0 - 10,000 hits in 2.5 months! All Lexus hits readership high in crazy short time!

Plus, AllLexus.Blogspot.com top 10 most popular articles and a breakdown of our readership by country! 

Hooray! We crossed the 5-digit mark today. All Lexus hits 10,000 hits today 31 January 2016. In that time, I've published about 95 articles on everything under the sun where Lexus is concerned. Considering this simple blog only began on 17 November 2015, that's not bad for a specialist website, is it? 

Here are some things you might want to know:

• Where do All Lexus readers come from?
• Which are the most popular articles?

Presented below is a short analysis of audience statistics for AllLexus.Blogspot.com

Where do All Lexus readers come from?

All Lexus attracts readers from over 35 countries, but between them, there are two nations that take up the lion's share of visitors. 

Malaysia      72.8 %

USA             15.4 %

Japan            7.0 %

UK                 4.3 %

R.O.W.           0.5 %

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Just days after launching the Lexus LC 500, Akio Toyoda resigns from the Tokyo Olympic committee

How does this affect Lexus? 

Just days after launching the hauntingly beautiful Lexus LC 500, Akio Toyoda, President of the Toyota Motor Corporation and Chief Branding Officer of Lexus International, is again making the headlines.

This time, for a different reason...

According to Associated Press reports, Akio Toyoda has stepped down as Vice President of the organising committee for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He is expected to be replaced by Kazuhiro Tsuga, the President of Panasonic. 

A Tokyo Olympic official told reporters Toyoda-san may have been concerned about a possible conflict of interest arising out of the fact he is also a current member of the Keidanren committee on the Olympics (Keidanren being Japan's biggest business lobby). As a result, he has decided to reorganise his roles to intensify efforts to encourage business support for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 



Why is this important to Lexus? How does Toyoda-san's resignation from the organising committee for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics affect Lexus? A clue lies in something I wrote in December last year:

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Is a second hand Lexus LS 460 worth the RM120,000 risk? Top 3 most expensive problems settle the question once and for all.

Top of the range. A spec list that would turn a Mercedes S class green with envy. All for just RM120,000. What's the catch?

You've been going out with the same girl for a few years now. She's the same age, equally-educated, and all the boxes tick: Fairly attractive, good career prospects, she'd make a good wife. She's a safe bet.

Then one day, you meet an older woman at a meeting. She's several years your senior but boy is she gorgeous! The chemistry is electric and you admire her because she has none of the emotional tantrums your girlfriend puts you through; maturity has equipped her well to handle the odd bumps in life. But deep down, you know it doesn't make sense: She's too old to have kids, there's a cultural gap, or perhaps you're afraid because at that age, women have seen the puppet show; they know their worth. Still, it could be fun in the short run. 

Ask yourself: Current girlfriend or quick dalliance with Monica Bellucci?

Right now, you could pick up a brand new Toyota Altis for RM120,000. It's a sensible option, it's not going to break down anytime soon, and it's respectable enough. Thing is, it's not sexy.

And that's why, at the other corner, is that alluring mature woman, whose index finger curls at you in a hooked position. A year 2007 Lexus LS 460 is an entirely different proposition, but it's an itch you've been dying to scratch.

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Official state cars Part 2: Lexus the choice for Kings, Queens, Presidents and Prime Ministers

Part 2 of Picture gallery: Lexus honoured as official state car in 20 countries

Continuing from Part 1 where we reviewed briefly the process of selecting an official state car, here we explore the next 20 official head of state cars driven by leaders of the free world and ask: 

What does it mean to be chosen to supply these vehicles? 

It is considered the highest honour bestowed upon an automotive manufacturer to be chosen to supply an official state car. This prestige that comes with it extends far beyond functionality as a mode of transportation; it becomes a national symbol of the people, portraying the unified image of strength and supremacy of that nation, as well as an image the country's subjects and the global community can invest their trust in.

Countries that have indigenous automobile manufacturers normally choose their nationally-made cars to show their support. If this is not an option, the government will purchase an official state car from an automobile manufacturer originating in a country with whom it shares warm diplomatic ties and strong bilateral trade. Exceptions are observed wherein a country with a national auto industry nonetheless opts to commission an official state car from another country.

For the first 10 head of state cars, click here.

Head of State Cars (continued)

11. Japan

Even though Japan exports two other luxury brands - the Acura and Infiniti - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe trusts Lexus as his official state car. His personal choice? An armoured Lexus LS 600h L, seen here in Kuala Lumpur during the recent 2015 ASEAN summit.

12. Malaysia

Lexus is a popular choice among Sultans of Malaysia. Most of what you see is the Lexus LS 600h L. For a change, I decided to show what the Sultan of Pahang is driven in: A previous generation Lexus LX.

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Official state cars Part 1: Lexus the choice for Kings, Queens, Presidents and Prime Ministers

Part 1 of Picture gallery: Lexus honoured as official state car in 20 countries

An official state car is a vehicle specifically chosen and usually specifically customised to transport its head of state, be it a King, Queen, President, Prime Minister or high ranking government official. Usually, these official state cars are selected on exacting standards of comfort, security, specification, performance and the overall public image it represents. 

I'm a President. How do I choose my ride?

