First Drive: 2018 Lexus LC
Posted by Bullz-Eye Staff (03/12/2017 @ 2:35 pm)
The design revolution that began at Lexus several years ago has reached a new milestone with the introduction of the all-new Lexus LC, a beautiful luxury coupe that will now assume the role as the aspirational vehicle for the Lexus brand. I had the opportunity to drive the new vehicle around the Big Island in Hawaii, which was a perfect setting for this powerful and luxurious car that looks like a big hit for Lexus.
The LC grew out of the Lexus LF-LC, which was a true concept car that debuted at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The effort to bring this vehicle to market resulted in an entirely new platform called GA–L (Global Architecture – Luxury), which also forms the foundation for the all-new 2018 LS flagship sedan that will be released later this year and will underpin future front engine/rear-wheel drive Lexus models. The platform was designed with a lower center of gravity to aid agility and driving pleasure and to enable more alluring vehicle designs.
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Car Review: 2015 Lexus GX 460
Posted by Bullz-Eye Staff (03/07/2015 @ 9:27 am)
The Lexus GX is a midsize, luxury SUV that probably qualifies for the “dream car” list for soccer moms all across the country. We had one of those soccer moms as one of our team of test drivers, and she certainly loved this vehicle. The rest of the team was pretty happy with it as well. And what’s not to like? It’s big and comfortable and loaded with the modern luxuries we all love in our new cars.
But it’s also a traditional SUV with body-on-frame construction, a standard V8 engine, a 4WD system and advanced dynamic control technologies. So if you’re looking for a luxury vehicle that can do more than pick up the kids and groceries, the GX offers an excellent option.
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Car Review: 2014 Lexus GS 350 F SPORT
Posted by Bullz-Eye Staff (07/23/2014 @ 9:19 am)
We set out to drive the 2014 Lexus GS 350 Sport Sedan with the formidable F SPORT package and came away with very favorable impressions. Lexus has moved the needle on styling in recent years and continues to challenge all rivals on the performance front. This car was up to that challenge!
EXTERIOR
Behind its distinctive spindle grille, which creates an unmistakable brand identity, the Lexus GS 350 shines bright with a refined but aggressive body. You first notice the 19-inch alloy wheels that pop along the amazing Riviera red paint. The GS 350 F SPORT is exclusively equipped with 19-inch staggered width wheels paired with 235/40R19 front and 265/35R19 rear summer compound tires for RWD models, while AWD models will have 235/40/19 all-season tires in the front and rear. The F SPORT stands apart with exclusive front bumper and rear lower valence styling, a rear lip spoiler and F SPORT mesh grille inserts. The rear bumper integrates a distinctive exhaust diffuser and centered aero fins to help control underbody airflow.
INTERIOR
Even with its sweeping, coupe-like profile, the Lexus GS 350 provides ample headroom for rear-seat passengers. The new-generation GS offers greater rear headroom, knee room, legroom and foot space than the previous GS, yet in a sleeker package. The trunk, too, grew with the redesign and can easily accommodate four golf bags. The sumptuously detailed cabin, trimmed in perforated leather and matte dark brown walnut wood, comes with standard 10-way power front seats. Some competitors charge extra for leather, even in this price range. Rear seat passengers are treated no less regally, with deeply scalloped seats providing excellent support and generous legroom for long trips.
Lexus recognizes that temperature is a personal preference, with passengers often having diverse needs. The GS 350 addresses this situation quite effectively. A first-in-class technology, the energy-saving S-Flow automatic climate control system detects if there is a front passenger and directs airflow only to the occupied front seat or seats.
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Car Review: 2014 Hyundai Equus Signature
Posted by Bullz-Eye Staff (03/19/2014 @ 4:43 pm)
Off a refresh for 2014, the Hyundai Equus strikes an elegant look with V8 power under the hood that will impress on her own. The 2014 Equus premium luxury sedan arrives with enhancements to exterior and interior design, vehicle dynamics, material selection, driver technology displays and advanced safety features. The week behind the wheel of the Equus was a real eye opener as to what affordable luxury feels like!
EXTERIOR
No worries on whether the 2014 Equus Signature can compete with other luxury sedans here, as during our test time with the Equus, this car was even mistaken for a Rolls Royce! The 2014 Equus exterior enhancements convey a premium-sport design message, starting with a new 19-inch turbine-blade alloy wheel design in a polished silver finish that relays motion whether parked or on the open highway. The front grille chrome bars are thinner, with sharper contrast to the blacked-out portions of the grille for a sportier look. The front fascia also has been redesigned, with the former chrome accents removed in favor of a modern premium appearance that includes lower fascia opening strakes. The headlamps offer jeweled design elements and include chrome contrasted with black-out finishes for a distinctive appearance. New LED fog lamps are now standard. Side mirrors have been redesigned for enhanced aerodynamics and tail lamp graphics move to a more horizontal theme.
INTERIOR
Until you drive the Equus, you really don’t appreciate the high-end luxury that is incorporated into the cabin space. The 2014 Equus interior perfectly complements the enhancements to its exterior to the satisfaction of the most discerning car buyer. Thus, the themes of premium and performance again greet the driver behind the wheel. The entire instrument panel and center stack have been redesigned with more premium materials and an ergonomically-correct layout, with new button iconography for quicker and easier feature recognition. The center console and shift lever reveal more premium material selection and contemporary premium-luxury design cues. Steering wheel control layout has been improved, with new low-sheen button designs and icons. Similarly, rear passengers will enjoy a new rear console and button layout, with available dual 9.2-inch, high-resolution, adjustable seatback video screens to enjoy movies, audio media, HVAC or seating functions. Rear passengers can even search restaurant locations and provide navigation system directions directly to the driver’s navigation screen. The premium leather seats and microfiber suede headliner really set the tone for a high-quality space. We drove the Equus in zero degree temperature during a frigid midwest winter and the fast heating seats were our favorite comfort feature of the car! Also, the Lexicon 7.1 discrete surround sound audio system with a whopping 17 speakers is one of the best we have heard in an automobile.
The climate control system now offers three distinct cabin temperature zones for driver, passenger and rear passengers. The standard smart cruise control system has been enhanced to include a full 0-mph stop-and-start function for use in stop-and-go traffic. The smart proximity key now includes both key-fob and card-key types of vehicle entry for greater driver convenience.
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Lexus reveals new RC F Performance Coupe
Posted by Bullz-Eye Staff (01/20/2014 @ 9:48 am)
Lexus continues its aggressive rollout of performance models with the all-new 2015 RC F performance coupe that was revealed at the Detroit auto show last week. The F performance model is based on the RC coupe and gets the most powerful V8 engine in the Lexus lineup with more than 450 horsepower and more than 383 lb.-ft. torque.
The coupe features the signature spindle front grille we’re seeing from Lexus, with the all new F model featuring a distinctive mesh pattern that we’ve seen in other F models from Lexus. We drove a number of F SPORT models at a Lexus track event last year and came away very impressed with the performance of these vehicles, so we’re anxious to test out this new RC F performance coupe as well.
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