Lexus to Air Its First Super Bowl Ad

It's sort of surprising that Lexus hasn't shown a Super Bowl ad during its more than two decades of existence. Now, after losing its 11-year sales crown as the largest luxury automaker to BMW, Lexus has decided the time is now to remind people what the brand is all about. It's showing off the newly redesigned 2013 Lexus GS series in its Super Bowl spot.

The ad borrows several motifs from the "Jurassic Park" film, including the rippling water and the dull thud of something big approaching. Overall, the ad builds excitement. And what's up with the four other cages in the background shown at the end? Lexus says it has another eight new or updated models to launch this year, including the refreshed Lexus LX 570 shown earlier at the Detroit auto show.

Cars.com Reviews the 2013 Lexus GS 350

Lexus has established a reputation of providing cushy, quiet sedans. With the 2013 GS 350, Lexus aims to improve upon the car’s predecessor, which couldn’t appease the sport-minded and comfort-minded alike. Does it succeed? The sport sedan not only impresses with its intriguing looks, nimble handling and posh interior, but the car signals a turnaround for the luxury brand’s future, according to Cars.com Managing Editor David Thomas.

2013 Lexus GS 350 Review

2013 Lexus GS 450h Rated at 34 MPG Highway, GS 350 at 28 MPG

The 2013 Lexus GS 450h’s fuel-economy estimates beat the automaker’s expectations with an EPA-estimated 29/34/31 mpg city/highway/combined, Toyota announced. That’s about a 35% improvement in gas mileage over the 2011 GS 450h, which gets 22/25/23 mpg. When Toyota officials unveiled the hybrid at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, they expected a 30% improvement over the 2011 model.

Like the previous GS 450h, Lexus promises V-8 power with four-cylinder efficiency. The 338-horsepower hybrid system has two electric motors — one for each rear wheel — and they can power the GS using electric only or in tandem with the 3.5-liter V-6. Overall, Toyota says the 2013 GS 450h should hit zero to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, which is 0.4 seconds slower than the 2011 GS 450h but 0.1 seconds faster than the 2013 GS 350. The hybrid model gets high- and low-beam LED headlamps and LED taillamps standard. The cabin has a standard climate control system, a bamboo-trimmed steering wheel and a hybrid monitoring system.

2013 Lexus GS 350 F Sport Package: SEMA Photo Gallery

Over the past few years, Lexus has tried to be more than just a maker of reliable but bland luxury vehicles. The Lexus IS F, CT 200h and LFA try to move the brand toward that sporty and aggressive strategy. While the previous-generation Lexus GS sport sedan had some F Sport options, Lexus has decided to anoint a complete F Sport Package to its redesigned 2013 Lexus GS series. The package includes new bumpers, mesh grille, rear spoiler, diffuser and larger wheels. 

We covered the F Sport Package earlier last week, but intrepid Cars.com photographer Ian Merritt spotted the real thing at SEMA. Check out his photos below.

Lexus' 'December to Remember' Sale Already Started

Lexus' iconic red-bow sales program, December to Remember, begins earlier this year, with financing and lease specials available now on various 2011 and 2012 models.

Everyone is used to seeing winter holiday decorations hit department stores earlier each year, but the fact that the sale is named after the month of December and will run through all of November is a bit humorous to us, but likely not to the company.

Inventory recoveries after Japan's earthquake disruptions have prompted the brand to move the program ahead of its usual Thanksgiving kickoff, Lexus chief Mark Templin told reporters yesterday. This year's December to Remember began Tuesday and ends Jan. 3.
 
Specials vary by region. We contacted Lexus dealers in greater New York, Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles. Here's what we learned:

Lexus Announces 2013 GS 350 F Sport Package

As Lexus vies to place its 2013 Lexus GS 350 on the same plane as the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6 with midsize sports luxury car buyers, it comes as no surprise that the luxury brand has prepared a showy sport accessory package.

The F-Sport Package here works similarly as the one found on the 2012 Lexus CT 200h. There’s no added horsepower; instead, what you get is new exterior ground effects and other aesthetic changes, as well as a sport-tuned suspension. The old 2011 Lexus GS had F-Sport accessories, too — like 19-inch forged alloy wheels and Bilstein shock absorbers — but it didn’t have an all-encompassing sport package, like this one.

