Lexus vehicles are involved in this safety recall.
This action follows an announcement made by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan on July 29, 2010.
Lexus has determined that the construction of the steering shaft on involved LX 470s is such that the snap ring on the shaft may disengage when the vehicle experiences an unusually severe impact to the front wheels, such as striking a deep pothole. If the snap ring becomes disengaged and the steering wheel is then repeatedly turned to the full locked position, the steering shaft may disengage over time.
Lexus is not aware of any accidents related to this condition.
“At Lexus, we are committed to setting a new standard for quality customer care and aggressive attention to the safety of our drivers,” said Mark Templin, group vice president and general manager of Lexus. “Our engineers have thoroughly investigated this issue and have identified a robust and durable remedy that will help prevent this condition from affecting drivers in the future.”
The remedy for this condition involves replacing the snap ring with a newly designed one and the installation of an additional component to prevent separation of the steering shaft.
Lexus will begin sending out notification to owners of involved vehicles by first class mail beginning in mid-August 2010, advising them to bring their vehicles to their local Lexus dealer to have this remedy performed at no charge.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Bashing Toyota is easy.....
Hey, Let's Bash Toyota
By AL LEWIS
BP's Tony Hayward drove Akio Toyoda's runaway cars off the 24-hour news cycle. But now that BP's hole is plugged, it's time to start wailing on Toyota again.
Last week, Toyota revealed that a federal grand jury in New York has subpoenaed documents, potentially widening probes from stuck accelerators to snapping steering rods.
Don't you just love what we do to Toyota? Why can't we do this to everybody?
Drag the CEO all the way from Japan, shove him before Congress, and make him cry.
Slap the company with the highest possible fine. Sue it hundreds of times. Convince it to recall models by the millions. Make it apologize repeatedly. (Bow more fully for the cameras next time, Mr. Toyoda.)
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood once warned Americans not to drive Toyotas. Can you imagine the Treasury secretary warning Americans not to use Goldman Sachs? And why didn't Congress make Mr. Hayward cry? The closest he came to tears was when he whined, "I want my life back," and then got back on his yacht to sail the less poisoned part of the ocean.
So now it's time to beat on someone else. Remember Big Tobacco? How about Big Toyota?
Toyotas can take off as if possessed by Onibaba, the Japanese demon hag. OK, so as investigations continue, it's looking like many accidents were caused by drivers who don't know the difference between the gas pedal and the brake. But Toyotas may have other problems, too.
Toyota hasn't always been forthright. And it's illegal to mislead regulators about safety defects in cars. Not that other auto makers haven't done it. But there has never been a better time to pile on criminal charges.
Toyota bashing helps Americans forget GM's bumbling former CEO Rick Wagoner and Chrysler's former mis-manager Bob Nardelli. It also gets voters' minds off former Countrywide CEO Angelo Mozilo's special loans to his friends, or Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein's shrewd decision to have the bank settle with the Securities and Exchange Commission for $550 million. And the systemic fraud alleged at America's biggest banks, a mind-blowing national debt and double-digit unemployment after corporations shipped millions of jobs abroad.
Toyota bashing makes it look like our leaders are actually trying to save America.
"All the Toyota vehicles bear my name," Mr. Toyoda has repeatedly lamented, which is true except that I think someone in the marketing department misspelled it a long time ago and never fixed it.
"When the cars are damaged, it is as though I am, as well."
I don't know if Mr. Toyoda is contrite, or if he's just another grief-feigning narcissist whose grandfather gave him a car company. But I was heartened when he went before Congress in February and said this:
"I fear the pace at which we have grown may have been too quick.... Toyota's priority has traditionally been the following: First, safety. Second, quality. And third, volume. These priorities became confused."
Why can't we make every company admit this? Isn't this the problem with every company?
http://online.wsj.com/article/NA_WSJ_PUB:SB128001605680520665.html
By AL LEWIS
BP's Tony Hayward drove Akio Toyoda's runaway cars off the 24-hour news cycle. But now that BP's hole is plugged, it's time to start wailing on Toyota again.
Last week, Toyota revealed that a federal grand jury in New York has subpoenaed documents, potentially widening probes from stuck accelerators to snapping steering rods.
