Lexus

GS450h

The LF-A concept is a two-seater supercar powered by a high-output V10 engine capable of developing more than 373kW of power. The LF-A has an estimated top speed of close to 322km/h.

This is all achieved in a luxury capsule with Lexus levels of comfort and equipment.

The luxury marque will also lead the high-performance hybrid charge with the GS450h sedan, due to go on sale in the first half of the year.

The performance GS450h, based on the successful GS Line introduced to Australia in 2005, marries an alloy direct-injection V6 with powerful electric motor.

The world’s first luxury hybrid will deliver 4.5-litre engine performance but with the fuel economy of a 2.0-litre engine and with significantly reduced emissions.

“The Melbourne Show is about showcasing Lexus performance prowess,” said Scott Grant, divisional manager, Lexus Australia.

“The LF-A shows that Lexus is serious about competing with and even leading its peers at the very top of the market, while the production GS450h shows remarkable performance – fuelled by hybrid power,” he said.

Read more: Lexus Shows Supercar Prowess in Melbourne

LX4

Lexus Australia will launch the new LS460 in the fourth quarter of 2006.

The reveal in Detroit comes 17 years after Lexus launched its breakthrough LS400 in the United States.

The LS460 is an all-new model, designed for new levels of performance, sophistication, contemporary styling and luxury refinements.

The corporate manager of Lexus Australia, John Roca, said the new LS is the product of an advanced production process developed specifically for this vehicle with remarkable new levels of accuracy, refinement, precision and craftsmanship.

“Considering Lexus’ record for quality over the last 17 years, that’s quite a statement," he said.

Specifications provided at the LS460 reveal include power output of more than 275kW from the new Lexus 4.6-litre V8 engine, matched to the world’s first eight-speed automatic transmission.

The new Lexus V8 is designed to deliver sub-six-second 0-100km/h acceleration, coupled with an Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle II (ULEV II) rating.

John Roca said the new LS was built on a sophisticated platform that maintains a delicate balance between ride comfort and responsive handling.

“It has a new multi-link rear suspension system, electronic power steering system and an advanced Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system,” he said.

VDIM is an advanced stability system that integrates and manages a new Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB) system, Electronic Power Steering (EPS), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Antilock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and engine torque via the electronically controlled throttle.

The system, which monitors a variety of sensors, is designed to anticipate the onset of a vehicle skid or slide and then help correct the situation with a combination of braking, throttle and steering control in a way that is essentially transparent to the driver.

It gathers data from more sources and processes it earlier and faster than in previous designs, helping to make VDIM less obtrusive and even more effective.

Read more: Lexus Unveils LS460 in Detroit

IS250

The announcement comes on the back of Lexus establishing an all-time record of deliveries in Australia, according to annual sales figures announced today.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries’ VFACTS credits Lexus with 6005 deliveries in 2005, an increase of 19.9 per cent over 2004.

The Lexus result is more than four times the industry average rise.

According to VFACTS the combined prestige and luxury car segments rose 4.5 per cent to 72,190 deliveries, and the luxury market fell by 1.3 per cent.

Lexus is the third highest-selling luxury brand in Australia and its RX330 is the second highest-selling luxury SUV.

It is the third successive year Lexus has claimed a podium position amongst all luxury makes.

The company’s new IS250, its predecessor and the SUV RX330 all set all-time records.

Lexus delivered 1809 of the (combined 200, 250 and 300) IS model to eclipse the previous highest record of 1639 for the model achieved in 2002.

It delivered 2563 RX330 models to beat the previous record of 2441 set in 2004.

Demand for the new GS300/430 range increased sixfold since launch in the first quarter of 2005.

Lexus delivered 737 of its GS model compared to 116 for the full year 2004.

“Consumer confidence in Lexus is high, in part based on the seamless technology developments introduced in new models,” John Roca, corporate manager, Lexus Australia said.

“In 2006 Lexus intends to extend the technological advantage by introducing the world’s first petrol-electric hybrid technology into the luxury market,” he said.

“The first model is due in the first half of the year and others are to follow.”

Mr Roca said take-up of hybrid power could be up to 20 per cent of the volume of each of the vehicle ranges into which it is introduced.

Lexus’ RX330 claimed Australia’s Best Luxury Four Wheel Drive award for the third consecutive year and was the second highest-performing luxury AWD in the market.

“It is testimony to the design and light footprint of RX330 that it continued to grow in sales while some of its strongest competitors suffered setbacks in demand,” Mr Roca said.

“RX330 has established an enviable reputation for being a user-friendly SUV.

“Developments likely to occur this year will only enhance its reputation.”

Read more: Lexus Achieves Record Demand

IS250

The three Lexus are part of the 21 cars nominated and selected for COTY testing from more than 30 new releases in 2005.

The winner of COTY will be announced on 25 January 2006, with full details in the February issue of Wheels on sale that day.

