BMW 3-Series Still Top Dog despite Strong Competition

In the ingloriously named, “small premium car segment”, the BMW 3-Series is king. A good all-rounder with sporting pretensions and cred, a nice assortment of engine and equipment options, and perhaps most importantly, a variety of body styles including a coupe and station wagon derivative that have ensured its market supremacy.

All 3-Series models are doing their bit to keep sales high. According to a study released by R.L. Polk & Co., from 2008 through this past February, the 3-Series sedan covered around 60 percent of the model's retail registrations, with the coupe, convertible and station wagon versions accounting for the rest of the sales.

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Lexus Announces 2011 IS 350C F Sport Special Edition

Lexus has unwrapped the limited run 2011 IS 350C F Sport Special Edition convertible, which is set to go on sale in the U.S. later this month. Only 175 units will be built, each carrying a $55,120 (not including $875 destination) sticker and some styling and performance upgrades over the standard model. Read more »

Lexus Issues Voluntary Recall on 245,000 GS and IS Models in the U.S.

Lexus has issued a voluntary safety recall involving some 245,000 cars in the U.S. because of a potential defect that may cause fuel leakage. The models affected by the recall include the GS300 and GS350 from the 2006-2007MY, the IS 250 from the 2006-2009MY, and the IS 350 from the 2006-2008MY.

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Lexus Tries to Lure UK Buyers with Special Edition IS Advance Models

Lexus has announced the availability of a pair of new special edition cars for the UK market called the IS 250 and IS 200d Advance. As is common with most special or limited edition models these days, the new IS cars are distinguished by the added -and not unique- features to the standard equipment. Read more »

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.

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New Toyota Recall, this time for Toyota Avalon and Highlander, and Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350

Toyota has announced a voluntary recall of some 740,000 vehicles in the United States to address a potential leak problem with a seal in the brake master cylinder. The models that are being recalled in the U.S. are the 2005-2006MY Toyota Avalon, 2004-2006MY Highlander (non Hybrid) and Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350. Another 600,898 vehicles were recalled in Japan and approximately 200,000 in China for the same issue.

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Paris Preshow: 2011 Lexus IS-F gets Euro 5 compliant V8 and new instrument panel

European fans of the Lexus IS-F rejoice; this is one sports car that won't be axed on the other side of the pond due to the introduction of the more stringent Euro 5 emissions standards. Unlike the current generations of the Ford Focus ST, Honda Civic Type R and Mazda RX-8 -just to mention a few, the IS-F will make it to the 2011 model year thanks to its tweaked 5.0-liter V8 that is now fully compliant with the upgraded Euro 5 norms.

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2011 Lexus IS with Minor Facelift Unveiled in Europe, comes with new 150HP Diesel

Carmakers continue to roll out product announcements ahead of next month's Paris Motor show. The latest is Lexus that revealed details on its revised for the 2011 model year, IS series for Europe, which benefits from some modest cosmetic tweaks, additional standard features and the introduction of a new diesel model.

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Identity Crisis: A Honda Civic Sedan with Lexus IS Buttocks and Toyota Crown Fascia

To be honest, we are not sure if we should shake our head with a smile or applaud the owner of this latest find. What you see here is a latest generation Honda Civic sedan from Thailand with a Toyota Crown face transplant, and a Lexus IS350 rear end, modded in the so-called VIP style. What a mix... Apparently, Japan's "Junction Produce" tuning shop had something to do with the build. While the styling may not appeal to all, there's little to find fault with the execution. More pictures after the break.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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2011 Lexus IS Receives Minor Facelift and New F-Sport Grade in Japan

Thanks to some leaked brochure shots, we can show you the first pictures of the Japanese domestic market (JDM) version of the subtly refreshed 2011 Lexus IS 250 / 350 sedan.

The most notable exterior changes include the new headlamps that incorporate LED daytime running lights and the redesigned lower part of the front bumper with round foglamps. Though not visible from these photos, the interior is said to benefit from some minor trim upgrades.

