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Something new from Lexus, and it’s not a car – the world’s most advanced driving simulator

October 13, 2010 at 5:41 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Lexus, Technology

lexus sim

It sounds like just the thing for video game buffs, but this one is very much geared towards designing technology to help make driving safer.

It’s the world’s largest and most advanced driving simulator, run by Lexus at its research campus in Higashifuji, Japan. A series of complex, interlocking full motion tracks span the interior of a room the size of a football field. On top of the tracks sits a round domed structure, approximately 4.6m high and 17m in diameter, supported on a full three-axis hexapod system.

Inside the dome, a real Lexus vehicle is mounted to a turntable, allowing drivers to test and experience actual vehicle controls. A high-definition imaging system provides a full 360-degree environment of roads around the vehicle, and drivers can see and hear traffic and the city around them, including receding scenery that’s viewable in the side- and rear-view mirrors.

The pod is able to tip forward, backward and from side-to-side, and coupled with the track system, which moves the pod in all directions, the simulator can create realistic sensations of acceleration, cornering and handling, being able to mimic speeds of up to 300 kph and a turn angle of 330 degrees to boot.

In essence, the simulator allows engineers to conduct tests to learn about driver behavior and reaction times. Besides traditional traffic incidents, tests are done to determine driver response while distracted by technology such as text messaging, navigation systems and car warnings/displays, as well as driving in poor visibility conditions and while drowsy.

Besides making for newer safer designs, these simulations of different driving scenarios allows engineers to analyse driver reactions before an accident and help determine what technologies can be used to assist in helping to prevent future accidents. So, while it’s not a video game, it’s surely no less cool.

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Lexus Malaysia reaches 1,000-unit sales milestone

September 9, 2010 at 1:11 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Lexus, Local News

UMW Toyota Motor’s Lexus Malaysia division recently reached the milestone of 1,000 units sold since the premium brand was officially launched here at the end of 2006. The 1,000th unit was a Lexus RX 350.

“This is a big achievement for the Lexus brand as it has only been around in the country for just 3 years and operating from only one showroom up till early of this year. It also shows that Lexus vehicles have been well accepted by our Malaysian customers and more importantly they have accepted a true Lexus Experience,” said Kuah Kock Heng, President of Lexus Malaysia.

“With the opening of Lexus 3S Centre in Penang earlier this year and at a later stage in Johor, we can achieve our sales target, hence grow our market share in the premium market segment. In the next few months, Lexus Malaysia will continue to enhance further our product line up,” Kuah added. The company plans to sell 400 cars this year, with 70% of the target already met as of now.

Sounds like a new model is coming soon. IS-F anyone? :)

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Euro 5 compliant 2011 Lexus IS-F unveiled ahead of Paris

September 1, 2010 at 11:01 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Lexus

Automotive manufacturers have been “cleaning up” their act so to speak in terms of their high performance variants, with announcement of the discontinuation of models like the Focus ST.

Fortunately for Lexus and the IS-F, this hasn’t been the case. The Toyota based company will be unveiling a revised 5.0 litre V8 that will be more compliant with the upgraded Euro 5 standard. The engine will still generate 423hp, accelerating the car to a 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds. This goes on to reach an electronically limited top speed of 270km/h.

The 2011 model which will debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show, will also feature exterior tweaks such as a new headlight design with LED daytime running lights, rear light design, a revised front grille, new alloy wheels along with new exterior colours. This is nothing new as they’ve also been made available for the regular IS with the F-sport package.

Inside changes include better support for the driver in the form of a new seat design, blue stitching for the leather upholstery and redesigned instrument clusters. A picture gallery is available after the jump.
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2011 Lexus IS get revised F-sport package and engines

August 28, 2010 at 9:04 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Lexus

Lexus has unveiled the revisions it has made to the IS models ahead of the Paris Motor Show. This comes in the form of a revised petrol engine, a new diesel engine and styling updates.

The IS 250 and 220d F-Sport models have gained an updated interior and exterior, inspired by the high performance IS F model. Changes include a deep front spoiler with faired-in fog lights, new grille design, rear spoiler with integrated stoplight, LED daytime running lights and new-design 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside you get an F-Sport steering wheel, gear lever and sports pedals with the front seats finished in leather and Alcantara. Up above, titanium-effect trim and a dark, anthracite roof liner can be found.

Under the hood you find a more fuel-efficient engine that still produces 205hp and 252Nm. This is seen in improved fuel consumption figures, which now stands at 7 L/100km compared to the previous 7.42 l/100km. CO2 figures have also dropped from 209g/km to 194g/km. Similar improvements are seen in the 2011 IS 250C coupe-cabriolet now only sipping 7.7 L/100km and a CO2 figure of 213g/km.

