The Toyota brand has suffered tremendously as a result of recent recalls, with most of the damage coming from the recall of versions of 8 Toyota models resulting from occurrences of “unintended acceleration” or “sticking” throttles, depending on what you choose to call the phenomenon. While no Lexus models have been recalled specifically as a result of this issue (the IS 250 and 350, in addition to the ES 350 have been recalled due to loose floor mats), they have not escaped being included in the discussion.

Keeping this in mind, I think it would be wise for all Toyota and Lexus owners, as well as the general driving public, to check out the lessons offered by Mike Kojima of MotoIQ based on his encounter with a sticking throttle while driving a Lexus RX-7. Kojima goes beyond offering the common (but important) advice about shifting into neutral by offering a technical analysis of the problem with the aid of descriptive illustrations.

Hats off to Mike Kojima for making an intelligent contribution to the Toyota recall dialogue. Read his article in full at MotoIQ.com.

Lexus has been pretty active while its parent, Toyota Motors has seemed in no way able to distract people who’ve seemed unceasingly focused on recalls and safety concerns. In the midst of this, Lexus’ reputation has been largely unaffected and the brand is hoping that it will continue to garner positive attention with the production release of the popular LF-CH Concept.

The vehicle, officially named the CT200h, was created to be the “first and only full hybrid vehicle in the premium concept segment”, according to Lexus. It was designed with the European market in mind, and fittingly will be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. The LF-CH Concept was seen as a potential competitor to premium compact models from Audi and BMW, though the CT200h doesn’t look like it will be able to compete on the basis of performance alone, being that the “h” in the title stands for hybrid.

The hybrid CT200h will be powered by a combination of a 1.8 liter four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The total output is documentent at 134 hp, which is a far cry from the 187 hp achieved by the HS250h sedan and is very short of what European competitors get using conventional power plants.

These performance comparisons come in to play when considering the CT200h’s positioning in the European market. If the car is released on this side of the pond, it will be the first of its class in North America, so competition would be a future concern. Comparisons to the A3 and the 1-series will become a more pressing issue to North American consumers if and when Audi and BMW decide that there is enough demand to bring their luxury compacts to our shores. In the meantime Lexus has the opportunity to test the North American, and I’m one person who hopes that they take advantage of this.

If you happen to be taking a trip out to Geneva this weekend, don’t forget to take a good look at the Lexus LFA. With only 500 specimens being produced, the chances of you seeing one up-close again are not very high.

The Lexus LFA has been the subject of a lot of talk since its unveiling at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. Odds are that most conversations have not included comments like, “I can’t wait to pick one up”, and I’d say that it’s safe to assume that nobody is considering buying his and hers versions. If the fact that a worldwide total of only 500 vehicles will be built to order for specially selected customers wasn’t enough to shatter your dreams of LFA ownership, than the anticipated price tag of $400,000 probably was.

Prices for the 2012 Lexus LFA have been officially announced and the vast majority of car enthusiasts now officially know how far out of their price-range this coupe really is. The suggested retail price is $375,000. not including fees for delivery , processing, and handling. Before the price was made official, the auto media had already reported that this car will only be available on a lease-to-own basis. This has not changed. What’s still unclear is whether or not the Lexus supercar will be available to superrich Canadians. While the LFA is showcases on the Lexus Canada website, the price announcement was apparently not enough to warrant a Canada-specific press release. Maybe the folks at Toyota Motors, like me, assume that these wealthy canucks can either afford to pay import duties or already hold duel citizenship (no offense to my northern neighbors!). European buyers will have to travel to one London flagship dealership to pick theirs up, so it’s certainly possible that Los Angeles or another city could become home to Lexus’ North American LFA distribution center, though given the size of the country, it could be difficult for L.A. to serve the needs of the 150 LFA lessees coming from who knows what states and provinces.

If you want to know more about what a very exclusive set of motorists (probably not including you or me) will experience behind the wheel of the LFA read Road & Track’s 2011 LFA Driving Impressions.

An unknown photographer has captured recent spy shots of what looks like a production version of the Lexus LF-CH. Acclaimed by many, this 5 door luxury compact has been designed with European drivers in mind, and is seen as a competitor to popular BMW and Audi models.

Based on these photos, which were taken from the rear and show the car under a layer of plastic wrap, the LF-CH that will be seen on highways as early as 2012 will have a slightly more subdued look than what was unveiled at auto shows three years earlier. So now that we know more about what this vehicle might look like, some may already be salivating over this hatchback. But, a word of warning; you may not want to build up your LF-CH hopes high yet.

There are still big questions, besides what this supposed production LF-CH looks like unwrapped and from other angles. Will the hybrid power plant that accompanied the LF-CH concept to the 2009 auto shows be seen in the 2012 production model? Is this going to be a limited release, in the spirit of the upcoming LFA? And, most importantly, will this sporty hatchback be sold in North America or will Lexus tease US and Canadians by making this a Euro only model?

