The SpoCom show last weekend had a ton of awesome cars but one of my favorites was this deep purple Lexus IS250 with blue “F-Zero” Volk TE37’s at the corners.  The color combo was slick and the fitment of the wheels would definitely qualify as “hellaflush“.  Major props to the owner of this fresh Lexus!  If you know who he is please mention it in the comments!

Looks like Lexus has got an early start on CT 200h marketing efforts.  They’ve released an emmersive movie-type game called “Dark Ride“.  The story is that you’re on an impromptu road trip as an “agent” for Lexus to get their new CT 200h back to Lexus headquarters before dawn. The game is pretty deep as it can link up to your facebook and also incorporates your webcam and computer mic giving you a few lines (which by the way can be funny if you go about it the right way).  It is a pretty fun game and is a great example how automotive marketing should be done in the future!  Good job Lexus!

This press release came out a little while ago but I didn’t get around to it until now.  Despite recent troubles Toyota/Lexus has been a pioneer in hybrid cars.  And since they’ve pretty much run the gamut in all things automotive, the engineers at Lexus decided to adapt they’re hybrid tech to a bike!  When you pedal you have the assistance of a 240W electric motor boosting the front wheel for you.  Also, like their hybrid cars the battery for the bicycle is recharged using kinetic energy displaced under breaking.  The bike also has an electric 8-speed transmission and a carbon fiber frame.  I’d much rather ride around one of these instead of those flimsy fixed-gear bikes that the kids are peddling around these days..

Press Release:

Introducing the Lexus Hybrid Bicycle Concept

Lexus has established itself as an industry leader in bringing advanced technologies to the premium car market. Now it has applied the same thinking on a smaller scale to create the Lexus Hybrid Bicycle, a design concept the captures the fundamental engineering and design values of the brand, but with two wheels rather than four.

In every aspect this is Lexus, from the L-finesse design language of the engaging and elegant frame, to the application of hybrid power, an electric eight-speed transmission and lightweight carbon fibre construction.

Lexus has brought what is one of the only two examples in existence to the UK for the first time, following the bicycle’s debut at the 2009 Tokyo motor show. Its arrival coincides with the announcement of Lexus’s title sponsorship of the Great British Bike Ride, a four-day charity fun ride that will see hundreds of cyclists following a course from Land’s End to the home of English rugby at Twickenham.

Lexus has pioneered high performance, low emissions and optimum fuel efficiency with its full hybrid Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain technology. The Hybrid Bicycle adopts similar principles, with the pedal power of the rider boosted by assistance to the front wheel from a 240W electric motor, via a 25.9V Lithium-ion battery, with a choice of Eco or Power modes. And, as with Lexus Hybrid Drive, there is an energy regeneration function that helps recharge the battery by capturing kinetic energy generated under braking.

The Lexus Hybrid Bicycle has all-wheel drive, by means of a belt system. It is equipped with an electric eight-speed Shimano internal gear system, which references the sophisticated eight-speed shift-by-wire automatic transmission of Lexus’s LS 600h limousine. The carbon fibre construction shares the same light-but-strong composite materials technology that was used on Valentino Rossi’s MotoGP-winning motorcycle.

There are no current plans for the Lexus Hybrid Bicycle to become a production model.

This is just a video of the yet to be released Lexus CT 200h I found floating around the Internet.  The video gives a pretty good overview of the car and to be honest, makes me want to get one!  I can’t get through this video without already starting to style the car out in my head.  Maybe if we’re lucky Lexus will let us follow up our IS-F project with a CT 200h project.

Vossen finally dropped their latest Concave wheel dubbed the VVS-CV1.  That is a lot of “V’s” for one name! So far you can get them in matte black or matte sliver and you get a machined lip with either color.  Size wise they’re currently only available in 20 inch diameters with a 9 inch width for the front and a 10.5 width for the rear.  Vossen designed these wheels for most luxury euro applications but they didn’t leave out Lexus or Infiniti either!  We would love to see a set of these on a GS sedan!

