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Consumer Reports Tests Dodge Dart, Says Close Enough, But No Cigar; XTS, MKS & ES Also Rated

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

The Dodge Dart compact is the first completely new product to come out of the Fiat-Chrysler alliance and it has just been tested by Consumer Reports (CR). While buyers don’t necessarily adhere to what the motoring press has to say, CR’s tests still command enough heft in the U.S. market to make a carmaker dread its verdict.

So, how did the Dart do? The good news is that CR, which tested two versions of the Dart, the US$20,680 2.0-liter SXT and the US$24,490 1.4-liter Rallye, praised their quiet cabin, nimble handling and taut yet compliant ride. The bad news is that, neither of them scored high enough to earn the coveted “recommended” tag.

“The Dart is the first decent compact car from Dodge in decades,” said CR’s Auto Test Center director Jake Fisher. “It has some solid positives. But overall it can’t yet measure up to the best in class.”

Monday, October 15, 2012

At some point in life, kids want to learn more about their daddy’s work, so they begin to ask questions. If said person works as an editor for an automotive publication or website, it’s quite natural that they will get to be around, and inside, quite a lot of vehicles.

Consumer Reports has a reputation for discovering malfunctions that others have failed to spot. Unlike what some manufacturers who were slammed by CR may believe, its editors are normal human beings, with families and all.

Director of testing Jake Fisher, for example, has two sons aged four and eight. Fisher says that they “already want to be car testers” and they “love exploring every new car I bring home and enjoy trying to fit into every small opening possible”.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

In preparation for the launch of U.S. sales next month, Lexus has announced pricing for the all-new 2013 ES models.

The 2013 ES 350 sedan carries a base sticker of $36,100, which reflects a $625 or 1.7 percent drop over the outgoing model's MSRP, while the first ever hybrid version of the series, the ES 300h, has an MSRP of $38,850. The aforementioned MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing and handling fee (*) of $895.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

We are still waiting for Lexus to price the new ES sedan, but today, the Japanese automaker released EPA estimated fuel-economy ratings and performance figures for both the 2013 ES 350 and ES 300h.

The new ES 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine rated at 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,700, linked to a six-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels.

According to Lexus, the mid-size saloon completes the 0-60mph (96km/h) sprint in 7.1 seconds and the quarter mile in 15.1 seconds, and tops out at 130mph (209km/h – electronically limited). It returns an EPA estimated 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined.

By comparison, the outgoing 2012 ES 350 does 0-60mph in 7.0 seconds, the quarter mile in 15.2 seconds and achieves 19mpg city, 27mpg highway and 22 mpg combined, meaning that the new model is equally fast but more fuel efficient.

Friday, April 20, 2012

As Lexus prepares for the market launch of the new ES this summer, the Japanese company wants us to be better acquainted with the mid-size model through the release of two videos.

The first clip includes a quick 360-degree walk-around the car with Bill Camp from the Lexus College pointing out the highlights, while the second video is a promotional film showing the ES on the road.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

If you've been following our coverage of the 2012 New York Auto Show, you will no doubt have noticed that a significant number of automakers revealed brand new sedan offerings.

In the full-size category, we have the near-premium 2013 Acura RLX, which is somewhat misleadingly labeled as a concept study, and the mainstream 2014 Chevrolet Impala.

The mid-size segment is represented by the Fisker Atlantic showcar, which like the RLX, is more or less production ready, the 2013 Lexus ES, the 2013 Lincoln MKZ, the 2013 Nissan Altima and the 2013 Toyota Avalon, which has been re-categorized as a mid-size model.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Blame prior experience, but of all Lexus models, the last one you would expect to impress with its styling would be the ES, yet the Japanese automaker did precisely just that with its sixth generation mid-size sedan that was officially revealed today at the New York International Auto Show.

With the 2013 model, Lexus has turned the ES from a bland mid-size model to a sleek looking sedan, which most other carmakers today wouldn't have a problem describing it as a "four-door coupe".

Even though the new ES incorporates the brand's latest design language as seen on the 2013 GS for example, the overall result is much crispier and cleaner.

In terms of dimensions, the wheelbase of the new ES has been lengthened by 1.8 inches, while the overall length of the vehicle has grown by just one inch. Lexus promises a more spacious interior as knee room is increased by 2.8 inches and legroom by 4.1 inches. According to the company, the new design also offers additional foot room below the front seat.

The cabin itself has been designed from scratch, with the dashboard reminding us that of the new GS sedan. Among other notable features is the availability of the next-generation Lexus Enform system, a Display Audio package that adds a seven-inch screen, a backup camera, HD Radio with iTunes tagging, Bluetooth audio, phone transfer, and a vehicle information display.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

The automotive pundits over at Cheersandgears seem to have scored a hatrick of scoops publishing what they claim to be, the first official shots of the Honda Crosstour Concept, the 2013 Ram 1500 pickup truck and the 2013 Lexus ES sedan, all of which are set to make their world premiere at the New York Auto Show on Wednesday, April 4.

