We were at the Las Vegas Speedway with writers and journalists for our opportunity to drive the all-new 2013 Lexus GS and experience the Supercar Lexus LFA. The weather was incredible in the mid 60’s and not a cloud in the sky. There has been quite a buzz around the new Lexus GS and we wanted to see what Lexus was able to accomplish after delivering some of the best luxury sports sedans for decades. Once we arrived at the Speedway, there was some time to check out the new 2013 GS before we hit the auto cross and race track. The new front grille is simply gorgeous and tough in the same breath and will surely make a statement when on the road.

This is a very aggressive design by Lexus and we agree with their claim that, “distinguished by the elegant beauty of its aerodynamic body, the precisely sculpted exterior of the all-new Lexus GS luxury sport sedan glows with aggressive performance and precision handling. Powered by an advanced 3.5-liter V6, putting 306 horsepower to the pavement, the four-cam, four valve per cylinder engine with dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) propels the 2013 GS 350 from 0-60 mph in just 5.7 seconds. The six-speed sequential shift automatic transmission, equipped with paddle shifters, offers four driving modes: Normal, ECO, SPORT S, and SPORT S+. An optional electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system is designed to enhance traction in a variety of driving conditions.” The cockpit of the new GS is buit for the inspired driver, while a horizontal-themed instrument panel emphasizes spaciousness through its wide layout. Equal attention has been paid to maximizing space for rear passengers, with generous headroom, legroom, knee room and foot space.

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In a few weeks, Bullz-Eye will be heading to Vegas to experience the all-new GS Series from Lexus, and it just so happens to be Super Bowl weekend when Lexus will be running their first ever TV commercial during the big game. The 30 second commercial is scheduled to run during the first half of Super Bowl XLVI. A 15 second sneak peek of the commercial can be seen on Lexus social media channels, including Facebook and YouTube.

Check out the full article!

The New Year is upon us and all signs point to a stronger 2012 in regards to auto sales. Forecasts call for growth on a global scale with luxury vehicles leading the way and that means profits for GM, Nissan and the rest of the global players. Keep an eye out for Bullz-Eye.com’s 20 Cars to watch out for in 2012 and let’s hope the sales momentum from last year takes us to a better place in 2012!

From the Detroit Free Press:

Global auto sales will grow 6.7% this year with growth projected in all major markets but Europe, according to automotive consulting firm R.L. Polk.

Worldwide new vehicles sales are forecast to reach 77.7 million this year, with China accounting for the largest portion of the increase. New vehicle sales are expected to reach 17.9 million this year in the world’s largest auto market, up 16% from 2011, according to Polk.

The U.S. market is poised to expand to 13.7 million this year, up from about 12.8 million in 2011, with the luxury market as the fastest growing segment, increasing by more than 14%.

That bodes well for Ford and General Motors, which are working to restore their Lincoln and Cadillac brands to former glory. Both will unveil important new cars next week at the North American International Auto Show in at Cobo Center.

Read the full article.

Bullz-Eye.com reviews the 2011 BMW 335is!

As with most things in life, first impressions are very important, so believe us when we tell you that the 2011 BMW 335is Coupe knows how to make a first impression. Our test model arrived and looked very confident in space gray metallic with a low stance and fresh rims. The week went by too quick, but here’s what we discovered about the 335is Coupe.

Exterior
The BMW 3 series models are becoming a brand of their own with distinctive looks that fit nicely into a growing niche market. Our loaner looked very sharp with new high depth LED tail lights, new xenon adaptive headlights with LED lighted corona rings, a new hood which integrates with the freshened kidney grille, 19 inch double spoke wheels, heated dual-power mirrors and heated windshield washer jets. The new air dam of the 335is Coupe is equipped with large openings meant to feed as much air as possible to the upgraded cooling system and looks totally cool while doing so. But for as stylish and refined as the 2011 BMW 335is Coupe looks from the outside, you really can’t appreciate the power at your disposal until you drive this thriller!

Read the full review.

Cadillac introduced a completely new sedan here at the LA Auto Show. Check out the slideshow of the new XTS above and you’ll see that Cadillac is definitely on the right track as they continue the evolution of their approach to design. Cadillac executives promised that there would be no more “design by committee” at the luxury brand and they presented the XTS as a representation of a clear direction for the brand.

As you can see from the photos, the design is very impressive. It retains some of a hard lines and edges we’ve seen from Cadillac but the XTS represents a more refined expression of this approach.

Most importantly, the XTS will be the first model to feature Cadillac’s new CUE system that was created to provide a comprehensive in-vehicle experience. We previewed the CUE system last month and were very impressed as it presents a great leap forward for the in-car user experience. Here’s what we said then: “New innovations like tactile feedback on your finger when you touch the 8-inch center stack screen and proximity sensing that has control buttons pop up on the screen as you hand approaches make this system very user friendly, and the customization features make CUE a very powerful system that greatly enhances the driver experience.”

Read the full article and check out the complete gallery.

Maserati has shot its opening salvo in the premium SUV market with the Kubang. Based on the Grand Cherokee, the Kubang is set to compete with the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5. We have known about this model for a long time, but now we get a first glance of its looks.

It is definitely prettier than its competition by a wide margin. Whereas the Cayenne and X5 look overly large and bloated, the Kubang is svelte and refined. The name is even better. Say it with me, “Kubang.” It sounds like the main character in a 70′s detective show.

