Lexus LF Reviews

The compact, front-drive price leader will be revealed next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The styling sketch gives very few hints beyond the basic shape, as the finished concept car could easily have either three or five doors.Regardless, the Premium Compact Concept is aimed straight at the BMW 1 Series and Audi's A3. Lexus says the car will ‘demonstrate a mix of technical innovation and ground breaking design’, but refuses any more information until September 15.

Like the fact that in 1934 it was the first front-wheel drive car (traction avant is French for front-wheel drive), its engine had overhead valves not side valves like most at the time, it had torsion bar suspension and a monocoque chassis and in 1937 was the first with rack-and-pinion steering. "I like things that are a bit different," he says. Wade's obsession with Citroens started "by accident". His first restored car was a 1930s Mercedes-Benz 150 S which he sold when he was offered "a fair price". He was on the lookout for another old car to restore when his father stumbled on an old Citroen Traction Avant. Believing it was a rare 1937 model, they bought it only to be told later by a Citroen Car Club historian that it was a French-made 1951 "Light 15" (15 horsepower). They paid $1000 for it, sold it in 1984 for $3500 and bought it back again 10 years ago for $6000. "I've since spent about $10,000 on it and have a fair bit to go," he says. His restoration has included "de-modernising" the car by replacing blinker lights with pop-up indicators, removing seat belts and restoring the single taillight. It's not the only Traction Avant in his garage. The other is a rare gem. "We were looking around for bits and pieces to restore the '51 and ended up buying a restored '48 and '40s wreck," he says. The wreck turned out to be a very rare Avant Light 15 1940 model that was built in October 1939. "Because of the war, parts were scarce, so only 400 were built," he says. They were divided up into several models: Roadsters, Light 12, Light 15, Big 15 (wider and longer) and Big 6 (six cylinder). "There are only two Light 15s left in the world. The other one is owned by an Argentinian pilot who I speak with occasionally," he says. "I didn't realise it was so rare when I bought it." The car is insured for $25,000, but Wade believes it could be worth a lot more. Traction Avants were made in Paris and in Slough, England, from where Australia got most of its models. Wade explains that the English models were better equipped but cheaper because they had more than 50 per cent parts from the UK, such as all Lucas electrics, which meant they qualified for lower Commonwealth import tariffs into Australia. Of the 750,000 Traction Avants built, only 26,000 were made in England, making them rarer. Wade said the UK cars had leather upholstery, chrome headlights, carpets and wood trim while the French-made cars had rubber mats on the floor, plastic trim and cloth seats. Wade's passion for the French marque extends throughout his backyard shed which also houses a 1977 GS Pallas, 2007 C5, 1996 Xantia, 1978 GS Pallas and 1980 Visa. Wade claims the Visa is also a rarity as one of only two left in Australia; the other being in Melbourne. His Visa was owned by rally legend Jim Reddiex and features a two-cylinder, 650cc engine like in the 2CV. "The trouble is there are too many cars here to choose from," he says. "That is what you tend to do with Citroens." Wade will show his Traction Avants at a 75th anniversary celebration at Cleveland Park in Brisbane on September 27. Among the 20-odd cars expected is one that ran in the 1954 Redex Trial.

The front-wheel drive compact will drop in below the existing IS sedan and run straight up against the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3. The target starting price is less than $50,000 and it would quickly become the best seller in the Lexus range in Australia."We'll continue to add products. Next is the non-confirmed entry-level Lexus," says the head of Lexus Australia, John Roca."We've been discussing it for a number of years. It is looking like it won't be an entry-level SUV, but an entry-level passenger car. It would be a 1-Series competitor, or an A3. It's not confirmed yet, but we're thinking 2011."Overseas reports point to a CT badge on the car and production early in 2011, despite earlier rumours of BS or CS nameplate, and it is expected to be a premium hatchback in the C-size segment.Work on the C-Premium Lexus has been underway for more than three years and it should be unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in October. Lexus has registered three trademarks for the car in America - CT 200h, CT 300h and CT 400h - already pointing to a hybrid powertrain.While the CT is still well in the future, Lexus is pushing hard to recover lost ground in Australia before the end of the year. "Yes, our results were down 32 per cent on last year by June. We expected it. The luxury market is down 33 per cent, so we're online with that," Roca says."But we expect the second half of the year to be stronger than the first." That strength will come from the push with the RX SUVs and the IS convertible, which are right in Lexus heartland.Still, Roca is the first to admit his brand does not have the depth to compete with Benz, BMW and Audi. "We're playing rugby 15s with six players. Why aren't the other guys doing better with 15 players in all 15 segments," he says. "We are still in position four in the luxury market, which isn't bad."