Replacing the previous IS220d is the new 200d, which produces 148hp from its 2.2 litre engine, also equipped with a diesel particulate filter to meet Euro 5 emissions standard. Peak torque is 340Nm available from 2000rpm, while the car reaches 100km/h in 10.2 seconds. Economy is superb as the car’s fuel consumption figure is 4.25 L/100 and has a relatively green CO2 emission figure of 134g/km.

Look after the jump for a picture gallery.
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Freak Civic: Honda dreams to be two separate Toyotas!

August 13, 2010 at 11:29 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Honda, Laughs, Lexus, Toyota

Making a car look like something else is something. Making it look like TWO other cars is truly rare. This Thai Honda Civic spotted at a PTT petrol station mimics the Lexus IS at the rear but takes on a Toyota Crown Athlete persona from the front. This freak is actually quite convincing, and there aren’t many hints of the car’s roots if you don’t see it in profile, where the Civic’s curved roof betrays it.

The owner is obviously a big fan of VIP-style tuning, with Junction Produce badges (in gold, no less!) adorning his Lexus rear, big shiny wheels and slammed suspension. Perhaps the sight of this “challenge” might inspire some to cut and paste some freaks in our own backyard!

More pics after the jump.
Source
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Lexus Malaysia to recall LS 460 for valve spring issue

July 6, 2010 at 4:26 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Lexus, Local News

Lexus Malaysia has announced that it will be recalling about 100 units of the Lexus LS460 in Malaysia for a Special Service Campaign to address the improper functioning of valve springs found in the LS460′s V8 engine. Lexus will be calling up its customers to make appointments to carry out the corrective measures.

In other countries, there are V6 models in other cars such as the Lexus GS that are affected as well, but our Malaysian Market Lexus GS 300 is not affected by the valve spring problem. For the V8, it only affects engines manufactured between August 2006 to July 2008.

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Potential valve spring problem in V6 and V8 Lexus engines

July 1, 2010 at 11:10 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Lexus

Lexus has announced that it have discovered that there might be the possibility of improperly functioning valve springs in some Lexus engines, which might result in abnormal engine noise or unstable idling, or in the worst case scenario, an engine stopping as a result. These improperly functioning valve springs can be found in the UK market in the GS 450h, GS 460, LS 460 and LS 600h models.

Internationally, they affect the Lexus LS460, Lexus LS600h, Lexus LS600hL, Lexus GS350, Lexus GS450h, Lexus GS460 and Lexus IS350 and the Toyota Crown. Lexus says that they are currently preparing a field action which I am guessing is most likely a recall to inspect and replace parts if necessary.

Lexus Malaysia has not issued any statements so far. The LS 460 is sold here in Malaysia, and our Malaysian model might be affected. All the other affected models are not on sale here in Malaysia. Our GS is the GS 300, which uses a 3.0 litre V6 engine, while the GS 450h uses a 3.5 litre V6 in its hybrid powertrain. But I wonder if the 3.0 engine is also affected since the problem doesn’t seem to be contained to one particular type of engine – there are both V6 and V8 engines in the affected list.

A quick search online revealed that this valve spring problem has been known for quite some time now but replacement has been on a case by case basis. According to a post by forum member Mike_TX in the Club Lexus forums, “in late 2007/early 2008, one of the robots was found to be out of adjustment, such that when it installed the spring, it scraped it and caused a “score” mark on it. That small score mark created a weak point that can cause a failure of the spring after thousands of cycles.”

We will update with any new news as soon as we can. Lexus Malaysia has demonstrated in the past that it will definitely issue swift recalls – the Malaysian distributor recently recalled the LS for problems in the VGRS steering system.

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Defending champs Lexus Team Petronas Tom’s unlikely to rock Sepang, but look good to retain championship

June 18, 2010 at 5:56 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Lexus, Motorsports

It’s Super GT season in Malaysia again, as the premier Japanese “box car” series arrives at Sepang for their hottest race of the year. We figure that many attend the annual Sepang event more for the lovely Japanese race queens than the race action itself, but even so, people still need a team to support.

For those without an alliance, let us suggest Lexus Team Petronas Tom’s for two reasons – despite the higher profile of some other outfits, Tom’s is the team to beat (2009 GT500 driver and team champions), and you will be in good company – Petronas has been backing the team since 2008.

Tom’s two drivers, Juichi Wakisaka and Andre Lotterer, visited Galeri Petronas KLCC this morning to join children aged 8-12 in a school holiday art workshop. Both wheelmen lent their hands in creating artwork from stencils of their Lexus SC430 race car and Petronas’ Super Taikyu BMW Z4 M. During “recess” we got hold of the top driver pairing in Super GT for a few quick questions.

