Lexus tagged posts

Today Lexus USA released some details about the 2015 model year of the brand’s compact sports sedan – the IS.

Generally speaking there is no major mechanical changes. New options are listed below:

– LED fog light;
– AWD models equipped with heated steering wheel;
– Siri eyes free system;
– Lexus Enform remote system (control some car functionalities from smartphone app)
– Upgraded backup camera (added dynamic grid lines);
– Enhanced heated/ventilated front seats available for the FSport model;
– Updated interior trim, with piano black on several areas such as the window switches;
– Stratus Gray interior color replaces the current Light Gray color.

Although the 2015 model ...

In this section, we will examine the rear wheel braking system.

Similar to the front wheel, one factor that affects the location of the brake caliper is the geometry design of the car’s rear suspension.

For some cars, there are control arm that connects to the rear part of the wheel hub, which takes up places that can fit the brake, therefore the brake caliper must be located in front of the rear wheel axle. For example the Lexus GS350 with rear wheel steering option, the control arm is located behind the wheel hub, therefore the brake must be placed on the other side.

For some other cars, the rear suspension control arms are in front of the wheel axle, therefore the bra...

In this section, let’s take a look at one factor that determines the location of your car’s brake calipers.

First, we look at the front wheels. You may find many front-wheel-drive cars have their front brake calipers in front of the axle, that is because for FWD layout, the engine is usually transversely placed in front of the axle. With such layout, the steering arm can not be placed in front of the axle because the transversely placed engine acts like a wall to block the passage of the steering shaft. Therefore, the steering arm can only be located after the axle, which means there is no place left for the brake system at the same location...

Toyota Motorsport GmbH (a.k.a TMG), the Köln Germany-based motorsport division of the Toyota Group, told Australian media that they are developing a double-clutch transmission for the company’s Lexus brand.

According to Rob Leupen, business operations director of TMG, in the next 2 or 3 years we should be able to see the TMG-developed DCT on the Lexus RC-F, and also the next generation of IS-F.

For the IS-F, Leupen also hinted that the redesigned IS-F may use hybrid powertrain technologies.

Lexus never sold a diesel engine vehicle in US, even though there is something like the IS200d sold in some European markets.

Latest news claims Toyota is planning to put its 1VD-FTV 4.5L diesel V8 engine into its LX luxury SUV. The same diesel engine has already been placed into the Land Cruiser previously. The diesel equipped LX will be named LX450d.

This 1VD-FTV engine is using two variable geometry turbo (VGT) chargers, with common rail direct injection system. The version installed on the Land Cruiser is rated at 261hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. We are expected to see the same number on the LX450d.

However, Lexus will not bring the LX450d to US market...