No word yet on performance specifications, but those details should be coming out soon enough.

Source: Autoblog

Luxury cars as of late are all about flash, status, and specs. But nowhere to be found is the heritage, craftsmanship, and pedigree of luxury cars of old. Cadillac looks to bring some of those features back with the Cadillac Ciel Concept.

The Ciel is a large, seductively styled four door convertible that recalls the classic luxury cars of yesteryear, while looking ahead to the future. It’s cabin is swathed in leather wood, and jeweled gauges. It is made of nicer materials than most billionaires’ suits. The exterior is chiseled and masculine, but also subdued. The motor is a twin-turbo V-6 with hybrid electric drive. Every ounce of this car oozes class, without the gaudiness of new Bentleys and Rolls Royces.

It may be just a concept, but this is just the type of car Cadillac needs. Reason being, it is a Cadillac in the truest sense, a refined, luxurious, traditional, American luxury car. These cars were enjoyable to drive, beautiful to look at, and exquisitely crafted. This doesn’t mean they were the soft, wobbly, vinyl monstrosities like the Cadillacs of the 1980s wanted us to believe, but gentleman cruisers that buyers in the 1920′s-1960s would have had. Watch Boardwalk Empire or Mad Men and you’ll see what I mean.

However, in the 1970s, the Germans came along with their cars that needed to be the fastest accelerating, harshest riding, and most “sporty” luxury cars. They were like this in order to get from point A to point b as quickly as possible. In other words they changed the luxury game and, in the process, completely veered everyone off the entire point of what a luxury car is.

Luxury isn’t about getting somewhere quickly, its about enjoying the drive no matter how long it takes. You’re rich you make your own schedule. You shouldn’t have to drive fast to get around the proletariat, you should have them in so much awe of your car they move out of the way naturally. Cadillac needs to bring this car, and the traditional luxury car way of thought, back with the Cadillac Ciel.

Source: GM

Tom Orlando reviews the 2011 Lexus GS 450h from the interior to the exterior and much more!

The 2011 Lexus GS 450h 4DR sedan really lives up to the company’s tagline: The Pursuit of Perfection. After spending a week in this sedan we are officially huge fans of the finished product.

Exterior
You can’t help but admire the stylish, 18-inch, five-spoke wheel on the 2011 Lexus GS 450h 4DR as they set the tone for a truly classy skin. What Lexus refers to as the “L-finesse design” incorporates a 112.2-inch wheel base, long hood, and pulled back cabin with a short rear deck. The design gives the 2011 Lexus GS 450h 4DR a very powerful but elegant stance. Some of the exterior differences for the GS 450h include a blue hybrid designation on the side rocker moldings, aluminum and blue enameled rear model designation, front grille, special 18-inch light-alloy wheels, a Lexus Hybrid Drive engine cover, blue front and rear “L” logos, a blue tint to the headlamps, clear tail lamp covers and a power meter that replaces the tachometer. Combined with the incredible Obsidian Black paint job, the test model we drove was absolutely gorgeous.

Read the full review.

Yet another Frankfurt Auto Show debut has come to light, this time from Maserati. To increase sales volume, Maserati is looking to increase their offerings within the next few years. The first model is the new, unnamed Maserati SUV.

Jealous of Porsche’s success with the Cayenne, Maserati is going deep into Fiat’s toy chest to create their own competitor. The result will be the equivalent of a rich man’s turducken. Expect this new model to use the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s platform, a Ferrari derived V8 (most likely similar to the Granturismo), a ZF 8 speed transmission, and the appropriate Maserati styling adjustments both inside the car and out.

If you are connecting the dots, this means that Maserati will produce a truck with a platform engineered by Jeep (also the Mercedes GL), powered by a Ferrari motor, using a German transmission, and built in the U.S.A.

Let’s see if Maserati can put all the parts together to make a true competitor to the Cayene and BMW X5M when the curtain falls in Frankfurt. If it goes all terribly wrong, expect something like the Chrysler TC by Maserati though.

Source: Automotive News

Buick’s sportiest Regal, the GS, is set to arrive this fall. Now we have word of just how much it will cost. The new GS will set you back $35,310. For that you get a turbocharged, 270hp four cylinder motor hooked up to a traditional 6 speed manual transmission. An automatic will also be available. The GS also sports a more aggressive front fascia, wheels, suspension, and interior appointments. The GS may be the most powerful Regal but it does not seem to be set up for full out track assaults, but to be a competent daily driver.

Buick sees the GS competing with Acura TSX V6′s and Audi A4′s. The only glaring fault is that the GS it is only front wheel drive. So is the TSX, but the Audi is available with all-wheel drive. The GS has more power than the A4, but it will be interesting to see if GM is able to handle the torque steer enough to deliver a luxurious ride. Holding the wheel while it wiggles around in your hands does not give the illusion of class and sophistication. Odder still, the car on which it is based, the Vauxhall Insignia VXR, does come with all-wheel drive, and a 321hp, turbocharged V-6.

The GS is a great value when compared to the Acura TSX, but may not sway people out of their Audi’s without all-wheel drive. A final verdict will have to wait for a test drive, but the GS looks to definitely change the way people view Buick.

Source: Insideline