Photo: Lexus

The latest Lexus model, the new GS450h is a midsize luxury hybrid vehicle that provides almost everything someone would want in a  luxury car –  a smooth ride that’s loaded with luxurious features.

This Lexus hybrid has an electric motor built to generates about 180 horsepower from its batteries. It runs quiet, then will jump into electric mode for acceleration. Need a little more power? The gas-powered 3.5-liter V6 engine provides 338 horsepower.

Let’s jump right to the purchase price. The Lexus GS450h starts at $58,950. Of course add some nice luxury features and you can easily tack an another $10k to your purchase reprice. The rear-drive GS350 begins at a base price of only $46,900 and comes with a 306-horsepower V6 engine.

The Lexus car adaptive variable suspension offers a drive mode option allowing the driver to decide between Normal, Eco or Sport SS acceleration mode. In addition, the electronic variable speed automatic transmission helps improve gas mileage and removes the gear shifting feel.

The default mode is Eco which is perfect for your basic city driving. Saving gas is a big plus. In Normal mode, you get a little more pick-up, and still get gas performance in the 40-45 mph range.

Inside, Lexus GS450h does not disappoint. A nice brushed metal trim highlights the dash, doors and wheel. You will also find two easy-to-see round gauges for easy viewing plus a power tilt/telescope steering wheel.

The driver’s seat comes with three memory settings and the armrest on the console slides back to display a power rear sunshade button.

Seating is made of soft, two-tone leather. It’s perforated and features 18-way driver adjustments to help with increased lumbar support and side bolsters.

If you really want the best in amenities, the choose the luxury package which includes: 3-zone climate controls, front and rear heated seats, a sunshade plus adaptive Bi-LED headlamps.

IF you make a lot of long distance trips than consider the $2,000 pre-collision system. An audible alert notified you if a danger is detected, provides brake assistance in addition to monitoring the driver’s eyes to detect if they are closing due to drowsiness. Now that’s a cool feature!

Other features include a lane departure warning system for $500 and a

The Lexus GS450h ride is smooth and controlled and the engine provides plenty of power. The luxurious leather seating and upscale interior offers a stylish look that will impress your friends.

If you need help locating the best deal on a new Lexus GS450h Hybrid car, then please contact The Life of Luxury by using the below form.

Lexus LF-LC Concept Car

The Lexus LF-LC Concept Car has a distinctive and luxurious look that will definitely turn heads. The stunning vehicle from Lexus is a 2+2 coupe that comes with a hybrid drivetrain and a low profile.

The video was shot at the 2012 Concorso d’Eleganza. Whether we ever see it in production or speeding down the highway, it’s an incredibly attractive car.

To continue to battle both BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the luxury car market, Lexus may need to make an aggressive move like actually producing the stylish LF-LC.

Lexus 2013 GS

All-New 2013 GS by Lexus – Luxury Sport Performance Sedan

Next spring, luxury car maker Lexus will introduce it’s new five-passenger, four-door vehicle – the Lexus GS.

Lexus has long been viewed as a trend setter in the luxury car market and the new 2013 GS isn’t just another sport sedan.

The all-new 2013 GS by Lexus represents a new direction for Lexus, featuring cutting-edge design, performance and advanced luxury.

The Lexus 2013 GS was completely redesigned from the road up, the fourth generation GS stretches out with a stance nearly 2 inches wider than previous generations, allowing for a roomier cabin and nearly 25 percent more trunk space. The aerodynamic body is significantly more rigid for a whisper-quiet ride and superior cornering.

Features of the all-new Lexus GS luxury sedan include:

A New Look: From the spindle grille to the two-inch wider stance and industry-first 12.3-inch high-resolution split-screen multimedia display, the GS demands attention.

Power and Agility: The GS was inspired by the Lexus LFA supercar to create a high-performance, driver-focused vehicle with precision and purpose. Key elements include four driving modes—Normal, Eco, Sport S and Sport S-Plus—a more powerful base engine than BMW or Mercedes, six-speed paddle shifters, a redesigned aerodynamic body and a new suspension system for precise cornering.

