Fox Marketing/Artisan is working on a tuning program for the Lexus IS-F, which will be on display at this year SEMA Show. The most impressive part of the program are, no doubt about that, the mechanical upgrades. Powered by a 5.0 liter V8 engine that delivers over 600 hp, the IS-F is also equipped with JE pistons, Crower rods, Mishimoto radiator and Artisan exhaust. Of course, the bodykit also looks good, with its custom front and rear bumpers, new side-skirts that with blistered rear fenders integrated and 20 inch special wheels, wrapped in Toyo T1R tires. And, to make it even more eye-catching, Fox IS-F will be available in a Glasurit Sunset Orange paint finish, with blacked-out headlamps, grille and emblems.

Check out more photos after the jump. Read More: "600 hp Lexus IS-F tuning by Fox Marketing/Artisan"

The premium coupe cabriolet market is a very attractive one for car manufacturers and the BMW 3 Series Cabrio and the Audi A5 Cabrio are two of the most beautiful cars around, no doubt about that. And now it seems that Toyota also wants a piece of the action because, according to Carscoop, besides the IS facelift, the Paris Motor Show will mark the debut of the Lexus IS Coupe-Cabriolet. That great news and we’re really waiting to see the car live at the French show. What’s really interesting is that, according to Carscoop’s sources, the model that will be on display in Paris will be marked as a concept, but except for some minor changes, it will basically be the production-ready version, that will go on sale next summer.

Read More: "Lexus IS Coupe-Cabriolet to debut at Paris"

Though no official press release has been made, here are the first photos of the facelift for the Lexus IS, that will make its world debut at the Paris Motor Show. Like we said, there’s no official info so far, but we can see that the car has a restyled front grille, tail lamp crystals featuring L-shaped back-up lights, exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals and new designs for the alloy wheels, that might also come in 17 and 18 inch sizes. Rumors also say that the car will get new exterior colors and new Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) stability control system.

Check out more photos after the jump. Read More: "First official photos of the 2009 Lexus IS facelift"

The crazy concept you see in these photos represent the Lexus Nuaero, created by Swedish student Jon Rådbrink. The design represents his final project at the Vehicle Design Dept. at the Royal College of Art and “proposes a new design language to communicate ecological efficiency through an architecture inspired by aerodynamics”. The Nuaero concept features a flowing catamaran underbody (made possible by in-wheel motors and hub-center steering) that ends in a massive venturi tunnel between the rear wheels. A super low-drag body is achieved by using an airfoil (wing profile) center, that blends between the nearly flat rearward tapered sides. To smoothly guide the air around the cabin, the angle of attack of the airfoil is optimized for efficiency while creating negative lift.

“I’ve been looking at different basic principles and ideas about aerodynamic efficiency and then combined them into a unique vehicle architecture. Usually aerodynamics is a final stage in car design, so this project kind of started where most projects finish” Jon said.

The final design features a flowing catamaran underbody - made possible by in-wheel motors and hub-center steering - that ends in a massive venturi tunnel between the rear wheels. A super low-drag body is achieved by using an airfoil (wing profile) center, that blends between the nearly flat rearward tapered sides. To smoothly guide the air around the cabin, the angle of attack of the airfoil is optimized for efficiency while creating negative lift.

The Lexus Nuaero has the dimensional impact of a luxury car, with an overall length of 4730 mm and a wheelbase of 3300 mm. The width is 1999 mm and the height is 1245 mm. But, in spite of its large presence, the approximated weight of just over 800 kg is not far from that of a SMART fortwo.

Check out one more photo and a cool video of the concept after the jump. Read More: "Lexus Nuaero Concept by Jon Rådbrink"

According to Inside Line, Toyota is planning on canceling the next generation Lexus SC and the Camry-based Avalon. The decision to drop the Lexus SC was caused by the slow sales of the model, in the first six month of 2008 Laxus managing to sell only 1,230 units (40 percent less than last year). Priced at $67,120, the SC is powered by a 288 hp 4.3 liter V8, which averages 16 mpg (city) and 23 mpg (highway). And with the current rising gas prices the car was doomed, especially with Lexus preparing the LF-A sports car, based on the same RWD platform.

As for the Avalon, because the next-generation 2012 Camry is well underway, Toyota is having serious doubts on whether to continue Avalon production or not and may opt to produce a long-wheelbase Camry for such markets as North America and the Middle East.
Read More: "Toyota gives up on next gen Lexus SC and Avalon"

Bob Weir is founding member of the Grateful Dead, a band that helped a lot the Hippie movement. But despite his age, he bought a 2007 Lexus GS 450h. He is anxious about new technology when it comes to transportation choices. It seems a paradox for a commonplace man, but not for him. He isn’t such a person!

It took a year to get used to the automatic, but he succeed. And this is the most important part. Weir gives his car an 8 of 10 rating, based on the fact that he isn’t very pleased about the gas mileage it gets.