It is officially official.  Lexus will bring the new CT 200h hybrid crossover vehicle to the U.S. market.  In a press release sent out today Lexus announced that the production version of the CT 200h will make its debut at the New York Auto Show this year and we can expect to see the new hybrid in dealers in early 2011.  We had a lot of fun with the IS-F but we would love to get our hands on one of these and see what we could do.  We’ll have to start begging Lexus corporate for one now!

Press Release:

Lexus Announces CT 200h Premium Compact Hybrid For U.S. Market -

On Display at 2010 New York International Auto Show

NEW YORK - March 22, 2010 - Lexus announced today that the all-new CT 200h premium compact hybrid will go on sale in the U.S. in early 2011 as the first dedicated hybrid vehicle in the premium compact segment.

The sporty five-door will be on display March 31 through April 11 at the 2010 New York International Auto Show. The new CT 200h debuted at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show in early March and will join the HS 250h as Lexus’ second dedicated hybrid.

“The CT 200h is expected to lead the class in fuel economy and deliver low emissions, but the CT 200h isn’t just about being a hybrid, it’s about having fun,” said Mark Templin, Lexus Division group vice president and general manager. “The stylish CT 200h has an attitude and driving dynamic unlike any other Lexus hybrid. It will excite eco-conscious, young consumers and symbolize urban, luxury living.”

To reach this energetic and technology-savvy buyer, Lexus is taking a new approach to marketing the CT 200h. As part of an integrated launch in the U.S., Lexus will release a breakthrough interactive short film that offers a new take on the test drive by providing the viewer a fully immersive way to experience the new Lexus CT 200h.

Hybrid Powertrain
The CT 200h is powered by a 1.8L Atkinson cycle four-cylinder gas engine with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) and Lexus Hybrid Drive technology.

The CT 200h’s Lexus Hybrid Drive technology features two motor generators. Each performs specific functions and can operate as both a motor and generator. The engine-driven generator can charge the battery pack or provide additional power to the drive motor as needed. The drive motor is driven by electrical power from the hybrid battery pack or generator and provides motive force for the front wheels. The hybrid battery pack is located under the rear cargo area within the wheelbase for optimized balance.

The electric motor, generator and power split device are all housed in one highly compact casing the size of a conventional gearbox, with drive to the front wheels provided by Lexus Hybrid Drive’s quiet and smooth shift-by-wire, electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (E-CVT).

The CT 200h will also be equipped with four drive-modes: Normal, Eco, Sport and EV. Normal mode has an essentially linear throttle response that gives naturally progressive power while the Power Control Unit (PCU) limits drive voltage to a maximum of 500 volts. The Eco mode adjusts air conditioning settings and the throttle for the best possible fuel economy. For an enhanced fun-to-drive experience, Sport mode, a first for the Lexus hybrid line-up, can be selected. Sport mode provides more direct Electric Power Steering (EPS) settings and throttle while the PCU boosts drive voltage to a maximum output of 650 volts. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC) are less intrusive when Sport mode is selected, allowing for more lively driving. In EV mode, under certain circumstances, the vehicle can be driven up to one mile using only the electric motors.

The sporty premium compact hybrid will also feature an ECO driving indicator that illuminates when the vehicle is being operated in an environmentally sensitive manner.

Exterior Design
CT 200h, with visible links to the LF-Ch compact hybrid concept that debuted at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, was designed to be a fun-to-drive luxury vehicle that achieves high fuel efficiency. The overall design combines sportiness, and elegance. The low center of gravity design combines short front and rear overhangs with a lowered edge of the rear roof allowing the CT 200h to cut through the wind. The grille and headlamps with standard LED daytime running lamps illustrate airflow with their three-dimensional arrowhead-shaped design cues, and strongly emphasize the unique, dynamic face of the CT 200h. Like all Lexus hybrids, the CT 200h has a blue “L” logo in the center of its grille.

The CT 200h is further distinguished by its long, aerodynamic roofline and unique Lexus slingshot window graphic. Its elegant silhouette is marked by a steeply raked windshield and flowing roofline. In the rear, the trailing edge of the roof overhangs the wide, wraparound window to create a seamlessly integrated spoiler housing a high-mount stop light. A pronounced step in the rear bumper flows from the muscular rear wheel arch shoulders, and is anchored by a sweeping taillamp design that incorporates a Lexus-unique L-shaped motif, first introduced in the LS flagship luxury sedan. In addition, the hood and rear hatch door are made of aluminum to minimize weight.

