2013 Lexus RX Sport Appearance Package?

There was an interesting 2013 Lexus RX 350 on display at the Dallas Auto Show last week.

The front grille has been split, with a standard model upper grille and what looks like a F Sport lower grille. It brings to mind the Sport Appearance package that was mentioned briefly in Lexus USA’s press release about the 2013 RX — here’s a quote:

A Sport Appearance Package (not available on RX 350 AWD) is new for 2013 and offers an unique front bumper, halogen headlamps and 19-inch wheels with superchrome finish.

I don’t know if these wheels would classify as “superchome”, but the rest of the description fits — this brings the total available RX grille designs to three: Standard, Sport, and F Sport.

Update: I have received confirmation that this is indeed the new RX Sports Appearance package.

 

Courtesy of Lexus Enthusiast

There are only a few days left to save with this springtime special. Schedule your appointment today!

Like us on Facebook for exclusive offers and updates!

Will there be a Lexus GS F?

Autocar is reporting that a high-performance Lexus GS F is still very much a possibility:

Product planning chief Karl Schlicht revealed to Autocar that he would “love to see” a GS-F make production, although he conceded that he “didn’t yet have it approved” by senior Toyota management.

The GS-F would be the final piece in a five-part product strategy to boost Lexus’s image and its sporting credentials. “With a GS-F, we would have a solid pyramid structure of performance models,” said Schlicht.

He said it was important that any Lexus kept its refinement. So, if approved, it’s likely that the GS-F would be as much a potent grand tourer as an out-and-out focused driving tool.

This may be an obvious point, but any chance of a GS F rests on the success of the standard GS range. If the new model can maintain a decent sales pace, a high-performance variant makes a lot of sense — in fact, a senior Lexus official talking openly about a GS F would suggest that discussions are in advanced stages.

Autocar also includes some speculation on the GS F’s potential powertrain:

No details have been given of the GS-F’s powertrain, but insiders have hinted that it could be a detuned version of the LFA’s 4.8-litre engine. It would be reduced to 4.6 litres and around 450bhp, with an emphasis on boosting low-end torque.

This isn’t the first time the LFA’s V10 has been mentioned as a possible GS F engine — here’s a quote from GS Chief Engineer Kanamori-san last year from a Motor Trend article:

Mr. Kanamori said Lexus never planned to carry on with the V-10 project, but that it was “technically feasible to fit the engine into the new GS.” Further proving the idea has been seriously pondered, he said the engine would have to be detuned to deliver more torque instead of power.

Releasing a GS F with less than 500hp seems like a risky move given that this class of super-sedans is dominated by stats — and yet, even though the new BMW M5 is packing 560hp and the Mercedes E63 AMG has 518hp, if I had to choose between one of these models and their twin-turbo V8s versus a GS F with a LFA-sourced V10, I know what I’d pick every time.

 

Courtesy of Lexus Enthusiast

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Replacing Your Timing Belt

Replacing your timing belt regularly is essential

A significant element of the “brain” of a car engine, the timing belt (aka cam belt), controls your vehicle’s valve timing. The timing belt connects the crankshaft to the camshaft, which controls the opening and closing of valves necessary during the internal combustion process. On some engines, it may also turn the water pump. According to Wikipedia, the first car to use a timing belt was in 1945, and the timing belt first went into mass production in 1962 with the German Glas 1004 car. It hit America with the 1966 Pontiac Tempest, and the 1966 Vauxhall introduced the modern-day use of the timing belt with the four-cylinder overhead cam design that is common to most cars today. Auto manufacturers recommend that the timing belt be replaced at regular intervals, so it is wise to consult your owner’s manual and keep accurate records.

Make changing the timing belt part of regular maintenance

All automotive belts are important to an engine’s proper function, and the timing belt is no exception. It’s made of rubber, so it’s relatively inexpensive. However, it can also snap without warning. Depending upon whether you have the “free-wheeling” type of engine (as AutoMedia.com puts it), a snapped timing belt can cause the engine pistons to bend the valves, which requires the head to be removed. That’s an expensive repair procedure, so have your timing belt replaced regularly. As the timing belt is typically covered up and not easily visible, it’s generally a good idea to have a trained professional perform the inspection and replacement. However, mechanic-savvy consumers can perform the procedure at home. See About.com’s detailed instructions for more info on the procedure, and be careful not to over-tighten.

