30 Cool Facts about Lexus and Its First 30 Years
11. The LFA Nurburgring Package is the most expensive model that Lexus has ever sold
The company sold each of the 50 units for at least $445,000. That said, the limited-edition LFA has become a collectible. For instance, recently, a unit was auctioned for nearly $1 million.
12. The LFA is also the most powerful, and the fastest-accelerating Lexus ever built
The supercar gets a 4.8-liter V10 that generates 562 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. It accelerates from 0-60 miles per hour in over 3.5 seconds and reaches a top-speed of over 200 mph. Additionally, Japanese racing driver Akira Iida lapped the Nurburgring race-track in 7 minutes 14 seconds in the special-edition LFA.
13. The LFA was a cash-burner for Lexus
Toyota does not publish the financial details of the Lexus brand. However, many automotive experts believe that the company did not make a profit on the LFA program.
14. Lexus created the LX because of geopolitical challenges
In the 1990s, American politicians were threatening to impose trade sanctions on Japanese cars. The sanctions were never imposed. However the threats had forced Toyota to make contingency plans and since the American lawmakers were not including SUVs in the trade sanctions, Toyota essentially decided to rebadge the Land Cruiser as a Lexus LX.
15. Car buyers in the Middle East love the Lexus LX
In 2014, the LX accounted for more than 40 percent of the company’s sales total sales in the Middle East. The people living in that region adore the LX’s versatility.
16. The Lexus 600h L Landaulet was the official vehicle for the wedding of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco
The limousine features a one-piece transparent roof. Lexus worked with Belgian coach-builder Carat Duchatelet to develop the vehicle. It took them 2,000 hours to prepare the LS for the wedding.
17. Sebastien Buemi purchased a Lexus RC F
Sebastien Buemi is one of the most popular racers in the world. He has won 24 Hours of Le Mans (with Toyota) and the the Formula E world championship (with Renault).
His weapon of choice, the RC F, features a 5.0-liter V8 engine that makes 472 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds. and has a price of $64,750.
18. Lexus has one of the most advanced climate control systems in the world
The system is called Lexus Climate Concierge. It uses 13 sensors to control the ambience of the car.The system is so sophisticated that Lexus has grown orchids in a vehicle equipped with Climate Concierge.
19. “Master craftsmen” called the Takumi oversee the manufacturing of Lexus vehicles
“Their standards are unwavering,” the company says. “For example, they train inspectors to check 4,000 points on every Lexus for paint quality and scrutinize up to 250 points on a single engine part. In total, there are 26,000 tasks in every Lexus plant that require special certification.”
20. The testing procedure for Lexus vehicles is equally thorough …
For instance: the company tests its prototypes in temperatures ranging from -30F to 225F. Additionally, the company uses Toyota’s innovative THUMS (Total Model for Human Safety) virtual crash-test software to develop the safety systems for its vehicles. “Our virtual crash-test software … is so effective, we didn’t rush out to patent it—we ended up sharing it with the world.” Indeed, Audi, Daimler and Renault use the THUMS software.
