First pics-Lexus getting ready to roll AMG style products-Part 1

I see commercials of the NEW Hyundai Sonata and the rear looks devilishly close to the the new IS rear.

Told you they should've released the LF-S.

Maybe they will do so with this "Performance" model?

Lexus is out of its element here. They should stick to what they do best and trying to produce a wannabe AMG is not it.

I guess they have to up the performance for street credibility - many folks lust after but not many people actually buy MB AMG, Audi S & RS and BMW M products. If they did Mercedes probably wouldn't be introducing the S350 for 2006.

I'd rather Lexus spend money on vehicles people will buy in larger numbers - such as a new body and running gear for the SC430.

Alright, all you uptight Euro car lovers, just admit it – Toyota/Lexus has the auto industry formula down, like no one else. You can espouse on and on about German handling and engineering, but the reality is, as great as German cars are, they’re unreliable in comparison to Lexus and at least one is breaking ground in the wrong areas (BMW) – styling(?), gadgetry (electronics). Take the 7-Series: A close friend finally sold his in disgust after numerous trips to the dealership in the first year. Another friend has an E320 that’s been in the shop continually for electronic issues.

That Toyota/Lexus takes its time in figuring out a market, gradually grabs market share in all categories – economy, family car, SUV, truck, luxury – and becomes the market leader is grinding on you. If you have any doubts that Lexus can or will be leading the upper tier of the sport luxury category, just be patient. It will happen. They’ve got $19 BILLION in their coffers, and they’re patiently, deliberately gaining ground in every segment they target.

Admittedly, I am one of those uptight Euro car lovers that never expected would even consider non-German car. My preference for years has been to keep an M3 as a daily driver/summer car and an A4/S4 as my ski/winter car. Great combo, great cars in their respective domains, great driving dynamics, great quality – nothing to complain about. However, either I am getting old or BMW and Audi have strayed from their Teutonic understated designs. With Audi’s new pig-nosed designs to BMW’s all-Bungled-up flame surfacing the premiums these cars command are suddenly coming to question. I used to have emotional tug and pull when seeing new designs from Audi and BMW and these would never abate. That happened the moment I saw the new e46 back in 1998 and happens even today every time I walk up to my 2004 e46 M3. With that emotional connection, premium that these cars commanded was essentially always justified. But it’s not as clear cut anymore. For the first time I started looking at Lexus and Infiniti models and will most likely end up at least test driving some of them.

I’ve never driven a Lexus for example, and yes, I probably never would have had BMW not botched up their designs inside and out. But now that my rabid loyalty to BMW has been put to test I may have to look to others who may build better BMWs than the BMW itself.

So, here is what I need, Lexus:
1. A sleek but muscular coupe with a good old manual tranny and clutch (these clutch-less, automanual, PR buzzwords won’t cut it – same holds for BMW’s SMG).
2. A roomy 4-door AWD sedan/wagon that is also a comfortable long distance cruiser with a good old manual tranny and clutch.

Build them and I will come...

Super-Luxo hybrid Lexus packing muscular 500 horses -+.

Super-Luxo hybrid Lexus packing muscular 500 horses -+.

That Toyota/Lexus takes its time in figuring out a market, gradually grabs market share in all categories. <---absolutely right and keyword is gradual process with virtually no mistakes with NO GIMMICKS i.e. idrive sys. I'd much rather have a touch sensor with speech recognizing sys. over idrive.
Read many former BMW owners basically walked away from purchasing another BMW all b/c of a stupid idrive! If only BMW would have listened to the (U.S.)customers and bendover backwords like Lexus does!...it might be a bit different story here folks, but then again BMW's reliability are just about stable as Jerry Springer's hosts, so...lots of catching up to do.
In short, "Customers are always right".

That Toyota/Lexus takes its time in figuring out a market, gradually grabs market share in all categories. <---absolutely right and keyword is gradual process with virtually no mistakes with NO GIMMICKS i.e. idrive sys. I'd much rather have a touch sensor with speech recognizing sys. over idrive.
Read many former BMW owners basically walked away from purchasing another BMW all b/c of a stupid idrive! If only BMW would have listened to the (U.S.)customers and bendover backwords like Lexus does!...it might be a bit different story here folks, but then again BMW's reliability are just about stable as Jerry Springer's hosts, so...lots of catching up to do.
In short, "Customers are always right".

Lexus are revamping every model they currently have on the market and it should be completed within next 3 years tops.

Lexus is also adding a supercar to this list and host of other new and improved features including more hybrids.

Starting with:

Lexus LS600h, with 500 hp, 400hp from a V-8 and 100hp from an electric motor.

and

Lexus LH-A, V-8, 500hp, 0-60 in 3.6 seconds,
top speed at or around 200mph.

and

Lexus GS 430h

is just around the corner except for LS600.

Lexus are revamping every model they currently have on the market and it should be completed within next 3 years tops.

Lexus is also adding a supercar to this list and host of other new and improved features including more hybrids.

Starting with:

Lexus LS600h, with 500 hp, 400hp from a V-8 and 100hp from an electric motor.

and

Lexus LH-A, V-8, 500hp, 0-60 in 3.6 seconds,
top speed at or around 200mph.

and

Lexus GS 430h

is just around the corner except for LS600.