Lexus

Toyota recall: 2.2 million added to faulty floormat list

Toyota has announced another in its continuing series of recalls, this time nearly 2.2 million vehicles, including RAV4, 4Runner, Highlander and Lexus models dating from current models to 2003. The recall widens the same problem that began in 2009 via the risk the driver’s floormat could come loose and trap the accelerator pedal. The RAV4 crossovers have the largest percent of the recall, some 761,000 vehicles for model years 2006 to 2010. The other vehicles included in the recall: 4Runner (603,000) for the model years 2003 through 2009 and Lexus LX 570 (17,000) vehicles for the model years 2008 through 2011. Toyota has also recalled several hundred thousand Lexus, including the RX330, RX  350 and RX 400H models as well

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Lexus video: Super car does donuts around super model

Like manufacturers featuring stunning models at auto shows, the same equation works in print and in video marketing.  But throw in a performance Lexus and add a little suspense, and it’s a great way to sell cars — or at least yellow bikinis. In the video below, champion drifter racer Rhys Millen guides the Lexus LFA super car around super model around Rianne Ten Haken. Photographer Yu Tsai explains his concept in the video, Rhys does an extraordinary job getting the Lexus close to the model. And Ten Haken? She just stands there and then comments she had no idea how close the car was. Of course, the dilemma is whether those watching the video will even care about the

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Lexus IS350, 2011 car review

The Lexus IS series was introduced in 1998 under the Toyota Altezza nameplate in Japan and in North America as the IS300 in 2000. Altezza mean “highness” in Japanese and the IS initials translate to Intelligent Sport. The IS models are designated as entry level luxury cars below the ES in the Lexus lineup. Since its debut, now 11 years ago, many varieties have joined the IS offerings The IS350 receives exterior and interior restyling for 2011 and offers several new options, including all-wheel drive and the “F Sport” package. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Beyond its bright blue (Ultrasonic Blue Mica) exterior, which attracted a lot of attention, the Lexus IS350 gained quick admiration from everyone who rode in

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Toyota recall of Lexus models pushes carmaker's total to more than 10 million in 18 months

Toyota Motor Corp. has announced another large global recall for myriad problems in the fuel systems of several Lexus models with the latest issue increasing the Japanese manufacturer’s recalls to more than 10 million vehicles in the past 18 months. Toyota said it will recall about 245,000 cars in the United States from its Lexus line to inspect a fuel pressure sensor. The vehicles include the 2006 through 2007 Lexus GS300/350, the 2006 through early 2009 Lexus IS250, and the 2006 through early 2008 Lexus IS350. The automaker also said it will also recall about 1.3 million vehicles not sold in the U.S. to fix different fuel system problems. Almost 400,000 of those autos have two different defects to be

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Lexus CT 200h 2011 car review

The new, compact CT 200h from Toyota’s upscale Lexus division shares its hybrid gas/electric powertrain with Toyota’s Prius. But the Prius feels like an appliance, while the CT 200h feels and drives like a luxury car. The 2011 front-drive, four-door CT 200h is the first Lexus hatchback and thus is more practical than the Prius. Also, compared to the Prius, the new Lexus has an ultra-rigid chassis, better suspension and a body that, while somewhat chunky, looks rather sporty, partly because of a rakish roofline and short body overhangs. However, a low front end (for aerodynamic efficiency) could be damaged in certain parking areas. The CT 200h was mainly designed for Europe’s narrow streets and tight parking spots, which means

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Honda, Lexus, Chevrolet dominate Kiplinger's/Yahoo Cars of the Decade list

The Toyota Prius and Chevrolet Corvette couldn’t be more different. And likewise, there’s nothing similar between a BMW 3 Series and a Honda Odyssey. Unless, of course, Kiplinger’s magazine and Yahoo.com happen to be compiling a list of the cars of the decade. With a vast number of vehicles from which to choose in the past decade, how could the publications possible select the top-10 cars of the decade. The Prius, for example, was selected with the following description: “When the Prius made its U.S. debut in 2001, it barely registered a blip in the auto industry. But then the Hollywood green crowd adopted the little gas-electric hybrid as a symbol of saving the planet. “Ten years and two redesigns

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Audi, Ford, Lexus on The Weekly Driver's 2010 Best List

Recall was likely the most used word in the automotive industry in 2010. Toyota topped the list of manufacturers’ whose cars were retrieved by the millions with myriad issues. Regardless, of the 20 million recalls. it was another remarkable year for cars. The Hyundai Sonata for the first time in some monthly totals outsold the Honda Accord. The Chevy Camaro returned in 2009 as a 2010 model. Honda introduced the attention-grabbing Crosstour and discontinued the Element. The Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf made their public debuts amid an enormous public relations joust and with the future of hybrid and electric vehicles still largely unclear. The specialty car market was constantly in the news. Premium prices were dished out at auctions

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Lexus announces price, gas mileage for new hybrid

Lexus has announced the price, gas mileage and other specs of its new 2011 CT 200h hybrid, available at dealerships in March 2011 as the manufacturer’s fifth hybrid. The CT 200h will have the luxury industry’s best at 42 mpg and a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $29,120. The CT 200h emits approximately 60 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new car, and has EPA-estimated ratings of 43 mpg city and 40 mpg on the highway utilizing regular 87-octane gasoline. Moreover, the CT 200h can be operated in a switchable EV mode which generates zero emissions. In addition to the EV and Normal drive modes, the CT 200h offers Sport and Eco modes which can help enhance either