Lexus Reveals 2013 Lexus GS 450h at 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show

We knew the redesigned 2013 Lexus GS would be getting hybrid and high-performance variants, and today, the luxury carmaker revealed details on the new GS 450h hybrid.

The model is powered by a revamped hybrid system that will improve fuel economy by 30% over the regular GS 350, and it will do so while increasing performance. The current GS 450h gets 22/25/23 mpg city/highway/combined. A 30% improvement would move the combined figure to nearly 30 mpg.

The 338-horsepower hybrid system has two electric motors, one for each rear wheel, and they can power the GS using electric only or in tandem with the 3.5-liter V-6 motor. Overall, the GS 450h should hit zero to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, which is 0.4 seconds slower than the 2011 GS 450h but 0.1 seconds faster than the 2013 GS 350.

The new model will have different selectable driving modes (much like the Lexus CT 200h or Toyota Prius); here, there are Eco, Sport S, Sport S+ and EV modes.

The hybrid model gets high- and low-beam LED headlamps and LED taillamps standard. The cabin has a standard climate control system, a bamboo-trimmed steering wheel and a hybrid monitoring system.

The original Lexus GS was the first rear-wheel-drive sports sedan equipped with an available hybrid system, but it was a poor seller for the brand. Time will tell if the GS 450h’s new styling and improved gas mileage can turn the tide. 

2012 Lexus Lineup Gets Minor Price Changes

When Lexus’ 2012 lineup hits dealerships later this summer through the fall, nearly half will have the same price as the outgoing 2011 versions. Price increases for other model and trims are minimal, ranging from $200 to $700.

Most of the 2012 lineup remains pretty much unchanged compared with 2011, too. There’s no GS sedan for 2012, but an all-new 2013 Lexus GS 350 was just unveiled and will go on sale in early 2012; pricing hasn’t been announced.

The 2012 Lexus CT 200h gets a standard virtual engine sound — similar systems are found on the Infiniti M35h and Nissan Leaf. A new F Sport Package is available on the CT 200h as a factory option on Premium trims only. Pricing isn’t known.

The 2012 Lexus HS 250h makes use of more eco-friendly bioplastic materials upholstery and carpeting in the cabin. The 2012 GX 460 now has bodyside moldings and high-gloss-finished 18-inch wheels standard.

The 2012 Lexus IS F gets new 19-inch wheel designs, wider rear tires and new shock absorbers, all of which will improve handling, Lexus says. The IS F comes with red leather upholstery for 2012, replacing the two-toned orange/black setup.

Destination fees for all models are set at $875, the same as last year. Continue reading below for more pricing details.

2013 Lexus GS 350: First Look

• Competes with: BMW 5 Series, Infiniti M, Hyundai Genesis
• Looks like: Lexus is making a statement
• Drivetrain: 306-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine, six-speed automatic transmission, rear- or all-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Early 2012

Lexus hasn’t been shy about the fact that its LF-Gh concept car would be the next GS. Every bit of the brand’s advertising has been showing the concept for months. Generally, that’s not a wise move if you want to sell cars that are out today.

That’s how important the 2013 GS is to the brand, and it looks like the real thing delivers on the concept’s promise.

Lexus LF-Gh Hybrid Concept at the 2011 New York Auto Show

• Looks like: Lexus is going for dark and sinister for its next sedan
• Defining characteristics: A yet unspecified hybrid powertrain 
• Ridiculous features: Are side-view cameras ever going to take off? Not likely. 
• Chances of being mass-produced: This is the next-generation GS; design language will come to all models 

The LF-Gh Hybrid concept may point toward a more promising future for Lexus’ slow-selling GS midsize sports sedan, and it should help the company in a segment it hasn't fared well in over the past few years.

The LF-Gh stays pretty much true to form and function as the 2011 GS 450h. What doesn’t stay the same is the styling. Gone are the somewhat frumpy looks of the GS, replaced with creases and curves that exude poise and aggression. Lexus seems to have focused most of its attention on the front end: The concept features a new grille and headlamp designs that Lexus’ whole lineup will end up wearing over time, the automaker says.