Auto Blitz: Lexus GS

Showing posts with label Lexus GS. Show all posts

New Toyota Recall, this time for Toyota Avalon and Highlander, and Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350

Toyota has announced a voluntary recall of some 740,000 vehicles in the United States to address a potential leak problem with a seal in the brake master cylinder. The models that are being recalled in the U.S. are the 2005-2006MY Toyota Avalon, 2004-2006MY Highlander (non Hybrid) and Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350. Another 600,898 vehicles were recalled in Japan and approximately 200,000 in China for the same issue.

Toyota today notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of its intention to recall certain Lexus models in the United States to fix faulty engines in the automaker's latest quality problem.

The recall affects approximately 138,000 Lexus vehicles powered by 4.6 and 5.0 liter V8 and 3.5 liter V6 engines in certain 2006, 2007 and 2008 GS, IS and LS models. No vehicles from the current 2010 model year nor 2009 are affected.

Toyota's U.S. division has just issued a statement regarding potential engine faults on Lexus models sold in the States. The automaker said that around 137,000 vehicles could be affected in the U.S., including the IS 350, GS 350, GS 460, GS 450h, LS 460, LS 600hL, noting that current model years are not affected.

Earlier today, Toyota announced that approximately 270,000 vehicles (Lexus IS, GS and LS, and Toyota Crown) sold worldwide risk engine failure.

It looks like Toyota might be hit by another recall (the second one in a week after the HS 250h announcement) as the Japanese automaker admitted today that about 270,000 of its Lexus IS, GS and LS, and Toyota Crown vehicles may have a problem causing engines to stall.

In particular, the world's biggest carmaker said it discovered "improperly functioning valve springs" in some engines that could lead to abnormal engine noise or unstable idling, and in some instances, even cause the engine to stop while in motion. Toyota said that there are no reported accidents related to this issue.

Lexus's F-Sport accessory range is getting some price-cutting love from the big L. Over June and July, Lexus will offer special pricing for three packages that target owners of IS models and the rear-wheel-drive GS350.

Package 1 is the F-Sport suspension kit, consisting of lowering springs (for a 1 inch drop) and a rear chassis member brace. If a customer's model is RWD, they get front and rear sway bars (AWD models only get the rear sway bar). Price: $1,450 (Savings, according to Lexus: $549).

The recently revealed 2010 Toyota Mark X was given a sporty makeover at the Tokyo Auto Salon with the presentation of the G Sports branded concept model. The rear-wheel drive sport sedan that's based on the Lexus GS boasted a full body kit with a new front bumper that incorporates LED daytime lights, hood and fender vents, chunky side skirts, carbon fiber roof and trunk spoiler, and a new rear bumper with side air outlets and a diffuser.

The carbon fiber exterior mirrors, four-pipe exhaust system and the 20-inch aluminum wheels in Yokohama Advan Sports tires complete the list of the exterior mods.

Inside, the sedan's cabin is spiced up with Recaro sport seats, a new leather steering wheel and transmission lever with red stitching and plenty of carbon fiber decorative trim.

Toyota's G Sport division kept the standard Mark X's 318HP 3.5-liter V6 engine but upgraded the mid-size saloon's braking system and suspension hardware while they also added underbody panels to improve the vehicle's aerodynamics.

The automaker is planning to launch G Sport versions of most of its JDM models starting from this summer. Aside from the Mark X, Toyota also showed G Sport concepts based on the FT-86 coupe, Noah and Voxy vans and the Prius Hybrid.

Photos by Phil Alex with the help of friends Mike and Aaron

Lexus GS-F said to be Still Under Development, Could get LFA's V10 Engine

Given that the latest Lexus GS has been in the market for a while, most of us have abandoned the idea of an F-badged variant of the current model that would compete head on with the Audi RS6, BMW M5, Cadillac CTS-V and Merc's E63 AMG. But even though common sense says that, if Lexus wants to go ahead with the GS-F, chances are the automaker will wait for the next generation GS, Japan's Best Car magazine claims it knows otherwise.

In fact, the magazine says Lexus is working on the current GS and that the super-sedan will most likely be powered by a slightly modified version of the LFA's 4.8-liter V10 powerplant that produces 553HP at 8,700 rpm and 480Nm or 354 lb-ft of torque at 6,800 rpm in the two-door supercar.

Only time will tell if the story about the GS-F is true, but we wouldn't hold our breath if we were you..

Via: Best Car

Lexus Prices U.S. Spec 2010 GS and GS450h Hybrid Facelift Models

Unveiled for the first time at last month's Frankfurt Motor Show, the Lexus GS 450h hybrid has received a minor cosmetic facelift as well some added features for 2010 while it's gasoline-only siblings, the GS 350 and GS460 that are powered by a 303HP 3.5-liter V6 and a 342HP 4.6-liter V8 respectively, get new colors and technology enhancements for the new model year. Despite the upgrades, Lexus has not increased prices over the 2009MY GS models.

The 2010 GS 450h benefits from a few exterior enhancements that were made to distinguish it from the gas-only models, including a revised front grille, clear tail lamp covers and unique 18-inch alloy wheels. The rear-wheel drive hybrid model combines a 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine with a compact electric motor that collectively produce an output of 340 horsepower.

For 2010, the GS 350 and GS 460 receive two new exterior colors, Deep Sea Mica and Satin Cashmere Metallic, while Black Sapphire Pearl, Verdigris Mica, and Golden Almond Metallic are discontinued. Furthermore, the Parchment-colored interior replaces Cashmere.

The standard Lexus Premium Sound System on both the gas-only and hybrid GS models has been enhanced for 2010 with the addition of iPod/USB connectivity, streaming audio via Bluetooth and an integrated satellite radio receiver. Moreover, the optional Lexus Navigation system has been updated to a new hard disk drive based system with Voice Command casual-language voice recognition and Bluetooth phonebook download capability.

Prices for the 2010 GS range from $45,875 for the GS 350 to $57,425 for the GS 450h (both including a delivery, processing and handling fee of $875). Lexus said that the 2010 GS sedans will arrive at U.S. dealerships later in October.

2010 LEXUS GS450h

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2010 LEXUS GS

Lexus GS 450h Hybrid Freshened Up with Styling Tweaks and Upgraded Features

The 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show saw Lexus swiping the covers off the 2010 GS 450h hybrid that has received a gentle facelift with miniscule exterior and interior styling changes, new available colors and revisions to the Pre-Crash Safety system, navigation and audio packages. On the outside, the 2010 model year GS 450h gains a more distinct front grille with horizontal bars, tweaked rear lamp clusters larger, transparent outer lenses and newly styled 18-inch alloy wheels along with three new exterior shades - Vanilla Mist, Richmond Green and Atlantic Blue.

In the cabin, the GS 450h gets a new leather interior and wood trim while Lexus also added a new hybrid-blue backlit stop/start button and upgraded the audio packages as well as the navigation system that gets a 40GB hard disk.

Furthermore, the firm's Pre-Crash Safety system in the GS 450h has been revised to support the pre-crash seatbelt and brake assist functions with pre-crash brake technology while both front seats are fitted with new, inflator-operated active headrests that are activated in the event of a rear-end impact.