A Lexus LX 570 has finished first in class at the legendary Baja 1000 endurance race in Mexico. Renowned test driver Joe Bacal took the wheel and drove the entire the course single-handedly in a performance reminiscent of Baja and off-road racing legend Ivan ‘Ironman’ Stewart. This year’s Baja 1000 took in the entire Baja California peninsula, from Ensenada to La Paz, for a distance of 1805km. Bacal completed the event in 38 hours and 22 minutes at an average speed of 46km/h to win the Stock Full class, in which no other competitors made it to the finish. Paul Williamsen, National Manager of Lexus International Training and Lexus Product Marketing, was one of three co-drivers who completed legs of the event alongside Bacal and said the LX performed without fault. “The LX ran flawlessly without a single mechanical issue,” he said. “It started and finished on the same four tyres and alloy wheels. “Nothing but fuel and drinking water was required at the eight planned pit stops.” The specially-prepared Lexus LX 570 features modified racing suspension, 37-inch BF Goodrich Baja tyres, race seats, modern safety equipment including full roll cage, and KC driving lights. The Stock Full class prohibits any modifications to the drivetrain, chassis and electronics. Bacal also drove the LX 570 to victory in the Stock Full class of the Laughlin Desert Challenge held in January this year.

Lexus Australia has previewed its new LS Line, featuring the all-new LS 600h F Sport model, at the Melbourne Cup Carnival ahead of its 2013 launch. Fifty per cent of the vehicle’s components were redesigned, re-engineered or replaced as part of the major update. The changes translate to 3,000 mechanical and component changes, including four world firsts and 13 Lexus firsts which arrive with the new model. The LS Line will also debut Lexus’ most powerful F Sport model – the new 327kW, all-wheel drive short wheelbase LS 600h F Sport. The entire LS Line benefits from significant engineering input to increase the vehicle’s driving dynamics, refinement and specification while reducing overall NVH (noise, vibration and harshness). As a result of engineering efforts, torsional rigidity has been increased by 60 per cent and steering support rigidity by 20 per cent. NVH reductions allow the LS to have class-leading quietness and almost 100 per cent rear seat conversation clarity^*. New exterior design, incorporating Lexus’ now signature ‘spindle grille’, improves LS’ visual appeal while increasing aerodynamic performance. Inside, a new dash and interior design improves usability and visual appeal. Specification across the vehicle line has also been improved, while pricing retains Lexus’ strong value proposition with all vehicles well specified as standard. Lexus Australia chief executive Tony Cramb said that the new LS Line is positive proof of Lexus’ desire for continual improvement. “When Lexus launched its first LS in 1989 it redefined what was expected from a luxury vehicle. “In 2007 Lexus was named the world’s best luxury vehicle and in 2012 we’ve made the world’s best even better,” said Mr Cramb. “New LS’ bold design reflects how Lexus is evolving. “This new LS combines sharper driving dynamics, with the highest levels of refinement and luxury, supported by Lexus’ industry-leading levels of service and support,” said Mr Cramb. New LS will be available from February 2013 in LS 460 Sports Luxury and F Sport models, along with the LS 600h F Sport. The long wheelbase LS 600hL will be available as a special order.

The first convertible and the 11^th F Sport model, the IS 250C F Sport, will be introduced to Australia from mid-November. The IS 250C F Sport features a range of visual and dynamic upgrades over the standard IS 250C, including unique suspension calibration, wheel package and revised interior and exterior styling. Suspension upgrades concentrate on enhancing the IS 250C’s overall handling dynamics, with front and rear suspension tuned to deliver more precise handling. Changes made include unique bushings, revised damping characteristics, unique rear stabiliser bar and enhanced spring rates. Backing up the IS 250C’s enhanced dynamics is an exterior and interior styling package. Outside, this includes F Sport-specific 10-spoke graphite-look 18-inch alloy wheels, unique mesh grille and lower lip spoiler with F Sport fog lamps. Inside, the IS 250C receives black leather accented seats, featuring contrasting perforations and stitching, F Sport steering wheel and gear lever, scuff plates and a black roof lining. Lexus Australia chief executive Tony Cramb said that the arrival of Lexus’ 11th F Sport only reinforced the strength of the F Sport brand in Australia. “F Sport has definitely resonated with Australian Lexus customers, with almost 50 per cent of IS 350 sales and one-third of CT 200h sales being F Sport models,” Mr Cramb said. “Customers have come to appreciate the enhanced driving enjoyment and visual appeal that F Sport models bring, and IS 250C F Sport will be a welcome addition to the F Sport range. “The addition of our 11th F Sport model reinforces the strength of the offering in Australia with F Sport models now available across our CT, IS, GS and RX lines, with the soon-to-be-launched LS 460 and LS 600h F Sport models rounding out the range,” he said. The IS 250C F Sport will be priced from $82,300. Also on offer will be a substantial enhancement pack, including Pre-Collision safety System, Active Cruise Control and Mark Levinson Audio, for $6,000 extra. In addition to the introduction of IS 250C F Sport, the entire IS convertible range will receive upgrades to navigation, audio, voice control and Bluetooth systems – which will now include Bluetooth audio streaming.  