Only nominated models from the year’s new releases qualify for COTY testing, based on significant changes from previous models.

The three Lexus COTY nominees are all-new generations of the GS and IS Lines.

“Lexus IS250 and GS300/430 are the first Lexus models built with the brand’s noticeable new L-finesse styling, which we’ve debuted in a series of concept models released since 2003,” said Scott Grant, divisional manager, Lexus Australia.

“Car Of The Year nominations for IS250 and the GS Line are solid recognition of where the Lexus brand is going.

“We have traditionally challenged the luxury car paradigm, and our latest and upcoming models continue the spirit,” he said.

The evolution of exterior styling is matched by significant design and drivetrain engineering developments across the board, with both model lines featuring new chassis, suspension and engine technology.

The new GS300 introduced a three-litre direct-injection all-alloy dual-VVT-i V6, while the GS430 brought a 4.3-litre V8 to the Lexus GS Line for the first time.

IS250 features a 2.5-litre version of the direct-injection all-alloy dual-VVT-i V6 – a first for the Lexus IS range.

Engineering breakthroughs in all three vehicles have included many world firsts, as well as several more sector firsts.

The all-new Lexus IS250 world firsts include twin-chamber SRS airbag technology for front passengers, the world’s smallest bi-xenon headlamps, and sound-absorbing material in sun visors to optimise its audio systems.

GS430 increased available active safety technology with the world-first Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management.

Read more: Lexus GS and IS Nominated for Wheels Car of the Year

IS250

The breakthrough Lexus pollen removal mode is designed to optimise occupant comfort by quickly removing pollen present inside the car from around the upper bodies of the driver and front passenger.

This feature is part of the raft of technology introduced in Lexus’ newest and what is predicted to become its most successful model yet.

The pollen removal function is an additional feature to IS250’s clean air (pollen) filter, introduced in Lexus in 1994 and standard across every model.

It builds on the hallmark Lexus cabin comfort technologies of a smog ventilation sensor and an easy-to-change pollen filter in the air conditioning system.

Lexus Australia divisional manager Scott Grant said the new system is an absolute must, considering Australia has such a high number of asthma and hay fever sufferers.

Australia has one of the world’s highest incidence of asthma, and pollen is one of the most common cause of seasonal allergies

IS250’s pollen removal mode operates for up to three minutes, blowing recirculated pollen-free air through the front face air vents.

A switch on the heater control panel activates the pollen removal system.

When the switch is activated, IS250’s automatic air conditioning system switches the air inlet to ‘recirculate’ and the air vents to ‘face’ mode.

It then blows recirculated pollen-free air around upper bodies of driver and front passenger, using the medium blower speed setting.

Once the pollen removal mode has ended, the air conditioning ECU automatically resumes control of the climate control system, using ‘auto’ mode.

The system will usually operate for approximately three minutes; however, it will operate for approximately one minute if the outside air temperature is low.

Lexus pollen and dust filters, standard across the range, are made of polyester for non-hazardous disposal and located near the glove box for ease of replacement.

Lexus IS250 is powered by a 2.5-litre direct-injection quad-cam V6, and is offered in three grades.

Its recommended retail price starts at $53,890*.

*Recommended retail price excludes dealer delivery, government and statutory charges, and optional extras.

Read more: Latest Lexus a Breakthrough Pollen Fighter

IS2

New IS250 will offer eight airbags as standard.

Lexus has developed a twin-chamber SRS airbag designed to lessen the impact of airbag deployment on front-seat passengers.

The twin-chamber airbag features an advanced V shape, distributing physical impact to the shoulders and upper torso.

Lexus IS250 will be the first vehicle to use this advanced airbag technology.

Lexus continually develops active and passive safety technology across its range, amid ongoing calls to increase safety technology in new cars.

New IS250 will demonstrate Lexus safety technology by offering adaptive radar cruise control, which maintains a set distance to traffic in front, and adaptive front headlights, whose beams reorient to illuminate around upcoming corners.

Lexus IS250 will be the first in its class to offer the Lexus Pre-Collision System (PCS).

The PCS features a millimetre-wave radar sensor to detect obstacles in front of the car and a dedicated computer that monitors vehicle speed, steering angle and yaw rate.

If it anticipates an unavoidable collision, the PCS pre-emptively retracts all slack from the seatbelts and increases braking power through the Lexus Emergency Brake Assist system.

The new IS250 will also feature Lexus Vehicle Swerve Control (VSC) technology.

IS250 will feature the Lexus hands-free Bluetooth wireless system, which allows drivers to answer their mobile phone via steering wheel controls or the satellite navigation screen, without being distracted by operating a handset.

IS250 will also feature the Lexus rear view camera.

The rear view camera, available in GS300/430, obtained a number one rating in the NRMA Insurance rear visibility study published in May this year.

Read more: Lexus IS250 to Launch World-First Twin Airbag