VIDEO: Lexus Sets the Bar High, Chains Four Cars on LS in New TV Ad

In another sign that luxury automakers in the U.S. are raising the stakes -or so to speak- with their latest commercials, following Audi's recent A8 ad, Lexus has released a new TV spot as part of an advertising campaign to demonstrate how far the company goes to achieve perfection.

This particular broadcast ad is titled “Chain” and it shows a crane slowly lifting the front end of a LS, which is attached to four more Lexus models (RX, GS, ES and IS) using nothing more than cables and stretch bars. At the end of the spot, a $375,000 LFA comes into the shot and parks directly below the chain of vehicles weighing a total 21,000 pounds.

The key point here is that the commercial is real and that no special effects were used for its creation as Lexus proves in the 'Behind the Scenes" video.

“It isn’t enough to just say that we pursue perfection, we want to demonstrate the great lengths we go to in our pursuit,” states Dave Nordstrom, vice president of marketing for Lexus.

“The new broadcast spot allows us to focus on the foundation of our vehicles, the chassis, and show its almost unbelievable strength. In fact, we feared that it would be so unbelievable, we invited a physicist and structural engineer to witness the shoot, to prove that it did, in fact, occur without the use of special effects or computer generated-imagery.”

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Lexus bringing Five Customized Hybrids Plus CT 200h F-Sport to SEMA Show

Hitting the SEMA Show floors next week will be an array of customized Lexus hybrid models. The Japanese firm's lineup in Las Vegas will include the RX 450h SUV tuned by Paul Tolson, a race-spec GS 450h sedan, the VIP Auto Salon-prepped HS 250h sedan and two modified LS 600h L limos.

Lexus will also show off the CT 200h F-Sport concept fitted with 18-inch wheels shod in Pirelli P-Zero Nero 225/40 tires, a big brake kit with cross drilled rotors and an adjustable sport suspension. Full details and pictures after the break.

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___________________PRESS RELEASE LEXUS SEMA SHOW_________________

2010 SEMA Show - Lexus RX 450h by Paul Tolson, EST Styling

WHEELS/TIRES

• Leon Hardiritt Vertu wheels
  
• Front: 21 X 10-inch with a - 4 offset
  
• Rear: 21 X 12-inch with a + 9 offset
  
• Dunlop SP Sport Maxx DSST tires
  
• Front: 285/35R/21
  
• Rear: 325/30R/21
  

  BRAKES
  

• Rotora RFK Series 6-piston custom color caliper, 14.0-inch X 1.3-inch 2-piece drilled and slotted rotors
  

  SUSPENSION
  

• Air Runner Integrated Suspension Systems with quad air pressure digital display
  

  EXTERIOR
  

• Hired Gun Paint Werks widebody conversion
  
• Custom BASF 90 Line Water Borne Black Emerald
  
• Wald International Sports Line Black Bison Edition
  
• Lighting by Premium Sound & Security, Inc.
  

  INTERIOR
  

• Materials and stitching by Garcia's Auto Interiors
  
• Trim and accent pieces by Hired Gun Paint Werks
  
• Fizz Autosports: Accessories - Junction Produce
  
• Lighting by Premium Sound & Security, Inc
  

  
  

  2010 SEMA Show - Lexus GS 450h by 0-60 Magazine
  

  WHEELS/TIRES
  

  • Rays Engineering, Volk Racing TE37 SL, mold formed forged racing wheels
  

  • 18 x 9.5 front and rear, gunmetal
  

  • Continental Racing Slicks, 275/35/18 front and rear
  

  BRAKES
  

  • Brembo Gran Turismo high performance brakes
  

  • 6-piston custom painted calipers, 14.0-inch x 1.3-inch 2-piece drilled rotors, front
  

  • 4-piston custom painted calipers, 13.6-inch x 1.1-inch 2-piece drilled rotors, rear
  

