Friday, June 24, 2011, AutomotiveWorld.com
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The world’s largest custom car show celebrated the sporting side of Lexus at the weekend with five tuned and modified cars on display at the Tokyo Auto Salon.
Even though its public launch is still a few months away, the new CT 200h was revealed in special F-Sport guise, with an array of sporting accessories including alloy wheels, a body kit by Modellista and Recaro sports seats.
It was joined by two new versions of the ultra-high performance IS F: the CCS-R (Circuit Club Sport Racer) and Club Performance Accessory.
The CCS-R is true to the tradition of lightweight track saloons, featuring carbon fibre body panels, including front and rear spoilers, bonnet and boot lid, and a new frameless construction roll cage and polycarbonate windows. Inside there’s further extensive use of carbon fibre for the dashboard, centre console and door trims, while the racing details extend to a six-point safety harness and short-diameter steering wheel with paddle shifts. The car is performance-engineered, too, with racing suspension, brakes, cooling and exhaust, plus a mechanical limited-slip differential and forged alloys shod with slick tyres.
TRD (Toyota Racing Department) has created the IS F Club Performance Accessory, giving the most powerful member of the IS family an even bolder appearance with spoilers fore and aft, a rear diffuser and a carbon fibre hood. Again, more carbon fibre material is used in the cabin, along with sports seats finished in bright orange. Sports suspension and brakes, a titanium exhaust, magnesium wheels and a mechanical LSD complete the package.
Gazoo Racing presented its racing version of the Lexus LFA supercar, which enjoyed success at last year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours race, and TOM’s offered a new interpretation of the LS 460 limousine.
Lexus announced the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) for the all-new 2011 CT 200h hybrid, which will be priced at $29,120. The MSRP does not include a delivery, processing and handling fee of $875. When it arrives at dealerships in early March, it will be the fifth hybrid in the Lexus lineup and have the luxury industry’s best overall combined fuel economy at 42 mpg. With its starting price of $29,120, CT 200h will have the most attractive price point in the Lexus lineup and offer the level of refinement, quality and reliability that customers have come to expect.
“For just $1,000 more than the cost of a non-luxury hybrid, buyers can indulge in a CT 200h with our proven Lexus Hybrid Drive technology,” said Mark Templin, group vice president and general manager, Lexus Division. “Lexus hybrids currently make up 90 percent of all luxury hybrid sales in the U.S., so you can imagine how excited we are to continue our leadership in this market with the CT 200h.”
The CT 200h emits approximately 60 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new car, and has EPA-estimated ratings of 43 mpg city and 40 mpg on the highway utilizing regular 87-octane gasoline. Moreover, the CT 200h can be operated in a switchable EV mode which generates zero emissions.
In addition to the EV and Normal drive modes, the CT 200h offers Sport and Eco modes which can help enhance either performance and dynamic ability or driving efficiency, fuel economy and emissions. EV, Eco and Normal drive modes emphasize ride comfort and smooth acceleration.
Sport mode maximizes the CT 200h’s performance and agility. The throttle and Electric Power Steering (EPS) settings are modified. In addition, Sport mode provides less intrusive operation of the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC) systems. When Sport mode is selected, instrument panel lighting changes from blue to red and the hybrid power indicator is replaced with a tachometer.
To further enhance the overall driving experience, CT 200h features a sporty, wide-grip steering wheel and strategically angled pedals, and drivers sit in a low, 10-way power seat with a long seat cushion, lumbar support, and aggressive side bolsters. The hybrid also features a unique Yamaha front and rear lateral performance damping system. It’s designed to absorb and minimize undesirable body vibrations, offer a more linear steering feel, and further contribute to ride comfort.
“With its low emissions, great fuel economy, four driving modes, and performance dampers, CT proves that you can use ‘fun-to-drive’ and ‘hybrid’ in the same sentence,” said Templin.
Standard features on the CT 200h include SmartAccess with push-button Start/Stop and touch sensors on exterior front-door handles; leather steering wheel; a six-speaker, audio system with a CD player, and Bluetooth® for phone and music streaming capabilities; integrated satellite radio receiver (includes complimentary 90-day trial subscription); USB/iPod® connectivity; 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels; and dual zone automatic climate control. The CT 200h also incorporates a standard eight-airbag Supplemental Restraint System.
Lexus has developed a unique electronic device holder that will be included in every CT. This simple console-mounted holder can easily accommodate most cell phones, music players, or portable navigation devices, keeping the device in close proximity to the power and USB ports on the console.
