So you want to build your own CT200h....Here you go, neat little web link to the Darker Side of Green for you to play with. It also will give you all the details and options you might want to know about.
http://http://www.darkersideofgreen.com/showroom/

Let me know what you think

Bily Hsu...Mr. Hot Lap.....

On Saturday Billy Hsu our resident F-Champion got a chance to put the pedal to the metal at Monticello Racetrack in a Lexus F-Sport event. Billy set the lap record for the fastest lap time in an ISF on Saturday. That won him a seat in the LFA to ride along with Scott Pruit to do some hot laps in the LFA..... Now if we can find him a sponser>>>>>

Way to go Billy, having fun and loving Lexus.....

NOW THIS IS WHAT LEXUS SHOULD BE BUILDING

Here is a video preview of all the cars Lexus assembled for the big Sema Show in Vegas this week.....Sweet. I especially like the GS with the asymmetrical stripe. I always loved that racing look. I also think the pneumatic built in jacks would be great accessory for the driveway mechanic!!!! Check it out.... Say hi to Lee while your out there.....

NOT YOUR DADDY'S LS

Now this is what I call slamming! At a quick look you forget is it an LS600h. This car is was built for the upcoming SEMA show in Vegas. it is a tour de force in how to customize your Lexus. I don't usually go for the big wheel bling, but this one works.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxmarketing/sets/72157625053877825/with/5088092786/

Something Different to do to Your Lexus-Graffiti It!!

When you are bored and live in Cali, you doodle on your car with sharpies..... when you are tired of that you hire local "Aerosol Artists"(?) to paint your car on the showroom of a Lexus dealer. Great marketing don't you think? The car is cool...

I like the whole and heaven and hell theme....

http://www.driveculture.com/2010/10/07/sharpie-gets-colored-full-video/

Motor Trend likes the CT200h, Maybe we have a Winner!

Motor Trend has driven the Lexus CT 200h, and was plenty enthused by the experience:

…this car can handle. Quite well, in fact, in spite of its fuel-economy-friendly tires. The chassis is difficult to upset and when it does lose composure, it defaults to gradual understeer, at which point the nannies step back in…The steering is heavier in Sport Mode, which is good because it’s normally very light, but there isn’t a whole lot of feedback.

The most remarkable thing about the CT 200h is how easy it is to forget that you’re driving a hybrid. Regardless of driving mode, transitions to and from electric power and gasoline power are so seamless that you simply forget they’re happening. Power is plenty adequate in most situations, but can leave you wanting when passing or climbing hills. The brakes, meanwhile, are much more linear and dare we say “normal” than Prius brakes, without that two-stage feel when the regen kicks in.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/hatchbacks/1010_2011_lexus_ct_200h_drive/index.html

The New LS Coupe---The LC600h

According to Motor Trend, Lexus is planning to replace the dearly-departed SC 430 with a brand new coupe based on the next-generation LS.
Called the LC 600h, this flagship coupe would be AWD and powered by an updated version of the same 5.0L V8 Lexus Hybrid Drive found in the current LS 600hL, and is expected to hit a 0-60 of under five seconds.

Here’s an interesting quote from the MT article:

According to a Lexus insider, the company sees the new LC as the car that most captures the essence of what Lexus is all about — performance, luxury, and the environment — more than any Lexus model to date. It’s an upscale configuration that should elevate the car to a status rivaling the Mercedes SL-Class.
Currently being developed in the shadows of the next LS, our contact tells us not to expect the LC before its four-door LS brother hits showrooms in 2014. “If we don’t get anymore nasty surprises on the economic front, then any time after 2015 might be the right time for the LC.”
After the SC, this would be a dramatic and all-together necessary change-up, but even more, there’s something about this rumor that rings true — a sports coupe at this level is exactly what’s needed in the lineup.

All I can say for sure is that the sketches accompanying the article are mighty fine — here’s another sketch from a different angle:

http://wot.motortrend.com/6719403/future/lexus-working-on-hybrid-powered-sc-430-replacement/index.html#ixzz126r2tdrD

LFA Preps For SEMA.......

09/28/2010—This weekend, a repainted Lexus LFA made its debut in Glendale, California.

Here’s the back story: With the SEMA aftermarket auto show coming up in November, the time had come to give the North American LFA prototype a new look, inside and out, for the 100,000 expected SEMA attendees. (You’ve probably seen this LFA already: it’s the exact same car that shattered a wine glass in the now-famous TV commercial earlier this year.)

The work itself was carried out by B.A.D. Company (aka the Big American Dream Company) this September. B.A.D. Company is a Los Angeles-based shop that specializes in custom work for Hollywood, and these are the guys who build some of the crazy custom vehicles you see at car shows, as well as prep Lexus vehicles for TV shows like Entourage and The Apprentice.


Lexus basically gave B.A.D. Company 10 days to transform the LFA’s exterior from white (actually Starfire Pearl) to a darker color, and while they were at it, recover the seats in fresh, semi-aniline leather. This may not seem like a lot of work, but when you’re talking about a high-tech supercar, removing the seats for upholstery work and repainting carbon fiber surfaces are a big deal.

