The new 2015 Lexus RC F takes Destroit by storm!

Compared to the first day, the second day at any auto show is usually much more...  Well, boring.  But not this year-- this year Lexus saw fit to un-cage perhaps the most refined beast on display in Detroit:  The striking RC F Coupe.

To start, the RC F is based on the much less aggressive RC 350 coupe (which is itself based on the midsize IS luxury sedan), and is designed to give the likes of the BMW 4-Series and Audi A5 series a run for their money.  But that's really like comparing apples to oranges; the RC F is in a whole other league all together.

The story of the RC F is defined by combinations of letters and numbers, and most loudly by its 5.0-liter V-8 engine, which produces more than 450 horsepower-- a leader in the segment.

The move to use a traditional V-8 in an era when many manufacturers are downsizing engine sizes for the sake of fuel economy is a bold one, but one that had to be made.  That's not to say, however, that the powerplant will make liberal use of fuel; we fully expect a full range of industry leading fuel saving tech to make an appearance in the RC F.  Also worth noting is the silky smooth eight-speed automatic that routes power through the rear wheels.

Most noticeably, though, are the car's looks.  It blends graceful curves with an aggressive stance to create a body style that caught almost everyone's eye at the Detroit Auto Show.  Style, power, and luxury-- these are the things that define a Lexus, and the RC F is a paragon of these ideals.  We can't wait to have you test drive one!

Lexus of Maplewood is a proud sponsor of the 7th Annual BEAR'ly Open!

Lexus of Maplewood is a proud sponsor of the 7th Annual BEAR'ly Open. For the 7th year in a row, you will find Lexus of Maplewood on site with our Lexus vehicles and serving up warm apple cider to support the golfers who have come out to raise money for the White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf.

In its seventh year, the event brings hundreds of local residents to Ramsey County Beach on the frozen shores of White Bear Lake to enjoy an afternoon of golf on ice.  An 18-hole course, complete with real pine trees, a hospitality tent, food and entertainment make it a great way to have fun and raise money for charity.

This years event will be held Saturday, February 1, 2014.

All net proceeds go to the White Bear Lake Area Food Shelves – where the need has never been greater.  To date, the event has contributed over $67,000 to the Area Food Shelves. 

Help Lexus of Maplewood support Toys-For-Tots this holiday season!

For the past ten years Village Automotive Group has supported the Minneapolis Toys for Tots Foundation by registering each dealership as a donation drop site. We invite employees, customers, family and friends to participate this holiday season.

Opportunities to donate began November 18 and continue until December 14. As a friendly reminder, Toys for Tots only accepts new, unwrapped toys. 

Remember this advice if you ever get stuck in the mud or snow!

If you get stuck in the mud or in the snow, don't make things worse by trying to force your way out.  Feel free to try gently rocking your way out, but if it looks like you're really stuck, don't keep at it.  Constantly shifting from forward to reverse, coupled with spinning the tires at high speeds, can cause big problems for transmissions, clutches, and differentials.  It may very well be cheaper in the long run to just call a tow-truck.  Also, it never hurts to carry a traction aid in your trunk, such as sand, gravel, or cat litter-- especially in the harsh winter months!

Learn what Lexus Enform can do for you!

Available Lexus Enform connects you and your vehicle like never before. It's the convenience of live, 24-hour navigation assistance. It's the peace of mind of knowing emergency services can be requested at the press of a button or even automatically. And, for owners of 2013 and newer Lexus models, it's the efficiency and ease of using your favorite mobile applications, on the fly. Imagine wanting to make dinner reservations and get movie tickets all from your new Lexus; or listening to your favorite hometown radio station, or wanting to get reviews on the hot spot in town, and never leaving your car.

	Bing™ Search a continuously updated database of more than 16 million points of interest, get directions and call with the touch of a button.
	iHeartRadio Get live access to more than 800 AM and FM radio stations across the country and create a playlist from a catalog of more than 11 million songs.
	Movie Tickets.com Find movies, check local start times, purchase tickets and get directions without ever  leaving your Lexus.
	OpenTable® Search restaurants by cuisine, real-time availability and price range; read diner  ratings and reviews; and make reservations.
	Pandora® Using the names of artists or songs you love, create and listen to personalized music stations or playlists.
	Yelp® Looking for a local place to eat, shop, drink, relax or play? Read reviews from locals who know best, and get directions sent to your Navigation System.
	Facebook Places Check-in and notify your Facebook friends of your location the moment you arrive.

Can you answer this bit of Thanksgiving-related Tuesday Trivia?!

Today the bald eagle is virtually synonymous with America, but did you know that Ben Franklin didn't particularly care for the bird?  In fact, he went as far as to say that eagles possessed "poor moral character".  He posited that a more historically important bird should be chosen as the young United States' official bird. 

 Can you guess which bird he had in mind?  The hint is in the title of this blog!  Answer correctly on Facebook for a chance to win two Lexus cups and a notepad!

https://www.facebook.com/lexusofmaplewood

Lexus Recognized for Luxury Mid-size Car and Hybrid Crossover – ES 350 and RX 450h

TORRANCE, Calif., August 15, 2013 - - Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS) demonstrated its ability to listen to its customers yet again. Three TMS vehicles were named in the annual AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA). The Toyota Avalon Hybrid flagship sedan was named the 2013 top Hybrid/EV while the Lexus ES was named ideal luxury mid-size car and the Lexus RX 450h was honored with ideal hybrid crossover.  

The AutoPacific IVA “recognizes the cars that best meet their owner’s expectations and desires about their automotive purchases.”         

The first Avalon to offer Toyota’s legendary Hybrid Synergy Drive, the Avalon Hybrid generates 200 horsepower while delivering a city/highway combined 40 miles-per-gallon.  Avalon hybrid combines elegant and athletic styling with interior comfort and refinement. 

Launched in early 2013, the fourth-generation Avalon is the most American Avalon yet as it was designed and developed in the U.S. and assembled exclusively at Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Georgetown, Ky.

The 2013 model year marks the sixth generation of the Lexus ES and the introduction of the first-ever ES 300h with Lexus Hybrid Drive. The 2013 ES luxury sedan has a progressive new design and enhanced handling. The 2013 RX 450h features the signature Lexus spindle grille, an upgraded interior and EPA fuel economy estimates of 30 mpg combined for front-wheel drive models.

The IVA are based on a model-year survey of more than 52,000 vehicle owners across all manufacturers to reveal the vehicles that best meet the owners’ demands.  The award survey covers 15 key vehicle attributes including: exterior styling, exterior size, passenger roominess, cargo space, driver’s seat comfort, driver’s seat visibility, info/entertainment technology, interior lighting, power and acceleration, ease of getting in and out, interior storage compartments, ride, handling, safety features and tires and wheels.