From what I’ve heard, there is serious doubt that the Lexus LF-CH will be seen on this side of the Pacific, though Toyota is expected to incorporate a lot of the concept’s features into models for this market. This is all speculation for now. It’s still possible that Lexus will attempt to establish itself in the luxury hatchback market that European carmakers don’t seem to believe is sizeable enough to target. So, don’t give up hope on purchasing the American designed Lexus LF-CH from American (or Canadian) dealers.

Click here for spy photos of possible production Lexus LF-CH

The first official shots of the all-new 2010 Lexus GX460 have surfaced online ahead of the luxury 4×4’s world premiere at next week’s ‘Auto Guangzhou 2009′ car show in China. Please check out the article our friends at Carscoop wrote concerning the new Lexus GX460.

The Lexus IS350C, which makes 306 hp in stock form, is now putting out a claimed 405 hp with 6 psi of boost from its ProCharger supercharger. An intercooler and piping provided by Yonaka keeps the air charge cool, and a Lexus F-Sport exhaust helps the car breathe.

The near–IS F levels of power are accompanied by IS F–aping looks, including custom front fenders and side skirts, plus a radical two-inch flare for the rear fenders. The “Foxy Green” paint is broken up by glossy and flat-black accents, like a Seibon carbon-fiber rear wing, flat-black headlight housings, smoked taillight lenses, grille inserts, and the Lexus logo in the rear. Black iForged wheels measure 20 inches all around and are slowed by a set of six-piston F-Sport Big Brakes with 14-inch discs. Everything is suspended by adjustable Yonaka coil-overs.

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

The wait is almost over! Well we still have to wait until the spring of 2010, but it’s been over four years since its Detroit auto show debut in 2005. Car and Driver got the pleasure of driving a race-ready version of the company’s first supercar.

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

With a 4.8-liter V-10 producing well over 500 hp, and weighing in at less than 3300 pounds, the LF-A rockets from a standstill to 60 mph in about 3.5 seconds. The car is easy to control when accelerating out of corners and handles even more directly than the Nissan GTR, which it will go up against for the title of ultimate Japanese supercar.

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

The $250,000 production Lexus LF-A will have ceramic brakes, a speed-sensitive rear spoiler, LED tail-lamps, and bi-xenon headlights. This seems to be skewing away from Toyota’s “green” image, but according to a company engineer, the car’s carbon fiber structure can be easily adapted to house an electric motor. Also, be sure to check out this exciting new Lexus compact concept set to debut in Frankfurt.

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

Lexus is going where no other car manufacturer has gone before. The 2010 Lexus HS250 Hybrid will be the industry’s first dedicated luxury hybrid. Powered by the Camry hybrid’s Atkinson-cycle, 2.4-liter unit producing 147 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, along with a nickel-metal hybrid battery pack and electric motor that add another 40 horsepower, the 3740-pound HS250 accelerates from 0-60 mph in 8.4 seconds.

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

Although 0-60 acceleration is 1.4 seconds quicker than the Toyota Prius, the HS does not come close in terms of fuel economy with EPA city/highway ratings of 35/34 mpg, compared to the 51/48 figures of the Prius. In addition, it lacks the quietness that Lexus owners are accustomed to. Still, the long list of standard features which include a “lane-keep assist” feature, adaptive cruise control with collision mitigation, and swiveling headlamps, as well as a stylish interior with slick color combinations, will surely appeal to those seeking a car with Lexus quality and more efficiency.

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

Lexus is planning to launch a convertible version of the IS F in early 2011. Seeking to improve overall driving experience and performance to better compete against the likes of Mercedes, BMW, and Audi, the IS F convertible will be powered by a 5.0 liter V-8 engine and a quick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. It will be directly competing against the BMW M3 cabriolet and the new Mercedes E-class coupe. However, this new Lexus convertible will not replace the SC430, which will instead have a soft-top successor.

Car and Driver is planning to re-launch its site. This new and improved site promises to be much more interactive and user-friendly. With increased functionality, it will be even easier to navigate. There is much more information and links on the new homepage, allowing for quicker, more efficient search.

In addition, one of the best features of the new site is the increased functionality of the buyer’s guide, which allows you to more easily search for vehicles specifically tailored to your needs. For example, if you choose a make such as Lexus, the new site instantly provides you with several links to the latest reviews, comparison tests, news, and advice on different models.

Then, selecting a model, such as the IS allows you to view all of its top competitors in that class. With the ability to drill down on specifications and view tons of interior and exterior images, the new Car and Driver site is definitely more interactive and user-friendly, and will enhance your Lexus shopping experience. Check out a screen-shot of this below, and feel free to email any feedback to caranddriver@hfnm.com.