Seamless Connectivity: The optional navigation system provides the next generation of Lexus Enform®, a safety, navigation, entertainment and communication system that allows you to check-in on Facebook, read reviews on Yelp, buy movie tickets from MovieTickets.com, and make restaurant reservations through OpenTable. Most of these apps can be accessed using a new conversational voice recognition system, so you don’t have to remember a list of commands or take your hands off the steering wheel.

The all-new luxury vehicle from Lexus will be available in three colors that are new to the Lexus color palette: Riviera Red, Meteor Blue Mica and Liquid Platinum.

Innovative, distinctive and paces ahead of the competition, the 2013 GS sets the stage for a fresh generation of Lexus vehicles that includes nine new or upgraded cars launching next year.

Courtesy of: Charitybuzz

If you are looking for an awesome hybrid car plus contributing to a worthy cause, go to Charitybuzz.com for a chance to bid on a new 2010 Lexus HS 250h.

The 2010 Lexus HS 250h is part of the Christie’s Green: A Bid to Save the Earth online auction. Charitybuzz auctions VIP experiences and luxury goods on its web site to raise millions for nonprofits around the globe.

The luxury 2010 Lexus HS 250h is the most fuel efficient Lexus ever built with a combined 35 MPG rated HS Hybrid that is over 59% more fuel efficient than other luxury competitors.

The car has a 2.4 Liter 16-valve Atkinson-cycle powerplant at the heart of the Lexus Hybrid Drive system.

It works with the electric motor to deliver excellent driving performance and 187 total system horsepower while using earning a Super Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEVII) emissions rating.

30% of the combined interior is covered with ecological plastics which are plant rather than petroleum based so they are less harmful to the environment.

Christie’s, the world’s leading art business, is spearheading one of the most buzzed about campaigns honoring the 40th anniversary of Earth Day – The Green Auction: A Bid to Save the Earth (www.abidtosavetheearth.org).

The Green Auction’s companion silent auction, powered by Charitybuzz, offers ongoing access to a further range of artwork, jewelry, travel packages and celebrity experiences. The auction closes May 6, 2010.

For a full description of amenities, please click here: http://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/2000209

Courtesy of: Lexus

Toyota’s Lexus recently unveiled its highly anticipated and first-ever LFA Supercar at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Lexus announced that their luxury LFA Supercar will go into production this December. Orders are now being taken at http://www.lexus.com/LFA/.

The launch of the LFA high-performance supercar, illustrates a strategic move by Lexus as it enters the exotic sports car market alongside such legendary names as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin.

The LFA will offer a bold design structure with an intensely powerful engine that is unlike any other Lexus vehicle on the road today. Lexus is redefining the supercar for the 21st century.

The first Supercar by Lexus redefines the segment with ultimate performance, featuring:
• 4.8L V10 Engine Generates 552 Horsepower for Powerful Rear-Wheel Drive
• Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Helps Provide a Light and Strong Structure

The Lexus LFA supercar will be on display for the first time in North America at two back-to-back premier venues – the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show in Las Vegas this November and the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show in December.

In 2010, Lexus will show the LFA Supercar at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Chicago Auto Show, Dallas Auto Show and New York International Auto Show.

As the first Lexus supercar, the LFA serves as the flagship for the F portfolio of Lexus performance models and redefines the supercar for the 21st century. The Lexus F brand complements the core Lexus DNA by emphasizing serious performance. The LFA was carefully developed from a blank canvas by a small and dedicated team of hand-picked engineers that pushed every possible dynamic boundary.

“The development of the LFA was unlike any other Lexus,” said Mark Templin, Lexus division group vice president and general manager. “Minute details were engineered to provide an engaging and serious supercar that delivers impressive performance on and off the race track. Only 500 will ever be built worldwide, and each will be assembled to customer order, offering a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be part of a small, exclusive group of individuals.”

Courtesy of: Lexus

All 500 LFA supercars will be hand-assembled by skilled technicians in the “Lexus LFA Works” at the Motomachi Plant in Toyota City at a rate of no more than 20 per month.

The rear-wheel drive LFA is dynamically styled and powered by a sophisticated new high-revving 9,000 rpm (redline) 4.8-liter V10 engine that generates 552 hp and 354 lb.-ft. of torque for adrenaline-fuelled 202- mph performance. This specially-developed powerplant is paired with a unique six-speed Automated Sequential Gearbox (ASG) with blazing-quick paddle-activated shifts for ultimate driver control.