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Lexus F-Sport Accessories get Special Summer Pricing

Lexus's F-Sport accessory range is getting some price-cutting love from the big L. Over June and July, Lexus will offer special pricing for three packages that target owners of IS models and the rear-wheel-drive GS350.

Package 1 is the F-Sport suspension kit, consisting of lowering springs (for a 1 inch drop) and a rear chassis member brace. If a customer's model is RWD, they get front and rear sway bars (AWD models only get the rear sway bar). Price: $1,450 (Savings, according to Lexus: $549).

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2011 Lexus IS-F with Torsen LSD and New Options Arrives on UK Shores

Following its introduction at last year's Frankfurt Show, the subtly revised 2011 Lexus IS-F has made its way to UK dealerships with an on-the-road price of £55,595 (that's about US$82,900 or €62,150).

For 2010, Lexus' premium sports saloon gains a new limited slip differential fitted as standard as well as new satellite navigation system, powered by a 40GB hard disc drive that also provides an on-board "sound library" function, with 10GB of disc space.

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Improved 2010 Lexus IS with New F-Sport Grade Goes on Sale in the UK

Lexus has announced the UK market launch of the 2010 model year IS sedan that brings some equipment upgrades, improvements in fuel consumption and emissions as well as the introduction of a new F-Sport grade.

Available for both IS 250 and 220d models, the new F-Sport grade takes its cue from the IS F and is positioned in the line-up between the SE-I and SE-L models. Special features include a lowered sport suspension (IS 250 only), unique 18-inch wheels and an IS F-style front grille and rear bootlid spoiler.

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Lexus Announces IS 350C F-Sport Special Edition, Priced from $58,375

First of all, before you run down to the comments section to... run us down, what you see pictured above is NOT the special edition F-Sport model but an F-Sport equipped IS350C as Lexus did not accompany the announcement on its new model with pictures.

Not that we've cleared that up, let's see what the IS 350C F-Sport special is all about. To put it briefly, it's a limited run version of the coupe-convertible IS packed with performance and styling accessories from Lexus' F-Sport accessories line as well as additional equipment that will be available only in two colors, Tungsten Pearl or Obsidian.

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Tokyo 2010: Lexus IS F Circuit Club Sport Concept

Lexus' offerings for the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon included a lightweight concept version of the firm's performance-minded sports sedan. Dubbed IS F Circuit Club Sport or CCS for short, the prototype Lexus comes in an attention-grabbing bright orange finish and more carbon fiber than a NASA warehouse.

And we're talking about a lot of carbon fiber as the lightweight material is used for the newly designed hood, rooftop, rear wing, exterior mirrors, trunk, front spoiler lips, right down to the rear diffuser.

The same material is also found on the Lexus IS F's engine cover as well as in the interior on the door panels, center and lower console, steering wheel trim, and the transmission lever.

Unfortunately, Lexus did reveal the weight gains from the extensive use of carbon fiber parts on the sports car.

Other mods include the forged magnesium wheels and sport tires, high-performance carbon ceramic brakes, sport suspension, new exhaust system with a titanium sports muffler and the two-tone bucket seats inside.

Lexus said that the standard IS F's 5.0-liter V8 engine with 423HP (in JDM spec) has been left intact.

Photos by Phil Alex with the help of friends Mike and Aaron

Double Whammy: DUI Driver Smashes Into Another DUI's Crashed Car [Updated with New Video]

Two separate accidents that occurred in downtown Los Angeles today lead to the arrest of two people on suspicion of DUI (driving under the influence). This strange incident started when a female driver in a Lexus IS, who was later arrested for DUI, crashed with another car that allegedly drove off after the accident. A few minutes later, and while a cameraman was filming the incident, a third car with three people inside slammed into the Lexus!

According to the reports, the rear seat passenger in the white car that hit the Lexus was taken to the hospital for minor injuries, while the driver was apprehended by the boys-in-blue for driving under the influence. Luckily, no one was in the Lexus when the second accident occurred.

Hat tip to Andrew! - Via: KTLA