Nevertheless, these guys got the job done. As our photographer notes: “When I got here the first day at 7 a.m., this was a white car. By 8:30 a.m., it was stripped down, masked off, and they were prepping for paint. If I’d been late, I’d have missed it.”


Fortunately, he didn’t miss it, and neither will you, even if you don’t get to SEMA. In a few weeks, we’ll show how B.A.D. Company transformed the LFA—trust us, it’s a good story.

https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/magazine/content.do#:/pub-share/magazine/html/Lexus-News/news_2010_09_27.html

The New CT200h gets F'd

Lexus has decided to release the new CT200h with a variety of accessories including F-Sport Tuning parts. Besides the F-Sport sway bar set, lowering springs and what looks like mirror covers, here are some other items you will see available. Check out the European commercial video to get a feel what Lexus is going for. I am not sure what the deal was in the beginning of it with the odd magazine quotes. You make your decision and let me know.

17″ Alloy Wheels (directly inspired by the LF-Ch concept)
All-weather cargo mat
Body-Side Molding (the Lexus chrome stripe)
Car Cover
Cargo net-envelope
Carpet cargo mat
Exhaust tip
First Aid kit
Glass breakage sensor
Illuminated door sills
Lexus Hybrid Drive window sticker
Paint protection film
Premium carpet floor mats
Rear bumper appliqué
Remote engine starter

What Does Lexus Have In Store For You

Automotive News has taken a shot at predicting the next couple years of Lexus models, let’s summarize:

GS: The next-generation GS will arrive in the spring of next year on a new shared platform and a longer wheelbase, while retaining the V6/V8/Hybrid powertrains. A GS-F has been prototype, but is not expected to make it to production.
As for the styling, Automotive News says the “design of the GS will feature a long dash-to-axle ratio and a reprise of its signature stubby trunk, while the roofline will be a constant-radius swoop.”

IS: 2013 will see the debut of the third generation IS, which will be built on a shortened version of the GS’ shared platform.

LS: A redesign for the 2013 model year is expected, with a focus on reducing the weight generated by all the technology & safety features.

ES: Due to be redesigned as a 2012 model, the next-gen ES will be getting “more angular and active styling”, and may be offered in a hybrid.

HSh: Should the Prius receive a lithium battery pack in 2012, the HSh should follow.

SC: The next-generation SC will not be offered as a convertible.

LFA: A roadster version of the Lexus supercar could appear in 2014.
Most of these predictions summarize current rumors, with a few twists: No GS-F would be a disappointment, but the on-off nature of this V10 super-sedan means there’s no way to know for sure, just as there’s no way to guess if a LFA roadster will ever make it into production.

Also mentioned is the possibility of a brand new model:
VX: A seven-seat, car-based large crossover above the RX 350 is possible. Owners have told Lexus that towing is not as important as driveability and seating capacity. Lexus is studying a competitor to the BMW X6 crossover based on the next generation of the GS/IS platform.

With the RX straddling the line between small & large crossover classes, it’s hard to predict which side of the equation a new model would come up on. A large 7-seater may very well be in the works, but what about a smaller version of the RX instead?

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100927/CARNEWS/100929892

Motor Trend Drives the New CT200h and like it!

Here are some comments from the test drive they took around LA:

The best way to think of the CT 200h is as a better-looking Prius Sport, if such a model existed. It shares the Prius’ hybrid drivetrain, with its 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor, but it now has a “Sport” mode that ups the power to the electric motor for an extra boost of speed when you drop the pedal. It won’t give the IS F a run for its money, but it feels noticeably quicker than driving in “Normal” mode, which essentially mimics a Prius.

What we could test was the CT 200h’s ride quality, which was quite good. On the rough pavement that is L.A. city streets, the car rode well and soaked up even large bumps nicely. It’s a tad firmer than you’d expect from a Lexus, given its sporty disposition, but nothing that would scare the average Lexus shopper out of the car.
Around town, the CT 200h feels quick enough for L.A. traffic. Although we didn’t want to risk small-arms fire from other motorists, we found we could get pretty close to the claimed 28 mph limit on battery power alone before the engine kicked on. When it is on, the engine emits a low growl that at least sounds sportier than a Prius.




http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/1009_2011_lexus_ct_200h_prototype_quick_drive/index.html

Go See a Real Life CT200h this Weekend in NYC

Lexus CT 200h Event in New York City

Two Lexus CT 200h prototypes are making their way around North America, and this weekend’s stop will be High Line Park in New York City.

This event, which is one of just four tour stops in the US, is open to everyone, and provides an unique opportunity to drive Lexus’ newest hybrid months before its official debut — something that still boggles my mind.

As for the event specifics, the CT 200hs will be touring the city on Thursday, making stops in places like Central Park & Union Square, then will be settling down at High Line Park (at the corner of Gansevoort & Washington) for the rest of the weekend. Here are the times:

Friday: 11am-1pm, 4pm-10pm
Saturday: 11am-10pm

http://www.facebook.com/lexus#!/lexus?v=app_2344061033

Coolest new Lexus "Musical"

I saw the commercial on tv the other night, but after you see the behind the scenes you realize how amazing it really is.....Cool stuff....