How long will a timing belt last?

This varies by manufacturer. It could be about 10,000 miles for a belt tension check, or as many as 100,000 miles before total replacement. If there’s any doubt, preventative maintenance is better than waiting until it snaps and the valves warp. If you drive hard and live in a warm climate, you will probably have to change the timing belt more often, as excessive heat causes rubber to crack over time. Exposure to oil or antifreeze can also wear down the rubber, so if you have a leak, you’ll want to inspect the belt. Since the cost of a new water pump is relatively low compared with the cost of having a mechanic go in and check the timing belt, many experts recommend replacing the water pump at the same time as the timing belt.

 

Courtesy of CarDealExpert.com

Lexus of Maplewood - Featured Employee

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

Lexus of Maplewood would like to congratulate Eric Heimsness for being in the Top Ten in New Lexus Sales for the Central Area. This is a great accomplishment not only for Eric but also for Lexus of Maplewood! Thank you to all the great customers who work with Eric and have purchased vehicles with him.

 

March 19th will mark 10 years at Lexus of Maplewood for Eric, who is also Master Certified in Sales, a designation based on experience and training requirements. As the General Sales Manager at Lexus of Maplewood, I know Eric’s sales knowledge and business sense has made him successful and given him the ability to grow his customer base each year.

 

At Lexus of Maplewood, our family-focused environment is important to our customers and Eric is committed to this culture. Eric states that, "one of the most important reasons for my success is building strong relationships with my customers and engaging with them outside of work to get to know them better."

 

Outside of work you will find Eric spending time with his Black Lab dog, Jazz, and enjoying our great state of Minnesota by either golfing or boating. Also, another 10 year milestone will happen in Eric’s life on June 21st, when he celebrates his 10 year anniversary with his wife Teresa.

 

Thank you again to our loyal customers and congrats to Eric Heimsness!

Cars Of A Lifetime: 1991 Lexus ES250 – Luxury For The Proletariat

I guess I just like to be propositioned. During my brief fling with the Jeep Cherokee, I was told that a friend of a friend really wanted a Cherokee and had a Lexus to trade. I was in no hurry to get rid of the Jeep, having already purchased some new ball joints for it which I was meaning to install. But the friend of a friend came over and we test drove the cars. The Lexus felt like it was missing on one cylinder but I really didn’t care. So I swapped him for it. Something about the car made me think that it could probably be remedied fairly easily. Or even more easily yet, just lived with; at least until the next proposition.

For those unfamiliar with the ES250, it was essentially a tarted up Camry SE V6. Power windows and locks, moon-roof, automatic transmission, up-rated sound system, different grill, head and tail lamps, alloy wheels, and some nicer interior appointments as well as a hardtop-look green house. That was it; oh, and a significantly increased price tag.  But the price tag for me was essentially seven hundred and twenty five dollars, going back to the last time I paid any money for a car (Jeep Comanche). I needed better fuel economy since my car generally was used only for my short commute to work and back; the Lexus looked like just the ticket.

I don’t know why I got the feeling that it would be easy to fix. Over the years of trading and buying, I think I may have developed a sixth car sense. The young man who owned the car said he had replaced the spark plugs last month and that it had always run that way. The plugs I could see did look new, but on a Toyota V6 of the era one cannot access or see the spark plugs or wires on the back cylinder bank.  Everything else checked out OK except a ball joint was getting pretty loose. Honestly though, I really did not look the car over carefully; I just didn’t care that much. It seemed I was just swapping one tired mule for another: the kid wanted a Jeep, I needed a commuter. On the plus side, it was nearly perfect on the inside, it had eighty eight thousand miles on it, was always dealer serviced until the kid got it, had always been in his family, had records from new, and the tires were OK.

