We’re all Lexus fans at heart. How could you not be? The brand offers all the luxury, power, performance and heart that any vehicle could give. And, of course, the brand is backed by an industry-leading manufacturer in Toyota, and we all know how Toyota has been shaking things up across the board in terms of innovation. My mom owns a Lexus SUV, so I’ve had a chance to really experience the brand for myself. The drive really lives up to its reputation, and even traveling as a passenger is a delightful experience when you’re surrounded by lush leather and fancy wood grained paneling.

When I went to visit my mother this past December, I hopped off the plane, grabbed my bags and was greeted by the beautiful vehicle herself. Such grace and agility, she looked like she was straight out of painting. When I opened the door, the smell of the leather hit me in a calming wave, and I sunk deep into the seat as we drove down I-90 towards her home in the suburbs. It was a pacifying experience as my mother and I exchanged greetings and news to cruise the highway in such a stealthy vehicle.  Read more...

Car shoppers these days are looking for all the safety, reliability, fuel economy, performance and general efficiency that they can get out of their vehicles. With changing technology, a lot of manufacturers have been focusing on eliminating engine sounds for a smoother, quieter ride. Sure, this makes us feel more comfortable behind the wheel – but could it be a safety issue?

Electric cars are storming the automotive industry at the moment as part of the effort to find alternative fuel sources, reduce emissions, and lower the total cost of ownership for vehicle owners. One of the problems (few though they are) facing manufacturers when it comes to electric cars is providing for the safety of pedestrians; the rev of an engine has become a staple of the roads, and quiet cars make it more difficult for pedestrians to hear oncoming dangers.

Nissan is leading the way in finding a solution, and Chicago Nissan dealers were titillated to find out that the upcoming Nissan Leaf low carbon electric car comes with a bit of extra pizzazz. Sound engineers have been called in at Nissan to figure out a way to make these unique vehicles a bit more obvious to cyclists and pedestrians, a move which might include the addition of a futuristic engine noise. The noise is expected to be aurally pleasing but obvious so the Leaf can keep a higher profile.

Regarding the new Leaf, Nissan noise and vibration expert Toshiyuki Tabata said “We wanted something a bit different, something closer to the world of art.”  Read more...

Welcome to the next generation of driving. We’ve already seen a lot of changes across the board in the industry, with innovative automakers like Toyota and Nissan leading the way in change. Pressures from consumers, government officials and corporations for more focus on how we can reduce our impact on the economy, coupled with a general push away from foreign oil and towards more feasible fossil fuels, have been driving factors in the sudden shift in the auto industry. Thus far, we’ve seen a lot of progress made in the small and subcompact car segments because it’s simply easier to find a way to reduce the emissions on a smaller car.

A constant point of contention in the whole reform is the issue of power. How do you get the power you want in a car if you’re using as little fuel as possible? Manufacturers are beginning to make progress in this area. But the really exciting news here isn’t about the Prius – or any other vehicle making headlines for fuel efficiency. While it might seem surprising, the next big innovation in fuel economy is coming out of your Chicago Mercedes dealer. And it’s no small announcement; we’re talking about the next level of efficiency here.  Read more...