Doesn't work quite like that!

In every case, the head of state has direct influence in the rigorous selection process of an official state car. Due to the nature of the task at hand, the consultation between the head of state and the government security personnel may take several months of pre-testing across different scenarios, conditions and outcomes. 

Once the selection is made, representatives from the chosen automobile manufacturer are invited to meet with the security team that serves at the behest of the head of state to run through a battery of customisations to ensure the delivered car, the final product, is adequately securitised, reinforced, strengthened, armoured and equipped to address these scenarios. Bearing in mind official state cars are frequently driven along narrow streets usually lined by a sea of people, driven at low speeds, advanced built-in capabilities need to counter potentially invasive and life-threatening risks from enemies of the state or even the general public. 

For security reasons, more than one vehicle will be customised. Some of these act as transport for the consort or spouse of the head of state or as a back-up vehicle, or a back-up to the back-up, or as decoy to create misdirection if unwanted attention can be foreseen. 


So what do leaders from these 20 nations have in common? Let's look at what these heads of states have chosen as their official state car:


Head of State Cars

1. Austria 

Senior members of the Austrian government use the Lexus GS.

2. Bolivia

President of Bolivia uses an armoured Lexus LS 460 L 

3. Chile

Newly-elected President of Chile Sebastian Pinera chose the Lexus LS 600h L as the presidential car

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Top 10 most expensive Lexus ever made

Just how much can you spend on a Lexus?

We set out to tally the priciest Lexus ever made, regardless whether it is sold in the showroom or specially-commissioned models by owners with deep pockets. 

Unsurprisingly, the top spot is taken by a supercar, but below that, you'll find a tantilising mix of one-off models made for Heads of States or for a prince's wedding. As we get further down the list, the sticker prices, though still lofty, are more attainable to the 'premium masses.' 

Interestingly, the top four most expensive Lexus models are above the $400,000 mark and all of the variants that have made the top 10 list break the six-figure barrier. 

The other observation is that a higher price tag doesn't necessarily correlate with higher top speed or friskier acceleration. At this level, speed becomes less of concern than perhaps how well occupants are protected from outside threats, or options that are tailored to suit a buyer's needs. Prince Albert of Monaco commissioned a Landaulet version and look what a beautiful wife he scored (if you're planning to get hitched and taken off the market, definitely consider the open roof option then). 

1. Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition

2. Lexus LS 600h L (Head of State Armoured Edition)

3. Lexus LFA

4. Lexus LS 600h L Landaulet

5. Lexus LS 460 TMG Sports 650

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You read it here first! All-new 2017 Lexus LS Part 2 - Next generation LS 500h replaces halo model LS 600h!

Flagship Lexus launching May 2017, aims to be official car for Tokyo Olympics 2020!

You're looking at the all-new 2017 Lexus LS. Japanese Magazine MAG-X has published these rather unflattering images of the next-generation Lexus LS test mule currently undergoing track tests in Japan. But make no mistake: Under this underwhelming shell lies advanced technology and plushness designed to push the limits of 'luxury on wheels' to new levels. More on the looks later. For now...

I see the Lexus LC 500 in the picture above. What does the new 2017 Lexus LS have to do with it?

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You read it here first! All-new 2017 Lexus LS Part 1 - Details emerge why Lexus' flagship is taking so long

Collapse of the Lehman Brothers in 2008 and Japan Earthquake of 2011 crucial factors

Lexus, Lexus, what's taking you so long with the new LS? 

The current generation LS has been with us since 2006 in LS 460, LS 460L, LS 600h and LS 600h L versions. In 2012, Lexus gave its headliner model a substantial update; the extent of which was rather unusual. Whilst other manufacturers are content merely to update their cars on a superficial level, Lexus gave the LS a completely new front cabin in addition to new headlights, engine diagnostics and infotainment software and front bumper to incorporate the signature spindle grille. 

All Lexus has just found the reason why Lexus gave the LS an unusually-thorough makeover in 2012: It was not just to fend off the launch of the all-new 2013 Mercedes S Class. There were two more important factors: 

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Top 10 Fastest Lexus of all time

Lexus LFA supercar hits 0-60 in 3.8 seconds - but there's another Lexus that might just smoke it. What is it?

The titular question is not the most obvious that comes to mind. Whilst everyone can guess correctly that the fastest Lexus is the Lexus LFA, few actually know which Lexus model comes right after that. So I decided to find out and below is the fruit of this Sunday endeavour.

Unsurprisingly, there is a correlation between the horsepower produced by an engine, and the time it takes for the car to catapult to 60 mph. 

What is surprising is that the sixth fastest Lexus ever made is a hybrid. Who'd have thought, ten or twenty years ago, a car made to sip fuel as economically as possible, to be as kind to the environment as possible, could also do 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds. That's Aston Martin DB7 territory and faster than a Ferrari-breathing Maserati Quattroporte! 

Mind you, again with the exception of the Lexus LFA, all of the fastest Lexus are true four seaters, not 2 +2 grand coupes. 

So what are the top 10 fastest Lexus? You'll find them below. Is it ever possible to make a Lexus faster than the LFA? Scroll below to find out. 

Top 10 Fastest Lexus of all time

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