Lexus LF Reviews

The safety recall is to fix electrical and mechanical defects that could cause the vehicles to either stall while being driven, or to go into 'limp home' mode, where they can be driven only at designated lower speeds.The 2006-2008 Lexus RX 400h is being recalled for a problem in the car's hybrid system that could see solder on transistors become heat damaged -- particularly under high load or when towing -- activating warning lights and shutting down the system, causing the vehicle to either go into 'limp home' mode or shut down altogether. The Australian portion of the recall will affect about 1750 Lexus RX400h vehicles built from June 2006 to December 2008. Lexus said there had been no incidents related to the issue reported in Australia, but cautioned care while driving. "Motorists can continue to drive their vehicle, however are advised to avoid towing, or rapid acceleration until the vehicle has been inspected," Lexus spokesperson Beck Angel said. "Motorists are advised to stop driving and contact their preferred Lexus dealer if the engine warning lights illuminate."More than 100,000 Lexus IS 350, IS 350C and GS 350 vehicles from 2006-2011 are also being recalled for a defect in which bolts securing the variable valve timing control device may work loose, causing the vehicle to stop. Lexus has alerted owners that an abnormal noise in the vehicles may show early symptoms of the defect. Affected customers will be notified of the recall by mail at their last known address and asked to make an appointment at their preferred Lexus dealer, where affected parts will be replaced. For further information about the recall, customers can call the Lexus Customer Assistance Centre on 1800 023 009.

Lexus’ concept car for the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show is a preview of the automaker’s new compact crossover due to go on sale next year. That compact crossover will be called the NX and a stylised version of it will be on display next week in Frankfurt in the form of the LF-NX concept car.The LF-NX has an aggressive look to it that’s reminiscent of Lamborghini’s recent crossover concept, the Urus, but it’s not just about looks as many of the lines are actually functional and improve the aerodynamic properties of the vehicle. For example, the vertical lines at the front serve as an air curtain and help channel air flow to the front brakes.At the rear, the light clusters are designed to project downwards to the full depth of the bumper, creating a sharp, aerodynamic trailing edge to the vehicle. Lexus says the design is the latest evolution of its “L-finesse” design language, though don’t expect the production NX to look as aggressive as this concept.That’s because the vehicle will be based on the humble Toyota RAV4 and the two may even share some panels. Inside, there’s a minimalist design with plenty of premium materials and several digital displays. High-tech features include touch-sensitive electrostatic switches and a new touch pad Remote Touch Interface (RTI) system located just ahead of the gear selector.Powering the LF-NX is said to be a new version of the Lexus Hybrid Drive system, which may be matched to an all-wheel-drive setup. Lexus tells us the new system is designed for “SUV performance.” The production NX is expected to feature two powertrain options: a new turbocharged four-cylinder in a NX 200t and a hybrid setup in a NX 300h.www.motorauthority.com 

They still don't offer a diesel RX but Lexus reckons it covers that base with the hybrid model and now, a four cylinder petrol variant called the RX270. The latter is unashamedly aimed at urban SUV buyers as it's a front wheel drive model but features most of the kit on other RX models including a six-speed auto