The RX450h is touted as the world’s most efficient luxury hybrid SUV. Both have a lot to prove but going by the effort it seems Lexus have put into both vehicles, it seems they may deliver.EngineThe RX350 is powered by a water-cooled 3.5 litre quad cam, dual VVT-i V6 that puts out 204kW at 6200rpm and 346Nm at 4700rpm.   The RX450h moves with a 3.5 litre Atkinson-cycle V6 that makes full use of combustion energy by making the expansion stroke longer than the compression stroke. It is coupled with a rear mounted electric motor generator that lets the four wheels perform regenerative braking which in turn charges the hybrid battery.It puts out 183kW(220kW combined) at 6000rpm and 317Nm at 4800rpm.  Power to the wheels for both 4WD’s is achieved via a sequential-shift six-speed transmission.  Both cars will sprint from 0-100km/h in around eight seconds.Fuel consumption for the 350 has a combined rate of about 10.8l/100km - 4.4 litres higher than the hybrid at 6.4l/100km - and it outputs 254g/km of CO2, again substantially higher than the hybrid at 150g/km.ExteriorOutside, you could mistake the 350 and the 450h as the same car but if you look a little closer there are a few design tweaks that set them apart.  Both are imposing presences on the road at almost five meters long and two meters wide, sitting on big 18 or 19 inch alloys.But the hybrid has a modified grille design and gets blue accents on the headlights and tail lights and on the Lexus emblem and ‘hybrid’ badges.InteriorA completely new cabin design in the RX350 is carried across to the RX450h, again barring a few minor adjustments.  According to Lexus the cockpit has been divided into two zones; ‘display’ and ‘operation’, to provide information to the occupants effortlessly, and there is a mouse-like control stick on the centre console that navigates the multi-function display.The dash then is clutter free and gives the cabin an open airy feeling. The driving position is good, helped by the supportive and electronically adjustable leather bucket seats.  Enhanced climate control, Bluetooth compatibility, satellite navigation, a quality sound system and a head up display are standard but should be expected in vehicles at this level.The blue theme continues in the hybrid with blue accented meters. There is also a hybrid system indicator replacing the tachometer.   Both cars have adequate storage throughout including map pockets, cup and bottle holders and a large 21 litre centre console bin.The seats split 40/20/40 - the rear seats fold down flat - and have a quick release system. With all seats up and the parcel blind in place, the back holds 446 litres. There are also compartments under the cargo floor.SafetySafety is a certainly a feature in the 350 and 450h. On top of a comprehensive airbag package, both SUV’s have electronically controlled braking, anti-lock brakes, brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control, vehicle stability control and vehicle dynamics integrated management.DrivingOne of our colleagues here at Carsguide referred to both cars as land yachts. We though that was a little unfair but did find them a little boofy at times, especially when trying to navigate round tight city streets come peak hour, and our ludicrously narrow car park here at work.But give them a bit more room and both ooze luxury and swallow potholes and ruts like the road is heavily under-laid plush pile. The 450h pips the 350 slightly for interior quality but so it should. Everything is at arms length and if you couldn’t be bothered looking for it, just fiddle around on the steering wheel controls and it’ll turn up.For such big units they’re quite toey too – eights seconds isn’t bad for a boat with wheels. Although the hybrid does take a little nanna nap – switches to electric power - when it meanders at low speed, and needs a nudge to kick it over to the petrol motor and get going properly.The big SUV’s do a great job ducking into and accelerating out of corners with grip like cars half their size and the new anchors keep you feeling nice and safe. The electric leather bucket seats have great side bolstering for added support and comfort too.Both cars live up to what they are supposed to be – quality, luxury SUV’s – no question. One thing that we couldn’t help wondering though was why can’t Lexus, and a lot of other car makers for that matter, work a bit harder to making these things look a bit cooler on the outside. Given the skill and man hours devoted to their hybrid technology, surely knocking a shape together that doesn’t necessarily match pearls, ain’t that hard.

