[REVIEW] Lexus IS250 F sport: EXTERIOR

2014 Lexus IS250 F sport

Just get a chance to drive a new 2014 Lexus IS250 F Sport in June. This IS model is the third generation of Lexus IS.

Exterior

Some of you have noticed that “Spindle grille” is the next generation of Lexus design.

This design can be easily found on all new Lexus IS F sport model. You won’t see a front the pump on the grille. 

The overall shape of the grille is too round for me. I personally still prefer the LF-CC’s grille shape. It looks more aggressive and sporty. Hope the coming coupe model, Lexus RC, can keep the design of LF-CC, especially front grille.  

If you compare the 3^rd and 2^nd generation of Lexus IS, particular on engine hood, you still can see the 3^rd generation model has the shadow of previous generation of Lexus IS. What I learned from a car magazine was that it is a huge cost for an auto company to do a car redesign since the whole production line needs to be adjusted. Thus, to lower the cost, the auto company will keep some parts the same. That might be the reason you still can see the shadow of 2^nd generation of IS. (Maybe Lexus have better reason?)

(By the way, do you know every 2 or 3 years, an auto company will slightly modify car body? And usually the modification only focuses on pumper, headlight or taillight. Again, the answer is “cost”! )

My favorite design of the new Lexus IS is taillight. I will say this design is definitely from Lexus LF-CC. I like it. This totally looks different than previous model, but not the rear pumper. It's still similar to previous model.

From the side view, you can see the aerodynamic line on the car body. It is more obvious than before. The door-mounted mirrors look like the ones on LF-A. I like it. Overall, I will say Lexus makes a good approach. The front design should bring controversy effect. From a customer’s point of view, people might really like it or really dislike it.

[REVIEW]: Road and track comparison: Lexus IS350 F sport, BMW 335, Infiniti Q50 and Cadillac ATS

Several reviews suggest new Lexus IS350 F sport is better than BMW 335i. Or they suggest Lexus IS 350 Fsport is definitely a fun-to-drive car. That reminds me of what Chief Engineer Mr. Furuyama said: "I want to build a fun-to-drive car". Based on these reviews, he seems to complete the mission of "Fun-to-drive".

This is very amazing. Since I start reading car reviews, 99.9% reviews suggest BMW is a better driving machine than Japanese cars, especially 3 series. This is very impressed.

Here are reviews:
1. Car and Driver
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/habemus-papem-2013-bmw-335i-m-sport-vs-2013-cadillac-ats-36-2014-lexus-is350-f-sport-comparison-test

2. Motor trend
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1308_2014_infiniti_q50s_vs_lexus_is350_f_sport_comparison/viewall.html

3. Road and Track
http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-reviews/road-tests/the-comparison-65-3-roa1013

[REVIEW] 2014 Lexus IS 2014 INTERIOR

Lexus IS 250 F sport Interior

My first glance totally impressed! Most people will agree with me that the interior is very similar to the LFA. The tachometer just copies from the LFA. Even the chief engineer of Lexus IS said: "the price of IS is only one tenth of LFA but has the same tachometer". I like this idea for sure. It really looks so cool!

The vents of air condition, the glove case and control panel, they all looks very similar to the LFA. To be honest, I like the interior design more than exterior design.   

I also want to emphasize the driver seat. The position of the driver seat is lower than previous generation of IS for sure. When I sit inside, I can tell I was close to the ground. The left door side is right below my shoulder. I also enjoy the F sport driver’s seat; you will feel obvious side support on your arm and back. Due to its leather seat, it is much more comfortable than sitting on Scion FR-S’s sport seat.  

Another interesting thing is that I feel like the door-mounted mirror is almost the same height of my eyes. I do not know wh,y but I feel very enjoyable to see the mirror right next to me. Normally, you have to look down to see the door-mounted mirror, right? 

[REVIEW] Q50: Direct adaptive steering

Infiniti Q50 just arrives dealership this summer.

This car has a world's first steering technology: Direct adaptive steering (option). Infiniti claims this system uses electronics to streamline the steering mechanism for a more precise feeling behind the wheel. This system was also tuned by F1 Champion Sebastian Vettel to enhance comfort and performance.