Interior Design
The CT 200h interior focuses on the driver, and is based on clearly divided display and operational zones. This layout positions functional equipment such as Remote Touch, the shift lever and steering wheel mounted audio controls close at hand, allowing the driver to operate them without having to change posture or divert attention from the road. The instrument panel, center cluster and console all make up what Lexus designers call advanced Human-Machine Interface (HMI). Based on Lexus L-Finesse design philosophy, the interior exudes a sporty yet spacious environment. The driver-centered cabin then combines these sporty touches with refined interior components that have been carefully designed to express the true form and fit of the material. The cabin is trimmed with metal and a new synthetic material called NuLuxe^TM that is soft to the touch like leather. Leather-trimmed seating will be available as an option.

A sporty, wide-grip steering wheel gives the driver command of the road while three large, high-visibility dials, speedometer, tachometer/hybrid meter and fuel gauge, in the instrument panel (IP), provide the driver with pertinent information. In Normal or Eco modes, the IP features a blue background. When the Sport mode is selected, a tachometer replaces the hybrid meter on the IP and the IP back lighting turns red. The drive mode switch and center console are also illuminated in red adding to the cabin’s sporty atmosphere.

Luxury/Comfort/Convenience
Standard comfort and convenience features will include fold-flat rear seats, SmartAccess key system, tilt and telescopic steering wheel column, steering wheel audio controls, front sport seats, an eight-way power and memory driver’s seat and Safety Connect^TM (includes complimentary one-year trial subscription).

A six-speaker Lexus Premium audio system with a CD player, auxiliary and USB inputs, integrated iPod® control, Bluetooth® audio wireless connectivity, and an integrated XM® Radio receiver will also be standard.

An optional moonroof will also be available. For added convenience the optional hard disc drive (HDD) Lexus Navigation system features a back-up camera, voice command casual language-based voice recognition system, Bluetooth phonebook download and Lexus’ exclusive Remote Touch controller with user-adjustable haptic feedback. Vehicles equipped with navigation will also have Lexus Enform^TM with Safety Connect (includes complimentary one-year trial subscription), XM® Radio with NavTraffic, NavWeather, and Sports & Stocks. All XM services will include a complimentary 90-day trial subscription.

 

Heads up to the IS-F owners out in interweb land.  GReddy USA is working on another exhaust option for you guys.  They threw up a preview pic via their twitter feed just a little while ago.  Follow @GReddy_Power to stay updated.

[Photo: GReddy]

Welcome to another edition of “SPOTTED”.  This time we take a look at the actualization of something RJ and I have been talking about for a few months now.  The entire exterior of a car done in brushed aluminum!  RJ saw an example of this at the 2010 Tokyo Auto Show and I swear its like they had brain ninjas reading our minds.  I think the MotorworldHype IS-F may be getting a new skin.

I know this car was at SEMA but I was so busy that I didn’t get a chance to get a close look at it.  The LA Auto Show was my chance to finally get personal with Lexus’ first foray into the supercar market, the Lexus LF-A.  Let me start off by saying that this is an absolutely beautiful car.  Of course there are a few small things I’d change because I’m that much of a design snob but ignore my character flaws and enjoy this machine for what it is: Japanese engineering and TQM at its finest.  I also had the opportunity to chat with Lexus National Marketing/Strategy Manager Brian Bolain about some of the principal features of the LF-A, and why Lexus decided to get into the exotic car market.  Check out the pics and interview below.

It’s been way too long since I’ve had a Blitz product on this site.  That is partly because they keep changing their domain name around but ever since options auto took over I think they are a bit more anchored now (the new addy is blitzpowerusa.com).  Anyway the point is I was browsing to see if they had any new aero products and I caught a glimpse of their half spoiler for the Lexus IS350.  It is very simplistic, but in this case that is a good thing.  If you really want to set it off you can pick up their carbon fiber grill to go with it.  Fresh!