Linked by a rigid torque tube for excellent drivetrain integrity, the ASG is located in a transaxle layout over the rear axle for an optimal 48:52 front-to-rear weight distribution. Motorsport-developed lightweight aluminum alloy suspension components are complemented by Carbon Ceramic Material (CCM) brake discs and an innovative electrically assisted rack and pinion steering system.

Lightweight, powerful and balanced, the LFA features advanced Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) construction for its chassis and much of its bodywork to deliver a light, incredibly strong and impact-resistant structure. Rather than outsource this sophisticated materials technology, the LFA team took the radical step of developing its own CFRP processes internally for ultimate quality control and to make a sound engineering investment in the future.

The LFA’s sporty styling is distinguished by coherent lines that flow from roof to sill in a seamless convex to concave line for sophisticated aerodynamics. Its front-mid engine layout, long wheelbase, short overhangs, and snug, low-slung cabin identify it as a supercar.

CFRP also gave the LFA’s designers a far higher degree of design freedom, allowing them to create shapes, curves and edges that would have been impossible with metal. For example, the sharp trailing edges at the rear of the LFA that help provide superlative aerodynamics would not have been possible had traditional metal been used for the bodywork.

A dramatic low-slung cockpit has been intelligently designed and hand-assembled with the finest materials to reflect the car’s driver-centric dynamics. The intimate two-seat cabin has been conceived at every stage – ergonomics, acoustics, materials, comfort, versatility and visibility levels have all been painstakingly engineered – to put the driver at the center of the driving experience.

Production of the LFA supercar will begin in December 2010 with deliveries continuing for the following 24 months.

Consumers may contact the Lexus LFA Information Center at 866-LFA-4794 to express interest, or visit www.Lexus-LFA.com for more information.

Lexus HS 250h

The HS 250h sedan from Lexus, is the first model available only as a hybrid and the only entry-level hybrid offered by a luxury brand.

The new Lexus HS 250h sedan, which goes on sale in August, is the first Lexus powered by a four-cylinder engine.

It’s no surprise that the most fuel-efficient luxury cars sold in the United States aren’t homegrown. They are imported.

Europe and Japan lead the fuel-economy crusade for the luxury sector. A major reason is because economic conditions in those regions, have given local automakers major incentives to develop cars that conserve fuel while still providing amenities that luxury shoppers crave.

“European automakers have had to be conscious of fuel economy for decades,” says Mike Omotoso, senior manager of global powertrain forecasting for J.D. Power and Associates in Westlake Village, Calif. “In Europe, high-tech includes good performance coupled with good fuel economy.”  Full article

Plenty of cars costing less than $50,000 pack enough features and driving satisfaction to rival their ultra-high-dollar counterparts. Those that believe you have to spend big for a luxury car may turn up their noses at the autos on this list. That’s their loss.

Pay $37,175 for the BMW Z4 Roadster, and you can cruise around town in a two-seater roadster that allows you to automatically control the drop top while listening to your favorite tunes through a 10-speaker audio system.

The $35,605 Lincoln MKX crossover utility vehicle is loaded with standard features like heated, dual power mirrors with memory, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with genuine wood accents, and four-wheel disc brakes with an anti-lock braking system. Options include 20-inch chrome wheels, a panoramic roof, and a voice-activated DVD-based navigation system. The Volvo XC70, a $36,755 midsize wagon, is loaded with advanced safety features like hill descent control and full-length side curtain airbags.

To find others like them, we used data from Strategic Vision’s 2007 Total Value Awards. The market research firm measures classes of cars including reliability, warranty, strong anticipated resale value, durability, innovation, and dealership and ownership experience. Only cars that got a score of 700 out of a possible 1,000 were counted.

Vincentric, an automotive research firm, provided maintenance costs calculated over a five-year period. Vehicles with the lowest costs, which include oil changes, wheel alignments, and replacement wiper blades, made the list. Finally, we capped our list at cars costing $50,000; this allowed us to measure a wide range of vehicles, from coupes to large cars.