Don't you just love what we do to Toyota? Why can't we do this to everybody?
Drag the CEO all the way from Japan, shove him before Congress, and make him cry.
Slap the company with the highest possible fine. Sue it hundreds of times. Convince it to recall models by the millions. Make it apologize repeatedly. (Bow more fully for the cameras next time, Mr. Toyoda.)
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood once warned Americans not to drive Toyotas. Can you imagine the Treasury secretary warning Americans not to use Goldman Sachs? And why didn't Congress make Mr. Hayward cry? The closest he came to tears was when he whined, "I want my life back," and then got back on his yacht to sail the less poisoned part of the ocean.
So now it's time to beat on someone else. Remember Big Tobacco? How about Big Toyota?
Toyotas can take off as if possessed by Onibaba, the Japanese demon hag. OK, so as investigations continue, it's looking like many accidents were caused by drivers who don't know the difference between the gas pedal and the brake. But Toyotas may have other problems, too.
Toyota hasn't always been forthright. And it's illegal to mislead regulators about safety defects in cars. Not that other auto makers haven't done it. But there has never been a better time to pile on criminal charges.
Toyota bashing helps Americans forget GM's bumbling former CEO Rick Wagoner and Chrysler's former mis-manager Bob Nardelli. It also gets voters' minds off former Countrywide CEO Angelo Mozilo's special loans to his friends, or Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein's shrewd decision to have the bank settle with the Securities and Exchange Commission for $550 million. And the systemic fraud alleged at America's biggest banks, a mind-blowing national debt and double-digit unemployment after corporations shipped millions of jobs abroad.
Toyota bashing makes it look like our leaders are actually trying to save America.
"All the Toyota vehicles bear my name," Mr. Toyoda has repeatedly lamented, which is true except that I think someone in the marketing department misspelled it a long time ago and never fixed it.
"When the cars are damaged, it is as though I am, as well."
I don't know if Mr. Toyoda is contrite, or if he's just another grief-feigning narcissist whose grandfather gave him a car company. But I was heartened when he went before Congress in February and said this:
"I fear the pace at which we have grown may have been too quick.... Toyota's priority has traditionally been the following: First, safety. Second, quality. And third, volume. These priorities became confused."
Why can't we make every company admit this? Isn't this the problem with every company?
http://online.wsj.com/article/NA_WSJ_PUB:SB128001605680520665.html
News pg 20 Nissan recall 50,000 Cube for causing fires
In todays NY Post on page 20 they carried a copy of a Reuters article stating:
Nissan recalls 51,000 Cubes
DETROIT-- Nissan is recalling 51,000 Cube compacts in North America after safety regulators said a fuel leak could cause fire after a crash.
The chance that 2009 and 2010 model-years Cubes could leak fuel if struck from the reat at 50 mph led to the recall, documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show.
Now the HS has a much less severe issue and in a almost impossible to duplicate senario and Lexus article gets front pages. We put people in loaners, and jump through all kinds of hoops for them. Word is from Nissan that they are doing nothing special.
We need to spread the word more about how we really take care of customers in comparision to these other companies. General perception is still huge again all the good and right we are doing. You need to be our best advocate everywhere in you life for us.
Keep up the great hard work....Keep showing them why Lexus is great and setting the bar again.
Nissan recalls 51,000 Cubes
DETROIT-- Nissan is recalling 51,000 Cube compacts in North America after safety regulators said a fuel leak could cause fire after a crash.
The chance that 2009 and 2010 model-years Cubes could leak fuel if struck from the reat at 50 mph led to the recall, documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show.
Now the HS has a much less severe issue and in a almost impossible to duplicate senario and Lexus article gets front pages. We put people in loaners, and jump through all kinds of hoops for them. Word is from Nissan that they are doing nothing special.
We need to spread the word more about how we really take care of customers in comparision to these other companies. General perception is still huge again all the good and right we are doing. You need to be our best advocate everywhere in you life for us.
Keep up the great hard work....Keep showing them why Lexus is great and setting the bar again.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Critiquing the Critics.Toyota comes out on Top
Commentators Critique Toyota’s Critics
In a sign that public frenzy over alleged unintended acceleration (UA) in Toyota vehicles may actually be abating, two commentators this week have each issued withering critiques of what they see as a rush to judgment.