A small slice of spring sunshine cuts through the winter chill this week.It comes from the Lexus IS 250C, a droptop with a difference. Or two.For a start, it has four roomy seats. And it is relatively affordable with pricing from $79,900. And it proves again that Lexus really can do good cars, even if they don't have a BMW or Benz badge, when it moves away from Japo-bland.The hardtop convertible is surprisingly taut and enjoyable to drive, even if it could do with a bit more punch. And some extra boot space when you're running top-down.The C is the second stretch from the Lexus IS, following the grunty, V8-powered IS-F. It should have been the second and third, because the original plan was to build both a coupe and a cloth-roof convertible from the basis of the four-door sedan.But smart thinking, a bit of customer research _ and a second look at the budget _ showed Lexus that convertible customers really want a coupe which can do an origami transformation to open for the sun.So the 250C got the go-ahead and project boss Kiiechi Yoneda, a body expert who is also responsible for the carbon fibre work on the upcoming Lexus LF-A supercar, decided immediately to go for an inhouse roof job with three panels and electric operation. And an overkill on stiffening."Our development concept key word was 'open'. And we wanted to maximise the driving pleasure with the roof down," he says in Australia this week."As you would expect, we started the design from the top down. And all exterior parts, except only four parts - bonnet, headlamps, door mirrors and door handles - were designed exclusively for the ISC."So the second Lexus after the SC, a lamentable soft cruiser, is intended for people who enjoy driving and not just parking or posing.That's why it has - count them - seven body strengthening panels below the floor, a tail end set to minimise cabin buffeting, and a suspension system which has been comprehensively tweaked from the basic IS.There is a weight penalty of around 130 kilograms over the sedan, with 60 down to the roof, another 60 in reinforcement, and 10 kilos in things like the luggage cover and folding rear headrest.The mechanical package is familiar and proven, from the 153 kiloWatt 2.5-litre V6 engine to the six-speed sequential automatic gearbox and rear-wheel drive. Suspension is fully independent and there is anti- skid braking, ESP stability control and more.There are three models in the ISC lineup, starting with the Prestige and moving through Sports to Sports Luxury at $99,900. The numbers give the car at least a $15,000 edge over its realistic rivals, led by the BMW 3-Series convertible, and Lexus is talking tough despite only aiming for around 25 sales a month."I like to think our competition is just over-priced. Our pricing is not apologetic, it's realistic," says Lexus boss, John Roca."Unlike our rivals, we've long believed that consumers need simplicity in their ownership and purchase experience."DRIVING The ISC is a good car. It drives well with the top up and with the top down there is almost no shaking or wind rush.This comes as a major shock after the SC _ which makes the hairdresser's Celica look like a muscle car _ and because Lexus could easily have shortcut and cashed-in a price advantage over its European rivals from Audi, BMW, Benz, Saab and Volvo.Instead, the car looks different enough from a regular IS to turn a few heads, the quality is right on the button, there is good space inside and the droptop conversion is seamless and effective.The attention to detail even runs to an electric passenger seat which operates twice as quickly as a four-door IS, to make rear-seat access quicker and easier. And the back seat really has space for two adults.The car was even tested in Australia to check its dust sealing and rigidity, on a trip last year when Yoneda learned that blowflies do not taste good.Still, the roof will only fold when you are completely stopped and the top-down storage is not good. It might be as good as its rivals but it looks like you're short-changed when you lose so much from the top-up luggage space, and when Lexus admits there is a package for luggage in the back seat.The ISC gets along well enough, with a neutral handling balance and solid brakes, although the ESP steps in far too early in corners and the automatic gearbox still wants to take control with automatic upshifts when you want to hold a gear for corners.Sporty drivers would appreciate the 3.5-litre engine, which could be coming, but the 2.5 makes it a well-balanced package.The ISC feels like a coupe with the roof up and loses very little in strength when it is down, with just a minor tremor through the body over corrugations and zero loss of suspension control through bumps and undulations. There were a couple of minor creaks in the press preview car, but nothing which could not be cured with a visit to a Lexus-style technician.Best of all, when you put the top down there is only very minor wind ruffling up to 110km/h and you don't have to shout at your passenger.The new Lexus is a match for the best in its class on all the important convertible points and, for the price, it is a clear winner.Lexus IS 250C Price: from $79,900 to $99,900Engine: 2.5-litre V6Power: 153kW/6400revsTorque: 252Nm/4800revsTransmission: six-speed automatic, rear-wheel drivePerformance: top speed 210km/h, 0-100km/h 9.0sEconomy: 9.3L/100kmEmissions: 219grams/km