  SUSPENSION
  

  • TEIN USA Super Racing Coilovers
  

  • Advanced Mono tube construction, external reservoir tanks, individual 16-way compression, full in-car damping force adjustment via Tein EDFC
  

  • F Sport front and rear sway bars
  

  EXHAUST
  

  • GReddy Performance custom Titanium Race exhaust system
  

  EXTERIOR
  

  • Voltex Carbon GT Wing with Evasive Motorsports custom carbon end plates
  

  • Evasive Motorsports rear diffuser and front splitter with custom carbon work
  

  • Voltex Carbon twin front canards
  

  • Custom Carbon 5-piece body kit with front lip, side skirts, rear window spoiler
  

  • Balistek Autobody Matte White paint
  

  • Graphics/Vinyl Work - S and A Designs
  

  INTERIOR
  

  • Sparco USA Rev Plus lightweight racing seat, racing steering wheel, quick release hub, racing belts/harnesses, fire extinguisher, racing shift knob
  

  • Defi Sports Cluster
  

  • TEIN EDFC
  

  • GReddy gauges
  

  • Design Craft Fabrication racing spec roll cage, custom suede interior, custom carbon panels and covers
  

  MISC
  

  • Genesis Technologies Racing Air Jack system
  

  • Motul – Motor Oil, Brake Fluid
  

  
  

  2010 SEMA Show - Lexus HS 250h by VIP Auto Salon
  

  WHEELS/TIRES
  

  • Work Gnosis GS4 machined center disc, gloss bronze anodized outer barrel
  

  • 20x8.5-inch, ET30 A disc, front
  

  • 20x9.5-inch ET35 A disc, rear
  

  • Yokohama S. drive
  

  • 225/35/20 front
  

  • 255/30/20 rear
  

  SUSPENSION
  

  • Custom suspension provided by Vip Auto Salon and Tanabe
  

  EXHAUST
  

  • Branew axle back system
  

  EXTERIOR
  

  • Branew aero styling package with front and rear lip spoiler, rocker panels, roof and trunk spoiler and replacement sport fenders
  

  • Custom gray/black paint sprayed by Finish Line Auto Craft
  

  • Huper Optik Ceramic based window film 50 percent by STM
  

  • Lexus OEM Japan-market window visors
  

  INTERIOR
  

  • Custom interior by Vip Auto Salon and Top Stitch
  

  LIGHTING
  

  • Exterior and interior premium light packages provided by VLEDS
  

  
  

  2010 SEMA Show - Lexus LS 600h L by VIP Auto Salon
  

  WHEELS/TIRES
  

  • WALD Mahora M11c, machined black polish
  

  • 21x9-inch, ET33, front
  

  • 21x10-inch, ET40, rear
  

  • Pirelli P Zero Nero
  

  • 245/35/21 front
  

  • 285/30/21 rear
  

  BRAKES
  • Brembo high performance front brake kit with 15-inch disk and 6-piston monoblock calipers
  

  SUSPENSION
  • Custom air suspension provided by Universal Air
  

  EXHAUST
  • Performance Tube Systems Joe Z Series axle back exhaust system
  

  EXTERIOR
  • WALD aero styling package with front and rear lip spoiler, rocker panels, roof and trunk spoiler and replacement sport fenders
  • Custom PPG Hue of Macadamia paint sprayed by Finish Line Auto Craft
  • Huper Optik ceramic-based window film 50 percent by STM
  • Lexus OEM Japan-market window visors
  

  INTERIOR
  • Custom interior by Vip Auto Salon and Top Stitch
  

  LIGHTING
  • Exterior and interior premium light packages provided by VLEDS
  

  
  

