It’s no secret that Lexus’ RX SUV is a hit with women drivers, so the fact that The Driving Woman’s review of the 2008 RX 350 is so positive really doesn’t surprise me:

The first time I drove a Lexus SUV, I was so excited that I decided to put on red lipstick at a stoplight. A mistake, for sure. The light changed and I got the lipstick smudged on the visor. At that point I decided to calm down…after all it was just an SUV. But, not just any SUV.

Bottom line: the RX 350 had enough juice to get me anywhere I wanted to go and was nimble enough to pull in and out of parking spots and heavy traffic. Another nice note: the RX 350 was engineered at the outset to accommodate a hybrid powertrain, and shares its platform with its hybrid counterpart, the RX 400h.

But what I noticed most was that car-like and quiet feeling when driving the RX 350. So, I asked one of the Lexus execs, “Why does it feel so light to drive? And he answered, “Because it’s a Lexus. Smoothness is the brand’s forte.”

More importantly, it looks like toy poodle Jack was suitably impressed, if the picture above is any indication.

WorldCarFans has scored some spy shots of next generation Lexus RX SUV, which give some hints of what to expect in the vehicle’s future.

Judging by the ill-fitting body panels and the extensive taping, the vehicle will be expanding in width and length. The cut bumpers and rear doors would indicate a shift in the front and rear axles, suggesting a longer wheelbase.

Stylistically, we’re looking at a mule using the existing (but modified) RX body panels, so there’s no real hint of any exterior design changes, with the exception of the new rearview mirrors with inset turn signals.

As for the mechanical side of things, and when to expect a redesigned RX, this is what WorldCarFans had to say:

The new RX will also likely stay with its current 5-passenger capacity, since customers wanting three rows of seats can get that in the bigger Lexus SUV’s, the GX470 and the LX 570. Base engine will probably continue to be shared with the Toyota Highlander, that now being (for 2008) a 3.5 liter DOHC V-6 making 270 hp. The Lexus will likely also continue to offer a hybrid engine, the 3.3 liter V-6 which combined with its electric motors also makes 270 hp.

Lexus will be introducing an all new LX570 for the 2008 model year, so it is likely that a new RX350 won’t be scheduled until 2009.

If you’d like to see more photos, be sure to visit the WCF site.

Interbrand annually publishes a non-industry specific report on the Best Global Brands, ranked by “brand valuation”. This year, Lexus rings in at 92, same as last year, and was 10th overall in car brands.

Much ado was given to Hyundai’s ranking, placing at the 72 position, above Porsche and Lexus. It can hardly be considered a surprise, though, when you consider that this is a global study, including South Korea, where Hyundai is a dominant force, whereas Lexus has only started expanding worldwide. Nevermind that it’s an offshoot of much larger company (Toyota, which ranked #6 overall, and #1 in the automotive industry), which would be a much better comparison to Hyundai.

More surprising is Nissan’s rank at 98, slipping eight spots and threatening to leave the list all together.

A user at Autospies has posted up some information on the new IS-F and GS, taken from the latest issue of Motor Trend:

Lexus IS/IS-F:”…The first offering in the new Lexus F-series of ultra-perfomance cars, expect the IS-f to have 400-425-hp version of the 5.0L V-8 from the LS 600h, eight-speed paddle-shifted automatic, Brembo ABS discs, …”

Lexus GS: “Big changes for the entire GS series, headed by the new GS460 that replaces the GS430 and packs a 342-hp/4.6L V-8. On the Hybrid front, the GS450h adds a positive VDIM/VSC cutoff. All GS models get revised front fascias, wheels, and colors, plus numerous interior trim tweaks including new gauges. The GS460 also boasts heated/ventilated seats.”

They also described and the IS-F as “driver’s choice” and the GS350 as a “best buy”.

There seems to be a fair amount of guesswork here, but if true, the IS-F horsepower number are a bit under expectation. However, in regards to the GS, it seems my suspicions were correct as to why it wasn’t included in Lexus’ announced 2008 prices, a engine bump is fairly significant and was certainly expected. It will be interesting to see the updated look, though I don’t really think it’s the front-end that needed addressing.

The Motorist Choice Awards is an annual ranking of vehicles that deliver both the highest customer satisfication and lowest cost of ownership, held by Intellichoice and AutoPacific. For 2007, Lexus came first in a number of categories:

• Premium Luxury Car: Lexus LS
• Premium Sports Car: Lexus SC
• Aspirational Luxury Car: Lexus IS

The LS 460 was also declared the overall winner in the awards, with the GS and RX scoring high but losing out to higher scoring competitors.

Painted brake calipers are a nice enough touch, but they take on new significance when you see a photo like this:

Taken from a feature on the G2 website, makers of caliper paint, this indigo ink Lexus IS 300 belongs to Brian Torak. The wheels are 18″ Katana ZR5’s, you can get a better look at them here.

If you’re anything of a car buff, and I’m going to assume you are, you’ve probably already come across this week’s site: Autopia. In a nutshell, it’s the place to go when you want to get your car in tip-top shape, inside and out.

