Lexus

Lexus is an automotive brand in the Japanese Toyota Motor Corporation, which was introduced in the fall of 1989 in the United States and in mid-1990 in Europe.

Under this brand name Toyota sells vehicles in the premium segment. The name Lexus is a word that is intended to indicate the luxurious character of the vehicles. In Europe (2011 ) sold five model series (CT, IS, GS, RX, LS), ranging from compact cars to luxury models. Since 2006, in their home country Japan previously distributed as Toyota luxury vehicles are also marketed there under the Lexus brand.

Lexus automobiles are manufactured in our own factories in the Japanese town of Tahara, the hybrid models run at the factory Toyota Motor Kyushu in Kokura, a district of Kitakyushu from the tape. Only the quota of the SUV RX330/350 for the U.S. market is produced in Canada at Cambridge.

Models

For all models considered, the displacement that is attached as a three-digit number on the back of the model name, such an IS is for example 350 equipped with a 3.5 - liter engine. In hybrid models (in addition characterized by an h at the end) that specifies which engine capacity would be required for the appropriate performance than pure gasoline engine. The (few) diesel range enhancements at the end of a d

Compact class

The Lexus CT 200h with 1.8 l displacement was presented in 2010 at the Geneva Motor Show. It extends the range of vehicles from Lexus down in the compact car segment. The CT was introduced in early 2011 at the same time in Europe, Japan and the USA.

Middle class

The middle class in the U.S. is equal to three models operated - HS, IS and ES - while so far is available in Germany only the IS.

The Lexus IS competes with the Audi A4, the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes -Benz C-Class. The current, second generation is offered exclusively in Europe as IS 200d and IS 220d. Only in North America, there is the IS 350, the IS 250 and the IS -F sports version with 5 liter displacement will be offered, however, in all markets.

Based on the IS, there is also a convertible with two engine options - IS 250C in North America and also "IS 350C "

About the IS ranks exclusively in North America, the Lexus ES in the meantime fifth generation. Currently, the only model is the ES 350

Third, middle-class model, there is the Lexus HS, specifically the HS 250h with a 2.4 - liter engine. This model offered exclusively as a hybrid will be sold in Japan in addition Toyota SAI.

Upper middle class

The Lexus model of the upper middle class is the built in its fourth generation since the mid 2012 Lexus GS, which it in North America as GS 250, GS 350 and GS 450h (with 3.5 liter engine ) currently available. In Germany the models GS 250 and GS 450h are offered. In North America, the hybrid version makes up about 50% of the GS- sales.

Upper class

The LS forms since the autumn of 1989 the flagship of Lexus and innovation for new automotive technologies in the field of driving safety and comfort. The current LS- generation possessed the world's first car via an eight -step transmission. One of the most cutting-edge security technologies is the Advanced Pre - Crash Safety system, which makes it possible to recognize people and other living things on the road. The current models are the LS 460 and LS 600h, which also has a 5- liter engine. When LS all versions are available in all markets.

SUV

Lexus has a total of three SUVs in the offer, which is offered only the RX in Germany.

The Lexus RX there are as RX 350 and RX 450h as ( 3.5 liter engine ). The car is the only Lexus that is already offered in the second generation as a hybrid - the first generation was still called RX 400h - and was the first hybrid of the brand at all.

In addition, there is the slightly larger than the Lexus GX GX 460 The vehicle is based on the lower of the Toyota Land Cruiser. In addition, the Lexus LX is offered as LX 570. This is based on the Land Cruiser V8.

Sport car

The sports car Lexus SC as SC 430 is offered only in North America. By the end of 2010, this built since summer 2001 retractable roof convertible was also available in Germany. Not now available is limited to 500 vehicles sports car Lexus LFA.

Hybrid cars

Lexus was the first manufacturer in the premium segment, which offered models with hybrid drive. The trend towards consumption and low emission cars in the premium segment continued Lexus in 2005 with the introduction of the hybrid model RX 400h. Next year, the hybrid Lexus Hybrid Drive system in the GS 450h was offered. Followed in 2007, the LS 600h. Lexus Hybrid Drive is a system that is known as a full hybrid and can be driven in the combination of gasoline engine and electric motor, but also by only one of these engines. This differs from the system known as mild hybrids, in which the electric motor drive acts only supportive. Furthermore, in 2009 there exclusively in the USA the Lexus HS 250h with this concept.

At the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009 with the Lexus full hybrid study LF -Ch concept a possible first premium compact model of the brand. The production version was called CT 200h and is the fifth hybrid model from Lexus.

Sales figures for 2008

Timeline

Identical to Toyota Altezza, which was offered in Europe as IS 200 in North America as the IS 300 Identical to Toyota Vista, which was offered as a Lexus just in the U.S. Based on the Toyota Windom of the Japanese market, as the Lexus in North America, the Middle East and Asia were offered is only in America, the Middle East and Asia to 2003 offered offered (excluding Japan) in Japan offered to 2005 Toyota Aristo in Japan offered until 2006 when Toyota Celsior in Japan offered to 2005 Toyota Soarer in Japan as the Toyota Harrier Identical to Toyota land Cruiser / Prado, which is offered as a Lexus in North America based on the Toyota Land Cruiser, which is offered as a Lexus in North America and the Middle East