Noticed how supercars almost always spend most of their lives parked in some carpark, collecting more dust than mileage. Then there are those limited run supercars that double in price as soon as the first owner receives the keys. We have the speculators to thank for that but now in a bid to foil these exotic car speculators, Lexus has came up with the idea of leasing its forthcoming LFA supercar – not selling it – when it hits the market.
Automotive News is reporting that Lexus will only offer two-year leases of its 552hp supercar at a fixed price which has not yet been disclosed. It is only at the end of the two year period that the leaseholders get the opportunity to actually purchase the car, at which point the title would be handed over. As Lexus’ vice president of sales and dealer development Brian Smith tells it, his company wants “people out driving the car and not just parking it in a museum or selling it at an inflated price.”
New LFA’s may be lease vehicles, but all cars will still be able to be individually tailored to the customers and built-to-order begins in December 2010.
In an effort to gear up for the arrival of the LFA, Lexus will reportedly train 15 LFA specialists that will be located at the company’s four regional outposts. It has also been reported that the Japanese automaker will also pay for dealers to receive the special tools and training that will service the vehicles.
If the leasing method works and effectively brings an end to the speculator’s market, expect other exotic car companies like Ferrari and Lamborghini to follow suit.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Lexus LFA Not For Sale
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Wald International Lexus RX350 - RX450h
Feast your eyes on one of Wald International's latest Black Bison styling packages that give the Lexus RX350 and its hybrid counterpart, the RX450h an aggressive new look. The cosmetic makeover includes a new front bumper with large air-inlets, matching side skirts, a new rear bumper that houses a diffuser, different treatment for the grille and a pair of twin tail pipes.
A roof spoiler and Wald International's multispoke alloy wheels shod in chunkier rubber help complete the new look for the Japanese automaker's luxury SUV. Customers can also upgrade the car with interior enhancements such as an alloy pedal set and specific floor mats.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Lexus LF-Ch Hatchback Concept Fully Revealed
Finally, Lexus has published official images and initial details on its LF-Ch concept car that will eventually give birth to a premium hatchback model aimed at the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3. Unfortunately the Japanese firm's lengthy press release is dedicated for the most part to the LF-Ch's exterior and interior styling. In other words, the usual design mumbo-jumbo you hear from most automakers and which we'd rather avoid repeating.
With an overall length of 4,300mm (169.3-in.), a width of 1,790mm (70.5-in.) and a height of 1,400mm (55.1-in.)with a 2,600 mm (102.4-in.) wheelbase, the LF-Ch is roughly the same size as the Audi A3 Sportback (4,292mm in length, 1,765mm width, 1,423mm height and 2,578mm wheelbase).
The concept model features a full hybrid drivetrain meaning that unlike mild-hybrids, it can be driven in a fully electric EV mode. Lexus did not disclose any other details on the powertrain - or about anything else for that matter.
"The LF-Ch concept reaffirms Lexus's commitment to Europe, combining compact dimensions, stylish five-door, full hybrid technology and low emissions to satisfy the most demanding customer requirements and to appeal to a new, younger generation of customers," the company said in a prepared statement.
European buyers should expect to see a toned-down production version of the LF-Ch available with both conventional and hybrid powertrain options sometime towards the end of 2010.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Lexus To Show Off New Compact Concept
The new automotive principle of downsizing in almost all aspects is more of a fad now than anything. Almost every respectable, bar some of course, is catching up with the trend so much so that even luxury marques like Aston Martin are said to be working on some sort of a compact car. The latest luxury brand to catch up with the trend is Lexus. We saw a rendering of what it could possibly look like and now we see another one, the official sketch of what a compact Lexus will look like.
The concept car will be shown to the public at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and promises to showcase the brand’s innovation in design and its technological advances. Lexus believes that it’s compact car will raise the bar in the premium compact segment which is currently dominated by cars like the Audi A3, BMW 1-Series, and the Mercedes-Benz A/B-Class.
As to what will power the Lexus compact car, according to our source, the compact could only employ hybrid technology through it’s entire range. It has emerged that Lexus patented the names CT200h, CT300h and CT400h in North America, only Lexus hybrid models are designated with the letter “h”. Till the Frankfurt Motor Show then, here’s hoping this compact turns out to be a beauty and a proper European rival.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Lexus IS Convertible by Fox Marketing
Although SEMA show is still months away from now but Fox Marketing decided to tease us by releasing a rendering of their upcoming project car that will be based upon the new Lexus IS Convertible. Details are still sketchy as the only thing we know about the car is that it will feature an IS-F style bodykit and a twin turbo engine. It remains to be seen if the tuner will opt to turbocharge one of the existing 2.5 or 3.5-liter V6 units, or if they'll go all the way fitting the hardtop cabrio with the IS-F's 5.0-liter V8.