And so has the scale of the family business. From humble beginnings, with two franchises at Kedron and Windsor on Brisbane's northside, the Sci-Fleet Motors group is now the largest-selling Toyota dealership in Australia, and No.15 in the world.Over the years, it has also added Lexus luxury car dealerships and Hino trucks. All up, they sell more than 20,000 vehicles a year from 10 locations across southeast Queensland.But just like the satisfaction of that whiff of new-car aroma when you first climb behind the wheel, there is one thing that has not changed over those 34 years, according to dealer-principal Andrew Scifleet: An ethos of honesty and reliability. "Those old-fashioned values of customer service which were in place when the first two dealerships were purchased are still in place."The reason, he says, is simple. "Family involvement in all aspects of the business has been a key part of our success."The Scifleets have established themselves as the leading family-owned car dealership group in the Sunshine State. The group is ranked 34 in Queensland's Top 150 Rich List this year, with an estimated wealth of $304 million. Scifleet owns the real estate occupied by the dealerships as well as other property investments.While Mr Scifleet, 41, is usually the public face of the company, his older sisters - Jane, Allison, Kathryn, Sarah and her husband Craig - all hold important roles.The third generation is also starting to make its mark. "I have a nephew who works as one of our company accountants, his sister works with our management team and their younger brother is involved in our used-car operations and is working his way through departments to gain a real understanding of the business."We have strong governance from a family business point of view and an understanding of how everyone should be involved in the business. It enables us to reinforce our family values across the generations." The family business has tried to foster that same sense of belonging among the 450-odd workforce. More than one in five employees has been with the company for more than a decade, many for 30 years."We've really allowed our staff to come in and run the business as if it were their own," Mr Scifleet says. "We're here to guide the ship and make sure we're heading in the right direction. However, we put a lot of trust and responsibility in our staff. "Our steady growth over the years has enabled us to fulfil another important philosophy - promoting from within the organisation.""Steady growth" could be seen as an understatement for the largest-selling Toyota dealer in the country since 1999. It runs Toyota dealerships at Kedron, Albion and Taringa; Lexus showrooms at Indooroopilly, Fortitude Valley, Southport and Maroochydore; and Hino outlets at Coopers Plains, Kedron and Nerang; as well as huge parts, pre-delivery and vehicle storage facilities.The car sales sector has been a standout performer over the past couple of years, helped by low interest rates. Overall, the industry grew just over 10 per cent in the 12 months to December 2012, while Sci-Fleet Motors rose by double that. They head five entries from the motor sales industry in this year's list, including three debutants.Despite a dip in the dollar and the downturn in the mining sector, which had helped boost sales, Mr Scifleet is optimistic. "We are definitely set up to expand and grow." In addition to Sci-Fleet Motors itself, the family owns two-thirds of Auto Corner Pty Ltd, which runs Toyota, Mazda and Hyundai dealerships at Mackay.And they have a half-share in the Tweed Heads-based South Coast Automotive group, which sells a range of makes. Mr Scifleet says despite the size of the business today, the family group has not forgotten its roots, or the customers' support over the years, and it is strongly motivated to give back to the community and charities.Recent causes include the Ride to Conquer Motor Neurone Disease and Go Blue for Autism Day. The group's Lexus Owners gift program donates equipment to charity on behalf of customers. "Our parents have set a wonderful example for us. In particular our mother is the glue that holds the family together. She is completely selfless and does so much for so many," Mr Scifleet says."According to my father, she is a true matriarch in the finest tradition. In his words, she would have made a wonderful elephant!" Mr Scifleet has a connection to another animal. The company has been a supporter of Australia Zoo for nearly a decade. Mr Scifleet even joined one of the expeditions to Cape York to attach satellite transmitters to crocodiles - and the late Steve Irwin named a huge saltie "Sci-Fleet" after him.Like many blokes, Mr Scifleet loves cars and he's had the chance to put plenty through their paces. "The Lexus LFA has been the best by far. I was very fortunate to attend the launch of this supercar at The Nurburgring in Germany. It was a big thrill to drive it on such a renowned racetrack."He was so impressed by the $700,000 V10 machine - which has a top speed of 325km/h and can accelerate from a standing start to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds - that the family bought one to use as a promotional tool for the company.It's one of only 10 in Australia and 500 worldwide. Last October, they turned it pink, using a special vinyl wrap to help Queensland Reds and Wallabies rugby twins Anthony and Saia Fainga'a raise awareness for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. 

No details were released with the teaser, so we can only guess what the Japanese automaker has in store. The teaser shows the headlight of the concept as well as part of its grille. The design of the light resembles the design used on the 2014 IS sedan as well as the LC-CC concept from 2012, which served as a preview of the latest IS as well as the automaker's upcoming RC coupe.The new concept could well be a preview of another Lexus model still in the works: a compact crossover tipped to be called the NX. However, a concept version of the NX is thought to be on track for a reveal at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show in late November. This means that the teaser is likely to be for a new coupe concept that will preview the aforementioned RC.The RC is essentially an IS coupe and is expected to land in showrooms next year as a 2015 model. It will compete against the Audi A5 and BMW 4-Series and will spawn an RC F performance variant. Lexus has major motorsport ambitions for the RC and has already announced that a version of the car will compete in Japan’s Super GT touring car series.www.motorauthority.com 

