2000 Lexus LS Reviews

It's the LFA and it's a fully-qualified supercar — from its carbon fibre chassis and 325km/h top speed to a production run of just 500 cars and a price somewhere on the high side of $500,000.The LFA is the polar opposite to the car that began the Lexus brand, the luxury limo LS400, a full 20 years ago. It only has two seats, the emphasis is on speed over luxury, and there is no sign of the sort of hybrid power pack which has become essential in every new luxury Lexus over the past five years.Instead, the LFA taps Toyota's experience in Formula One with a 4.8- litre V10 engine that spins from nothing to its redline at 9000 revs in just 0.6 seconds. It also has a transaxle gearbox in the tail end of the car complete with a high-tech differential system and driveline electronics including launch control for its twin-clutch, six-speed manu-matic gearbox."While conventional cars focus on the destination, the LFA is all about the journey," says the car's creator, Haruhiko Tanahashi."It successfully brings together motive performance, measured by times and graphs, and emotive power - that inexpressible performance that can only be felt in one's heart and soul."He makes big claims for the car but is able to back them with the LFA preview cars, which are fast and surprisingly rewarding to drive. A Ferrari looks tastier, and a Lamborghini is more evil, but the supercar Lexus is impressive in almost every area.The arrival of the production version of the LFA comes after a series of motor show teases and two racetrack outings in the 24-hour production car classic at the Nurburgring in Germany. From the start the car was called the LF-A, but now the hypen is gone and the the LFA is ready to go, with production set from the early months of 2010 and a handful of cars earmarked for Australia.The racetrack connection is one reason why the LFA is revealed to the world's press at the Nurburgring in Germany, where Tanahashi admits reluctantly that it has lapped in "better than 7 minutes 20 seconds".In Porsche GT3 and Nissan GT-R territory, in other words, but with no claim for a benchmark performance.But there is plenty of benchmark stuff in the LFA, from the carbon- fibre reinforced its 20-inch alloy wheels and active exhaust and the world's first airbag-equipped seat belt.Driving The Lexus responds feels like a racing car, in every way. The chassis is rock-solid, the steering is instantly responsive, the engine revs and revs, and it stops and turns far more impressively than a V8 Supercar.It's also easy to dribble on the road, although there is always a temptation to thumb the paddle shift down three gears and head for the horizon.The styling of the LFA is distinctive but very Japanese - which means un-Italian - from the droopy nose to the motorcycle-style three-pipe exhaust outlet. The giant rear wing rises on hydraulic struts to create genuine downforce and the radiators are tucked behind the cockpit, instead of living in the nose, to also clean up the aero.I drove the LFA in a variety of conditions in Germany, from the autobahn to the Nurburgring, and can report on its impressive top- speed, rock-solid cornering grip, and driving enjoyment. It's still very Lexus in the cabin, but as taught as a custom-made racer.I can also report that it easily cracks 285km/h on the autobahn, feeling like it is held down by magnets, and laps the world's toughest racetrack with more speed and precision than a Porsche.It also has the most gorgeous howling exhaust note, a great dash layout, and sets with cornering grip and the comfort you need for an interstate run.What's not to like?Well, the body is not as expressive as a Ferrari or Lamborghini and some people think the nose looks like a doof-doof makeover of a nineties Celica. The dashboard screen is the same as the one in the family-focussed RX350.And the electronics for the transmission still need work, as the car sometimes slips the clutch excessively from an uphill start and one of the LFA test cars refused to make upshifts after three flat-out laps on the F1 course.Apart from that, the real complaint is the pricetag — even though Lexus refuses a detailed breakdown —Lexus LFA Price: Estimated $550,000On sale: 2010Engine: 4.8-litre V10Power: 412kW/8700 revsTorque: 480Nm/6800 revsTransmission: Six-speed automated manual, rear-wheel drivePerformance: 0-100km/h, 3.7s; top speed, 317km/h 

