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Lazy interior design a popular trend among the Europeans?

Well… we’ve seen this for the last several years already, that cars from the same manufacture have similar looking interiors. Personally I think that’s reasonable because all manufactures share parts bin among models in their lineup in order to reduce cost. However, I think recently Audi and BMW have taken this “laziness” or cost-cutting into an entire level altogether. In the following 3 pictures you can see the interiors for popular Audi models and BMW’s newest addition to their lineup, the F01 7-series and F10 5-series, as well as the current 3-series and 5-series.

From a quick glance it’s … Continue Reading

Lexus LS Line – The most complete luxury flagship lineup in the industry?

Let’s take a look at the 4 major luxury automakers’ flagship lineups:

Audi:

A8
A8L (long wheel-base)
S8 (performance)

BMW:

730d/Ld (not available in US)
740d (not available in US)
740i/Li (not available in US)
750i/Li
750i/Li xDrive (AWD)
760i/Li (V12)
ActiveHybrid7/ActiveHybrid7L (hybrid)

Lexus:

LS460/LS460L
LS460/LS460L AWD
LS460 Sport (sports tuned suspension)
LS600hL (hybrid)

Mercedes Benz:

S550
S400 Hybrid
S600 (V12)
S63/65 AMG (high performance)

From the model listing it seems like BMW and MB offer more engine choices than Lexus, however when we take a closer look we can see that Lexus offers more variety than the other two brands. The LS460 has both standard and long wheel-base, … Continue Reading

2011 BMW 5-series – The play-it-safe edition

P90053714There are a lot of praises around the web after BMW unveiled the 2011 5-series, people are saying BMW has finally put Chris Bengle behind them and finally come out with a good looking and exciting design…

Well, sorry to rain on their parades but there is nothing “exciting” about the F10 (code name for the new 5-series), it is handsome at best, so is the current Lexus GS and just about everyone else in the same segment.

I’ll be the first to admit that I was one of the haters when the … Continue Reading

No fold-down rear seat in the Lexus HS250h, big deal? You be the judge…

Recently I ran across a post on an auto enthusiast forum about how the lacking of the fold-down rear seat in the HS250h is the deal breaker. The poster argued about how other hybrids like the Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Insight, Nissan Altima, Saturn Aura, Toyota Camry and Toyota Prius all have it so it appears Lexus is “cutting back” for not including the feature. Well, I did some “googearch” in my own spare time and found out the following…

Toyota Camry Hybrid:

In a closer look, this is the amount of access room (or the … Continue Reading

The perfect storm – Lexus LFA vs. MB SLS AMG (updated with official specs)

LFA vs SLSFollowing are the performance specs released by the manuactures for both cars:

Lexus LFA / MB SLS AMG

Power Rating: 552 HP / 563 HP
Torque Rating: 354 lb-ft / 430 lb-ft
Curb Weight: 3,263 lbs / 3,571 lbs
Engine Type: 4.8L V10 / 6.3L V8
Engine Placement: Front-mid / Front-mid
Drive Type: RWD / RWD
0 – 60 Acceleration: 3.6 sec / … Continue Reading

My thoughts on the Lexus LFA

02-lexus-lfa-pressBeing one of the advocates who support Lexus to build the LFA super car prior of the premier I was literally staring at my monitors all day on 10/21 because I want to know about the car as soon as any information is out. I couldn’t hold my joy when I first saw the leaked pictures and videos because this car is everything that I imagined it would be and that interior is simply gorgeous. However, I must say that when I saw the released specs, my heart has suddenly dropped … Continue Reading

Why I think today’s automotive publications are only good as restroom reading materials…

IL crap2010_audi_s4_group_ct_2_717According to the Audi S4 vs. BMW 335i comparison test from Edmunds InsideLine:

Audi S4

Base MSRP: $46,725
As-tested MSRP: $59,150
Slalom (mph): 68.8 (67.2 with stability control on)
Skid pad (g): 0.90 (0.92 with stability control on)
0-60: 4.9 seconds
Curb weight, as-tested (lbs.): 3,984

BMW 335i

Base MSRP: $41,125
As-tested MSRP: $49,320
Slalom (mph): 68.4
Skid pad (g): 0.92
0-60: 5.3 seconds
Curb weight, as-tested (lbs.): 3,607

Now, stop reading for a second, look at the test results again and try to come up with a winner OBJECTIVELY. when you are ready, … Continue Reading

Why I failed to understand VW…

VW crapIt puzzles me everytime when people say Passat is the “driver’s car” of family sedans and other aren’t… I mean, all the sedans are products of compromise, some are compromised more than others, that’s it, to say that the Passat is a “drive’s car” while others aren’t is just ridiculous in my humble opinion.

I understand that most of us can only afford one car so we want the best balance of comfort, practicality and performance (I am in the same boat). Then my question is, if that’s the case, … Continue Reading

Toyota Issues Safety Warning Over Floor-Mat Issue (plus my personal experience)

2007_lexus_es-350_det_ns_1_717Toyota, under the advisory of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will soon launch a safety campaign on specific Toyota and Lexus vehicles over the driver’s-side floor mats. Toyota says the mat can get stuck on the gas pedal and cause unintended and sudden acceleration.

Personally I couldn’t be happier when I heard this new and it is a long time coming for me. Why you might ask? Because believe it or not, I was almost one of the “victims” due to this problem…

It was about 2 and half years ago … Continue Reading

Why people think BMW owners are annoying…

This is one of the reasons why…
In all respect to Longo Lexus there event was great as I heard but I would rather go to a real race track like Willow Springs, Button Willow, even Laguna Seca but 1/8 mile drag is a real joke, you couldn’t find a 1/4 mile drag track.

Now MFEST……..

Mfest3 had a great track day at Spring Mountain Motorsports and that is something we all should look up to and do in the Lexus World, not this bull$hi7 of 1/8 mile, I’m talking about taking your car, from a ES300 … Continue Reading