Archive for the ‘Lexus’ Category

As football season kicks off, fans are prepping the very best of their tailgating arsenal.  Perhaps the most important element of any memorable pre-game grill out is the centerpiece – your ride.  A tailgate-worthy SUV must be versatile enough to act as both shelter and storage.  Performance Auto offers a full line of SUVs that rise to the occasion, ready to meet fans’ pre-pigskin needs. Below are our top five picks:

2011 Ram 1500

Aside from its enormous storage bed and “game-face” appearance, the Ram 1500 has a few tricks up its sleeve that will surprise even the most experienced tailgater. Its most exciting feature may be the “RamBox” storage management system, providing weatherproof, illuminated, lockable storage compartments integrated into both fender sides. Coolers, grill tools, groceries and blankets will fit easily in these hidden compartments. To top it off, you can customize the interior of the truck with in-floor compartments for even more storage. One thing’s for sure with this truck – it will make your pre-game prep a breeze.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

As the athlete of the auto world, the Jeep Grand Cherokee brings its A-game to any sporting event. Get to the game early with your crew of up to five, who will fit comfortably in the spacious interior seating cabin. Don’t worry about room for your gear – chairs, a grill, coolers and even more can fit easily in the wide-mouthed back hatch, especially with the fold-down rear seat.

If you want to crank up some pre-game music or game coverage, the six-speaker, 506-watt sound system will surely provide crystal clear audio, with two 1-inch A-Pillar mounted tweeters, two front-door 6 x 9-inch full-range speakers and two rear-door 6.5-inch full-range speakers.

2011 Honda Odyssey

There is nothing mini about the presence of this car at any tailgating event. Its roomy interior and removable center console provide ample storage for standard game gear, and the robust sound system makes it a prime option for concert tailgates. Plus, it’s totally family friendly if the little ones want to stay inside the main cabin and watch the 16.2-Inch Honda DVD Ultra Wide Rear Entertainment System. Become submerged in sound as rhythms of the available 12-speaker Premium Audio System fill the cabin in 5.1 surround Sound Theater Mode.

2011 Lexus RX 350

Not every tailgate session has to get wild – for the more tame tailgaters out there, the Lexus RX 350 is a perfect mix of class and function to get you charged up for the event. Catch pre-game announcers or your favorite artist’s greatest hits on the Mark Levinson sound system, and feel free to open up the surprisingly large storage space of the back hatch to present your array of food and drinks. The remote touch navigation system will also come in handy when you try out a new shortcut, trying to beat the crowd home after the show.

2012 Ford Explorer

This multi-purpose party machine was born for parking lot shin digs. Not only can it house seven members of your crew, but all the ways it can transform to accommodate different cargo makes for an event of its own.  A 50/50 split-folding third row, 60/40 second row, and fully adjustable front passenger seat means the possibilities are endless. If your tailgate festivities leave you too exhausted to make it into the stadium, recline and relax inside the Explorer, while the game pumps through the premium HD sound system.

We’ve revealed our starting  line-up, now let us know what vehicle you’re working with this season. Comment below, or visit any of our Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Honda, Ford or Lexus dealerships to get more information on the contenders mentioned in this post.

CNN Money recently released a list of SUVs that don’t guzzle gas. Performance Auto SUVs that made the list include: Ford Escape Hybrid, Ford Flex, Lexus RX450h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid. All of these SUVs offer you excellent performance and the mileage you desire with today’s climbing gas prices.

Ford Escape Hybrid, starting at $21,215

• 34 city/31 highway miles per gallon
• 2.5-liter 4-cylinder hybrid engine
• Small hybrid crossover SUV
• Traction control
• Stability control

Ford Flex, starting at $29,200

• 17 city/24 highway miles per gallon
• 3.5-liter V6 engine
• Plenty of interior space for passengers and cargo
• Third row seats

Lexus RX450h, starting at $43,935

• 32 city/38 highway miles per gallon
• 3.5-liter V6 hybrid engine
• Luxury hybrid SUV
• Continuously variable transmission

Toyota Highlander Hybrid, starting at $37,490

• 28 city/28 highway miles per gallon
• 3.5-liter V6 hybrid engine
• 280 horsepower
• Available third row seating

All of the above SUVs have the ability to get you where you need to go with more room and more cargo, all while saving you big bucks at the gas station.  If you’re ready to start saving money without sacrificing vehicle size and space, check out our lineup of fuel-efficient SUVs at www.PerformanceAuto.com today.

When you’re looking for a new vehicle, chances are you’re looking for the best value for your money. IntelliChoice has made finding the best value vehicles easy with their 2011 Best Overall Value of the Year awards.