Beginning with Honda's concept model, if this image is indeed real, then the Crosstour study is nothing more than a light facelift of the current model with a revised snout sporting a new chromed grille and a more rugged-looking front bumper, plus different wheels and protective black cladding all around.

The second picture allegedly shows us the 2013 Ram 1500 pickup truck, which looks like it gains a reshaped crosshair grille with a full-chrome treatment (at least on this edition), new headlamp fixtures, possibly featuring LED daytime running lights, and a redesigned bumper with new fog lamps.

The Chrysler Group has already revealed that the 2013 Ram 1500 will get a new 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar V6 matched to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

It's always good to build some hype around the presentation of a new model, but unfortunately for Lexus, we have already had the opportunity to see its upcoming 2013 ES sedan in some very illuminating pictures sourced from China last month.

Of course, not everyone reads news on automotive websites, which is probably why Lexus posted a picture of the new ES being lifted up on a crane and asked its fans this question: "It's on a crane and under a cover. What is this masked machine?"

The best replies we found on Facebook were: "It's a car!", "It's the Honda Accord" and the "new PT Cruiser". Perhaps you can add some better / more humorous answers in the comments section below.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

We’ve been hot on the trail of the next Lexus ES for quite some time now but the wait is almost over, as the Japanese automaker has announced today that the sixth generation of its mid-size sedan will make its world debut at the upcoming 2012 New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, April 4.

In line with the Toyota Group's other premiere, Lexus is being secretive about the new ES and has only published a cropped image of the car's front end along with this short statement: "The sixth-generation ES model introduces a progressive new design featuring the Lexus signature spindle grille and a new dynamic driving experience".

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

We knew Lexus was preparing a replacement for its five-year old ES sedan, but we weren't expecting to see the actual production model making its first appearance in China – not that we're complaining.

Surprisingly, casting aside some stickers on the alloy rims and a…craftily folded newspaper to hide the instrument binnacle and the steering wheel hub, the 2013 ES is virtually camouflage free.

And while this is probably the China market version, don't expect to see any noteworthy differences over the North American model that should follow later this year.

Like its predecessors, the sixth generation of Lexus' base luxury sedan is built upon the chassis of the Toyota Camry (the 2012 model in this case) featuring its own sheetmetal and interior designs.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Toyota just can't get pass its recall problems. Today, the troubled Japanese automaker issued a voluntary recall that involves approximately 283,200 Toyota and 137,000 Lexus vehicles equipped with V6 engines to replace the crankshaft pulley.

According to the company, there is a possibility that the outer ring of the engine's crankshaft pulley may become misaligned with the inner ring, causing noise and/or trigger a warning light on the dashboard.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

A rescue attempt to save a Lexus ES300 that was on the verge of sinking into a lake in Russia had the opposite effect when the tow straps holding the car snapped off leading the Japanese model into the water.

We can’t confirm this, but the person who uploaded the video on Youtube says that the Lexus sedan was parked too close to the water and the driver couldn't get out.

Friday, September 30, 2011

What's the first thing automakers do when they want to boost their sales but don't have a completely new or refresh product(s) in the pipeline? The age-old answer to that question is a special edition model.

For Lexus it's actually three new limited edition models based on the 2012 LS 460, ES 350 and CT 200h, with the first two arriving in U.S. dealerships in November, and the third next month.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Auto shows seem to have become risky business for car manufacturers. After the BMW 750i that was stolen at the Detroit motor show earlier this year, now more disturbing news comes from the Chicago Auto Show, where the Toyota booth attracted unwanted attention.

According to local newspapers, seven new Toyota models had their interiors vandalized by three young men, aged 20, 21 and 28. We don't know what really caused this deviant behavior, but one report attributes it to the fact that the three vandals were allegedly angry "about American jobs going overseas".

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

In another sign that luxury automakers in the U.S. are raising the stakes -or so to speak- with their latest commercials, following Audi's recent A8 ad, Lexus has released a new TV spot as part of an advertising campaign to demonstrate how far the company goes to achieve perfection.

This particular broadcast ad is titled “Chain” and it shows a crane slowly lifting the front end of a LS, which is attached to four more Lexus models (RX, GS, ES and IS) using nothing more than cables and stretch bars. At the end of the spot, a $375,000 LFA comes into the shot and parks directly below the chain of vehicles weighing a total 21,000 pounds.

The key point here is that the commercial is real and that no special effects were used for its creation as Lexus proves in the 'Behind the Scenes" video.