However, Road and Track seems not to appreciate this technology. It said "The Q50 is simply too good at editing analog reality into a bland video-game simulacrum. On the track, it's probably brilliant. In the real world, we didn't trust it."  Based on this reason, the review gave the Q50 the last place, compared to Lexus IS350 (1st), BMW 335(2nd), and Cadillac ATS (3rd).

I haven't driven the Q50 yet and don't know how "Direct adaptive steering" works. But just based on the sales number, a lot of people still like Q50. Look forward to driving one soon!

This world's-first system uses electronics to streamline the steering mechanism for a more precise feeling behind the wheel. Over uneven roads, this moderates the need for constant, subtle adjustment, imparting a commanding feeling while helping shield the driver from excessive road vibrations.

- See more at: http://www.infinitiusa.com/sedan/q50/2014/highlights/performance.html#_performance-adaptive-steering

This world's-first system uses electronics to streamline the steering mechanism for a more precise feeling behind the wheel. Over uneven roads, this moderates the need for constant, subtle adjustment, imparting a commanding feeling while helping shield the driver from excessive road vibrations.

- See more at: http://www.infinitiusa.com/sedan/q50/2014/highlights/performance.html#_performance-adaptive-steering

This world's-first system uses electronics to streamline the steering mechanism for a more precise feeling behind the wheel. Over uneven roads, this moderates the need for constant, subtle adjustment, imparting a commanding feeling while helping shield the driver from excessive road vibrations.

- See more at: http://www.infinitiusa.com/sedan/q50/2014/highlights/performance.html#_performance-adaptive-steeri"

This world's-first system uses electronics to streamline the steering mechanism for a more precise feeling behind the wheel. Over uneven roads, this moderates the need for constant, subtle adjustment, imparting a commanding feeling while helping shield the driver from excessive road vibrations.

- See more at: http://www.infinitiusa.com/sedan/q50/2014/highlights/performance.html#_performance-adaptive-steering

[NEWS] Lexus IS 300h, very cool video

Although 2014 Lexus IS 300h is not available in north America, just want to share this video.
"Trace your road"

Lexus IS 300h

What kind of experience do you expect with an F1 driver, a tablet, and projectors? 
Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slETbZ7FIs0

[NEWS] Lexus LF-NX concept

Lexus reveals a small crossover concept. LF-NX.

The front design is very similar to current 2014 IS F-sport.

I am not going to talk more about this car.
But I would like to focus on "F-sport" package.
Lexus does a very good strategy to create "F-sport" package.
Since Lexus always give people impression of comfortable cars, it may lack "sporty" element.
Therefore, F-sport package gives the car an aggressive look, (or sporty look), firmer suspension and more drive mode (like sport, or sport+).

From last month sales report, Lexus also mentions near 45% buyers in Aug chose "F-sport" package.
I am curious that people chose F-sport is because of "F-sport" look or "F-sport" driving experience?

 

[NEWS] Nissan Rogue 2014

Small SUV is a very hot markets. Every automakers always try their best to increase their sales in this segment. 

Which cars are small SUV: The below shows top 5 best sellers
1. Honda CR-V (no surpise)
2. Ford Escape
3. Chevy Equinox
4. Toyota RAV-4
5. Nissan Rogue.

Here is the new 2014 Rogue.

Rogue: Headlights come with LED decoration.

One of online reviews suggest this is best looking SUV ever from Nissan.
I don't know? How do you think?

One of the packages I assume many people might be interested in.
It is called "Family package". This allows three rows in the car!
You can have 7 people sitting in the same car!

Image that, typically, large SUV like Audi Q7, Infiniti JX, Acura MDX, and Nissan Pathfinder can have three rows. But Rogue can have 7 seats! How long the Rogue is? it is about 182.3 inches, which is similar to Lexus IS (183.7 inches), and BMW 3 series (182.5). They are just sedans. But I am sure the third-row seats are suitable for children not for a 6-ft person.

Can't wait to see 2014 Rogue in dealers!