2001 Lexus Is300 Base Sedan 4-door 3.0l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Will.i.am and Lexus make music on a runway with frickin' lasers

There's no doubt that an engine can make some fabulous sounds, but they don't technically fit the definition of music. In a spectacular recent stunt from Lexus, Will.i.am, and a huge team of technicians, a trio of NX CUVs actually became an instrument while driving down a runway to play the artist's song #thatPOWER. All that was necessary to get it done was the help of a whole lot of lasers and some very precise driving. The team rigged up 350 audio-sensitive lasers and lights to make this stunt possible, and it essentially turned the runway into a real-world version of the Rock Band video game interface. The three NXs needed to drive not only in the right location but also at the right speed to keep the song's tempo going. While what you see here was reportedly shot in just one night, setting everything up took 65 people over seven days. The awesomely named light artists, Marshmallow Laser Feast, designed the actual layout. The end result of all of the hard work definitely looks impressive in this video, but it also appears like this was a very difficult stunt to actually get right. A lot of the faces at the end of the clip were wearing a look of relief of finally doing things successfully. will.i.am AND LEXUS CREATE LASER AND SOUND SPECTACULAR ON EPIC STREET 'STAVE' FRONTMAN CHALLENGED TO NAVIGATE GIANT VISUAL INSTRUMENT IN ALL NEW LEXUS NX Brussels 30th July 2015 - #NXontrack - Lexus Europe, today unveiled an innovative audio-visual film which sees global entrepreneur and musician, will.i.am challenged to create a remix of one of his most iconic tracks, #thatPOWER in a breath-taking music, art and technology spectacular. . Played out on a disused runway lined with more than 350 projected mapped motion and audio sensitive lasers and lights, the front-man battles against speed and rhythm to conduct and navigate a trio of striking Lexus NXs', hitting the laser 'targets' at the correct tempo to synchronise with his smash hit. The unprecedented live event, shot in one night last week, sees the musician's skills put to the test as he joins three stunt drivers including 2013 Blockbuster, Rush frontman, Niki Faulkner, to take on the colossal 'sound-road', race against rhythm and successfully complete the challenge in the limited hours of darkness available before the sun rises. Speaking about the video, will.i.am said: "Working with the stunt guys to hit the laser targets in time with the music wasn't easy to get right but the result was awesome.

The refreshed 2018 Lexus NX looks just like a baby RX

The refreshed 2018 Lexus NX compact crossover debuted this week at the Shanghai Motor Show. Most of the changes are visual, and it should keep the NX fresh for the next few years until more extensive changes come. Power and performance remain the same, but Lexus claims its smallest SUV is quieter and more refined thanks to some updates under the skin. As the automaker's third best-selling vehicle in 2016, behind the venerable RX crossover and ES sedan, the NX has been a huge hit for Lexus in every market. Up front, the love it or hate it spindle grille remains, though it has received a few modifications. The upper portions of the grille and fenders have been reworked to flow better into the hood and doors. In addition to the sleeker visuals, it should help improve aerodynamics. New headlights with three projectors are similar to those on the new Lexus LC sport coupe. The bottom portion of the bumper has been pulled forward a bit, making the NX look both less pointy and more like a small RX than ever. In the rear, the bumper is redesigned, adding in design elements that draw influence from the spindle grille. Like the headlights, the taillights have been updated with a shape that's similar to those on the LC. Other changes include reshaped exhaust tips, new 18-inch wheels, and a kick sensor that opens the rear hatch if you make a motion under the rear bumper. Like the exterior, the changes to the interior are small but notable. The infotainment screen has grown from 7 inches to 10.3 inches. The controls for both the infotainment and HVAC system have been updated. Nearly all of the control knobs and switches have what Lexus is calling a metallic satin finish, essentially a silver-gray looking matte coloring. Like with many other Toyota and Lexus products, the automaker's Lexus Safety System + now comes standard on all models. This includes emergency braking, radar cruise control, lane departure warnings, and automatic high beams. The turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four carries over unchanged, though the model is now known as the NX 300 (formerly the NX 200t). Likewise, the hybrid system in the NX 300h is unchanged. There have been some updates to the suspension, adding in a modified version of the adaptive variable suspension system from the LC. Lexus claims this should improve both ride and handling. No word on pricing or a release date, so look for more news some time in the next few months.

This is Lexus' trick 3D ad in Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue

Having driven its RC F into the party at the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, Lexus is making the most of the exposure. We recently saw the blue coupe showing off its L-Finesse curves with a curvaceous Lisalla Montenegro. And a new video shows how the magazine ad will also work without a bikinied sidekick, showing off the Lexus' own body and sounds in a 3D app for iOS and Android.
After downloading the app and the 3D image for your tablet or phone, the 450-horsepower RC F will be yours to play with - or, as Lexus suggests, yours to "create the 3D experience in your own hands." You didn't have any other plans for your hands while checking out the new issue, did you? The video below will show you how it's done.