  2010 SEMA Show - Lexus LS 600h L by Fox Marketing
  

  WHEELS/TIRES
  

  • Rotiform 20x9.5-inch concave BLQ wheels with candy copper finish, front
    
  • Rotiform 20x10.5-inch concave BLQ wheels with candy copper finish, rear
    
  • Toyo T1R 255/35/22, front
    
  • Toyo T1R 265/35/20, rear
    
  • Yonaka Tuner lug nuts
    

  BRAKES
  

  • Lexus/SSBC Modified
    
    • 6-piston calipers, 14.1-inch rotors, front
      
    • 4-piston calipers, 13.2-inch rotors, rear
      

  SUSPENSION
  

  • Factory air ride suspension
    
  • Custom controller – Adjust ride height from 0 – 4 inches
    

  EXTERIOR
  

  • BASF Glasurit 90 Line Glacier Green paint
    
  • BASF Glasurit 90 Line Satin Black accents
    
  • Artisan Spirit front bumper, front fenders, side skirts, rear bumper, dual HID fog lights, light bar, roof wing, rear deck wing
    
  • Color-keyed door handles
    
  • Satin black Lexus logos
    
  • Smoked rear taillights
    

  INTERIOR
  

  • BASF Glasurit 90 Line Glacier Green and Glasurit Black painted interior parts
    
  • Accentz 15 percent window tint
    
  • Rear night shades
    

Green Machine gets Meaner: Brian Fox’s Sema-Ready Lexus LS 600h L

SEMA is so close you can almost hear the 'doof doof' music ringing in your ears. With all those souped up Hyundais at the show every year, it's about time someone paid attention to the Mac Daddy of Retiree-Mobiles: the Lexus LS 600h L.

Fortunately, Brian Fox has done just that. His company, Fox Marketing, has taken the LS 600h L and made it show worthy. More pictures and specs after the jump.

First he added a fiberglass aerokit by Artisan Spirits, which includes bumpers, fenders and side skirts. A roof and rear deck wing, HID fog lights round and smoked taillights out the exterior package.

The car is finished in Glacier Green (which looks almost black) with Satin Black touches and Lexus logos. The exterior colors extend to parts of the interior, too. Finally there are the spectacular 20-inch Candy Copper wheels that remind me of the BBS ones everyone had on their Beamers in the 1980s.

I don't know if this is too subtle for SEMA though. The show is all about loud colors, carbon fiber and big speakers. With its stock standard great interior and subdued exterior, is Fox Marketing's LS 600h L a dud or a stud? Let us know in the comments.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: Cardomain / Blog

Engine

5.0L V8 438hp Hybrid 22MPG

Interior:
Lexus Light Gray Leather
BASF Glasurit 90 Line Glacier Green Painted Interior Parts
BASF Glasurit Black Painted Interior Parts
Rear Reclining Seats
Rear night shades
Accentz 15 percent window tint

Exterior:
BASF Glasurit 90 Line Glacier Green Paint sprayed with Anesta Iwata LS400 Hyrbid
BASF Glasurit 90 Line Satin Black Accents
Artisan Spirits Front Bumper
Artisan Spirits Front Fenders
Artisan Spirits Side Skirts
Artisan Spirits Rear Bumper
Artisan Spirits Dual HID Fog Lights
Artisan Spirits Light Bar
Artisan Spirits Roof Wing
Artisan Spirits Rear Deck Wing
Color Matched Door Handles
Lexus Satin Black Logo's
Painted by: R Miller Auto Body, Palmyra, Pa.

Lighting:
Smoked Rear Taillights

Brakes:
Front:
Lexus/SSBC Modified 14 inch 6 piston Calipers
Rear:
Lexus SSBC Modified 13inch 4 piston Calipers

Suspension:
Factory Air Ride Suspension
Custom Controller – Adjusts Ride Height from 0-4 inches

Wheels & Tires:
Front:
20x9.5 Rotiform Concave BLQ Wheel Candy Copper Finish
255/35/22 Toyo T1R
Yonaka Tuner Lug Nuts
Rear:
20x10.5 Rotiform Concave BLQ Wheel Candy Copper Finish
265/35/20 Toyo T1R
Yonaka Tuner Lug Nuts

Partners:
Lexus USA, BASF Refinish, Yonaka Motorsports, Artisan Spirits, Rotiform, Toyo Tires, SSBC Brakes, Anesta Iwata, Slammed Garage

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Lexus Officially Announces Recall on U.S. Market Models to Fix Engines

Toyota today notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of its intention to recall certain Lexus models in the United States to fix faulty engines in the automaker's latest quality problem.