This year Toyota came out on top, winning seven IntelliChoice Best Overall Value of the Year awards and winning an additional four awards with their luxury brand, Lexus. These vehicles were chosen based on the cost of ownership over five years. Included in this five-year cost factor was:

• Retail price
• Depreciation
• Maintenance and repairs
• Fuel
• Financing
• Insurance

Toyota vehicles excelled with top retail values and many came out on top because of low fuel and insurance costs. Toyota’s top seven vehicles include:

• Passenger Car: Toyota Prius, with a five-year cost $4,565 below average
• Premium Passenger Car: Toyota Avalon, with a five-year cost $3,843 below average
• Compact Crossover/Wagon: Toyota RAV4 four-cylinder, with a five-year cost $3,148 below average
• Minivan: Toyota Sienna, with a five-year cost $4,675 below average
• SUV: Toyota 4Runner, with a five-year cost $4,020 below average
• Compact Pickup: Toyota Tacoma, with a five-year cost $4,560 below average
• Full-Size Pickup: Toyota Tundra, with a five-year cost $3,844 below average

Toyota’s luxury brand, Lexus, also came out on top with great resale values and low repair costs. Lexus’ top four vehicles included:

• Lexus GX 460, Premium Full-Size SUV
• Lexus RX 350, Premium Crossover/Wagon
• Lexus IS 250, Premium Compact Passenger Car
• Lexus IS 250C, Premium Convertible

If you’re ready to get the most value for your money with a new vehicle, come check out our lineup of Toyota and Lexus vehicles today!

Jump behind the wheel of the new 2011 Lexus IS-F and you will experience power, stability and control beyond what the Lexus IS-F has ever offered before. Freshly tuned for performance and precision, the 2011 Lexus IS-F is quick, sleek and ready to hit the open road.

The most significant changes on the new 2011 Lexus IS-F are revised suspension and new high-performance valves. Combined with steering power-assist adjustments, these changes give the vehicle significantly improved handling stability and increased cornering abilities. Greater traction provides the ability to make more precise and accurate turns at higher speeds.

Giving you the power you crave in a vehicle, the Lexus IS-F sports a 5-liter, V8 engine, which takes you from 0-65 miles per hour in 4.8 seconds. This powerful engine gives the Lexus IS-F 416 horsepower and 371 pound-feet of torque.

In addition to excellent performance, the Lexus IS-F gives drivers and passengers a taste of luxury with premium interior elements, which include:

• New instrument cluster with large central rev counter, digital speedometer and three-bar LED up-shift indicator
• Increased leg room and head room
• Brushed aluminum accents
• New HDD satellite navigation system with links to local traffic info
• Keyless ignition
• Blue ambient lighting

The Lexus IS-F also keeps driver and passenger safety in mind and has received good IIHS safety ratings. Standard safety features include:

• Antilock brakes with brake assist
• Stability control
• Traction control
• Front seat side collision airbags
• Front knee airbags
• Full-length side curtain airbags
• Safety Connect with collision notification, stolen vehicle location and SOS emergency help

Starting at $59,010, the 2011 Lexus IS-F is the perfect vehicle for drivers who demand the best in performance and luxury.

Lexus of Omaha and Lincoln are making room for a new luxury, compact hybrid, the Lexus CT 200h.  Starting at $29,120, the Lexus CT 200h offers a new twist from the Lexus brand.  Aimed at attracting a whole new group of younger drivers, the Lexus CT 200h will hit the market as the first full hybrid luxury compact car, giving Lexus a hipper, sportier feel.

While most Lexus vehicles tend to focus more on luxury than gas mileage, the CT 200h seeks to combine luxury and excellent gas mileage and is expected to lead its class in fuel economy. Drivers can expect to achieve around 42 miles per gallon in the Lexus CT 200h while receiving excellent performance with 134 horsepower.

The Lexus CT 200h sets itself apart from other hybrids with four distinct driving modes to offer drivers more control, better performance and more fun.  A front and rear body dampening system, the first in the Lexus line-up, gives Lexus CT 200h drivers and their passengers a smooth and quiet ride. The system both absorbs and minimizes undesirable body vibrations.

Take a few minutes to visit DarkerSideofGreen.com, a site created by Lexus filled with fun and innovative ways to learn about the CT 200h before it’s available for sale.  Actress and comedian Whitney Cummings has joined Lexus in creating a series of online videos labeled Darkcasting. Cummings interviews social media stars as they take the Lexus CT 200h for a ride around their hometowns.   See the Darkcasting episode below with Omaha native, Steve Berra.

Younger audiences might also be interested in the Lexus Dark Ride, an interactive game aimed at showing people exactly what the Lexus CT 200h is capable of. The interactive video allows players to become the co-star in a high-speed chase in the CT 200h.

For more information on the fun you can have in a Lexus CT 200h, visit LexusofOmaha.com or LexusofLincoln.com.