Lexus ES330 Sport Design, 2004

Lexus ES330 Sport Design, 2004

 

The Lexus ES series is a family of mid-size sedans produced by the Lexus division of Toyota from 1989 to the present and built in Tsutsumi, Japan. The series has always been built off of the Toyota Camry platform with a V6 engine and automatic transmission. For long, it had been Lexus's entry-level car, competing with the Infiniti G20, I30 and Acura TL until the arrival of the Lexus IS in 2001. The ES 250, built from August 30, 1989 until July 5, 1991, shared the body style of the contemporary Camry, while the Toyota Windom, a Japan-only model, shared the ES's body style from the second generation onwards. The fifth-generation ES 350 was unveiled in the spring of 2006 as a 2007 model, and is a major redesign.

Fourth generation (2002-2006)
A year after the Lexus IS became Lexus's entry-level car, a larger, fourth generation ES (designated MCV30) debuted in 2002. The presence of the IS in the Lexus lineup enabled the company to give the ES a more upscale image and luxury feel by excising the sporting pretentions of the previous ES models. Compared to its predecessor, the new ES possessed an interior with a greater emphasis on comfort, superior NVH isolation, larger, softer seats, and improved interior materials. Despite the additional features and added weight neither the acceleration nor the handling of the ES suffered. Other new features included a drive-by-wire electronic throttle, a five-speed automatic transmission, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist as well as stability and traction control. In Japan, the MCV30 Windom received a 2-star LEV rating.

For the 2003 model year, the US and European markets received a new 3.3 L engine producing 225 hp (later revised to 218 hp, because of changes in SAE horsepower testing procedures), and the car was renamed ES 330. In the Middle Eastern and Asian markets, however, the 3.0 L engine was still available. In 2005, the ES received a facelift with new front and rear fascias, clear taillights, projector headlights, and a redesigned grille. Inside, several new-for-the-ES features included power adjustable pedals, heated and ventilated front seats and rearview mirrors that would automatically tilt downward in reverse gear. Additionally, new bird's-eye maple trim brightened the interior and integrated satellite radio was offered as an option.

Lexus LX470, 2003

Lexus LX470, 2003

 

 

The Lexus LX is a full-size luxury sport utility vehicle sold by the Lexus division of Toyota. Also, it was Lexus's first SUV. It has a 4.7-liter, four-cam V8 engine with four valves per cylinder. The LX has a welded steel body and a capacity to seat eight passengers. The LX replaced the Toyota Land Cruiser for the Canadian market, because most automobile companies (except for GM, Ford and Chrysler) could not sell rebadged models in Canada, the real reason being that big expensive SUVs do not fare well with Canada. Thus, having a Land Cruiser and LX470 in the same market makes matters worse.

The LX470 shares the same floorplan and most body panels with the Toyota Land Cruiser. The current LX470 differs from the Land Cruiser only in its front optics and a more luxurious interior.

Recently, Toyota made it clear that the next LX will be completely different from the Land Cruiser. Because there isn't space for two similar SUVs in the North American market. The LX's repalcement will most likely be smaller but more luxurious than the upcoming Land Cruiser. Hence directly competing with the Range Rover.

2003 upgrades
For the 2003 model year, the Lexus LX470 received an interior refesh, new grille, redesigned wheel rims and a 5-speed gearbox (an upgrade from the previous 4-speed gearbox).

2006 upgrades
For 2006, the engine's output was increased 45 hp, boosting the total output to 275 hp. The engine provided VVT-i (variable valve timing). New LED rear taillamps, a new grille and redesigned wheel spokes were added.

Lexus IS430 Project, 2003

Lexus IS430 Project, 2003

The Lexus IS is an entry-level luxury car / compact executive car produced by the Lexus marque of Toyota Motor Corporation and originally sold as the Toyota Altezza in Japan. It was introduced as an entry-level model to slot below the ES in the Lexus lineup and to compete against the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Nissan Skyline/Infiniti G35 sports sedans.

The first-generation Altezza (codename XE10) was launched in Japan in October 1998, while the Lexus IS 200 made its debut in Europe in 1999 and the IS 300 in North America in 2001. The second generation IS was launched in 2006. The Lexus range of cars are very successful in North America, but it is still lagging behind its German rivals in the rest of the world.

First generation
European and North American-market Lexus IS vehicles, as well as the Japanese hatchback/station wagon version called the Gita (called Lexus IS Sportcross in the U.S. and Europe) were only available in the 6-cylinder versions. US and European sales of the Lexus IS 300 were disappointing. In the American market, after hitting a high of 22,486 units in 2001, IS sales dropped below the 10,000-unit mark in 2004. The IS200 fared better in Europe and Asia, but still fell well short of the sales volume achieved by the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and other, mostly German-made competitors.

Second generation
The IS was redesigned for the 2006 model year and was introduced in the fall of 2005. The Toyota Altezza name ceased to be used with the introduction of the Lexus name in Japan. A pre-production example of the second generation IS model was shown in the 2005 Geneva Auto Show. The slow-selling SportCross station wagon version was dropped from the lineup worldwide.
Lexus IS430 Project

For the United States, three IS models are sold by Lexus:
    * IS 250 - 2.5 L V6, 204 hp (152 kW), Rear wheel drive
    * IS 250 AWD - 2.5 L 4GR-FSE V6 with all wheel drive, 204 hp (152 kW)
    * IS 350 - 3.5 L 2GR-FSE V6, 306 hp (228 kW), Rear wheel drive

In the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, 2 models are sold by Lexus:
    * IS 250 - 2.5 L V6, 204 hp (152 kW), Rear wheel drive
    * IS 220d - 2.2 L Inline-4, 175 hp (130 kW), Rear wheel drive. Manual transmission only.

The IS 250 RWD comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, and a 6-speed automatic transmission is available as an option. The IS 250 AWD and the IS 350 are only available with the 6-speed automatic. A precrash system is a novelty in the market.

The IS 350's performance has been admirable, and its acceleration is class-leading. Some say this marks Lexus' first foray into the sport compact market that compares fairly well with its German competitors. However, prevailing criticisms are that its steering is not as communicative as that of the BMW 3 Series, its stability and traction control systems cannot be fully disabled, and that the higher-performance IS 350 is only offered with an automatic transmission. However, the stability control system/traction control system can be disabled through non-conventional methods by using a code during engine start. This involves starting the car with the parking brake engaged, releasing the parking brake, pushing the brake pedal twice, holding it on the second push, engaging the parking brake twice, holding it on the second, and repeating until the vehicle traction light appears on the dash.