Attention to detail has always been a key to Lexus vehicles and this particular model is no exception, where the diligence of the team has created an eye-catching executive convertible, although it’s not more of a grand tourer than a sporting machine and it’s likely to be more at home on the city streets than speeding through the open roads of the alps, but it’s still an eminently pleasurable drive. This is largely down to the silky smooth delivery of the vehicle’s power and slick shifting through the gears combined with the excellent suspension, making even the bumpiest of roads a comfortable ride.

It’s not just the power that’s feels effortless either; the steering of the IS 250C SE-L is as precise and clear as drivers will have come to expect from the Lexus brand and the breaks are surprisingly powerful. Of course, a luxury brand of vehicle like this lives and dies on, well, it’s luxuriousness, and the IS 250C SE-L is a Lexus through and through.

There’s plenty of interior space on offer and it seems that every possible option has been accounted for, including deep bins between the seats, console recesses and door bins, making the car just as suitable for the family as it is the individual looking to make an impression.

Other features include a boot security screen to stop items being crushed as the door shuts and the folding metal roof is something truly impressive, opening or closing in less than thirty seconds and stowing away nicely in a dedicated area of the boot.

All in all, the Lexus IS 250C SE-L is a smooth yet engaging ride with more power than you might be expecting and is a wonderful addition to the almost empty executive convertible range.

The vehicle itself looks set to take Europe’s luxury hatchback market by storm in early 2011, with the luxury arm of Toyota expecting its launch to double their business in Europe. Lexus have promised not to compromise performance for economy with the new CT200h, which will feature a 1.8L Atkinson cycle four-cylinder gas engine. The four driving modes; EV, ECO, normal and sport, look set to ensure that there is a mode to suit any driving style and all conditions.

You can check out the darker side of green campaign online and see how the CT200h proposes to make hybrid cars a stylish option for the future.

Lexus have no previous history of manufacturing supercars, so the near immediate presale of 500 LFA’s is a big victory for the company, particularly given the fairly hefty launch price of around £330,000. It is not just Americans buyers that have swooped to reserve the supercars, with around a third of the models set to be sold to European drivers, with approximately ten thought to be headed to the roads of Britain.

The vehicle itself is set to cause quite a stir, being slowly introduced to the world with just 20 being produced and sold each month. Buyers have been able to individually configure their own LFA using a configurator online, which allowed owners to choose from a staggering total of 30 billion different combinations of customisable options. Each vehicle will also receive a plaque to mark its number within the production process, to add a further stamp of individuality to every LFA.

Details, at the moment, are sketchy, but early indications suggest it’s likely to be much along the same lines as the concept hybrid which went on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year.

Great things are expected of this new Lexus. It is an up and coming market. Customers are increasingly look for smaller, more fuel efficient, cars and Lexus wants a piece of the action. As it continues to probe new sectors of the market 2010 looks set to be the year when this normally ever so sensible manufacturer goes on the offensive.

Lexus Dealerships

It is quite possibly one of the ugliest looking SUV’s I’ve seen and that is bearing in mind that there are a number of appalling SUV’s out there at present. The Lexus GX460 seems very square and boxy and appears to lack any sense of sporty qualifications, with the Porsche Cayenne leaving it for dust in the looks stakes.

However, we are forgetting that this is a Sports Utility Vehicle and not a sports car, so looks aren’t necessarily everything. What you really want is a robust, strong and aggressive vehicle that can stand up to the challenges of the many off-road terrains that it may see, which at present will probably be Chelsea High Street as these cars have become affectionately known as Chelsea tractors.
The car is likely to feature Toyota’s new 4.6 litre V8, which should rattle around the busy streets of London nicely, whilst having enough left if you feel like heading for the country.

The car will no doubt come with Lexus’ usual good build quality and the company has a renowned reputation for good customer service at their Lexus dealerships, maybe this will be what will save this Lexus from falling on to the pile with the rest of the SUV’s.

Since unveiling the latest model at the Frankfurt Motor Show to critical acclaim, Lexus dealerships have been inundated with requests for further information on the LF-Ch which won’t be available on the road until 2011.

With a petrol hybrid engine that will emit less than 100/km CO2 and front wheel drive, the LF-Ch represents a new challenge for Lexus who aim to target market share from the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series.

The aggressive front-end is complimented by sleek lines and blackened B-pillars. And the same remote touch controller used in the HS 250h and RX models will also be utilised in the LF-Ch.

Car Chat will bring you more information on this sleek new Lexus as and when we receive it.

However, there is some good news coming out of America that sales on certain brands of luxury cars has started to move in a positive direction again. Sales of Lexus cars have been boosted with a 12% gain in the last month.

Although the gain was only within the American market, it will still be looked upon as a significant gain in the overall picture of recovery and it offers a glimmer of hope after what has been one of the toughest periods of recession in world history.

The governments of the world have been working hard to re-establish economic recovery and hopefully the increase in sales in the United States motor industry will be seen as another boost for the global economic crisis.

Everyone will be watching closely to see if Lexus can continue to churn out these impressive figures over the coming months towards 2010.

Following from the sketches of the concept car, leaked by Lexus a couple of weeks ago, these images of the actual concept car look stunning.

This model will aim to gain Lexus some of the market share in the sportsback sector, to rival the likes of the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3.

This new Lexus model will also be available in full hybrid making it the first fully electric car of its type.

Car Chat will bring you more information on this during the launch at Frankfurt in mid September.

The Lexus CT concept car is to be a first sportsback for the Toyota subsidiary company. Whereas Lexus have concentrated on the coupe and SUV market they now aim to challenge BMW, Audi and the like and from the initial sketches of the concept car, they could gain significant market share.

This is new ground for Lexus and is set to be well received in Germany, as it is likely to be worldwide.

Check out Car Chat for more on this in the coming weeks.

The brand new Lexus HS 250h is selling like hot-cakes after it was unveiled in Japan and the US in July. Toyota was targeting 500 sales per month, but in their first month the car has already achieved a whopping 9,000 orders!

Lexus is undoubtedly a very reliable company, making many comfortable, stylish and sensible cars. Lexus’ are generally proven to be liked by consumers, so it isn’t surprising that the 2010 Lexus HS 250h is selling so well – it’s a beautiful car to look at and to drive.

Toyota did manage to produce 2,000 units of the HS 250h in July, but they are now aiming to almost triple the last month’s production of the dedicated hybrid Lexus by October. Lexus employees have, in the recent weeks, apparently been working overtime to be able to meet with the new, stressful production demands.

The EPA-estimated ratings of the 2010 Lexus HS 250h are 35mpg city and 34mpg on the highway, producing a combined 35mpg on regular 87-octane gasoline.

The car is selling well in the US for a price around $34,200 for the standard model, and $36,970 for the premium model.