Thursday, March 29, 2012

All-New Lexus ES Luxury Sedan to Make World Debut at 2012 New York International Auto Show

Lexusteaser
Lexus will reveal the all-new ES luxury sedan on Wednesday, April 4th, in conjunction with the New York International Auto Show.

The sixth-generation ES model introduces a progressive new design featuring the Lexus signature spindle grille and a new dynamic driving experience.

The Lexus press conference will take place on Wednesday, April 4th at 11:20 a.m. EDT at the New York International Auto Show. It will be on display in the Lexus exhibit from April 6-15, 2012.

 

Courtesy of Lexus

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Lexus LF-LC super coupe concept pondered for production

L
Autocar reports Lexus may be mulling a production version of the company's LF-LC Concept. After receiving a near universally positive reception following its unveiling at the Detroit Auto Show this year, Karl Schlicht, head of Lexus product planning, reportedly gave the vehicle a 50-50 shot at hitting dealers sometime in the future. Those aren't great odds, but it is a change of tone from when the vehicle first hit the stage. Back in January, Toyota made it very clear the LF-LC was strictly a concept. As you may recall, the vehicle is a 2+2 coupe with a hybrid drivetrain and a low-slung presence.

According to Schlicht, the vehicle would have never even been considered for production if it had merely been submitted as a design proposal. With a physical concept backed by chorus of positive reviews, the company's decision makers have evidently been prompted to give the LF-LC a second look.

Schlicht himself is set to become the head of product planning for Toyota and Lexus starting on April 1.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Interior Cleaning Tips

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#1: Refer to the owner's manual before attempting to clean the interior of your vehicle. I've found that many of today's auto components are very sensitive to cleaners. Before you start, test each of the interior materials in small, out-of-the-way locations, where consequences won't be too terrible if it doesn't work out. It's better to be safe than sorry. Do you want to look at the spray pattern from a can of Super Duper Quikkie-Kleen for the rest of the life of your car?

#2: Don't vacuum hard to reach places - instead, blow it out by connecting your vacuum hose to the vacuum outlet. It is most effective to rapidly toggle the power switch on your vacuum between "on" and "off." Here's why. If you blow the debris out at full speed, it's going to fly all over the vehicle. Doing it at a reduced power, however, will move the debris just far enough so you can access it, then easily vacuum it up.

#3: Get a paint brush and a toothbrush. These are the two best tools for accessing hard-to-reach cracks, crevices and corners. The paint brush is great for reaching into deep locations. Vacuum with one hand as you brush those hard-to-reach locations, and you'll quickly clean up tricky spots. Leave both brushes in your glove compartment, so you'll have them when you stop by your local car wash and vacuum emporium.

#4: To thoroughly remove debris from carpets and mats, use a sturdy brush and run a vacuum right behind it. Don't get too aggressive with the brush. Mats and carpets are (sadly) poorly made these days, even on high-end vehicles. You can easily cause fraying or other damage by using too much force.

#5: For gum, wax and other materials use chewing gum remover. It actually freezes the gum, so that it can easily be scraped off. Use a dull paint scraper to remove the gum once it's frozen. If you can't find chewing gum remover, you can also use dry ice. Get the gum cold enough so it will crack when you apply light pressure with the scraper.

Chewing gum remover may not be available at your local automotive parts and accessories store. You may have to purchase it through an auto-detailing company or a janitorial supply company.

#6: Skip the ArmorAll on the interior. I find it actually attracts dust. If you do use it, buff it in with a moist rag.

#7: Be very cautious cleaning the transparent plastic on your vehicle's instrument cluster. A lot of these plastics are extremely soft, and will scratch easily. I use Plexus plastic cleaner.

#8: The dirtiest spots in a car's interior are the locations you touch, meaning the steering wheel, seat belt, the shifting knob and the driver's side door panel. The "V" between your legs, where your Egg McMuffin and coffee winds up, can also be very dirty. Locate these components and plan to spend a few extra minutes cleaning them.

#9: When you're cleaning seat belts, only use a diluted, mild laundry soap. This will protect the integrity of the belt fabric.

#10: Windows should be cleaned inside and out with glass cleaner and paper towels. Then, lightly buff the windows with a 100% cotton towel.

#11: The dashboard and vehicle panels should be wiped with a dampened cloth with water. To remove grime, use an all-purpose cleaner, diluted with water. As always, use the mildest soap possible.

#12: Need to get rid of smells? Vinegar works very well, and it's a whole lot cheaper than commercial products. Start with a 20:1 water-to-vinegar concentration, and scrub thoroughly. If that doesn't work, slowly increase the ratio until you have success.

#13: No matter what you're doing to your car, be gentle. Because of manufacturers' interest in saving a buck, and the desire to increase the EPA fuel economy, a lot of manufacturers are using less durable materials. So, whether you're working on the inside or the outside, be gentle, or you may permanently mar or damage your vehicle.

 

Courtesy of Car Talk

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Lexus of Wayzata - Employee Spotlight

Val
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Lexus of Wayzata would like to congratulate Val Udermann for being ranked in the Top Ten in New Lexus Sales for the Central Area for 8 out of the last 10 years. This is a great accomplishment not only for Val but also for Lexus of Wayzata! Thank you to all the great customers who work with Val and have purchased vehicles with him for many years.

Val has worked at Lexus of Wayzata for 11 years and is Master Certified in Sales, a designation based on experience and training requirements. As the General Sales Manager at Lexus of Wayzata, I know Val's passion for our brand and his ability to build relationships with our customers has made him successful.

Outside of work you will find Val spending time with his two daughters and enjoying his grandsons. Also, Val is focused on working out regularly and eating healthy.

Thank you again to our loyal customers and congrats to Val Udermann!

Welcome to the Lexus Enform hub: "No Going Back" radio

Pandora
You've got a rockin' automobile, but no driving experience is complete without great music! Check out "No Going Back” radio, the 2013 GS-inspired Pandora station.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Kowalski’s Chicken Tacos

Luxurylw
¼ cup plus 2 tbsp. Kowalski’s Hot Taco Sauce

1 tbsp. fresh squeezed lime juice
1 ½ tsp. cocoa powder
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. Kowalski’s Coarse Ground Black Pepper
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ¼ lbs.), pounded to even ¼" thickness
8 (6" each) Kowalski’s Flour Tortillas
- toppings, your choice: shredded lettuce, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, Kowalski’s Salsa, roughly chopped fresh cilantro, lime wedges, sliced red onion and light sour cream

In medium bowl, whisk together first 6 ingredients through pepper. Cut chicken in half to make evenly shaped pieces; add to marinade, tossing to coat. Cover with plastic wrap; chill in the refrigerator 2 hrs. Discard marinade and grill chicken over medium heat until done (about 9 min.), turning once. Let stand, covered with foil, 5 min. To Serve: Wrap tortillas in slightly damp paper towels; heat in the microwave until very warm (up to 45 sec.). Divide chicken among warm tortillas and top with remaining ingredients to taste; serve immediately.                      

Serves 4.