Writing in Forbes magazine on Wednesday, Michael Fumento questioned why journalists have been so quick to accept the number of deaths attributed to UA based on unverified complaints in the NHTSA’s database. He also noted that when the Los Angeles Times cited one such incident, the reporters failed to disclose the driver had been charged with vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence.
Meanwhile, Jason Vines, a former head of communications at Ford, Nissan and Chrysler writing in the Detroit News on Monday, compared Toyota’s situation to earlier claims of runaway Audi and Jeep vehicles. He then noted that NHTSA had taken a deeper dive into many of the Toyota complaints and found driver error, not a defect, was to blame.
Check out the full articles:
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2010/0809/opinions-toyota-cars-acceleration-brakes-93-and-counting.html
http://detnews.com/article/20100719/MIVIEW/7190414/1469
In a sign that public frenzy over alleged unintended acceleration (UA) in Toyota vehicles may actually be abating, two commentators this week have each issued withering critiques of what they see as a rush to judgment.
Writing in Forbes magazine on Wednesday, Michael Fumento questioned why journalists have been so quick to accept the number of deaths attributed to UA based on unverified complaints in the NHTSA’s database. He also noted that when the Los Angeles Times cited one such incident, the reporters failed to disclose the driver had been charged with vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence.
Meanwhile, Jason Vines, a former head of communications at Ford, Nissan and Chrysler writing in the Detroit News on Monday, compared Toyota’s situation to earlier claims of runaway Audi and Jeep vehicles. He then noted that NHTSA had taken a deeper dive into many of the Toyota complaints and found driver error, not a defect, was to blame.
Check out the full articles:
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2010/0809/opinions-toyota-cars-acceleration-brakes-93-and-counting.html
http://detnews.com/article/20100719/MIVIEW/7190414/1469
The 2011 Lexus Model Release Schedule
2011 Lexus Release Schedule
Lexus USA has published a general schedule for their 2011 lineup — here’s what we can expect for the rest of this year:
Summer
The 2011 GS arrives at dealers with no changes from the 2010 model, save for the new brake override system.
Late Summer
The new IS 350 AWD will debut along with a new F-Sport option package, and the entire IS range will be getting a minor refresh, including the IS Convertible and the IS F.
The 2011 LX 570 will be seeing some minor color changes. The Costa Azul Mica exterior will be discontinued, and Black leather trim will be replacing Gray trim. The Golden Bird’s-eye Maple wood trim will replace Medium Brown Walnut wood trim. A heated steering wheel has also been added to the Luxury package.
We can also expect the 2011 edition of the GX 460 to be released, which will sport no changes other than the new brake override system.
Early Fall
The 2011 RX 350 arrives with new colors, as Satin Cashmere Mica replaces Golden Almond Metallic and Stargazer Black is added. Both Truffle Mica and Black Sapphire Pearl are discontinued.
The 2011 RX 450h also gets a reworked exterior palette, with Satin Cashmere Mica replacing Golden Almond Metallic, Black Opal Mica and Stargazer Black being added, and Aurora White Pearl, Truffle Mica and Black Sapphire Pearl being discontinued.
The 2011 ES 350 also debuts with its re-rated engine, which will now support regular unleaded gas.
Fall
The 2011 LS 460 arrives with only one change: AWD models will be getting a standard coil suspension, with an optional air suspension. The 2011 LS 600hL also has but one change, as it will no longer be offered with Active Stabilizer Suspension System. The Truffle Mica exterior has been discontinued for both models.
The HS 250h also arrives in dealerships, and will have some new exterior colors, as Satin Cashmere Metallic replaces Golden Almond Metallic, Deep Sea Mica replaces Black Sapphire Pearl, and Aurora White Pearl is discontinued.
http://lexusenthusiast.com/2010/07/21/2011-lexus-release-schedule/#more-4773
Lexus USA has published a general schedule for their 2011 lineup — here’s what we can expect for the rest of this year:
Summer
The 2011 GS arrives at dealers with no changes from the 2010 model, save for the new brake override system.
Late Summer
The new IS 350 AWD will debut along with a new F-Sport option package, and the entire IS range will be getting a minor refresh, including the IS Convertible and the IS F.