The optional sixth-generation navigation system features a backup camera and Lexus’ exclusive Remote Touch controller with user-adjustable haptic feedback. The innovative controller, similar to a computer mouse, eliminates the need for touch screen controls, allowing the pop-up navigation system screen to be mounted further up the center stack and away from the driver. This helps the driver benefit with a clear, high-resolution screen, improved site lines and reduced eye movement.
For comfort and convenience, the CT 200h is available with a moonroof and heated seats. Consumers can also add an optional Premium Audio Package which includes the Lexus premium audio system with 10-speakers and six-disc CD changer, HomeLink and electrochromic rearview mirror with compass. An optional Leather Package includes perforated leather seats, heated front seats, driver memory, and rain sensing wipers. Other optional equipment available for the CT 200h includes: LED headlights with headlamp cleaners, backup camera in rearview mirror, and Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.
Improving its environmental performance, several of the CT 200h’s larger components including the loadspace deck sides, deck board and deck board trim have been fabricated from a bioplastic material containing 30 percent plant-based resin. This helps in reduction of carbon emissions over the life of the vehicle. New for the CT 200h is the standard NuLuxe seat material that looks and feels like leather to driver and passengers, but is manufactured with the environment in mind.
Lexus Enform® with Safety Connect® is a telematics system available by subscription. Lexus Safety Connect is standard on all CT 200h models, while Lexus Enform is only available with navigation-equipped vehicles. Complimentary one-year trial subscriptions of Lexus Enform with Safety Connect are included. The Lexus Enform and the Safety Connect response center operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – every day of the year.
Lexus InsiderTM, a complimentary, opt-in service available without a subscription, is also standard on Lexus Enform-equipped CT 200h vehicles. The service offers in-vehicle audio casts with useful vehicle tips and event information, as well as insights into exclusive owners’ benefits. As part of the Lexus Enform navigation platform, XM NavTraffic® and XM NavWeatherTM are available via individual XM® subscriptions. Navigation-equipped vehicles also have the availability of XM® Sports and Stocks, a service that is included with an XM® satellite radio subscription. All XM services include a complimentary 90-day trial subscription.
Shahzad Sheikh
30 December 2010
UAE dealers for Lexus, Al-Futtaim Motors, has launched a new website which allows you to ‘hold’ a holographic model of our Sports Saloon of the Year, the Lexus IS F in your hand and rotate it through 360 degrees to see it from every angle, whilst changing its colour.
The virtual voodoo is called ‘Augmented Reality (AR)’ technology and allows you to ‘see’ a virtual computer generated image by visiting www.lexus.ae/isf.
All you’ll need to make it work is a printer and a webcam. When you get to the website, print the ‘marker’, paste it on something flat then stick it in front of the webcam.
Saud Abbasi, General Manager for Lexus, Al-Futtaim Motors, explained: ‘Year on year Al-Futtaim Motors presents dramatic new technical developments from the Lexus stable and 2011 is no exception. The new 2011 model range demonstrates the brand’s shift from its traditional attributes of luxurious refinement to a real focus on power and performance with the launch of the IS F high performance luxury sports sedan.’
He continued: ‘We have continued our commitment to the development of cutting edge technology and enhancement of the driver’s ownership experience by integrating technology into our Lexus IS F marketing campaign. The interactive website allows users to connect with the Lexus IS F unlike any other previous Lexus campaign. Certainly, customers excited attracted to the ultimate ownership experience the Lexus IS F offers, will enjoy the engagement the website offers.’
Shahzad Sheikh
27 December 2010
The Lexus LX570 luxury-off roader is getting a lick of new paint and a trim upgrade for the 2011 model year. UAE’s Al-Futtaim Motors has revealed that the flagship SUV will get the new soft semi aniline leather dyed in saddle tan tone and matched with a black tonality. The two-tone effect is continued on the dash and door panels.
On the outside it comes with a new exterior colour called ‘Starlight Black’ which features ‘the sparkles of sparkles of a star filled night sky through a new “glass fake” photo luminescent material’. Now that’s got to be worth the entry-price alone – just don’t go losing it on a starry night!
The rest is unchanged so the same 5.7 litre V8 engine offering 362bhp with all the extraordinary gadgets and goodies. Saud Abbasi of Lexus said: ‘The styling revisions for the 2011 LX range are part of the brand’s strategy to broaden the appeal of the entire 2011 model year Lexus range by infusing new characteristics within the design element to enhance the emotional aspect of the brand.’
All 2011 LX570s are available with a five year warranty.
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