So I swapped him and we both went home happy. Well, mostly; The Kid had never driven a four wheel drive before. I got a report from our mutual friend that the very next day after he had bought it that he had taken it up in the woods, gotten it stuck, and had to pay over a thousand dollars in towing fees. The Jeep ended up in the tow lot waiting for him to come up with the money to pay for the fees. Why anyone would call a tow truck off-road is beyond me, but rack it up to inexperience I guess. He did finally get the Jeep out of hock though.

The car proved to be very dependable even with the cylinder missing. I really did not care about it much, but I was eager to see the fuel mileage to improve. So I looked up the procedure and found that to even touch the spark plugs one had to remove the upper manifold and a plethora of hoses. I let it be for awhile longer.

Then my friend Steve from Eugene came up to see me. He was still driving a pickup I had sold him some time ago. Actually he had bought the Land Rover Discovery from me on payments several years ago. When he lost his job he could no longer afford the payments, so I gave him a pickup that was worth about what he had paid to date and took back the Land Rover. He was still driving the pickup, and since he was moving out of the farm he was on, he did not need it any longer. I offered to trade him the Lexus for the truck. I really missed that old truck, and the Lexus was not really my kind of car. He was delighted and traded me back the truck.

One other problem the car had was that the trunk hinge had a broken bolt. This caused the trunk not to close right and water to make it’s way in. I had removed the carpeting and drained the lake in the trunk. Upon examination it was found that the bolt was broken off inside the trunk lid and that someone had tried to weld and then to glue it. I told Steve that it would have to be extracted and tapped. He did part of the job but used a self tapping screw instead of tapping it out to the next larger size. This did not last and so it must now be done right. But he did get the engine fixed.

He was driving back to Eugene when the car died on him. He looked around under the hood and found that the ignition coil high tension lead was burned in half. After repairing this, he took it to a hippie mechanic friend who noticed that the plug wires were the original ones. So Steve traded the mechanic several bottles of his homemade beer (which really is quite good) to have him replace the plugs and wires. It was found that one plug was not firing at all. So now it runs great; of course, it’s a Toyota after all.

Lets just say I don’t regret trading it away, but I sure do miss its comfort and efficiency. But the vehicle I just bought does one of those very well; although it does just get about half the fuel mileage of the Lexus. Just in time for higher gas prices.

Author’s note: we are near the end of Cars of a Lifetime. The last three will be vehicles I currently own. I’ll also put together a list of the cars, according to their respective attributes in my final COAL post. Cars I obtain in the future may be posted as “My Curbside Classic” if they are deserving. And I’m working on a new series now, but it’s still in process.

Courtesy of Curbside Classic

Kowalski’s Three-Cheese Beer Cheese Soup

¼ cup unsalted butter

½ cup finely grated carrot

½ cup finely chopped onion

¼ cup thinly sliced green onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

½ cup flour

½ tsp. dry mustard

5 cups chicken broth

1 ½ cups beer

1 cup heavy cream

3 cups Alexia Italian Sauté frozen potatoes, thawed, seasoning packet removed

1 ½ cups (about 6 oz.) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

1 ¼ cups (about 5 oz.) shredded white Cheddar cheese

½ lb. bacon, cooked crisp, drained and crumbled

⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese

½ tsp. hot sauce

½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce

- kosher salt and coarse ground black pepper, to taste

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter; cook carrots, onion, green onion and garlic until softened, (about 10 min.). Whisk in flour and mustard; cook 1 min. Pour in broth, beer, cream and potatoes. Bring soup to a boil; reduce to simmer. Gradually add Cheddar cheeses, stirring until melted. Stir in bacon, Parmesan, hot sauce and Worcestershire; season to taste and serve immediately.

Serves 10.

Like us on Facebook & enter to win luxury prizes, including a Kowalski's gift card!

Passion for the Environment Prevails as $500,000 in Grants and Scholarships Awarded to Teens

From Hawaii to New York, student teams were honored today for their innovative environmental programs and rewarded with a total of $500,000 in scholarships and grants.

