Autospies has a preview of the color combinations available for 2008 Lexus LX 570, including what may be the strangest hue to ever cover a Lexus:

It resembles the Aquamarine Pearl color available for the ES 350, which is probably where it should have stayed. Not very flattering, to say the least.

Be sure to check out Autospies for more photos, there’s a bunch to go through.

It’s hard to discount the power of Youtube when you can watch a 1989 episode of Top Gear detailing the introduction of the then-newly released Lexus LS 400 (jump ahead to 1:26 to get there directly):

Not a full-on review, which is a slight disappointment, but the praise is astounding, let me quote presenter Tiff Needell:

“The power from the big 32-valve V8 engine comes on as smoothly as the Jaguar, which is saying something. The ride is certainly as good as the Mercedes 420, and the handling on these winding mountain roads is at least the equivalent of a BMW.”

I imagine, when comparing the handling to a BMW, he’s referring to the 7-series.

There’s something so classy about this silhouette profile shot of the Lexus IS 250 by Jason Kim:

It really accentuates the rear slope, it’s such a smooth line. In the same spirit, Jason has another black & white photo of the IS 250, this time from the front. It’s a testament to the quality of Lexus paint, look at these reflections:

The 2008 Lexus LX 570 is packed to the gills with some very interesting new technology, including a camera that gives the driver a full 180-degree view of what’s in front of the vehicle, effectively letting you look around corners. There’s a passenger-side camera that points down, as well, and when combined with the rear view camera, it’s almost possible to get a full 360-degree display of your surroundings.

Here’s a video demonstration, by Autospies:

Hardly an essential feature, but it’s definitely something that would come in handy under certain situations. I found the display a little confusing, but I’ll chalk that up to unfamiliarity.

[Source: Autospies]

A video demonstration of the Toyota Driving Simulator has been posted on Youtube:

Bit disappointed they didn’t show any virtual accidents. I know the simulator was built to examine potential safety features, but with that music in the background, they could probably test the driving characteristics of someone going insane.

(Thanks Dan!)

Lexus has announced a recall of the 2006 editions of the GS 300, IS 250 and the IS 350, in regards to a problem with the fuel pipe design.

Over time, a crack may form in fuel pipes located in the engine compartment, the company said today in a statement.

The problem is blamed on high-stress areas that may have been created during the manufacturing process that when combined with corrosive agents, such as fuel, can form a crack, leading to fuel leakage.

There’s only been one case reported, and no accidents have occurred. Affected owners should get get a notice in the mail early next month.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Toyota has built a new driving simulator at their Higashifuji Technical Center in Japan, and it looks straight out of science fiction.

Inside the 15-foot-high, 23-foot-wide sphere is a Lexus IS attached to an elaborate rail system and surrounded by a 360-degree video screen that displays a virtual driving environment:

The internal surrounding sides of the dome show 360 degree computer graphic imagery of roads and landscape, complete with signs, pedestrians, street-side stores and faraway Mount Fuji — all synchronized to move with the simulated driving.

In a demonstration for reporters Monday at a Toyota technology center, the dome moved in a 35-meter (115 foot) long building, skidding on a rail horizontally and vertically.

When a driver pushed on the brakes, the dome tilted forward to give the effect of stopping. When the driver turned the steering wheel to the right, the dome cocked to the right to give the feeling of turning.

The simulator will be used primarily to test out advanced safety features, as well as examine how intoxication and drowsiness affects drivers.

It’s a substantial looking thing, and I certainly wouldn’t turn down a chance to try it out.

[Source: International Herald Tribune]

While browsing Club Lexus for details on the 2008 Lexus RX 400h’s updates, I found this great photo by tomv, a new hybrid owner, which shows off the illuminated scuff plates:

Just to be clear, these would be visible when opening the doors. Great effect, I’m very impressed.

Not exactly sure how it happened, but for the 15th Annual L’Automobile più Bella del Mondo (Most Beautiful Cars in the World) Awards, Lexus managed to snag first and second place in the Limousine (Large Sedan) category, with the LS 600h taking top spot and the LS 460 taking second.

I’m surprised they didn’t just judge the cars as a single entity. The differences between the LS 600h & 460 are technical for the most part, and as far as I can tell, the awards are based strictly on looks. Still, a dominant performance by the LS all round.

[Via: Autoblog]

It wasn’t until Lexus Australia announced the changes that I realized the 2008 RX 400h has received some minor updates, most notably new front & rear lights, which look great:

Lexus also applied the hybrid blue badging, bringing it inline with the LS 600h and GS 450h, and added some new red or black wood panel accents inside as well as illuminated scuff plates. Some safety features were also added, automatically locking doors and an anti-theft intrustion detector.

A new upgraded chrome package is now available, which includes a revised chrome grille, new door handles, chrome-finish 18-inch alloy wheels, and a color-coded rear spoiler.

[Source: Lexus Australia]