Lexus 2007 - Luxury and Elegance
Lexus is a brand name used by Toyota in
North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand for luxury automobiles.
Some believe the name comes from the combination of "luxury" and "elegance".
Lexus was inspired by the success of the luxury Toyota Supra and the Toyota
Cressida models. Both the Supra and Cressida were rear wheel drive cars with
a powerful (7M-GE/7M-GTE) type engine.
The first Lexus-branded models, the V-8 powered LS 400 and the
smaller ES250, appeared in 1989. The flagship LS400, known as the
Toyota Celsior in the Japanese domestic market, had a unique design, sharing
no major elements with previous Toyota vehicles, with a new 4.0L V8 engine.
It was widely praised for its quietness, well-appointed interior, fine
engine performance, outstanding build quality, and value. It was generally
regarded as a major shock to the European marques, but it has never managed
to gain the affection of the public in the way of the older luxury
manufacturers. It won several major motoring awards when released.
These virtues have been maintained in subsequent iterations of the LS,
including the LS 430, and the range has been expanded with other
models. The Toyota Camry-based ES 330, the small, sporty, rear-drive
IS 200 and IS 300 based on the Japanese Domestic Market Toyota Altezza,
and the Toyota Land Cruiser-based LX 470 SUV, and the GS models. The
world's second mass-production hybrid SUV was a Lexus, after the Ford Escape
SUV in summer 2004. The SC300/400 was Lexus' first coupe that made
its way to the United States.
2007 Lexus ES350
The new Lexus ES350 is powered by a V6 engine, dispatching 272 hp to the
front wheels via a new six-speed manu-matic. The 0-to-60 mph time drops from
a claimed 7.2 to 6.8 seconds yet torque steer remains effectively muffled.
Building on another strength of the outgoing car, the ES now offers optional
upgraded leather upholstery that is even softer than the standard stuff.
Other new temptations include a glass roof that extends over the back seat
as well as the front, and a reverse camera and sonar proximity sensors that
take all the tiresome judgment out of parking. The standard equipment list
now includes keyless ignition, seventeen-inch wheels, stability control, and
eight air bags. Although the car casts the same shadow as before, there's an
additional 2.2 inches between the axles, which not only helps the looks but
also opens up the interior space. Unlike those of many cars in this class,
the ES350's rear seats should elicit no complaints from passengers.
2007 Lexus GS450h
A brand new model for 2007, the Lexus GS 450h is a hybrid powered luxury
performance rear-drive hybrid sedan. The 2007 Lexus GS 450h isn’t just your
average trumped up hybrid sedan. The 2007 Lexus GS 450h delivers the
performance of a modern V8 engine and sips fuel like a four cylinder; Lexus
GS 450h smog forming emissions are 80% cleaner than the average car; the
level of quiet during the electric-mode is half of that during normal engine
operation and 0-60 mph is as quick as a Porsche 911 with Tiptronic. Under
the hood the Hybrid Synergy Drive consists of a 3.5-liter all-aluminum V-6
generating 292 hp and 267 lb-ft, and two electric motors generating a peak
197 hp. Combined rating is 339 horsepower. Lexus has refined this synergy
drive to be quieter, cleaner and quicker than its cousins.
2007 Lexus RX350
The RX 330 is being reworked for 2007 and is now renamed RX 350. Though
external changes are minor, the changes made under its shapely exterior
panels are significant. Now sitting under the hood for 2007 is a new
3.5-liter V6. The new all-aluminum engine has dual variable valve timing
with intelligence (VVT-I), which allows for greater torque over a wider
power band. The RX 350 produces 270 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque. The
five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission combines for
great fuel efficiency. The interior has all the fancy trimmings expected;
beautiful leather and wood trim with heated power front seats and two driver
seat memory settings, plus a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel. Standard
on the RX 350 is a new tire pressure monitoring system. A sensor is placed
on each wheel and warns you via a warning light when the pressure gets too
low. Other safety features include various multi-stage airbags for the
driver and front passenger, and roll-sensing front and rear head/side
curtain airbags for all occupants.
In conclusion, all we can say is that Lexus seems to be living up to
its expectations of luxury and tradition combined with practicality and
comfort. Here’s to the 2007 lineup of this popular Toyota brand! |
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