Two Grand Prize winners earned $30,000 each, and eight First Place winning teams were awarded $15,000 each. “The Green Musketeers” from Jericho High School in Jericho, New York, and the “One-Towel Wonders” from SCAPA Bluegrass in Lexington, Ky., were the Grand Prize winners. “The Green Musketeers” created their own filtration system with the goal of patenting it, selling it, and using profits toward developing systems in third-world countries. The “One-Towel Wonders” demonstrated how a simple idea – using one towel per person, per week – would benefit the environment. For their efforts, each grand prize winner will receive $30,000, of which the school will receive a grant for $7,000, the teacher advisor will get a $3,000 grant, and the students will share $20,000 in scholarships.

Since the program was created, the Lexus Eco Challenge has awarded $4 million in scholarships and grants to empower middle and high school students to learn about the environment and take action to improve it.

“For anyone who wonders if teens today care about the world, the Lexus Eco Challenge is proof that they do,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “Through this program, more than 25,000 participants have demonstrated that they want to make the world a better place. By coming up with real-world solutions to environmental challenges, students are learning how they can make a difference in the world around them.”

The eight First Place teams each won $15,000 with $3,000 for the school, $2,000 for the teacher advisor and $10,000 in scholarships for the students. The winning teams were:

• California (Arboga) – “Team Aqua” – Arboga Elementary School – Raised money and awareness around the world for water conservation programs.
• California (La Crescenta) – “Carbonators” – Clark Magnet High School – Used ArcGIS to analyze smog levels around the world and how that impacts health.
• Florida (Miami) – “The Trophic” – Miami Palmetto Senior High School – Focused on reducing carbon dioxide emissions through programs to benefit the land, air and water in their community.
• Hawaii (Wahiawa) – “WEACT” – Leilehua High School – Launched an environmental awareness program in the community to culminate in the construction of a mural.
• Kentucky (Lexington) – “Purpledinowolficorns” – Tates Creek Middle School – Developed proposal to the mayor about involving the community to improve the city.
• Michigan (Whitehall) – “WMS Carbon Busters” – Whitehall Middle School – Encouraged the school, community and state to pass on bottled water and drink tap water.
• Ohio (Chesterland) – “Environmental Discovery Project” – West Geauga High School – Contacted international communities to encourage composting
• South Carolina (Hanahan) – “HMS Hawks” – Hanahan Middle School – Raised awareness of the benefits of eating locally grown produce.

“The Lexus Eco Challenge is an integral part of the environmental studies curriculum at SCAPA,” said Ashlie Beals, teacher advisor for the “One-Towel Wonders.” ”For the past five years all of my 8th grade students have worked in teams to create and implement innovative campaigns to encourage others to make one small change that can have a large positive impact on our environment. During the challenge students sharpen their oral and written communication skills, utilize many forms of technology, and work together actively and enthusiastically to solve real-life problems. My younger students eagerly look forward to their chance to participate in the challenge when they are in 8th grade. I can’t thank Lexus and Scholastic enough for offering this tremendous opportunity to my students.”

This year’s winners emerged from more than 400 registered teams representing nearly 3,000 middle and high school students nationwide. The 10 winners were selected from 32 teams that qualified to enter the Final Challenge by winning in one or both of the two previous Challenges that were held from September to February. The earlier phases of the contest, which required teams to address the topics of land, water, air or climate, challenged teams to make a difference for the environment in their local communities. The Final Challenge asked teams to reach beyond the local community and inspire environmental action around the world.

In addition to the ongoing contest, the Lexus Eco Challenge also includes educational materials designed by Scholastic to encourage teachers to integrate creative lesson plans into their classrooms to help teach students about the environment. For each challenge, the web site (www.scholastic.com/lexus) has lesson plans and teacher instructions including questions to help guide a discussion about the current challenge topic, facts about the topic, and guidelines for a specific classroom project.

The Lexus Eco Challenge will enter its sixth year in fall 2012. Teachers and students are encouraged to visit www.scholastic.com/lexus to view all the winning entries and to learn how they can take part in the next challenge.

Courtesy of Lexus Newsroom

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil

You can improve your gas mileage by 1–2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1–2 percent. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1–1.5 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.

Courtesy of FuelEconomy.gov

Thank you to another happy Lexus of Maplewood customer!