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Toyota announces largest recall in history, 1.6 million cars with brake issues

Recalled plagued Toyota Motor Corp. has announced its latest and largest recall to date, this time 1.66 million Avalon and other vehicles, including Lexus models, for brake cylinder issues. The new recall includes the 2005 and 2006 Avalon sedan, 2004 through 2006 Highlander (the non-Hybrid model) and Lexus RX330 crossovers, and the 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350 sedans. Additionally, the latest recall, mostly in Japan and the United States, comes less than two months after a recall in Canada and the United States of 1.3 million Corolla and Matrix cars. In that instance, the vehicle had defective engine control modules that could cause the vehicles to stall. The vehicle’s brake master cylinders can leak small amounts of fluid, resulting

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Lexus LS 460, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

J.D. Power and Associates and Consumer Reports consistently praise the LS 460 for its dependability, with the 2010 model further adding to the car’s top-of-the-industry’s reputation. Unless they’ve driven or been a passenger, onlookers don’t know the powerful, smooth performance the LS 460 delivers. But the luxury sedan (my test vehicle had a finely finished black exterior) to the corner market or on the open road and people stare with a look of envy. It didn’t matter where I drove the car, it attracted near-constant attention. And once you drive the Lexus LS 460, it’s hard not to want to drive it. Get on highway and the 380-horsepower machine takes charge. From the push-button start to the effortless shifting and

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Toyota recall: Frozen steering wheel in nearly half-million Avalon, Lexus models

The recall affects 412,000 vehicles in the U.S. — 373,000 Avalon sedans and 39,000 Lexus LX 470 SUVs. The recall is Toyota‘s largest since announcing last April it would fix 600,000 Sienna minivans because of rusting spare tire holders. Toyota’s massive quality control problems began last October when it announced a recall of 5.3 million cars and trucks to fix floor mats that can trap pedals and cause unintended acceleration. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Used Cars Several additional recalls have followed — sticky gas pedals to braking problems with the Prius hybrid to rusting frames in the Tacoma pickup. With the latest problem, Toyota has now recalled

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Toyota halts worldwide sales of Lexus GX 460 SUV after Consumer Reports warning

Toyota spokeswoman Mieko Iwasaki said the company is expanding the suspension to the Middle East and Russia, the only other markets where it was sold. “We have no specific target in mind when to resume the sales,” said another Toyota spokesman Ririki Takeuchi. “We are now investigating the case by trying to replicate the situation that Consumer Reports pointed out.” Consumer Reports said it judged the 2010 model to be a safety risk because of a problem that cropped up during standard emergency-handling tests. “When pushed to its limits on our track’s handling course, the rear of the GX we bought slid out until the vehicle was almost sideways before the electronic stability control system was able to regain control,”

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Lexus GX 460 stung with Consumer Report's 'don't buy' warning

Consumer Reports magazine has further tarnished the reputation of Toyota after giving its luxury brand Lexus GX 460 SUV a rare “Don’t Buy” warning. The publication’s editors report a problem that occurred during routine handling tests could lead to a rollover accident in real-world driving. Specifically, during unusual turns during testing, the rear of the vehicle slid until it was nearly sideways before the electronic stability control system engaged. The magazine reported in real-world driving, a similar scenario could cause a rollover accident. As a result, the magazine has given the seven-seat SUV a “Don’t Buy: Safety Risk” label until the problem is fixed. “In a real world situation, by that time, the car can hit the curb or the

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Toyota fined maximum $16.4 million by NTHSA, largest in auto history

According to documents obtained from Toyota, NHTSA detailed in a press release the automaker knew some of its cars had sticky accelerator pedals since September 2009 and failed to notify the agency for more than four months. Under federal regulations, automakers are required to inform the agency within five days of determining a safety defect exists in one of its products. “We now have proof that Toyota failed to live up to its legal obligations,” said Secretary LaHood. “Worse yet, they knowingly hid a dangerous defect for months from U.S. officials and did not take action to protect millions of drivers and their families. For those reasons, we are seeking the maximum penalty possible under current laws.” NHTSA is still

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Lexus debuts compact luxury hybrid at Geneva Motor Show

It also reflects the design language of its larger siblings in its front face, roofline and slingshot window graphic. The exterior design is said to maximize aerodynamic efficiency through the corners and fender design, while the taillamp design displays the L-shaped motif that Lexus first introduced on the current LS model. The interior features contrasting use of metallic finishes and dark, soft-touch surfaces. The asymmetrical dashboard design seen in the LF-Ch show car – split into an upper ‘display zone’ and a lower ‘operation zone’ – low driving position and 2600mm wheelbase have all been effectively transferred into the production design. Worldwide sales of the Lexus CT 200h are expected to begin in late 2010. The 80th Geneva Auto Show

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Honda Fit, Toyota Prius get top value honors, Lexus best overall in Consumer Reports annual auto issue

The Honda Fit and the Toyota Prius each earned a value score of 2.08 and provided the best overall value despite being very different cars. Scores are expressed in relation to the value of the average vehicle (designated 1.00). A score of 2.00 represents twice the value of the average model. In total points, based on the magazine’s average road test scores and predicted reliability scores, Honda and Subaru tied for first with an overall score of 77 out of 100 points in Consumer Reports’ ranking. Toyota and Hyundai finished second and third while Nissan and Volkswagen tied for fourth. The ratings were calculated despite the recent recall issues for the Prius and Fit. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car

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