Friday, December 24, 2010

The families of four people killed in an accident allegedly caused by the now infamous “unintended acceleration” throttle-gate, sued Toyota earlier this year and reached a settlement in September. At the time, the amount was not made public, but now, the Los Angeles Times is reporting that a lawyer representing Bob Baker Lexus of San Diego, California, a defendant in the case, has revealed that the Japanese maker agreed to pay US $10 million. Read more »

Fatal Accident Prompts Toyota and Lexus to Warn Drivers to Remove Floormat Due to Risk of Accelerator Getting Stuck

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Toyota have eleased an official announcement to warn drivers of seven Toyota and Lexus models that there's a possibility that the accelerator pedal may get stuck in the full open position due to an "unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat." Even though it may not sound serious at first, Reuters reported that the U.S. government said it has received reports of 100 incidents related to this problem including 17 crashes and 5 fatalities involving Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

In one of these accidents, it was reported that an off-duty California state trooper and three members of his family were killed in a 2009 Lexus ES350 crash in San Diego. Reuters said that before the crash, a passenger of the ES350 has called the police to inform them that the accelerator was jammed and the car had reached 120mph (193km/h) at that time.

Although the San Diego incident is still under investigation, meaning that it is not yet confirmed that the floormat is to blame, Toyota said that it wanted to take precautionary measures on the matter.

"Obviously the tragic accident in San Diego was certainly an eye opener for all of us and we've paid very, very diligent attention to moving forward to try to make sure none of us will be reliving that kind of a very tragic situation," said Toyota spokesman Irv Miller.

Overall, Toyota is planning to issue a safety recall on around 3.8 million vehicles due to the issue with the driver's floor mat.

The affected Toyota models are the 2007-2010 Camry, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2004-2009 Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma and 2007-2010 Tundra.

The Lexus modes affected by the recall are the 2007-2010 ES 350 and 2006-2010 IS 250 and IS 350 sedans.

Surprisingly, this is not the first time that Toyota has faced a problem with the driver's floormat as in September 2007, the firm recalled an accessory all-weather floor mat sold for use in 2007 and 2008MY Lexus ES 350 and Toyota Camry sedans because of similar issues.

The Japanese company said that until it "develops a remedy", it is asking the owners of the above models to "take out any removable driver's floor mat and NOT replace it with any other floor mat."

In the case that drivers are confronted with a jammed accelerator pedal, here's what Toyota recommends that they do:

From Toyota and Lexus Press Release: Should the vehicle continue to accelerate rapidly after releasing the accelerator pedal, this could be an indication of floor mat interference. If this occurs, Toyota recommends the driver take the following actions:

First, if it is possible and safe to do so, pull back the floor mat and dislodge it from the accelerator pedal; then pull over and stop the vehicle.

If the floor mat cannot be dislodged, then firmly and steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet. Do NOT pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the effort required to slow the vehicle.

Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine.

If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF, or to ACC. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost.

-If the vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop button, firmly and steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine. Do NOT tap the Engine Start/Stop button.

-If the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key-ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position to turn off the engine. Do NOT remove the key from the ignition as this will lock the steering wheel.

Via: Toyota & Lexus, NHTSA and Reuters

2010 Lexus ES350 Facelift with Mild Cosmetic Revisions and Interior Enhancements Officially Revealed

Friday, September 18, 2009

Apparently it's that time of the year for Lexus. Only days after the unveiling of the gently facelifted LS and GS model series in Frankfurt, the Japanese luxury firm rolled out the North American market 2010 ES350 sedan. For the new model year, the ES350, which is nothing more than a tarted-up Toyota Camry, receives some minor cosmetic tweaks in the form of a more prominent grille with additional chrome surroundings, reworked headlamps and tail lights, a new front bumper with revised lower intake and integrated fog lamps and chrome body side moldings.

The newly designed 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels with a split five-spoke design and four new exterior colors (Truffle Mica, Peridot Mica, Satin Cashmere Metallic and Cerulean Blue Metallic) complete the exterior updates.

Inside, the ES350 facelift gets new steering wheel controls, updated trim choices and driver's seat memory while the revised center console now offers more storage volume than before. Other changes include the rear coat hooks and an Eco Drive indicator that are now standard across the range while all models come equipped with a total of 10 standard airbags thanks to the addition of new rear seat-mounted side airbags.

Finally, Lexus updated the audio packages and added a new hard disc drive (HDD) navigation system to the ES350's optional equipment list.

There are no changes under the hood as the ES 350 continues to be offered with an aluminum 3.5-liter V6 producing 272 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 254 lb.-ft. peak torque at 4,700 rpm. Power is transfered to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission

The revised 2010 ES 350 sedan will arrive at U.S. dealerships later this month priced from $35,675 (including delivery, processing and handling fee) which represents an increase of $330 or 0.9 percent over the 2009MY.