Toyota Expands Gas Pedals Recall to 4 Million Vehicles

 
Toyota has expanded its initial floormat recall to 4 million vehicles. It will now reconfigure the accelerator pedal to prevent it from getting caught in the floormat, causing unintended acceleration, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The automaker also plans to install a brake-override system on some models; if the brake and accelerator are depressed at the same time, the brake will take precedence.

The recall initially covered the 2007-10 model year Camry, 2005-10 Avalon, 2004-09 Prius cars as well as 2005-10 Tacoma and 2007-10 Tundra trucks. It is also recalling 2007-10 Lexus ES 350, 2006-10 IS 250, and 2006-10 IS 350 models. The increase to 4 million recalled vehicles is to account for those sold since October when the recall was first announced.

Toyota will still replace the floormats, but dealers will also shave three-quarters of an inch from accelerator pedals. By April, Toyota will have replacement pedals of that length.

The automaker will install the break override system on the Camry, Avalon and Lexus ES 350, IS 350 and IS 250 models, calling it “an extra measure of confidence.”

Toyota said it will begin fixing the recalled vehicles in early 2010, starting by notifying Camry, Avalon, and ES 350 owners. The Japanese press is speculating that this recall will cost Toyota around $5 billion. There’s no official word on the cost from Toyota at this point.

Toyota to Fix 4 Million Gas Pedals (Detroit News)

2010 Lexus GX: First Look

• Competes with: Land Rover LR4, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Audi Q7
• Looks like: The previous GX 470 with styling tweaks here and there
• Drivetrain: 301-hp, 4.6-liter V-8 with six-speed automatic transmission, full-time four-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Late December 2009

Lexus’ midsize truck-based SUV, the GX, has been redesigned for 2010. The new luxury SUV features a more powerful V-8 engine, slightly improved gas mileage and revised styling inside and out. For the first time, the GX will be offered in two grades: base, which will carry an MSRP of $51,970, and Premium, which will be priced at $56,765. The MSRP does not include a delivery charge of $875. The all-new GX 460 will be on display for the first time at the L.A. Auto Show in early December. It hits U.S. dealerships in late December. 

2010 Lexus IS 250C Convertible Video

If you’re buying a hard-top convertible, it’s not for its utility. Ultimately, your decision will come down to minor details like how quickly the top retracts, does the top cut into the trunk space and can anyone sit in that cramped backseat? Cars.com reviewer Joe Wiesenfelder fills you in on these issues in his video, but he also notes a couple of key numbers that help the 2010 Lexus IS 250C stand out against the competition.

2010|Lexus|IS 250C

Lexus Sponsoring In-Flight WiFi

When flying to cover auto shows or test drive the latest new car, I really love getting to use the in-flight WiFi. I tried it out about a year ago on a Southwest flight (pictured above) and was geeked to watch Hulu check my work email at 30,000 feet up.
 
The fact that it was free made me happy. Now, Lexus is hoping that by sponsoring in-flight WiFi on select American Airlines flights, fellow happy travelers will think better of the luxury brand. It likely could work, but their promotion is only part of a weeklong test program from Nov. 1 to Nov. 6.
 
Lexus is using the program to promote its 2010 LS sedan which gets some mild updates. When you go to www.aa.com/wifi from your laptop or smart phone you have to enter this promo code: 2010LEXUSLS.
 
While free is free, we’d like to see sponsors pick up the tab for in-flight WiFi permanently. Like when we’re flying out to the L.A. Auto Show in December. You listening, Lexus?

Reader Review of the Week: 2010 Lexus HS 250h

“Hybrid Convert” from Fontana, Calif., spent 20 years in two different luxury cars. When it came to his next purchase, he wanted to increase his fuel economy and decrease his carbon footprint. This led him to Lexus’s high-end hybrid, the 2010 HS 250h. Despite some disappointment with the car’s performance, this is one driver whose very name explains how he feels about his purchase. Read the full review of the 2010 Lexus HS 250h, and then write a review of your own vehicle here.

Catching Up on the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show

Across the Pacific, the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show is in full swing. As usual there are dozens of elaborate concept cars with little chance of making it to market. We’ve already covered some of the most important vehicles slated for these shores and recap them below. The U.S. auto-show season roars to life the first week of December in Los Angeles, and Cars.com will be there reporting live.

Honda CR-Z Concept Gets Fleshed Out
Toyota FT-86 Sports Car Concept
Lexus LF-A: First Look

2010 Lexus IS 250C vs. 2009 Infiniti G37 Video

Recently, two attractive high-end convertibles ended up in the Cars.com office back-to-back, allowing Cars.com reviewer Joe Wiesenfelder the opportunity to pit them against each other. The 2010 Lexus IS 250C and 2009 Infiniti G37 are both hard-top convertibles with hefty price tags, but what sets them apart? As Wiesenfelder discovers, the answer could be trunk space and trim-level features.

2010|Lexus|IS 250C

2009|Infiniti|G37

Thieves Nab 13 Lexus Cars, Easily Caught

This story will not exactly call to mind the master thieves of “Ocean’s Eleven.”

Three members of the Gangster Disciples gang were arrested in Chicago after they were spotted riding in stolen luxury cars, according to the Chicago police.

How did police catch them? The Lexus vehicles, which were stolen from the McGrath Lexus of Chicago dealership over the weekend, still had their highly recognizable “loaner” license plates on them.

All told, 11 cars, which were valued at $350,000, were stolen from the McGrath dealership; eight vehicles have been recovered by Chicago police. Police believe this heist is connected to the theft of six vehicles from Imperial Motors Jaguar in Lake Bluff, Ill., last Saturday. Six Jaguars and a Land Rover SUV — a total value of $446,000 — disappeared that day.

The thieves’ modus operandi was similar: In both cases they pried open the dealerships’ garage doors. At the McGrath dealership, the thieves stole a small safe filled with car keys. They returned later and brazenly drove off with the vehicles. Clearly, subtlety wasn’t their forte. In Lake Bluff, the thieves had an easier time of it — the dealership had left the keys in the vehicles.

Police are reviewing the surveillance video from each dealership.

Thieves Busted Riding in Stolen Luxury Cars (Chicago Sun-Times)

2010 Lexus LS, GS Pricing Announced

Today, Lexus announced the pricing for its GS and LS sedan lineups. The GS prices are identical to the 2009 model year. The flagship LS 460 rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models see prices rise $855, while the larger, more expensive LS 460 L models actually see a price drop of $3,510.
 
We detailed many of the changes to the new LS yesterday. The GS sees no significant changes for 2010.
 
The two go on sale later this month. A full pricing breakdown is below.

2010 Lexus LS Gets Sports Package

Lexus has been mildly — one could even say tepidly — updating many of its 2010 models with slight design revisions and new content to keep them fresh. The LS flagship gets some of these same tweaks, the most significant of which is a new Sports Package for rear-wheel-drive models that includes an upgraded suspension, 19-inch wheels and a unique body kit. The body kit can also be had in an optional Appearance Package and is shown above.

All other LS models get a slightly revised grille, headlights and taillights; surprisingly, the tailpipes are better integrated into the rear bumper, as well.

On the inside, some new technology is added as optional, including a pedestrian avoidance system, which applies the brakes if you’re approaching a passer-by too quickly, and a driver alertness warning system that monitors a driver’s face for signs of sleepiness.

Pricing and on sale date will be announced tomorrow. For now check out more photos below.