German driver Lotterer was tired, and understandably so, as he’s still jetlagged after flying out of Le Mans, where the 29-year old was part of Audi’s successful podium conquering outing. There, Lotterer and teammates Benoit Treluyer (also a Super GT driver) and Marcel Fassler finished second. On fancied Peugeot’s self destruction at Le Mans, he admitted that they were fast, but cheekily added that “there’s only so much power metal can take”.

On the differences between last year’s GT500 championship winning car and the 2010 machine, Lotterer revealed that changes include a new front shape (bottom wing), improved aerodynamics, new under hood mount and suspension geometry plus a new air intake system. It’s a better all round set up, and the car is more consistent in grip, he said.

However, a win at Sepang this weekend would be a tough ask for Petronas Tom’s. Few factors contribute to this. First, the team is leading both driver and team standings at present, and so will carry the heaviest weight penalty in the field at 68 kg (34 points X 2 kg). Also, the Nissan GT-R has a better recent record at Sepang, winning the last two races here; the Nissans also have a small air-conditioner to combat heat so the drivers are more comfortable. Juichi Wakisaka “feels bad” for Petronas for not being able to see the team win here, but reckons that they’re looking good to retain the championship.

What about Honda’s fierce looking HSV-010 car? Lotterer isn’t impressed. “I don’t think it’s the best car, because it’s not a car that can win at all places,” he said. It was also pointed out to this writer that the high downforce, high drag, but low top speed Honda is said to be better on tighter, more technical circuits, but since Sepang has that and long straights as well, it’ll be interesting to see how they perform.

Here’s to a great weekend of hot Japanese action!

4 Comments      

Lexus LFA breaks a champagne glass with its exhaust!

June 3, 2010 at 11:55 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, Lexus, Videos

Lexus’s new commercial for its LFA exudes an innate level of style and luxury, with shots of its plush interior along with its futuristic control panel, and the insane burble of the rumbling engine that goes on to make an incredibly euphoric cry. Cry that is so intense that it makes a champagne glass shatter into a million pieces.

Before you start jumping to unnecessary conclusions Lexus clearly states that no CGI has been used to make the glass crack, just a little bit of science. The LFA among other things is known for its beautiful sounding engine and this has been achieved meticulously by a group of engineers through the tuning of the multi-stage exhaust system.

Through inspiration from the soundtrack generated from a Formula 1 car at maximum revs, the team created a unique sound by emphasizing the secondary combustion frequency of the engine and then introducing primary, secondary and tertiary firing harmonics. Its so unique that you can get it as a ringtone on your mobile phone.

They then hired a physicist to determine the type of champagne glass that shatters at the same frequency as an LFA’s revving engine. This was supposedly achieved at an incredible 7000-9000 rpm. Lexus has been causing quite a stir with the LFA recently, as it was announced that all 500 models had been sold. The more interesting point to the story is the fact that a third of these customers were from Germany. This from a land of BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and Porsches.

Each buyer has already put down their 100,000 Euro down payment so it might be to late to check your bank balance. Nonetheless watch the video and enjoy the precision of Lexus/Toyota engineering.
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Lexus recalling LS460L and the LS460 in Malaysia

May 25, 2010 at 2:52 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Lexus

Toyota Motors recently issued a press statement regarding an issue with their VGRS steering system globally. We can now confirm that a few models in Malaysia has been affected by the problem, which include the Lexus LS460L and the LS460. Cars in Malaysia that may be affected is said to be lower than 10.

Lexus Malaysia will be in contact with the respective owners to consolidate the issue. The VGRS system helps the handling of the car. This is done by providing more stability when driving at high speeds and better manoeuvring at low speeds.

The problems is at low speeds, when the steering wheel exhibits a temporary steering wheel off-centre condition which happens after driving away from a tight turn where the steering was at a full lock position. the steering wheel usually will be corrected after 5 seconds of this happening but feedback from customers has spurred the company to correct this little niggle in the system.

Fortunately it doesn’t greatly affect safety and this will not happen when changing lanes or turning at intersections. UMW Toyota Motor have stated that they will be booking in the owners as soon as the parts are available to carry out the ‘corrective measure’ and customers can expect to wait no longer than an hour.

Customers who have booked the LS460L or LS460 Sport needn’t fear as Lexus Malaysia have maintained that all the models will go through corrective measures before they’re delivered.

For more information customer can also contact their helpline which is 1-800-8-LEXUS (53987)

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