The "L" Will Have To Do...

The sharp eyes over at Club Lexus have spotted a badge change on 2011 Lexus models sold in the USA.

After spending twenty years on the trunk lid of every Lexus made(except the first year or two for those who remember), the LEXUS name badge has been removed, leaving the Oval-L as the sole brand identifier

Considering that Lexus has been the top-selling luxury car brand in the USA for a full decade, it’s safe to say the Oval-L logo has reached the level of recognition necessary to omit the brand name. It’s a subtle change, to be sure, but it also stands as an notable step in the evolution of the brand in the United States

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/car-chat/522592-lexus-taking-the-badges-off-2011-models-what-do-you-think.html

Lexus to Power the Next Lotus

Edmunds’ Inside Line is reporting that the next generation Lotus Esprit may be powered by the same V10 engine used in the Lexus LFA:

The next-generation Lotus Esprit supercar, details of which will be announced at the2010 Paris Auto Show next month, could be powered by the 552-horsepower Lexus LFA V10, says a source close to the company.

That would be for the Esprit in its ultimate form — the more mainstream version would be offered with a V8, also likely to be sourced from Lexus. That engine will probably be a version of the 416-hp 5.0-liter engine fitted to the Lexus IS F sedan. When asked to confirm this possibility, a Lotus spokesman said that he “couldn’t comment.”

This isn’t the first time this rumor has been reported, and given that Toyota has been supplying Lotus with engines for over 25 years, this has a very good chance of being true. Should that be the case, it’s good for everyone involved. Lotus gets a supercar powerplant that can compete with the best in the game, and Toyota gets to recoup some of the development cost of limited-edition, high-cost LFA.

Seems like a win all round to me.

http://www.insideline.com/lotus/lotus-esprit-may-use-lexus-lfa-v10-power.html

Great Video Review of LFA from Leno's Garage

Although Jay doesn't drive the car, an actual racer Justin Bell with Scott Pruitt. Great listening to racers and what they think. Check it out.



http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/at-the-garage/super-cars/lexus-lfa/

NY TIMES: LFA BEST OF THE SUPER CARS

Lawrence Ulrich of the New York Times travelled down to Millville, NJ to take the Lexus LFA around the track, and he brought some very choice quotes back with him, including this info on LFA buyers:

So far American buyers are exclusively men, and on average are in their mid-50s. Many have owned a Lexus, and they tend to be entrepreneurial types, along with one sports star whose name Lexus would not divulge.

Nor would Lexus connect me to the Midwest man who, Lexus swears, is leaning toward an LFA painted Passionate Pink, one of 30 available colors. (Mr. Mary Kay, perhaps?)

Mr. Rohovsky did allow that one “fresh green” LFA — a petri-dish shade wild enough for any Lamborghini fan — is headed to — where else? — Miami.
“He told me, ‘I want people to see me coming and going,’” Mr. Rohovsky said.

The whole article’s great — and when it comes to what Mr. Ulrich thought of the LFA?
Judged purely as an adrenaline-inducing performance tool, the Lexus tops a number of supercars I’ve driven — not just the similiarly priced Lamborghini Murciélago, but also the $1.3 million Bugatti Veyron.

That’s some heavy praise, to be sure.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/automobiles/autoreviews/22LEXUS.html?_r=4&pagewanted=1

LFA Gets Its First Speeding Ticket

Claus Ettensberger, owner of CEC Wheels and past Bullrun winner, has the “honor” of being the first person to get a speeding ticket in the Lexus LFA, or at least the first person to do so and post about it on Youtube.

For the record, Mr. Ettensberger was going 91mph in a 35mph zone — absolutely ludicrous in my opinion — and yet still managed to get his picture with the officer that pulled him over

Real Live CT200h photos

Spotted at the Lexus headquarters in Torrence. It disappeared as quick as it showed up.....

A Daily Driver Lexus ISF Kicks............

Around Everyone at the NASA Event

Billy Hsu, this needs to be you!!!!!

This weekend, Dave Schotz raced his daily driver Lexus IS F in National Auto Sport Association (NASA) Time Trials at the Auto Club Speedway in California and proceed to dominate against dedicated racecars — Jalopnik has the full story:

NASA Time Trials allow for almost any car to compete for the fastest lap time on a legitimate race course. One guy rolled up in his daily driver Lexus and crushed everyone.

He ran the car bone stock (other than a set of Hoosier Tires andCarbotech brake pads for track duty) and hit 150 miles per hour on the banking.Regardless of the number of doors the car has, obviously the Lexus is not shy of performance. The car won the TTB class against dedicated trailered racecars with full rollcages, no interiors and heavily modified suspensions.

As a three time SCCA solo national champion and two time NASA road racing national champion, Schotz is a proven racer, but no matter — cleaning up on the track with a daily driver (even an IS F) is still a story to tell.

(There’s also a thread over at Club Lexus where driver Dave shares some details about the IS F and this weekend’s race, including some minor controversy.)

http://jalopnik.com/5606943/street-legal-lexus-is+f-owns-dedicated-racecars-in-time-trials