The recall affects approximately 138,000 Lexus vehicles powered by 4.6 and 5.0 liter V8 and 3.5 liter V6 engines in certain 2006, 2007 and 2008 GS, IS and LS models. No vehicles from the current 2010 model year nor 2009 are affected.

"In the covered vehicles, due to slight variations during the manufacturing process, some foreign material may have contaminated a small number of the valve springs. If a vehicle is affected, there is a remote possibility that abnormal engine noise or idling may occur. In extremely rare instances, the engine may stop while the vehicle is in operation," Lexus said in a statement.

To fix the problem Lexus plans to replace the engine valve springs on the affected models.

The Japanese automaker said owners can continue to drive their vehicles, but it added that if symptoms such as vibration, rough idling, unusual engine sounds or poor performance occur, then they should take their car to a Lexus dealer for service.

Earlier this week, Toyota announced in Japan that it would recall a total of 270,000 Lexus models (plus the Toyota Crown) around the world to address the engine stalling issues.

Affected Models in the U.S.A.

Model	Model Year
GS 350	2007
	2008
GS 450h	2007
	2008
GS 460	2008
IS 350	2006
	2007
	2008
LS 460	2007
	2008
LS 460 L	2007
	2008
LS 600h L	2008

Lexus U.S. Says 137,000 Cars May have Faulty Engines in the States

Toyota's U.S. division has just issued a statement regarding potential engine faults on Lexus models sold in the States. The automaker said that around 137,000 vehicles could be affected in the U.S., including the IS 350, GS 350, GS 460, GS 450h, LS 460, LS 600hL, noting that current model years are not affected.

Earlier today, Toyota announced that approximately 270,000 vehicles (Lexus IS, GS and LS, and Toyota Crown) sold worldwide risk engine failure.

The Japanese automaker blames the problem on defective valve springs in some V8 and V6 engines. "Due to slight variations during the manufacturing process, some foreign material may have contaminated the valve springs resulting in potential breakage," Toyota said in a statement.

While Toyota claims it has not received any reports of accidents or injuries related to this issue, the company admits that "there is a remote possibility that abnormal engine noise or idling may occur" and that "in extremely rare instances, the engine may stop while the vehicle is in operation."

Toyota said it is still looking into the problem and will announce a fix soon.

"In the meantime, we sincerely apologize to our customers for any inconvenience and request that they contact their nearest Lexus dealer if they believe there is a problem with their vehicle," said Mark Templin, group vice president and general manager of the U.S. Lexus Division.

Toyota May Recall Up to 270,000 Cars Including Lexus IS, GS & LS Over Engine Problems

It looks like Toyota might be hit by another recall (the second one in a week after the HS 250h announcement) as the Japanese automaker admitted today that about 270,000 of its Lexus IS, GS and LS, and Toyota Crown vehicles may have a problem causing engines to stall.

In particular, the world's biggest carmaker said it discovered "improperly functioning valve springs" in some engines that could lead to abnormal engine noise or unstable idling, and in some instances, even cause the engine to stop while in motion. Toyota said that there are no reported accidents related to this issue.

The models that could be affected by this problem are the Lexus GS 350, GS 450h, GS 460, IS 350, LS 460, LS 600h and LS 600hL, and the Toyota Crown, the company said adding that around 90,000 of those vehicles were sold in Japan, with the rest in other markets around the world.

Toyota issued an additional statement in the UK stating that 3,200 Lexus vehicles including the GS 450h, GS 460, LS 460 and LS 600h models that were sold in Britain may be affected by this issue.

The company stated that "additional information detailing further actions will be provided as and when it becomes available."

We'll update this story on Carscoop as soon as more details emerge.

Source: Lexus UK & LATimes