Speaking just prior to the Tokyo motor show, Lexus Australia boss John Roca says the self-restoring topcoat is extremely resistant to everyday surface scratches and can also heal them. The paint – which will be on the LS 600hl and also on the LS 460 – contains elements that give it more denseness and elasticity, and results in it rebonding when small scratches are inflicted. Roca says the paint will not be an optional extra.  “We don’t charge an additional cost for any paint, so I’m assuming this will be standard on the cars,” he says. "The cost will be rolled into the price of the car.  It will be interesting to see what it does to the price of the car, but it’s bound to be less than a respray bill.” Roca says that while the paint will be available only the LS 600hl and LS 460 for now, he expects it to spread across the range as models are updated.  “When we introduce something like this, it doesn’t take long for it to spread. Maybe about two years,” Roca says. And he agrees that if it proves popular with Lexus buyers, it won’t be long before other carmakers will be trying to offer something similar.

We’ve blended all the highlights in a one-minute tasting plate. All the glamour, all the glitz and definitely all the green gadgetry.The LF-A is being touted as the new Lexus sportscar and expected to go up against Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche and other high performance supercars.Apart from these almost-production ready coupes, the show is shaping up to be a restrained affair as carmakers continue to battle the fallout from the global financial crisis. Just three smaller foreign brands, Caterham, BMW Alpina and Lotus are attending this year.In 2007 26 foreign brands lined up with the Japanese carmakers at the show. Despite the low attendance by carmakers, Tokyo is traditionally a show full of quirky city cars and concepts. Electric cars, from plug-in hybrids to full-blow electric vehicles remain popular, following on from the green theme at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show.What's Hot:TOYOTAFT-EV II: This is the second generation of Toyota's electric car concept with a futuristic edge. Drive-by-wire technology and a solar panel on the roof give this urban commuter a distinct edge. Looks a little like the iQ sold in Europe. FT-86 Concept: Look beyond the lines are you'll see Toyota's new Celica. The rear-drive compact sportscar will borrow Subaru's 2.0-litre boxer four.CATERHAMThe world debut of the CSR 175 EU4, a more powerful version of its CSR.LEXUSThe much talked about LF-A is rumoured to get a 370kW V10, making it the most powerful production Lexus made. The front "mid-engine" layout is said to deliver outstanding handling.SUBARUThe Hybrid Tourer Concept is being touted as a new incarnation of the SVX. We hope for Subaru's sake it will not carry the SVX tag if it every makes it into production. The Tourer is far more attractive and practical. The gullwing coupe combines the boxer four-cylinder with hybrid power. A pair of motors provide regenerative braking, pure electric drive or a combination of both. Apart from showcasing the hybrid drivetrain, the concept also has a new direct injected version of its 2.0-litre four cylinder engine, which is likely to appear in a few years.HONDALike many carmakers, Honda has spilled the beans on some of its cars. The CR-Z concept is the close to production ready version of its hybrid coupe, powered by a petrol 1.5-litre four cylinder and the same electric powerpack we see in the Civic hybrid. The Skydeck is a futuristic six-seater hybrid using ultra-light weight materials. The big wagon may provide a pointer to what the next-generation Odyssey might look like. Inside, the Skydeck has "floating" slim-line seats with entry provided by huge opening gullwing doors.NISSANCarmakers love motorcycle-inspired cars. Nissan has lifted the wraps off its Land Glider, a compact four-wheel city commuter car. The two-seater uses electric motors and the driver and passenger sit in tandem, like a motorcycle. The car also leans into corners.SUZUKIWith green a continuing theme, Suzuki's Swift hybrid is a pointer to a new plug-in hybrid for short-distances.MAZDAThe Hiroshima-based carmaker has concentrated on its new Sky Concept to showcase a new Sky-G petrol and Sky-D diesel engine, as well as a new six-speed automatic gearbox.MITSUBISHIDo not think of the Concept PX-MiEV as a new off-roader. Mitsubishi says the PX crossover just houses a new plug-in hybrid system that gets around 3.0 litres/100km. Apart from its drivetrain, the interior uses seat upholstery that kills bacteria and gets rid of offensive odours. The i-MIEV Cargo is also a new commercial van concept taken from the i-MIEV electric car.SUZUSHOYou may not have heard about it but this Japanese kit car specialist has combined a tuned 200kW 2.3-litre turbo engine from the Mazda3 MPS and a lightweight body to deliver a hot-shot sportscar, the Supasse V. The V gets an aluminum twin-tube monocoque spaceframe chassis with a fiberglass body. Suzusho is a specialist builder of lightweight sportscars with a great deal of experience with Lotus 7 replicas. The Supasse is expected to sell in Japan for around $80,000. 