The 2011 LX 570 will be seeing some minor color changes. The Costa Azul Mica exterior will be discontinued, and Black leather trim will be replacing Gray trim. The Golden Bird’s-eye Maple wood trim will replace Medium Brown Walnut wood trim. A heated steering wheel has also been added to the Luxury package.
We can also expect the 2011 edition of the GX 460 to be released, which will sport no changes other than the new brake override system.
Early Fall
The 2011 RX 350 arrives with new colors, as Satin Cashmere Mica replaces Golden Almond Metallic and Stargazer Black is added. Both Truffle Mica and Black Sapphire Pearl are discontinued.
The 2011 RX 450h also gets a reworked exterior palette, with Satin Cashmere Mica replacing Golden Almond Metallic, Black Opal Mica and Stargazer Black being added, and Aurora White Pearl, Truffle Mica and Black Sapphire Pearl being discontinued.
The 2011 ES 350 also debuts with its re-rated engine, which will now support regular unleaded gas.
Fall
The 2011 LS 460 arrives with only one change: AWD models will be getting a standard coil suspension, with an optional air suspension. The 2011 LS 600hL also has but one change, as it will no longer be offered with Active Stabilizer Suspension System. The Truffle Mica exterior has been discontinued for both models.
The HS 250h also arrives in dealerships, and will have some new exterior colors, as Satin Cashmere Metallic replaces Golden Almond Metallic, Deep Sea Mica replaces Black Sapphire Pearl, and Aurora White Pearl is discontinued.
http://lexusenthusiast.com/2010/07/21/2011-lexus-release-schedule/#more-4773
Monday, July 19, 2010
Unintended Acceleration Data From NHTSA Flawed
Blog Blames Unintended Acceleration in Toyotas on Flawed Complaint Analysis
After reviewing analyses of unintended acceleration complaints to NHTSA about Toyota vehicles, TheTruthAboutCars blog has concluded that the data "puts a lot of the controversy … to rest."
The blog noted that about 3,000 of the 11,500 complaints of unintended acceleration (UA) involved Toyota vehicles. But when the data is examined in the context of incidents per 100,000 units, Volvo, which built its reputation on safety, had nearly an identical rate of UA complaints.
In addition, the number of Toyota UA complaints only "start to get out of hand" once publicity about the company’s recalls took off. "Given that the rest of the data fail to provide a pattern of UA problems in Toyota, media frenzy and lawyer frenzy are the only plausible explanations for the recent spike in complaints," the blog said.
TheTruthAboutCars concluded that the data shows "very few patterns that indicate an underlying problem unique to Toyota vehicles."
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/unintended-acceleration-in-toyotas-the-ghost-in-the-data/
After reviewing analyses of unintended acceleration complaints to NHTSA about Toyota vehicles, TheTruthAboutCars blog has concluded that the data "puts a lot of the controversy … to rest."
The blog noted that about 3,000 of the 11,500 complaints of unintended acceleration (UA) involved Toyota vehicles. But when the data is examined in the context of incidents per 100,000 units, Volvo, which built its reputation on safety, had nearly an identical rate of UA complaints.
In addition, the number of Toyota UA complaints only "start to get out of hand" once publicity about the company’s recalls took off. "Given that the rest of the data fail to provide a pattern of UA problems in Toyota, media frenzy and lawyer frenzy are the only plausible explanations for the recent spike in complaints," the blog said.
TheTruthAboutCars concluded that the data shows "very few patterns that indicate an underlying problem unique to Toyota vehicles."
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/unintended-acceleration-in-toyotas-the-ghost-in-the-data/
How Would You Like to Drive a New CT200h? Now you can....
Lexus CT 200h U.S. Driving Events
Last week, Lexus announced that Los Angeles residents would get be getting a chance to drive the CT 200h prototype — and now it’s been confirmed that this event will be making its way to three other cities around the country. Here are the dates:
July 29–31: Los AngelesAugust 1: Los Angeles nighttime event
August 6–8: MiamiAugust 9: Miami nighttime event
August 12–14: New York CityAugust 15: New York City nighttime event
August 18–20: ChicagoAugust 21: Chicago nighttime event
Specifics have yet to be announced, but all further details will be posted to the Lexus Facebook page.
