Refreshed models from luxury Lexus brand
Dubai Motor Show to showcase 2012 lineup
By Shahzad Sheikh
Now there are rumours of show-stopper turning up on the Lexus stand at the Dubai Motor Show, but we’re not at liberty to say much more than that. However what we can tell you is that the rest of the model range has received a serious freshening up for 2012 model range and is well worth you checking out.
We’ll start with the environmentally friendly first – the LS600h and the CT200h. Okay maybe the big luxo-barge is not exactly what you’d term a traditional tree-hugger but it is significant for being the first full hybrid to officially go on sale in the region (just slightly ahead of Merc’s offering and that from BMW).
But despite its ‘green credentials’ it skips not one jot from its forte of supreme luxury and effortless performance. The 5.0-litre V8 engine combines with two electric motors to generate 438bhp give 0-100kph acceleration in just 5.5 seconds.
It’s absolutely packed with gadgetry and comfort features including the reclining ‘Ottoman’ massage rear seat, 450-watt 19-speaker Mark Levinson audio, ‘the world’s most advance climate systems’ and offers a new Mercury Grey colour for 2012. Prices range from AED463,000 to AED472,000.
The CT200h now gets ‘F-Sport’ styling, new leather seat options and a 10-speaker audio. Its 1.8-litre engine produces performance you’d normally get from a 2.0 and you can select ‘driving moods’. At speeds of up to 40kph it can run on electric power only (like the LS) so in silence and no emissions. Prices range from AED166,00 to AED178,000.
For the rest of the range, the IS 250 and IS 300 get an optional sportier appearance package, while the GX 460 gets visual tweaks to the front and rear. GX also gets high gloss finish on the wheels and there is a panoramic roof for the Prestige and Platinum variants of the RX crossover.
There’s also new colours available in addition to the aforementioned Mercury Grey which is also available on the IS models and the ES 350. The latter also gets Starlight Black and the IS can now be had with Fire Agate. The orange/black interior trim is replaced by an all-new Red and Black two-tone leather treatment for the IS F.
As for the show-stopper – can you guess what it might be?