The third-generation IS range is very good and will be causing quite a bit of worry at Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. It is unfair to suggest that Lexus is simply a luxurious Toyota. The brand stands alone and apart from the Japanese giant but, despite this, badge snobs are reluctant to have a bar of the Lexus marque. However, to ignore the new IS is foolish.Sales of the new model are up by 6.5 per cent this year to 1437, behind the C-Class (3476), 3-Series (3284) and A4 (1610), all of which are down on this time last year. The IS 350, as tested, jumped 115 per cent last month and is up 14.5 per cent for the year. So the Germans should be anxious.The review car in metallic black was the IS 350 Luxury, which sells for $73,039 drive away. It sits at the bottom of the IS 350 range with the F Sport and the Sports Luxury higher up the ladder at about $80K and $92K a piece. There are also the smaller-engine IS 250 from about $61K and the hybrid IS 300 from $65K.There's nothing new in the engine department, apart from the hybrid-electric 300h. The third-gen model comes with the same 2.5- and 3.5-litre V6 units, which have been tickled but not given a big makeover. Still, they are smooth and, in the 350, relatively grunty.I like the look of the new IS. It's more aggressive than the previous model and looks wider, sleeker and even more aggro in F sport models, particularly in lighter colours and with the honeycomb grille. It gets a bit lost in dark colours, such as the metallic black of the review vehicle.The interior is a massive step up, more stylish and roomy. Lexus says the new IS has 170mm of clearance to the front seatbacks. There's far better rear knee and head space, thanks to a 70mm longer wheelbase, and much of the panache found in the larger GS.The cockpit has well laid-out instruments, nifty ventilation dials, a chunky steering wheel and the computer mouse-style remote-touch controller on the transmission tunnel.Standard equipment outstrips the Germans, including satellite navigation, reversing camera, smart entry with push-button start, heated and ventilated leather-accented front seats, a digital radio, eight airbags, dual-zone climate-control air, Bluetooth with audio streaming, bi-xenon headlights with daytime-running lights, a 7-inch colour media display and Drive Mode select.The base audio system has eight speakers, while two USB inputs are also standard: one for your USB thumb drive while you simultaneously charge your phone. Lexus says you would have to spend 20 to 30 per cent more to get the same levels in an Audi A4, BMW 3 Series or Benz C-Class. With the high level of gear, plus the Japanese brand's longer-than-average four-year warranty and its legendary high levels of service, it all makes for a remarkable value proposition.There's the expected suite of electronic driver aids, plus eight airbags, a reversing camera and tyre-pressure monitoring. The car also has a bonnet that pops up to minimise pedestrian injury. The downsides? The cruise control stalk on the steering column is straight out of a Toyota Corolla and the foot-operated parking brake is an ergonomic disaster. And there's no head-up display available, something you can now get on a VF Commodore and in the next Mazda3.With 233kw/378Nm on tap, the IS 350 is lively enough with the signature Lexus refinement and sound-deadening to make travel serene on all but coarse bitumen road surfaces. It still has a lovely, deep gurgling note and is smooth as butter with a delicious growl towards the redline. New to this variant is an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters lifted from the old V8 IS F dynamo.This is smooth and slips virtually imperceptibly in most typical situations, with its only weak spot being the occasional annoying persistence to shift up - even while in manual mode. The IS 350 is composed and eager to corner with enthusiasm, although the ESP will easily intervene if you go over the top. It corners with balance, the steering is fast and accurate. It's the best-handling Lexus by far. The 350 easily devoured the mountain roads and was a lot of fun in the twisties.I was able to string a series of corners together well on the Targa Tasmania-like undulating and tightish corners, but it lost a bit of composure on the sections of second-rate surfaces. The ride can be a bit jittery around town and on the firmish side. Fuel consumption is not good, however. I recorded 13.5L/100km, when Lexus claims 9.7. Admittedly, there was some spirited driving during last weekend's tryout but on the highway stretches I stuck rigidly to 100km/h.The IS, particularly the 350, is now a true competitor to be measured against the Germans, such as Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. It smashes them for equipment and warranty, the styling is distinctive and desirable and the quality top class. The cabin has stepped up to the mark and there's far more room inside.

