Lexus RX: 2nd Generation

The latest in Lexus' series of Actively Safe commercials managed to give me the creeps very effectively:

No, really...where was the dog during the crash?

Edmunds has more spy footage of the Lexus RX prototype booting its way around Nürburgring (click on the image below to be taken to the video):

In their analysis, Edmunds points out the elimination of a portion of the rear side windows, which I had missed. Here's a visual comparison:

There's definitely little deviation from the current model, but I really like the improvements.

(Thanks Jarrett!)

My least favorite German car magazine Auto Motor Und Sport has scooped up some footage of the next-generation Lexus RX making its way around Nürburgring:

Can't say this was something I would have ever expected to see, an RX on the 'ring. One thing's for sure, I don't ever want to see an RX going that fast again. The whole time on the track, and all I was worried about were the kids in the back seat.

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.)

I've been waiting to see this RX commercial ever since I was sent some behind-the-scenes photos of the filming, and the final cut doesn't disappoint:

It's hard to imagine the amount of planning necessary to pull off something like this, which doesn't seem to use any digital effects at all. I'm surprised by the factory setting, though, which seems a stark contrast to the commercial's vibrant centerpiece.

(If this version is too lo-fi for you, there's a much bigger video over at Creativity Online.)