2001 Lexus Is300 Turbo **built 2jzge, Aem V2 Ems, Borg Warner S366, Ssr Sp1's** on 2040-cars

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Lexus says it's not worried about LS sales decline in face of S-Class, Model S

The Lexus LS is old. Sure, it received a refresh for model year 2013, but it hasn't had a clean-sheet redesign since George W. Bush was in office. It's the oldest vehicle in its segment, debuting in 2007, a full year before the current-gen BMW 7 Series, two years before the Hyundai Equus and Jaguar XJ and three years before the Audi A8.
This is particularly troubling as buyers flock to the heavily redesigned Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which debuted late last year, and the all-electric Tesla Model S. Despite this move, though, Lexus is (worryingly in our minds) not at all concerned.
"We don't feel it's a problem with the car," Brian Smith, VP of marketing for Lexus, told Wards Auto. "Many of the buyers in that segment want what's new and they're trying it."

2014 Lexus IS brings boldest design yet to entry-level luxury

Lexus is evidently dead serious about removing some of the starch from its collar, as evidenced by the boldly styled new IS sedan just unveiled here at the Detroit Auto Show. We didn't know what to make of Lexus' entry-level sport sedan when we first saw images of it earlier this week. Dominated by the gaping maw of a spindle grille and flanked by headlamps with Nike swoosh daytime running lamps, the photos showed a distinctive (if not completely cohesive) design. Having now seen the design in the metal, we have to admit it comes together better than it does on screen.
The new model will feature both rear- and all-wheel drive models in both 2.5-liter V6 (IS250) and 3.5-liter V6 (IS350) trims. Lexus also showed an IS300h hybrid model at the reveal, but it is earmarked for Lexus' home market of Japan, along with Europe and other markets. No word yet on why the model probably won't be sold here in North America, but our AutoblogGreen compatriots are looking into it.
Aside from its bold new look front and rear, the IS carries forward a lot of the ideas seen in other newer Lexus models, namely the GS. Hidden beneath the IS' sheetmetal is the multilink rear suspension from the GS, along with its electric power steering setup. The new IS rides atop a three-inch longer wheelbase for better rear seat room, but during our brief time sitting in the car at the press conference melee, it still didn't feel terribly roomy (it rarely does in this class). At least the seatbacks fold 60/40 for the first time for additional utility.

2014 Lexus GX 460

The Toyota 4Runner has always held a special place in my heart for its boxy styling and off-road prowess, but until now, I never had the chance to drive its more luxurious cousin, the Lexus GX 460. Granted, the GX actually has more in common with the foreign-market Land Cruiser Prado, but all three SUVs ride on the same body-on-frame platform.
Originally an answer to the luxury SUV craze from the early 2000s, the GX hasn't changed all that much since its introduction more than a decade ago. It's a big SUV with plenty of space and crammed with just about all the luxuriousness Lexus could fit into a 12-year-old vehicle, but, more importantly, it still has the chops to go places many vehicles in its segment wouldn't dare venture. And just for good measure, Lexus tacked on its new signature spindle grille in what has to be its most pronounced appearance yet.
I've had a chance to drive most of the latest Lexus products (including the IS, ES and GS) to see just how competitive Toyota's luxury arm has gotten in recent years, but after spending a week with the 2014 GX 460, it's refreshing that, for now, Lexus has resisted the urge to follow some of its rivals in replacing rugged, body-on-frame SUVs with softer, car-based crossovers.