Lexus’ very first foray into the world of Super Bowl commercials has been hyped up for the past couple of days with endless teasers of the ad that will appear during the Big Game.
Today, the teasers stop and we finally get to see the ad for the very first time. For their ad, Lexus went the way of promoting not just the company’s new brand direction, but also showing off their first vehicle under this said direction: the 2013 Lexus GS.
As far as treatments are concerned, Lexus veered away from the comedy routine to show a commercial that actually has a little Hollywood-like trailer look to it.
Locked up in a stout chamber in a highly-secured military base, the Lexus GS rams the doors continuously until the latter flies off and the car is finally "unleashed".
Lexus has some high hopes for the new GS, as they do their recent line up of cars, so it wasn’t really surprising to see that they went with a cutting-edge production for their first Super Bowl ad.
Five Axis was the first tuning company to come out with an upgrade package for the new generation Lexus GS, specifically the GS 350 F-Sport, but now Toyota Racing Developments (TRD) is getting in on the action with a full list of accessories for the GS. The package can be applied to both the GS 350 and GS 450h models, but buyers beware, it’s going to get expensive. For example, just a new set of wheels will run the customer $6,574.
Aside from the pricey wheels, TRD is offering a pretty impressive aero kit that includes a front under-spoiler, side skirts, a trunk spoiler, and a rear diffuser. Customers can also opt for a quad-exhaust sports muffler and a new set of 19" forged aluminum wheels that are lighter than the standard and help improve rigidity, contributing to the high dynamic performance and elegant comfort of the GS.
In addition to these features, the Lexus GS’ ride was superbly balanced with a new sport suspension that helps change the damping force of the spring and damper stiffness stabilizer from a revised rate.
After being revealed back in 1991, theLexus GS will be entering its fourth generation by the end of 2011 or early 2012.
The new generation Lexus GS, which was officially introduced at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, will be built on a brand new platform, making it sportier and more efficient than the previous model. Under the hood, expect to see the same direct-injected 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivers a total of 306 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 277 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 3,600 rpm. The real star of the show will be the 5.0-liter V8 engine with an output of about 450 horsepower found in the GS-F version.
According to Lexus "the fourth-generation GS model introduces a more defined and emotional design philosophy featuring a new distinctive front grille and styling cues that will soon be seen on all future Lexus vehicles. The new GS has also been engineered to provide a more engaging and dynamic driving experience and the highest levels of refinement."
UPDATE 12/22/2011: Lexus has announced prices for the 2013 GS 350 arriving in dealerships in early February 2012. The GS350 will be offered in rear-wheel drive (RWD) with a base MSRP of $46,900 or all-wheel drive (AWD) with a base MSRP of $49,450. An F SPORT Sport S+ mode adds another $5,690 and an optional navigation system adds $1,735.
UPDATE 01/24/2012: On January 6th, Lexus asked their Facebook fans which feature of the all-new GS they would like to learn more about. They voted, and today the company has unveiled a video about the car’s performance enhancements, based directly on the majority of votes. Enjoy!
Find out more about the Lexus GS350 after the jump
After seeing tons of teaser images in the past few weeks, we are finally able to get a good look at the new Lexus LF-LC concept during its world debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. The concept was designed by Lexus Calty design studio in Newport Beach, California and previews the future design language of Toyota’s luxury arm, bringing in elements from the LF-A supercar and the recently launched GS 350.
The concept features a bold interpretation of the signature Lexus spindle grille and rear architecture and is defined by a long engine hood, daytime running lights shaped like an "L", a 3D spindle grille, and functional air intakes in the bottom corners of the grille.
"Crafted from a clean sheet of paper at the request of Lexus headquarters in Japan, the LF-LC blends both high technology and organic shapes to connect the driver to the machine," said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. "The clean lines of the vehicle emphasize motion, creating a distinctive look for this futuristic sport coupe."
UPDATE 01/26/12: Lexus has unveiled a new video that presents the designers talking about the interior and the exterior design of LF-LC concept. Enjoy!
Lexus unveiled the fifth generation ES luxury sedan in 2006 and has battled it out with the Buick LaCrosse ever since. Now, according to a source who spoke with GM Authority, it seems that the company is preparing a sixth generation ES that will make the LaCrosse “laughable” as a luxury vehicle. That sure doesn’t bode well for Buick considering they are currently trying to expand their clientele and not fall into the automotive abyss.
The first details on the next generation ES suggest that the vehicle will be more impressive that anyone could possibly imagine. It will be wider and longer than the current model, but that will only mean that it will be getting to where the LaCrosse is now. However, it will also be the quietest car Lexus has ever made, offering a system that Buick’s Quiet Tuning won’t be able to “hold a candle to.” That being said, its most impressive feature will be placed under the hood. Lexus will be using the new Hybrid Synergy Drive full-hybrid technology that will allow the car to deliver a fuel economy of more than 40 mpg on the highway and even better in the city. “The eAssist stuff won’t even come close.”
Expect to see the new Lexus ES launched sometime in 2013, but stay tuned as more details will surely follow!
