The buzz has it that Lexus is going to give the performance division another try. L-Tuned, a faded styling brand of Lexus, is going to be given another chance to muscle up the Toyota luxury line. According to Automotive News...

Well, Ironman273 over at carspyshots.net brought a little more insight to the revelation...

The fact that Lexus is going to push the envelope and break from their traditional tendencies could spell trouble for the european brands. Up to now the American manufacturers have been pummeled by Toyota's relentless drive for quality and quantity, but the european brands have had excitement and performance in their corner. Now that Lexus plans to steal some of the Euro's thunder will we see even more growth? Is it possible?

My prediction? Everyone will be driving a Toyota in 2010.

 

I remember L-Tuned. Now lets see what they can come up with. How bout LRD?? (Lexus Racing Development) LRD doesnt sound good.

 

LAPD - Lexus Auto Performance Development

It would definitely tell you they will beat on anyone and everyone.

Seriously, I think L-tuned is a good name. Short and not a typical 3 letter acronym.

 

id like to see what L-Tuned could do. Especially after driving their whole line at the lexus events, it should be interesting (plus toyota's race history)

 

The idea of performance Lexus vehicles is awesome, but I think Lexus should stay away from the word "Tuned". The average Lexus buyer that isn't a true car enthusiast who would really tune their car. Most people buy a Lexus for the superior quality and so they can say they own a fancy car. It's the same reason somebody would buy a Cadillac if the same vehicle is offered cheaper with a GM or Chevy logo.

Lexus' image is too classy and upscale to be associated with teenagers and their tuner cars. The performance division needs a new name.

 

what about lexus performance

 

like always, the Japanese auto maker Lexus included is another step behind. BMW has equiped their 3 series with turbo. I suggest Lexus do the same to the IS250 6 spds to get a feel for the market. Provided that they'll have the same reliability as before.

 

you cant engineer a fun to drive car. im sure all the reviews are going to say "nice car but to soft"

 

How else are fun to drive cars made? I'm pretty sure a stork doesn't drop them off at dealerships across the globe.

Car manufacturers often choose to hold back on the fun/sporty aspects of a car for all sorts of reasons like the market it's targeted for, cost, practicality, etc.

 

i agree! alot of times the same car they sell in europe has sharper handling and quicker steering than the american models just because they think the americans will appreciate the softer ride more. for those who want the stiffer suspension and the quicker steering, its $2500-$3500 and its known as the sport suspension package

 

Good Concept.
Bad brand name ~ give it a better name than "L-Tuned" (i.e. T.M.S. = Toyota Motor Sports, T.E. = Toyota Evolution, or something out of the box). Brainstorm ~ Lexus/Toyota/Scion

Most importantly, FUNCTION over FORM ~ i.e. not so much cosmetic, but Complete performance intended.

 

to explain my comment further...Lexus can not engineer the fun-to-drive-factor that BMW and Audi have in there cars. it comes from years and years and years of refinment. Everytime you read a review of a lexus compared to a german sports sedan it always says the handeling is to soft. Lexus wont go for the hardcore enthusists, they are always the plush sports sedan. and they should stick to that, its worked well for them. they make the kind of car you take your farther inlaw for a ride in to impress him...not the kind you take his daughter out in to impress her

 

As we all know, Lexus isn't hurting becuase it is the embodiment of luxury and refinement, adding in quality. However, along with the luxury and refinement, I think it would benefit Lexus to EXPAND its customer base to the younger crowd as well. I think the IS would be a great platform to test out the new "L-Tune" lineup. From there, start offering some supercharged versions of the LS models to match that of the AMG brands and so forth. Test the waters, get their feet wet, before diving headfirst into the pool.

 

I know what I would like to see

Lexus-A

It is simple, clean and precise.

A=Attitude

The ad copy would write itself.

Fun cars with sportier tuning.
German styling with Japanese reliability

 

Allow me to chime in.
L-tuned was honestly a 1/2 arsed effort. It was only initially for the GS 430 in 2001 offering springs/shocks/ wheels made by O.Z side skirts, a grill and exhaust.
We on www.clublexus.com as well as others have bought the parts mostly seperately. It was like a $6000 package and to most not worth the money.

The IS was more of the same, different grill/wheels/shocks/exhause and a full bodykit.

L-tuned was discontinued a couple years ago.

In Europe, there is TTE, Toyota Team Europe who has performance parts for Lexus. We also buy TRD and Toms parts as well as tons others.

Hopefully if L-tuned comes back, they do bring some engine changes and more noticeable changes to Lexus.


My sources do indicate "F" is the moniker for "Flagship" (in each respective line, the internal code for the first LS 400 was F-1, Flagship 1).

The IS-F with the 5.0 V-8 from the LS is first.

 

Ha! You should come to dallas... about 1 in 10 lexus's here ARE tuners, and about 1 in 4 are driven by teenagers...

And most of them can leave a tC in the dust too.

 

I can't wait to see what L-tune with come out with.

 

i like the is-f idea...

believe me, these babies aint failin, but they are the bad boys in the class...

another ad campain that could write itself... if lexus would stop using the 90 year old tellin me its the december to remember sales event for 2 seconds!