...is under development by Mercedes-Benz.An inflatable seatbelt, likely to be used first by Lexus, is also on the agenda as the German company looks for new ways to cut the world's road toll. "We are seeing a lot of new ideas," says Dr Ulrich Mellinghof, head of safety development.He says cars are now being fitted with 360-degree radar sensors and cameras which give the potential to 'prime' a car for an unavoidable impact. "When you know there is a crash you can accelerate the driver in the opposite direction, to absorb some of the forces. You only have to push the driver a little bit, maybe 10 centimetres," he says, comparing it with the idea of jumping as a runaway lift hits the ground. "The difference is that you know the right time to jump."On the airbag front, Mellinghof says there is still a lot of work to be done on protecting legs and heads, with a front airbag between the driver and passenger the next likely development. "I think this is not so far away from production. Maybe one or two years. Maybe in the next S-Class, this could be a good start."

The show car is a compact hatchback from the same mould as the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series but there could also be an SUV similar to the X1 if Lexus goes ahead with full-scale production. And they will both have hybrid power.The LF-Ch was unveiled as a full petrol-electric hybrid and there are signs it could be developed as the Prius of the Lexus lineup, setting the green path but also establishing an all-new hybrid-only line. It is aimed at Europe, although Australia is expected to also join the production plan."It's too early to say much at all," says Lexus Australia spokesman, Mike Breen. "We will probably have more detailed information by the beginning of next year."The mechanical package in the LF-Ch is similar to the Prius, including an electric-only city mode. But it was not confirmed as a plug-in hybrid, the next development on the Prius front. The newcomer is much more sporty than a Prius, with a low centre of gravity and long wheelbase for a smooth ride and good cornering grip. It takes a more European approach to driving.The design of the hatchback body is a major new direction for Lexus, even if it loses some of the extroverted lines by the time it goes into production. It has a raked windscreen, low roof and blacked-our rear pillars with rear doorhandles in the C-pillars to give it a more coupe-like stance. But there are also chrome trim pieces and the same blue-edged hybrid badges just fitted to Prius III.Inside, the LF-Ch is a major departure for Lexus, with more emphasis on the driver including low-set seats and a wraparound dash. But there is, inevitably, lots of leather and a typically-Japanese greeting in the navigation screen on start-up, as well as the computer mouse-style Remote Touch system already fitted to the latest RX SUVs.

New noses and tails are obvious on everything at the Lexus stand at the Frankfurt Motor Show as the Japanese luxury brand works to combat a new-model onslaught from its rivals at Audi, BMW and Benz.Sadly, the only major mechanical difference is a go-faster differential change to Lexus' M3 rival, the IS-F. "It's minor facelifts. Just something to keep the cars fresh in showrooms. It's mainly grilles and lamps," admits the boss of Lexus Australia, John Roca. "We have changes to the IS, GS, LS and RX. They will flow progressively through the system. "The first one here is the IS, but we will probably hold the GS, LS and LX over until next year so they become 2010 models.And Roca says the massive LX gets some visual fine-tuning. "The good news about the LX is we finally get 20-inch wheels," he says. "And there are some aero changes to the front and rear bars so it looks significantly different."The changes to the IS-F are relatively minor, but anyone who drives hard will appreciate the addition of a Torsen limited-slip differential. Lexus says it slashes lap times at its Fuji Speedway course in Japan, where the IS-F is tested, by two seconds thanks to better cornering grip and traction for its V8 engine.Otherwise, the cabin gets improved satnav and a USB input for the sound system, foldable headrests, a new steering wheel and better switchgear.In Australia, the arrival of the updated IS-F — less than a year into its local life — also sees Lexus trying to spread the car's impact with a new ‘Sport’ model. "IS-F has been of critical importance in shifting Lexus' brand perception," says Roca.The result is a tweaked IS250 with an F-Sport package. "The new car replaces the previous sports version of the IS range," he says. "It's for the customer that's looking at the IS-F, but cannot afford to make that sort of commitment. "It gets upgraded seats, a small spoiler, and tweaked sports suspension. It will become more of a true sports model. "It will sit in between the Prestige and the Sports Luxury, which remains the top of the range." 