However, the car Weir really loves doesn’t get out of the garage much these days. He said that the car in which he’ll probably be buried in is the ‘63 Corvette Stingray Roadster. Weir asserts that he is an environmentalist and this is the reason he doesn’t drive his Corvette all that much.

“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.” - Mahatma Gandhi
Read More: "A car, a legend. Bob Weir’s Corvette Stingray Roadster"

At the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, Lexus will present the IS-F race car, which will enter in the American GT2 LeMans Series. Called IS 350 GT2, the Lexus race car is powered by a 470 hp V6 engine, and the first race in which it will race will be the Twelve Hours of Sebring in Sebring, Fl this March 15-18.

Read More: "Lexus IS-F race car to enter the LeMans series"

Ok, I have to admit, this is some really weird news. Toyota has taken legal action and sent a ‘cease and desist’ letter to EBoys, a porn company, for using the Lexus name in their movies. Apparently, one of EBoys’ stars is some dude whose screen name is Lexus Cash and which has features some ‘man-on-man’ pornographic movies, whose titles we really don’t wanna know.

Of course, EBoys doesn’t agree with Toyota, who wants to recall two movies featuring Mr. Cash. The porn company’s president, Daniel Grangier stated that the performer’s name comes the Greek god, Lexus and has nothing to do with Toyota’s luxury brand. He also said that his attorneys are now looking for a solution in this case. However, I think that Toyota did more harm to themselves by making this public, especially because no one would’ve probably ever know of the existence of Lexus Cash if it wasn’t for this scandal.

Read More: "Toyota sues porn producers over the ‘Lexus’ name"

The Japanese tuner Wald International decided to create a tuning program for the Lexus IS. Already a beautiful car, Wald created a body kit featuring a new front bumper, side skirts, rear bumper and rear spoiler plus Wald’s 19-inch Portofino silver polished wheels. There was no engine or parts modifications, which is a pity, because the styling is great, but could’ve used a little power upgrade, just to feel better. See some more photos after the jump.
Read More: "Lexus IS tuning by Wald International"

At this month’s Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota will present the Lexus LF-Xh Hybrid Concept. The vehicle follows Lexus’ L-Finesse design philosophy and is equipped with a V6 hybrid engine and all-wheel-drive. Could this be the next generation Lexus SUV? Maybe, it sure looks promising.

Full Gallery: Lexus LF-Xh Concept

Read More: "Tokyo Preview: Lexus LF-Xh Hybrid Concept"

I think it’s time everyone make some changes to your Christmas wishlists because we have a little surprise for you. Lexus announced the Nieman Marcus IS F Limited Edition and we like it already, even though we only have this photo.

Considered the fastest production car ever produced by Lexus, the special edition IS F is powered by a 5.0 liter V8 engine that takes the car from 0 to 62 mph (100km/h) in just 4.9 seconds. Transmission is made through a Sport Direct Shift eight-speed gearbox and the car also features Lexus’ Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system, Bluetooth interface, and premium sound and DVD systems included.

The car also got some exclusive interior modifications, like black material with white accent stitching, white leather accents, and an F logo on the headrests. So, what to say, great choice for Christmas! Oh, and one more thing, the Neiman Marcus IS F will be priced at $68,000 and hurry up, because the edition is limited to only 50 units.
Read More: "Nieman Marcus Lexus IS F Limited Edition"

Here’s a nice video of the Lexus IS-F, taken this August in the event that took place at the Laguna Seca Raceway. Enjoy!

Lexus made a press release in which announced that it will start a £6 Million ($12 million) advertising campaign to promote its range of hybrid models for the fourth quarter of 2007. The campaign will include national TV, landmark billboard, on-line, and magazine activities. The first TV ads will air on September 17. Read the press release after the jump.
Read More: "£6 Million Lexus Hybrid campaign in the UK"

In addition with the launch of the new Andy Roddick commercial ad, Lexus is also hosting a “Virtual Tennis Open” for charity at New York’s Rockefeller Center in New York next month, offering the real grand prize of a Lexus IS-F.

The 3-day tournament will be using the Nintendo Wii platform, which allows human interaction with a computer-generated tennis game, and will benefit the Andy Roddick Foundation for neglected, abused and sick children.

“We created this event to bring the excitement of Flushing Meadows to Manhattan,” said Steve Jess, Lexus national marketing communications manager. “The Lexus Virtual Open at Rockefeller Center gives them the opportunity to get a taste of it and win a one-year lease on the same vehicle Lexus is awarding to the men’s singles champion.”
Read More: "Lexus and Andy Roddick offer a free IS-F"

The Japanese tuner Fabulous presented a modified of the Lexus LS460. No detailed info on the exact mods, but, judging after these photos it looks pretty good, especially with thos 22 inch alloy wheels. Click “read more” for more pictures. Read More: "Lexus LS460 by Fabulous"