ISF on a IS budget--IS F-Sport now available
2011 Lexus IS F-Sport Package
Lexus USA will be offering an F-Sport option package on all RWD IS 250/IS 350s that borrows from the IS F — here’s what’s included:
An all-new suspension with tuned steering
New 18″ alloy wheels with a dark super-chrome finish
A front lip spoiler and a rear deck spoiler
Dark super-chrome front grille
F Sport heated front seats with a microfiber insert and leather side bolsters
Aluminum Sport Pedals with Rubber Inserts
IS F styled steering wheel
F Sport badging on the steering wheel, shift knob and doorsill scuff plates
The IS F’s Ultrasonic Blue color will also be available with the F-Sport package
Friday, July 16, 2010
Could This Be The All Electric Lexus Super Car?
Lexus Electric Supercar?According to Motor Trend, Toyota President Akio Toyoda has signed off on the development of a Lexus electric supercar:
The car is expected to produce more than 500 horsepower and would sprint from 0 to 60 mph in around 4 seconds.
The car is expected to produce more than 500 horsepower and would sprint from 0 to 60 mph in around 4 seconds. Like the E-Cell, the Toyota is expected to route power through four electric motors, one at each wheel. It will also incorporate a switch that allows drivers to select between driving programs such as comfort, sport and super sport, thus permitting drivers to regulate battery use.
It’s expected to debut around 2015, and we are first to reveal how one artist in Japan sees the as-yet-unnamed vehicle as it might look attacking the Nurburgring in Germany. The large grille and air intakes beside the headlights are viewed as critical to provide sufficient cooling for the electric motors. The vehicle would reportedly borrow undisclosed know-how from Tesla and utilize aerodynamic expertise gained from the Lexus LFA project.
With the Tesla partnership already moving ahead full steam, this rumor wouldn’t be a total surprise — except for the fact that it suggests this will be a new vehicle instead of an electric version of the LFA. Considering that both Merecedes & Audi have shown electric concepts of their supercars, it suggests Lexus will be trying a different direction.
Now, tt’s always my tendency to look in the SC’s direction any time a new sportscar is mentioned, and it would fit with my belief that the new partnership with Telsa will produce the Sport Coupe’s third generation, but it’s doubtful the SC would be positioned against the Mercedes SLS E-Cell & Audi R8 e-Tron — however, it would be suitable competition to the rumored Audi R4 e-Tron, not to mention the Tesla Roadster.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
NHTSA UPDATES ACCELERATION ISSUES
According to the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. Department of Transportation has analyzed a number of Toyota & Lexus black boxes taken from vehicles involved in “sudden acceleration” accidents, and have discovered that drivers were accidentally pushing the acceleration pedal instead of the brake:
The results suggest that some drivers who said their Toyota and Lexus vehicles surged out of control were mistakenly flooring the accelerator when they intended to jam on the brakes. But the findings don’t exonerate Toyota from two known issues blamed for sudden acceleration in its vehicles: sticky accelerator pedals and floor mats that can trap accelerator pedals to the floor.
The data recorders analyzed by NHTSA were selected by the agency, not Toyota, based on complaints the drivers had filed with the government.
[...]NHTSA has been able to verify only one of those fatal crashes was caused by a problem with the vehicle, according to information the agency provided to the National Academy of Sciences. That accident last Aug. 28, which killed a California highway patrolman and three passengers in a Lexus, was traced to a floor mat that trapped the gas pedal in the depressed position.
The NHTSA spokeswman said the agency was continuing to investigate the Toyota accidents and wouldn’t be prepared to comment fully on the probe until a broader study is completed in conjunction with NASA, which is expected to take months.
While it’s hardly conclusive, it’s definitely a step in the right direction — be sure to read the full article for all the details.
http://lexusenthusiast.com/2010/07/13/nhtsa-update-on-lexus-sudden-acceleration-investigation/
The results suggest that some drivers who said their Toyota and Lexus vehicles surged out of control were mistakenly flooring the accelerator when they intended to jam on the brakes. But the findings don’t exonerate Toyota from two known issues blamed for sudden acceleration in its vehicles: sticky accelerator pedals and floor mats that can trap accelerator pedals to the floor.