Source: TRMTuned & Jalopnik
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Five Axis Lexus GS 460
Five Axis has unveiled their custom Lexus GS 460 during the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. A 5.75 liter V8 engine is equipped to this Five Axis Lexus GS 460. For the exterior, the Lexus GS 460 features Five Axis wide body kit and PPG custom formulated Satin Titanium Pearl paint by Five Axis with onyx and papaya accents. The GS 460 is also fitted with custom Five Axis exhaust system with dual finishes. A pair of 20x8.5 ET25 Five AD Onyx R5 alloy wheels is fitted at the front and a pair of 20x10.5 is fitted at the rear. All the wheels are wrapped with Yokohama Advan 254/30/R20 and 295/25/R20 for the front and the rear.
To improve the handling, the Lexus GS 460 uses sport shocks and performance lowering springs. The Five Axis Lexus GS 460 is fitted with high performance Big Brake kit which consists of 355 mm x 32 mm rotors , 6-piston opposed, 2-piece fixed, bolt-in-bridge calliper at the front and Big Brake kit with 345 mm x 28 mm rotors , 4-piston opposed, 2-piece fixed, bolt-in-bridge calliper at the rear.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
ICON Lexus LX 570
ICON has unveiled their custom Lexus LX 570 during the 2008 SEMA Show where the design is to give the LX a clean and stealthy appearance apart from the performance improvements.
The car comes with matte two-tone gray paint, Black chrome trim and emblems with its side trim removed and the roof rack deleted. For the interior, the LX 570’s all woods panels were replaced with carbon fiber surface effect coatings and tinted windows.
For the performance, a custom intake system and stainless steel exhaust system are fitted to the car. Besides that, a set of 24-inch MOZ Calgary wheels wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion Zero Asimmetrico 285/35R-24 tires and 6-piston front, 4-piston rear performance brake system.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Lexus four IS-Fs and a IS 350 with F-Sport Accessories
Lexus is released four modded IS-Fs and a F-Sport accessorized IS 350. Among the four IS-Fs that have been customized by various tuners and magazines is last year's menacing Five Axis "Project IS F" and a new 5.8 liter V8 engine is fitted.
Project IS F by Five Axis
The engine of the car is producing 416 hp on tap right out of the box, the standard IS F is no slouch. However the Project IS F concept brief included exploring the performance potential of its direct-injected 5.0-liter V8, so it now sports 5.8 liters while receiving ported and flowed cylinder heads, a new exhaust system and changes to the electronic controls.
IS 350 with F-Sport Accessories
The IS 250/350 is Lexus' entry point into the luxury sport sedan arena. It's a tuner-friendly and robust platform that responds extremely well to performance upgrades. This car is fully loaded with all the offerings from the F-Sport performance accessory catalog. It also sports a new concept ground-effects body kit designed to complement the increased performance and aggressive stance provided by the F-Sport components
IS F by Import Tuner Magazine/TEIN
Import Tuner Magazine and TEIN suspension company put their collective heads and expertise together to create an IS F that's focused on track performance, while still remaining practical for the street. Weight reduction, added chassis stiffness, special suspension and big sticky tires take care of the corners, while a comprehensive nitrous system boosts the engine for bursts of overtaking power. Coming soon to a track near you.
IS F by 0-60 Magazine
With track performance a common theme among IS F builders, 0-60 Magazine ups the ante on their IS F project with a supercharger to tease out another load of horses from the big V8. Carbon fiber body components reduce weight while lowering the center of gravity and a custom roll cage adds stiffness and protection. A beefy brakeupgrade kit was added to balance the performance equation.
IS F by MotorworldHype.com
MotorworldHype has taken another path that is a bit less aggressive, yet more easily accessible for the average consumer. Lots of carbon to reduce some unwanted mass and a well-rounded package of suspension, brake, engine and cosmetic changes provide sharper responses in all directions.
IS F by Fox Marketing/Artisan Performance
Fox Marketing and Artisan Performance teamed to create this subtle yet aggressive makeover of the already aggressive IS F. The subtle part involves the numerous bodywork changes, which enhance rather than rethink the lines of the IS F, making it look even more muscular in the process. 'Aggressive' can be applied to the engine which gets the full twin-turbo treatment. Fox expects the changes will yield something north of 600 horsepower.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Lexus IS 250 Sports Concept
Lexus has unveiled their new 2008 IS 250 Sports concept. The Sports Concept features a number of mechanical and visual enhancements including brakes, shock absorbers, sway bars, chassis braces, air intake, clutch, short shift kit, exhaust, 19-inch wheels, engine cover and spoilers.
The car is stop by using a six-piston calipers at the front and a four piston at the rear and a set of larger cross drill rotors for the front and the rear. Besides that, Bilstein shock absorbers and springs are fitted to the car as well. While for the performance, a performance intake and a stainless steel exhaust system are also fitted to the car. The final result, the 2.5 liter V6 engine shoud produce around 213 hp.
The manual gearbox receives a short shift kit, resulting in a 35 per cent reduction in fore and aft gearshift movement while a performance clutch delivers a 16 per cent increase in clamping force. Finally, the Sport Concept features a carbon-fibre engine cover, front and rear lip spoilers and lightweight graphite grey, 10-spoke, 19-inch forged aluminium wheels.