Behind The Numbers

The under-$50,000 segment is diverse. You can find an Audi A3 wagon with a starting price of $25,930 and a Saab 9-3 convertible beginning at $26,000. At the top end is a Land Rover SUV starting at $44,933 and the Mercedes SLK roadster with a base price of $46,000. Add in a few select options, and you can easily meet the $50,000 threshold.

There’s good reason the list is long. When Nissan (through Infiniti), Honda (through Acura) and Toyota (through Lexus) in the mid-’90s introduced models for the entry-level luxury buyer, they forced other carmakers to compete. Mercedes-Benz and BMW followed suit with the C-Class and 3 Series, respectively. Audi, Saab, Cadillac, and Lincoln also increased their offerings.

Their targets? Young professionals with high-paying jobs, those in high-income households, and empty nesters who are transitioning into a luxury vehicle. They found that these buyers were making their first or second luxury vehicle purchase. Upgrading to a luxury auto means sliding into plush leather seats, enjoying enhanced power features like a push-button engine starter and memory seating for two drivers, and rolling along on larger wheels.

“You are treating yourself with these vehicles,” says Stephanie Brinley, senior manager of product analysis at AutoPacific, a market research firm covering the auto industry. “It is reaching a level of maturity. You’ve reached a stage in your life where you want a little more luxury, and you can afford to purchase a vehicle with more amenities.”

Still, there’s a big difference between a $45,000 luxury car and an ultra-luxury car twice its price. Take the $86,000 Cadillac XLR convertible roadster. Its standard features include a V8 engine, a heated steering wheel, a high-tech navigation system, and a retractable hard top. Many of these are merely options in the under-$50,000 group.

Instead, these cars’ treats include standard features like electronic stability control or anti-lock brakes; stellar sound systems with multiple speakers; leather seats or high-quality upholstery; and a wider choice of options, like premium paint colors and electronic connections, like iPod and MP3 connectivity.

But let the buyer beware. Once you cross over into the luxury segment, you may never want to drive anything else.

Article by Jacqueline Mitchell – ForbesAutos

Lexus announced the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the all-new 2008 LX 570 luxury utility vehicle. The third-generation LX offers significantly increased performance and new safety features over the LX 470 model it replaces with a number of significant technological advancements as well as a new, high-strength chassis. Lexus made significant upgrades to the suspension and full-time four-wheel-drive system to improve the ride and overall performance.

The new 2008 LX 570, with its new technology features, enhanced safety, performance and comfort, will demand a base MSRP price of $73,800.  MSRP does not include a delivery, processing and handling fee of $765.

The LX 570 features a brand new 383-horsepower, 5.7-liter V8 engine matched to a six-speed sequential-shift automatic transmission built to handle very demanding tasks with smoothness and refinement. The various powertrain advancements make the 2008 LX 570 engaging to drive while providing an increased towing capacity of 8,500 pounds. An electro-hydraulic system with four-wheel Active Height Control (AHC) and Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) reacts more quickly and allows for a greater range of adjustment than the system it replaces.

With several first-in-class features, the LX 570 offers perhaps the most compelling combination of luxury, safety, on-road smoothness and off-road performance of any vehicle in its segment. The new Crawl Control regulates throttle and braking, allowing the driver to focus more on steering over particularly rough ground. In addition, LX 570 is the first Lexus to offer a new Wide-view Front & Side Monitor feature designed for use in certain urban settings such as parking garages. For enhanced occupant safety, the new LX 570 is equipped with a segment-leading 10 standard airbags and a segment-first Active Front Headrests. The optional Pre-Collision System with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control is also a segment first.

The LX 570’s standard luxury features include a four-zone climate control system, a first-in-class power sliding second-row seat, and a power-folding third-row seat. Options include a 19-speaker Mark Levinson® Reference Surround Sound audio system, Intuitive Park Assist, climate control front seats with heated second-row seats, and a rear-seat entertainment system.

The Luxury Institute conducted a recent poll and the result showed Tiffany & Co was the most popular top made-to-order company.  Over 90% of the wealthy people polled said they would recommend Tiffany products to others.

Lexus and Rolex also were popular choices.  Home furnishing was the top category, followed by jewelry, homes, men’s dress shirts, and men’s suits. Full article