Just a few years ago, Toyota's future seemed pretty grim. In 2010, the automaker initiated a huge recall of Toyota and Lexus vehicles, which generated months of bad press and, for some consumers, a lingering mistrust of the brand. (Even though some claims of “unintended acceleration” turned out to be hoaxes.)In March of the following year, Toyota and other Japanese automakers suffered a crippling blow in the wake of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. The twin disasters caused more than 15,000 deaths, destroyed countless homes, businesses, and factories, and seriously curtailed Toyota's ability to produce vehicles.The situation only got worse in the second half of 2011, as flooding in Thailand took another bite out of Toyota's manufacturing capacity. But things are very different now. The recall headlines are gone, if not forgotten, and Toyota's production has returned to previous levels. And that may explain, in part, why Toyota is now the world's biggest automaker.According to Detroit News, Toyota sold 4.91 million vehicles during the first six months of the year. That gives Toyota a slim lead over #2 automaker General Motors, which sold 4.85 million vehicles from January 1 through June 30. (Volkswagen came in third with 4.7 million.)Toyota can't rest on its laurels, though. The company's sales are off 1.2 per cent for the year, hurt largely by slow sales in China, where Toyota and other Japanese automakers have endured boycotts and problems in the wake of territorial disputes between Japan and China.General Motors, on the other hand, is on a roll, with sales up four per cent in the U.S. this year. And for a portion of the second quarter, GM even outpaced Toyota's global sales.What's keeping Toyota ahead of the pack? The answer could be as simple as its heavy trucks -- the sort of trucks that GM doesn't make. As the world's economy recovers, causing upticks in construction, shipping, and other industries, sales of big trucks are growing. That gives Toyota something of an edge -- at least for now.www.thecarconnection.com 

Lexus Australia has launched a special edition RX 270 with a range of ‘extras’ usually seen only on higher grade models.The Lexus RX 'X' Special Edition package is based on the RX 270, the entry model in the RX range. It is being produced in limited numbers, with just 300 destined for the Australian market. Styling changes in the special edition are achieved by the use of the RX Sports Luxury front bumper; 19-inch alloy wheels and 'X' exterior badges.VALUELexus Australia tells us the upgrades give over $7000 in added value, but it sells for the same recommended retail price of $69,400 as the base grade RX 270.TECHNOLOGYInside you will find heated front seats; a Smart Key Card, that fits in a wallet or purse, cleverly it even lets the driver open the doors and start the engine if the Smart Key batteries are flat; Head Up Display that projects important information on the windscreen, such as speed, satellite navigation directions, gear position and audio settings; and a luggage tray for stowing items and protecting cargo area trim.Externally, the Lexus RX 270 ‘X’ package provides Clearance and Back Sonar to assist when parking in tight spaces; an Adaptive Front lighting System, this swivels the headlamps when travelling around tight bends; and Illuminated scuff plates.A year ago Lexus gave its popular RX range of SUVs a mid-life facelift. Even more important was the introduction of a 2WD model for the first time. Tagged the RX 270 it had a four-cylinder engine, previously all Lexus RX models came with all-wheel-drive and a V6 engine.The lighter weight of the RX 2WD (that drives through the front wheels) means there was less loss in performance than you might expect given the smaller engine.Lexus cars are about comfort, quietness and refinement and the Lexus RX 270 certainly doesn’t disappoint. The Lexus RX range has significantly less ground clearance than the typical crossover. This means it has road holding and ride comfort closer to that of a station wagon than an SUV.INTERIORInterior materials and the quality of fit and finish of the body and cabin are immaculate in all models and the entry level RX 270 certainly doesn’t miss out.Interior room in one of the RX wagons is good for two adults and three children, but three adults in the back seats starts to squeeze their friendship. Boot space is reasonable considering the stylish slope of the rear window, but carrying boxy items can be a problem. The rear seat has a handy 40/20/40 split.COLOURSThe RX 270 'X' Special Edition is available in five exterior colours: White Pearl, Mercury Grey, Premium Silver, Starlight Black and Garnet Red, and two interior colours: Ivory and Black.

This hotrod F- model is being tested, not surprisingly, at the Nurburgring in Germany in readiness for a battle with the upcoming BMW M4 coupe. There are also likely to be trimmed-down IS Coupes that build from a body that's slightly wider and longer than the new four-door model. Here in 2014 for around $160,000.