Lexus revealed the stunning LF-LC Blue concept at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney last week and it for sure was something well worth seeing. The LF-LC Blue was clad in a unique Opal Blue that Lexus say was taken from the ‘Outback’. This model is the second version of the LF-LC which was first debuted at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year. The all-new Opal Blue exterior is inspired by the lustrous base colour found in the naturally occurring semi-precious opal stone of outback Australia. Beneath the blue skin, LF-LC combines advanced technologies and materials with organic design, giving an insight into what the future of sportscars may hold. Central to the concept is a suite of advanced materials and technologies, including lightweight carbon fibre and the next generation of Lexus’ industry-leading hybrid powertrain. New to LF-LC and derived from project LFA, LF-LC leverages Lexus’ extensive in-house experience in marrying carbon fibre and aluminium alloy materials to achieve a light body mass. The result is an extremely taut body that responds quickly and crisply to driver inputs – providing the perfect platform for the next-generation Lexus Hybrid Drive system. Dubbed Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive, the system features a powerful and efficient Atkinson cycle combustion engine, which is mated to an advanced high-energy battery pack. The high-energy battery pack is designed to deliver greater power from a smaller battery than those currently used in Lexus’ range of hybrid vehicles. Combined, the LF-LC Blue concept’s petrol/electric hybrid powertrain develops 372kW (500hp) – the most of any Lexus hybrid. Lexus Australia’s Tony Cramb said that LF-LC Blue is a demonstration of what the future may hold for sports cars. “For the past decade, Lexus has been synonymous with hybrid-drivetrains, superior build quality, comfort and reliability. “With the LF-LC we now reinforce our design and technology credentials,” said Mr Cramb. “The LF-LC is absolutely stunning. Its good looks mask some very exciting design and engineering innovations that will influence Lexus vehicles in the future. “LF-LC is part concept, part reality: the concept hints at what’s to come from Lexus, while the reality has us actively studying how we can engineer and build a vehicle like this in the future,” he said. Supporting LF-LC’s engineering feats is a stunning, technology-laden exterior and interior, clad in a new white and brown interior. Commanding the concept’s bold front end are sculpted ‘L’ shaped daytime running lights, vertical fog lamps and a fading dot matrix pattern to convey a sense of movement. Continuing the sense of motion, LF-LC’s side profile is commanded by deeply sculpted air intakes behind the doors. A wrap-around glass roof provides a panoramic view to the outside world while slicing through the air. The concept car’s glass roof features a lightweight, cantilevered pillar with a glass-to-glass junction inspired by modern architecture. LF-LC’s dynamic lines are carried through to the rear deck, sculpturally integrating the ‘spindle grille’ theme to complement the front of the vehicle while creating a unique sense of width. Tail lamps, inspired by a jet aeroplane afterburner, make use of inner lighting effects to create a remarkable sense of depth. The rear is also fitted with fog lamps, repeating the fading dot matrix pattern of the front fog lamps. Visually, the integrated tail and fog lamps repeat the ‘L’ shape and lead the viewer’s eye down to the powerful looking Lexus quad exhaust. The interior of the LF-LC concept contrasts the cool ambience of advanced technology with soft textures and organic shapes to create a driver-focused synergy of form and function. The cockpit expresses a feeling of both openness and security. The driver is enveloped by deeply scooped side panels and a high, curved console. The effect is to focus the driver zone on the controls and on the road. Based on Lexus’ commitment to creating an intuitive driving experience, the LF-LC incorporates a remote touch-screen device that allows the driver to comfortably operate controls without shifting position or altering their line of sight. Twin 12.3-inch LCD screens provide information and navigation display. Inputs come from a touch-screen control board piercing the swept centre console. The interface is used to control the audio system, climate controls and navigation, and features a pop-up touch-screen keyboard for more complex entries. Set directly in front of the driver, multi-level meters layer analogue and LCD technologies. The bottom layer displays temperature, fuel and the background for the Eco meter. The middle layer is the tachometer mechanical centre ring. The topmost layer provides indicators for the tachometer, speedometer and Eco meter. Surfaces throughout the cabin are presented in a combination of smooth leather and suede, with brushed metal trim and wood accents. The lightweight, race-inspired front seats are formed of multiple layers and repeat the interlacing curves that define the cabin interior. The racing-style steering wheel is clad in lightweight carbon fibre and contains integrated controls and a start button.

LF-LC BLUE SPECIFICATIONS
DRIVETRAIN
Drivetrain	Next-generation Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive
Engine	Atkinson Cycle Combustion Engine
Battery	Next-generation High Output Battery
Power	372kW (500hp) Combined system output
DIMENSIONS
Length	4630mm (182.3 inches)
Width	1950mm (76.8 inches)
Height	1270mm (50.0 inches)
Wheel base	2800 mm (110.0 inches)
WHEELS
Wheels	265/35 R21
CONSTRUCTION
Construction	Carbon Fibre/Aluminium

  Photos by Rudi Khoury  

October is the month for pink as it is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. To help raise awareness and much needed money, Lexus of Brisbane will be going pink. Lexus of Brisbane’s customer welcome packs, showroom and the dealership’s $700,000 LFA Supercar will go pink in aid of the cause. The Brisbane-based LFA will be the only pink version to appear in Australia – possibly the world. Lexus of Brisbane is also supporting the National Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation’s Hope Links Golf Day – which will be supported by Lexus of Brisbane ambassadors and Australian Rugby Union players, The Fainga’a Twins (Anthony and Saia), Lexus ambassador and Wallabies captain James Horwill and Wallabies coach Robbie Deans. Lexus of Brisbane dealer principal Andrew Scifleet said that the initiative is just one way the team at Lexus can get behind the cause. “Along with donations, auction items and support of the Fainga’a Twins Charity Golf Day, going pink is our way reminding all of Brisbane that October is the month of Breast Cancer Awareness.” The Faingaa Twins Charity Golf Day will be held at Links Hope Island today, Friday 12 October. For further information visit www.shop.faingaatwins.com.