Toyota and its satellites have played the car game strictly by the rules for the longest, longest time but now the company is reaching full maturity and some of its senior staff are being encouraged to find new ways to do things. One of them is Haruhiko Tanahashi, who told me about Shu-ha-ri this week. So, what does it mean and why is it important? According to Tanahashi, the translation from Japanese into English goes something like this: "Know the rules, break the rules, then re-invent the rules." We will all understand the importance of what he is saying by the end of next month, but I cannot reveal exactly what we were discussing or why we were together in Germany. But he is the boss of the Lexus LFA project . .

Two years ago I walked more than 20 kilometres in two days to cover every single brand and car at the Frankfurt Motor Show, from the towering five-story Mercedes-Benz pavilion to the tiny space reserv

Three decades ago the townfolk would have piled kindling in the town square in preparation for burning the heretic who forecast 4WDs with airconditioning.Twenty years ago the same grilling would be applied at the mention of automatic transmission and even a few years ago dark clouds would form above the person uttering leather upholstery.The fact is that the 4WD as we once knew it is gradually being morphed into a station wagon, with all the comforts of a sedan and all the appearance of a go-anywhere leisure machine.Take all that to the ultimate stage and you will have a vehicle that looks tough but has a soft centre. In case you missed it, that stage has already arrived. The Lexus RX350 is one of the latest SUVs to lavish features and comfort on its occupants.It would be staggering for a 1970s Land Rover owner to even contemplate what's inside this wagon. But just to make you jealous, here's some of the features: Radar cruise control with a pre-collision warning system; swivelling xenon headlights; rear-view camera with clearance and parking sensors; and head-up display of vehicle speed.Thankfully, none of this requires much input from the driver. Though it looks a lot like last year's RX350, this one is bigger, lower and more powerful.It is a beautiful drive — a machine that will just eat the kilometres. Lexus has successfully endeavoured to rid the wagon of almost all noise and the result is a bit numbing.The wagon is as quiet as a mouse and is almost un-nerving in the way it isolates the outside world. This will suit some owners who will then bask in the feature list. There's plenty of thrills when the accelerator is prodded but it doesn't transfer to the occupants. The RX350 could just as easily be electric.The test vehicle showed that SUVs can make sense in the country thanks to Lexus neatly incorporating a full-size spare wheel. Too often carmakers talk safety and then fit a space-saver spare wheel that is, at best, dangerous as an alternative tyre in the country. At least Lexus gives you the choice.In the Sport Luxury tested, that list extends to more things that you'd probably have time to play with. But play you will. The cameras will alert you what's behind the wagon will give you a sense of security and the 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system will wrap you in its warm sound.The leather front seats have heaters and ventilation and almost infinite electric adjustment. Lexus made a change this model that, while logical, took away one of the wagon's best features — a touch screen. Now there's a mouse-like controller on the centre console that accesses everything from the sat-nav to the radio from the big screen.Owners of the previous model complained about glare _ and fingerprints _ on the screen so Lexus lifted the screen higher, placed a hood to shield light, and fitted a computer mouse to access all the data. Shame, because it's now easy to see, but not as easy (or as quick) to get information.This is an impressive vehicle. It's a solid alternative to a conventional sedan but its appeal lies more in its quality and features than any driving pleasure.

Also, Paul Maric gets behind the wheel of the new convertible Lexus IS250C......and the results of a poll into car reliability turns up some major surprises.For all this and a lot more, listen to the podcast above...