The compact, affordable, sporty hybrid was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show at the start of this year as part of a plan to bring petrol- electric power to younger, keener drivers.It was originally only set for the USA but talk at Detroit included a right-hand drive model and sales in Australia.Now, sadly, the plan is dead. "We won't get it," Dave Buttner says simply.The HS plan copped the chop because it could not be certified for sales in Europe and there was insufficient demand from other right- hand drive countries."Europe is not taking it so we won't get it. It's going to be USA only," Buttner says.

Toyota alone has plans for eight hybrids and they will be joined by everything up to super-luxury petrol-electric cars from Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. With a growing number of fuel-efficient diesel cars also landing from Europe, the number of bowser wowsers will soar as quickly as fuel economy falls. Toyota yesterday unveiled its third-generation Prius, the global hybrid poster car, with the promise of everything from 3.9 litre/100km fuel economy and CO2 emissions of 89 grams/kilometre to eco-plastics in the cabin and a solar roof panel to cool the cabin when the car is parked. But hybrids are still not cheap and parking a new Prius in the driveway will cost a minimum of $39,990. The Prius previews some of the technology to be seen next year in the company's first locally-made hybrid, a version of the Camry, and sets the benchmark for the upcoming Honda Insight. It will be the Prius's closest showroom challenger, although slightly smaller, with a pricetag set close to $30,000. Toyota Australia is aiming for 4500 Prius sales next year, in a global total which could go as high at 300,000 in 88 countries worldwide. "In future years hybrids will become the mainstream cars," the chief engineer of the new Prius, Akihiko Otsuka, said yesterday. The Prius push comes as a growing number of carmakers look for a fuel- efficient solution to the world's energy needs, as well as a segway to the all-electric cars which will eventually take over from petrol power. For Toyota, and its Lexus luxury brand, that will mean eight new models led by the Prius, local Camry and a compact Lexus called the HS250h. There is no talk yet of either a HiLux hybrid or any diesel- electric hybrid. "We have looked at diesel but it would be too expensive for the consumer," said Otsuka. The Prius has now been sold in Australia for eight years, although Honda was first into showrooms with its original Insight and still has the hybrid price leader with its Civic. But this is not as technologically advanced as the Prius. AUSTRALIA'S FAVOURITE HYBRIDS Toyota Prius Price: $39,990 Economy: 3.9L/100km Emissions: 89g/km Honda Civic Hybrid Price: $35,990 Economy: 4.6L/100km Emissions: 109g/100km Lexus RX450h Price: $89,900 Economy: 6.4L/100km Emissions: 150g/km

"There are very few hard-core, dark-green environmentalists, but those who are strictly hybrid buyers," he said. "Dark greenies are very savvy about the product. Sometimes they even educate our salespeople. "They know that 90 per cent of our battery is recyclable and dispensed of properly. "Dark greens won't even look at diesel." However, he wouldn't rule out Lexus making a diesel hybrid in the future. "The good thing about our hybrid system is that it can be adapted to diesel," he said. Another attraction of hybrids was that the production process was becoming cheaper, making the vehicles more affordable. "The RX hybrid is the cheapest Lexus hybrid yet and represents excellent value for money," he said. "Diesel vehicle prices are going up, but hybrid prices are coming down." Roca said they needed an entry level hybrid to attract younger buyers but said the planned mid-sized HS250h hybrid sedan was not yet confirmed for Australia. "I don't know if it would be entry level either. It's more of an ES size. "But we do need an entry-level hybrid. "Our average hybrid owner is five years older than the equivalent petrol model buyer. "With the petrol RX the average age is 45, so the hybrid is about 50, but I think the average age will come down for the RX400h mainly because of the more affordable price." Roca said he hoped other manufacturers would turn to hybrid technology. "I can't wait for others to go hybrid because then we won't have to educate the market on our own," he said.