When I bought the Lexus last year, I spent days here, finding out the best way to take care of my new purchase. Several hundred dollars later, I had a machine buffer and so many different polishes and waxes my girlfriend thought I was going insane.

Of course, and I’m sure it happens to everyone who frequents this site, I debated becoming a professional detailer. Clients were easy to find, and within weeks I was polishing swirls from Jaguars and Range Rovers. It was then I learned a valuable lesson: It’s never as much fun as taking care of your own car.

The best place to start, if you’re a beginner, is with their amazing tutorial section. Then, once you’re read up on the basics of detailing, dive into their extensive forums, spend some time admiring the Click & Brags, and search for any question that crosses your mind. Believe me, the answer is there. It always is.

I’ll admit, it was somewhat disappointing that the Lexus LS 600hL review in The Times wasn’t written by Jeremy Clarkson, but Stuart Birch gives it his best shot, including some interesting stats on the customers Lexus plans to reel in, along with a rather interesting question:

Lexus says that about 10 per cent of buyers will have previously owned a Bentley and 60 per cent will have had a Mercedes-Benz SClass or BMW 7 Series. The Mercedes and BMW, together with the excellent Audi A8, are arguably its nearest rivals, each available with diesel engines that have relatively modest fuel consumption and emissions figures, without electric motor assistance.

So to achieve exceptional frugality, why does Lexus not produce a diesel-electric hybrid for Europe? It would have to refine vibration, noise and some other issues, but Lexus is doubtless sufficiently clever to achieve that. And the added cost of a diesel engine at Lexus’s heady price levels should not be a problem.

Why doesn’t Lexus produce a diesel-electric hybrid, not just for Europe, but for the rest of their world markets? This could be key at increasing the LS 600hL’s rather mediocre gas mileage, and go a long way to calm the recent press decrying Lexus for cashing in on their hybrid technology.

Lexus has released the first part of their 2008 price list, with plenty of information to go with it. Let’s break it down by model, shall we? (All prices are in USD)

2008 RX 400h

The base price of the RX 400h remains unchanged for both front-wheel-drive ($41,180)and all-wheel-drive ($42,580), and will be spruced up with the following features:

• Redesigned front grille
• New chrome exterior door handles
• New finish on the five-spoke, 18″ wheels
• A body-color rear spoiler
• Seven new exterior colors: Smoky Granite Mica, Golden Almond Metallic, Classic Silver Metallic, Breakwater Blue Metallic, Brandy Wine Mica, Desert Sage Metallic and Matador Red Mica

2008 SC 430

Unchanged for the new year, the SC 430 will still retail for $65,455.

2008 GX 470

There will be a slew of changes to the GX 470, with only a modest price increase of $180, bringing the base MSRP to $46,815. What’s new with the GX?

• New dark metallic finish on the front grille
• Chrome roof rack side rails
• Liquid graphite on the standard 17-inch alloy wheels
• Clear rear combination lamp turn signal lens cover
• Two new exterior colors: Salsa Red Pearl and Desert Sage metallic
• New interior Brown Walnut wood trim and a chrome finish on the front door speaker grilles
• Third Row Seat with Rear Air Conditioner option reduced by $1545, now priced at $485

2008 IS 250 & IS 350

The IS 250 with manual tranmission, IS 250 with automatic transmission, and the IS 350 all see a price increase of $200, bringing them to $30,455, $31,625 and $35,905 respectively. The IS 250 with automatic transmission and AWD actually drops $200, to $34,085. What’s new to the IS model in 2008?

• New finish to its standard 17-inch wheels
• Backlighting on the outside power mirror control
• White illuminated scuff plates
• An additional coin holder

ES 350

The ES 350 is thin on updates, and also sees a price increase of $250, for a base MSRP of $33,720. The only changes are:

• Restyled outside rear-view mirrors
• Two rear interior personal lamps

LS 460/LS 460L

The LS 460 remains unchanged in 2008, save for an additional exterior color: Opaline Pearl. There will be a price increase of $500, for a $61,500 base MSRP.

The LS 460L also jumps $500, to $71,500, and will now have the option of a new Air Suspension Package, which includes:

• 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with 245/45R19 all-season tires
• Variable Gear Ratio Steering
• Adaptive Variable Air Suspension

No pricing on the new Air Suspension Package was released.

***

The 2008 RX 350 has already been released, so where are the prices for the GS model? One can only assume the GS is receiving more than an exterior facelift, a new engine perhaps?

[Source: The Auto Channel]

A member of German Car Zone was nice enough to translate an article from German car magazine Auto Motor Und Sport pitting the Volkswagen Phaeton against the Lexus LS 460. (The full text appears on Autospies, if you don’t feel like signing up for GCZ account.)

Now, whether it’s a case of German bias or a truly objective comparison, the Phaeton wins the contest handily, in every aspect, from interior quality to handling. The Lexus beat down, the interior is called “cheap” and “inferior”, the trunk “useless”, and the load capacity “pathetic”. Definitely sounds like an unbiased comparison, nein?

Of course, it’s impossible for me to compare these cars myself, as the Phaeton was pulled from North America due to poor sales, so I guess I’ll just have to take this German car magazine’s word. With a grain of Verkauf.