Having only seen bits and pieces of the TV show 24, I didn’t know Jack Bauer drove a Lexus GS 430, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting this RC version of his car:

After posting about the die-cast GS 430 last month, I’ve toyed with buying some 1:18 replicas, but better sense has prevailed. But for how long?

[Source: Otherland Toys]

The Lane Keep Assist feature, which effectively locks you into a highway lane, may only available on the European & Asian Lexus LS, but it’s incredibly effective, at least in the context of this video:

I’m of two minds with this feature. You can never discount added safety, but the movement towards automated driving makes me nervous. At least it doesn’t work if you remove your hands from the steering wheel.

If Japanese magazine Holiday Auto is to be believed, the Lexus LF-A has put in a dominant performance on Nürburgring, lapping the track in 7:24. If true, it would make the LF-A the fastest production car to run the ring.

This comes on the heels of Pagani Zonda F setting the record in October of this year, with a 7:27:82 lap, which bested the Porsche Carrera GT by just two tenths of a second.

A very impressive feat, but it’s going to take something a little more official before I believe it.

[Via: Club Lexus]

No doubt it’s a little old, but this video from CNet detailing the technology in the LS 460 is quite entertaining:

Being such a fan of the LS 460, I didn’t even get bored during the inevitable parking assist demonstration.

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!)