Thanks to combined fuel economy less than seven litres per 100km, the new RX is the first hybrid to qualify for partial exemption on the luxury car tax which means a saving to buyers of about $4000.Lexus Australia boss John Roca said the price reduction was not only due to luxury tax exemptions up to $75,000 of the price but also more efficient hybrid technology production.Buyers of the base model Prestige will pay a recommended retail price of $89,990, which is $8000 below the previous model RX400h, even though it comes with more features such as smart start, a 12-speaker sound system and remote touch computer system.“It (hybrids) will continue to become more affordable as hybrid technology progresses,” Roca said.RX hybrid was the cheapest Lexus hybrid yet and represented excellent value for money, he said.Lexus has three months of orders already even though buyers were not aware of the final price.“Dealers have been assuming that the price would go about $10,000 on the previous model,” Roca said.The RX450h comes in three trim levels, mirroring the RX350 launched in February: the Prestige, the Sports ($96,900) and the Sports Luxury ($107,900).Roca said they expected to sell 60 a month which was a 70 per cent increase on the RX400h and would represent 30 per cent of all RX sales.The new RX hybrid is 10 per cent more powerful than the RX400h with a combined peak power output of 220kW and 23 per cent more efficient with economy of 6.4L/100km and CO2 emissions of 150g/km.It also has a bigger footprint on the road with a wider track and wheelbase.The RX450h will be available in the market from July 13.

Few and far between they may be but the sheer joy and, sometimes, childlike delight they elicit make so much of the rest of it worthwhile.The great thing is that they need not be earth-shattering — nor even particularly practical — they are just memorable for being what they are.The first experience of Saab's delightful dancing cup holder that, when freed from the dash, pirouetted and opened with all the grace of a prima ballerina is just one example.A more recent — and practical — example is the joystick control centre in the new.Tagged the Remote Touch system, the control toggle for what were previously touch screen functions is intuitive, elegant and a no-brainer for anyone who has ever used a mouse.It uses the principle of physical feedback through the toggle to alert the user when the cursor has moved over an active command area of the screen.The strength of the clunky feel and audible click — a combination known as Haptic feedback and used by gamers, mobile phone manufacturers and surgeons operating by remote — can be adjusted for sensitivity.So ergonomic and just plain touchy-feely is the toggle and mouse button arrangement that it is hard not to play with it just for the fun of it.There are lots of other nice things about the upgraded RX350 — standard satellite navigation, reversing camera, side view camera (mounted in the passenger side door mirror), adaptive headlights, a heads-up display for speed and navigation controls — but the headline act is the toggle and mouse show.Improvements to the RX350's 3.5-litre V6 have lifted its output to 204kW and 346Nm, with the engine now coupled to a sequential-shift six-speed transmission replacing the five-speed shifter from the previous model.Those engine tweaks and the extra ratio, according to Lexus, are more than enough to offset extra weight from extra equipment, giving the RX350 an official fuel economy rating of 10.8L/100km, down from 11.2L/100km.Unfortunately we didn't see anything like that during the test run with an average north of 12.5L/100km closer to the mark, although that was predominantly in city traffic.AWD for the RX350 is a full-time active torque control system with drive to the front wheels until wheel slip is detected then torque is delivered to the appropriate corners.While the car is almost exclusively going to spend its life ferrying the well-heeled around town, the clever torque-shift system is certainly capable of some light off-road work and adds a layer of control on wet tarmac surfaces.That is on top of a safety package that includes a fully integrated stability control system (vehicle dynamic integrated management), pre-collision system — which tightens the seat belts and adds urgency to the brakes when a bank of sensors determine a crash is imminent — and 10 airbags.Trim levels are what we have come to expect from Lexus. There are swaths of nice leather, some shiny plastic wood bits and a generally refined and whisper-quiet environment in which to move from point A to point B.The lightly bolstered seats are comfortable, both heated and cooled and have 10-way electronic adjustment with memory function.Front passenger space feels generous but that impression slips when you move to the rear seats. The main offender is head room, where the price is paid for the styling of the roofline which makes the car look less boxy than some key rivals. There is reasonable space in the boot with no pretence to a third row of seats Dynamically the RX350 can hold its own with most of its SUV competitors.The ride is comfortable without being plush and stable enough to handle some enthusiastic driving.While the suspension keeps the RX350 from being roly-poly the steering is a little too ‘playstation’ and rather devoid of feedback.The engine delivers good power and urge without hunting up and down the ratios, making for a fairly relaxed drive experience.The Bottom line: If you must have an SUV you may as well have one with a really cool feature.