"I made the mistake of purchasing an RX350 from a Morrie's dealership and had issues with it right away. I took it to Lexus of Maplewood and they took care of me as if I had bought it from them. They fixed the issue quickly and fairly while I was waiting in the impressive customer service lounge. I won't be taking my vehicle anywhere else." - BOO

Click HERE to read more reviews.

Be sure to enter to win luxury prizes from Lexus of Maplewood!

Happy Friday everybody! Be sure to enter to win luxury prizes from Lexus of Maplewood - Good luck!

The grand prize is a trip for two flying First Class on Sun Country Airlines. Grand Prize winner will select from 3 fabulous destinations. Additional prizes include $1000 to Continental Diamond, Timberwolves tickets, an Auto Spa package, a gift card to Kowalski’s, and a gift card to Sunset’s Restaurant.

If you 'liked' our page from your mobile device, be sure to fill out the entry form separately (link: http://on.fb.me/xvXGIA) so you can be entered to win luxury prizes!

Check out this behind the scenes video to learn more about Lexus' commercial for the all-new 2013 GSv

If you missed Lexus' "Beast" commercial during the Big Game, check out this behind the scenes video to learn more about Lexus' commercial for the all-new 2013 GS.

Lexus Ranks Highest of Any Luxury Brand in 2012 J.D. Power and Associates CSI Study

Lexus ranked highest in customer satisfaction among luxury brands in the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Customer Service Index (CSI) Study^_SM for the fourth consecutive year. Lexus achieved an overall CSI score of 861 on a 1,000-point scale, 15 points above the segment average and the highest numerical score in the study, regardless of segment.

“Lexus dealers continue to raise the bar in delivering on the promise of industry-leading customer satisfaction,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “We are thrilled that their tireless efforts at exceeding customer expectations resulted in Lexus being the highest ranked brand in CSI for the 15th time, more than any other manufacturer.”*

The 2012 CSI Study is based on responses from owners and lessees of 2007 to 2011 model-year vehicles. The study was fielded from October through December 2011. Lexus ranked highest in the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction with Dealer Service (CSI) Study from 1991-1995, 1997-2001, 2006, and 2009-2012.

SOURCE: Toyota

Lexus unveils updated 2013 RX crossover

 

The Lexus RX crossover is about to get more aggressive…looking.

Toyota’s luxury division has unveiled the updated 2013 model of its best-selling car, and the iconic jellybean has sprouted fangs.

Technically referred to as a “spindle grille,” the new face of the RX apes that of the truly-sporty 2013 GS sedan and appears to be destined for every car that the company makes. New headlights and LED daytime running lights add to the slightly sinister appearance.

Behind them are the same V6 and hybrid powertrains that have made the RX350 and RX450h perennial favorites at your local mall. The front-wheel-drive RX450h delivering a still-impressive 32 mpg city, 28 mpg highway fuel economy rating.

Added standard features, like a power liftgate plus refreshed interior trim and a new steering wheel round out the major changes to the RX.

A new sport mode on the hybrid models adds a little zing to their performance and turns the instrument cluster red when activated. But for those looking to really step it up a notch, an F-Sport appearance package is available for the first on the RX450h includes 19-inch wheels, halogen headlights and an even angrier grille and bumper combination.

SOURCE: foxnews.com

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Check Your Tire Pressure Regularly

Tires tend to lose air over time. You can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure.  Buy a digital tire gauge and check your tires once a month and before a long trip. Proper inflation pressures can be found in your owner's manual or on a sticker on the car.  Remember to check tire pressure only after the car has been sitting for several hours in order to ensure that the tires are cold -- the friction of driving heats the tires and increases pressure, which can hide an under-inflated tire.

Courtesy of fueleconomy.gov

ATTENTION: As of today, our Service and Parts Department hours have changed.

ATTENTION: As of today, our Service and Parts Department hours have changed. Please see our updated hours below. Thank you and Happy Monday!