The data recorders analyzed by NHTSA were selected by the agency, not Toyota, based on complaints the drivers had filed with the government.
[...]NHTSA has been able to verify only one of those fatal crashes was caused by a problem with the vehicle, according to information the agency provided to the National Academy of Sciences. That accident last Aug. 28, which killed a California highway patrolman and three passengers in a Lexus, was traced to a floor mat that trapped the gas pedal in the depressed position.
The NHTSA spokeswman said the agency was continuing to investigate the Toyota accidents and wouldn’t be prepared to comment fully on the probe until a broader study is completed in conjunction with NASA, which is expected to take months.
While it’s hardly conclusive, it’s definitely a step in the right direction — be sure to read the full article for all the details.
http://lexusenthusiast.com/2010/07/13/nhtsa-update-on-lexus-sudden-acceleration-investigation/
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
TESLA MAKING A ALL ELECTRIC RX FOR LEXUS?
Toyota & Tesla are now two weeks into their partnership (in which Toyota purchased a $50M stake in Tesla), and it’s rumored that their first joint-project will be converting a Lexus RX to a full electric prototype:
Tesla said July 10 that it will deliver two prototypes vehicles to Toyota this month without identifying the models. While Toyota also aims to test an electric Corolla compact car, the RAV4 and RX light trucks are better suited to the weight of Tesla’s battery pack, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the vehicles haven’t been announced yet.
The target for a model developed with Tesla would be for a car that costs about $40,000 with 150 miles (240 kilometers) of driving range per charge, the person familiar with the plans said.
“Toyota and Tesla engineering teams have made a lot of progress in a short amount of time,” JB Straubel, Tesla’s chief technology officer, said in a July 10 e-mail message.
It may not be a vehicle as exciting as Tesla’s own Roadster, but with the RX already engineered to support a battery pack with its hybrid version, it’s a natural choice to be prototyped using the Tesla electric platform.
Even more than the models chosen, I’m surprised by the speed of this partnership — I wouldn’t have expected an announcement so soon, never mind the possibility that we may see a full-electric Lexus prototype before the year is out.
http://lexusenthusiast.com/2010/07/12/tesla-building-electric-lexus-rx/
Tesla said July 10 that it will deliver two prototypes vehicles to Toyota this month without identifying the models. While Toyota also aims to test an electric Corolla compact car, the RAV4 and RX light trucks are better suited to the weight of Tesla’s battery pack, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the vehicles haven’t been announced yet.
The target for a model developed with Tesla would be for a car that costs about $40,000 with 150 miles (240 kilometers) of driving range per charge, the person familiar with the plans said.
“Toyota and Tesla engineering teams have made a lot of progress in a short amount of time,” JB Straubel, Tesla’s chief technology officer, said in a July 10 e-mail message.
It may not be a vehicle as exciting as Tesla’s own Roadster, but with the RX already engineered to support a battery pack with its hybrid version, it’s a natural choice to be prototyped using the Tesla electric platform.
Even more than the models chosen, I’m surprised by the speed of this partnership — I wouldn’t have expected an announcement so soon, never mind the possibility that we may see a full-electric Lexus prototype before the year is out.
http://lexusenthusiast.com/2010/07/12/tesla-building-electric-lexus-rx/
Friday, July 2, 2010
Ride Along in the new CT200h
Autoblog was also in attendance at last week’s small media preview of the Lexus CT 200h, and had this to say about their time in the passenger seat:
Riding along suburban roads near the TME facility, the CT 200h – even in prototype guise – is suitably Lexus-like in its build quality and refinement, yet surprisingly aggressive in its handling. The ride feels well balanced in its damping between comfort and sportiness, and given the instant torque delivery inherent in the electric boost, it never seemed to lack for punch… from the passenger seat, at least.
There’s a limit to what can be experienced from the passenger seat, though it’s all sounding quite positive regardless.
But more than that, Autoblog has a bunch of photos of the Brown Spice Mica CT, including our first clear look at the Lexus Hybrid Drive 1.8L engine:
Check out this great gallery of pictures here:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/first-ride-2011-lexus-ct-200h
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