In preparation of winter, Australia is getting a special edition of the Lexus RX 350 perfectly suited for the colder months. Here's a breakdown of the particulars:

Added extras include bespoke 18-inch shadow chrome alloy wheels, three unique exterior colours – including Arctic Blue, Burgundy and Onyx carbon – and an accessories pack featuring roof racks, nudge bar, tow bar, headlight covers, rear bumper protector, cargo mat and reverse parking sensors.

Only 250 examples of the Special Edition RX 350 will be offered, with each vehicle featuring unique SE badging and numbered build plates, making it one of the most exclusive RX Lexus vehicles.

I'm not a big fan of the wheel design, but the nudge bar on the front more than makes up for it. (More than anything, though, I really like the rear cargo mat pattern.)

Here's a gallery for a closer look:

[Source: Lexus Australia via The Motor Report]

There's been a lot of interest in just what song is playing in the recent Lexus Pebble Beach commercial, so I decided to look into it.

First off, here's the song in question:

As for the answer, the company responsible for the music is Robot Repair, specifically composer Kael Alden, who is also a member of the band Faded Paper Figures.

Now, according to a Faded Paper Figures blog post, there is a possibility that an extended version of the song will be released on iTunes, but there's nothing definite at this point. I'll be following this and will post if anything comes up.

(If you're interested in a short MP3 version of this song, some enterprising soul constructed a non-voiceover version and uploaded it here.)

Lexus UK is launching a special edition of the Lexus IS 250, dubbed the SR edition, and it features a full body kit, some very nice 10-spoke alloy rims and some sporty interior upgrades, including some aluminum pedals.

The body kit's very subtle, but it works, especially with the wheel combo. Once again, I was tricked into thinking that there was a matte black paint option, but it's just the photography.

The Lexus IS 250 SR goes on sale May 19th, and will retail for £24,990 (manual) and £25,800 (automatic) respectively.

[Via: World Car Fans]

Best known for for their insanely souped-up Dodge Vipers, Hennessey Performance Engineering will be turning their attention on the Lexus IS-F:

In an interview with Inside Line, John Hennessey dropped some broad hints as to his next project: "We have a new IS-F coming in next week. Our plan with that car is to test some headers, exhaust and air induction items first. Then maybe a blower."

This information is confirmed on the Hennessey website, which promises "Air Induction Kits, Stainless Headers & Exhaust Systems, Ported Cylinder Heads, Supercharger Systems & More." All of this adds up to over-the-top, genuinely ridiculous speed, which I find entirely questionable. Does the IS-F really need more power?

I have a great love for the Japanese Lexus GS with the Passionate Black interior, so I was excited to discover its commercial on Youtube today. Too bad it's just recycled footage from a previous advert:

This is a stark reminder of the cultural differences between Japan and North America, no way this commercial would fly stateside. The Passionate Black interior, though, is a different story altogether, and I'm continuing to cross my fingers that it makes a North American appearance.

We've seen some photos of the Japanese special edition Elegant White Lexus IS, and now here's a weird little commercial to go along with it:

It wouldn't be so strange if the cat didn't seem to have such a bizarre pose, but it is what it is.

(I still can't stop thinking about the Passionate Black GS limited edition. If it came to North America, it would immediately take #1 spot in the "My Next Car" sweepstakes.)