M-Th 7am - 9pm
F 7am - 6pm
Sat 8am - 6pm

2013 Lexus GS - "Design"

The 2013 GS is more than just an all-new Lexus. Its driver-inspired interior, unprecedented level of connectivity, and innovative safety systems represent an entirely new expression of Lexus design philosophy and engineering passion.

Lexus RX 350, RX 450h get family grille face lift, LEDs

Gas and hybrid versions of Lexus' popular midsize RX crossover get a face lift for the 2013 model year with what Lexus calls a bolder version of the now-signature "spindle grille," an updated interior, more standard features and two new optional appearance packages.

The 2013s unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show today will be at U.S. dealers next month.

CAPTION

By Lexus

They still seat five and carry over the 2012 gas and hybrid powertrains available with front- or all-wheel drive. The RX 350 pairs a 270-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine with a six-speed automatic. The hybrid RX 450h combines a 3.5-liter gas V-6 with an electric motor for a total of 295 hp.

The hybrid now will have a Sport mode that tunes steering, throttle and transmission shift points to make more efficient use of the powertrain, Lexus says.

Other exterior updates: a new front bumper, a new headlamp design with LED daytime running lights, rear-end styling tweaks and four new paint colors.

A new optional Sport Appearance Package adds 19-inch chrome wheels, a unique front bumper and halogen headlamps. Available on the 450h is the F-Sport trim. It adds features such as a honeycomb-style grill insert, body aero package, tinted lights, larger wheels and sport seats, sport steering wheel and alloy pedals.

Inside, a power liftgate and USB port are now standard. A redesigned steering wheel should provide a more comfortable and relaxing grip, according to Lexus. Other interior tweaks include a redesigned steering wheel (more comfortable says Lexus), new metallic trim, ebony birds'-eye maple wood trim, saddle-colored leather with contrast stitching and a redesigned center console.

An updated Remote Touch interface should make the multimedia system more intuitive to use, Lexus says. The system uses a computer-mouse-like device to control climate, navigation and audio functions. It also uses the next generation of Lexus' Enform application system, which manages apps like Pandora, Bing, FaceBook, Yelp and more.

 

Courtesy of USA Today

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Exterior Car Paint Maintenance

Exterior car paint maintenance is as simple as washing and waxing, but oftentimes, an overlooked part of car care. Maintaining the paint helps to retain value by keeping a car in its best possible condition while also protecting the paint from the environment.

·         Thoroughly washing the car is one of the most important aspects of exterior paint maintenance. Dust, mud, and acid rain can scratch and dull the paint surface. Frequent washing with a high quality car wash formulated for automotive use will remove surface contaminants and help maintain the shine.

·         Experts recommend using only a microfiber cloth designed for automotive applications to dry a car. Microfiber cloths are specifically designed to trap any residual dust and dirt to reduce scratches on the paint surface.

·         Cleaner waxes can be used on older cars to remove swirl marks or oxidation. However, it is usually suggested that this sort of product not be used on newer cars or cars that have recently been repainted.

·         Car paint sealant or polish is a product that generally only needs to be applied a few times a year, prior to waxing. It is great for helping to protect the paint surface. However, it does not provide as much gloss as wax.

·         Traditional paste or liquid car wax is most often carnauba based and while it will provide an outstanding shine, it must be frequently reapplied in order to maintain protection. Cars that are housed outdoors will need more frequent applications than garaged cars. However, all cars should be waxed regularly.

Most automakers offer their own line of exterior paint maintenance products designed for use on their vehicles, which can take some of the guesswork out of what products to use. Regardless of the products used, it is important that they be applied following the manufacturer’s recommendation. Maintaining car paint will not only keep the car looking great, it will also increase value when it is time to trade in or sell.

 

Courtesy of Autos.com

Forbes: Best Cars for Commuters 2012

Forbes names Lexus CT200h as best car for commuters.

The $29,120 Lexus CT 200h combines solid reliability with luxury, thanks to supple leather trim, seat warmers, intuitive dashboard technology and design cues that comprise the basic requirements of any luxury vehicle these days. Better yet, while many people buy the Prius in spite of its looks, that won’t be the case by when the stylish CT 200h hits dealerships this spring.

 

Courtesy of Forbes