Jennifer Denton of Wilson Middle School and Lilly Wisler of Barron Elementary School took home the evening’s top honor at the Plano ISD “Teacher of the Year” gala. They are the 2015 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year.
They were chosen from nearly one-hundred teachers, nominated by their peers. The Teacher of the Year Selection Committee members had the tough task of choosing the winners after interviewing all the nominees.
The Teacher of The Year winners got more than an award. They will also get to drive a brand new Lexus for the summer, courtesy of Park Place Lexus Plano.
General Manager Chris Brunner was on hand to congratulate the winners and present the “Summer in a Lexus” prize-pack, which also includes Texas Rangers tickets and Dallas Arboretum passes.
Park Place Dealerships would like to thank all the teachers for their selfless dedication and contribution to the community.
As the best-selling sedan model in Lexus’ impressive stable, the ES has come to define the very essence of luxury sedan. It’s evident that this trend will continue as Lexus unveiled the exciting new 2016 ES at the Shanghai International Motor Show on Monday.
2016 Lexus ES. The ES200- featuring a 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine is new for 2016 in Asia and Russia. In the U.S. the ES350 will continue with its exceptionally smooth 3.5-liter V-6 engine and a gasoline-electric hybrid.
The 2016 ES, also available in hybrid, features an exciting, sportier attitude, highlighted by elegant yet progressive exterior styling, an enhanced luxurious interior and the new safety system, Lexus Safety System+. Enhanced dynamics and upgraded technology packages will keep the ES on the forefront, giving both drivers and passengers the confidence to traverse any distance in safety and utmost comfort. “Our development concept was ‘Take the ES to the next level of elegance and progressive luxury,’” said Toshio Asahi, ES Chief Engineer. “The Lexus ES is renowned for its innovative exterior and interior design. We wanted to build on that and make it more elegant, and tailor the car with the latest technology Lexus has to offer. We’re confident that the new Lexus ES will be a leader in its class and attract a lot of attention.”
For 2016, Lexus designers have cast a daring new form with the refreshed ES. A commanding front fascia that features Lexus’s trademark spindle grille, framed in combination with accentuated brilliant satin chrome, gives this new ES a new sense of luxury and instantly distinguishes it from the crowd. Accompanying the grille is a pair of newly designed headlights, now equipped with LED projector technology, while iconic “L”-shaped arrowhead Daytime Running Lights extend outside the headlight element for a distinctive look that links it with other Lexus models. Also, redesigned fog lamps areas have been relocated to the outer lower corners of the front fascia and amplify the vehicle’s wide stance. A re-sculpted front fascia connects to the hood adding the sensation of motion even when the car is standing still.
The sleek shape continues with the ES’ graceful roofline that flows effortlessly to the rear, where an improved, modern taillight design evokes the “L”-shaped theme furnishing an instantly recognizable nighttime glow.
Spanning the rear is a re-stylized chrome license plate garnish that flows visually into the clear elements of the lamps to communicate the vehicle’s on-road stability. Adding a considerable amount of flair to the vehicle’s already sporty attitude are newly sculpted chrome-tipped rectangular exhaust ports.
The 2016 model takes luxury to the extreme with a new color palette offering four new exterior colors as well as new interior trim combinations, featuring Shimamoku ornamentaion- previously available on higher-end GS and LS models, and a matte option for the Bamboo finish.
When it comes to luxury and refinement, Lexus has no equal. Engineered to provide driving confidence and the ultimate in comfort, the ES surrounds its occupants with a luxurious, contemporary cabin.
Furthermore, an embossed pattern has been added to the comfortable-yet-supportive seats. Additional trim enhancements to cabin-facing door surfaces and the center console unite the interior in upscale feel and design cohesion. Color-matched upholstery appears along the center console as well, coupled with a new leather boot-enclosed gear selector.
A new, sporty steering wheel provides better driving engagement. A larger 4.2-inch color multi-information display conveniently places vital vehicle and route information as well as multimedia information front and center. To further enhance Remote Touch Interface control, the 2016 ES adds “Enter” buttons on either side of the interface controller.
Since its inception, Lexus has offered quiet and smooth driving vehicles. The 2016 ES upholds that tradition with a host of improvements to provide the driver with an exciting experience. For the new 2016 ES, Lexus engineers applied structural reinforcements to foster stiffness in the vehicle’s unibody construction. Adapted from the Lexus IS sports sedan, this form of chassis tuning arms the ES with enhanced ride quality and handling. Moreover, this ES adds a sound-reducing layer behind the dashboard to better isolate engine noise from the cabin.
“With improved performance, an expanded engine lineup and a quieter and thoroughly luxurious interior wrapped in a freshened chiseled body, the new ES builds efficiently on what has made it one of the most popular luxury sedans in the world, and we are confident that this latest version of the ES will build upon its past successes,” said Asahi.
The 2016 Lexus ES is expected to arrive to Park Place Lexus Plano and Grapevine late this year.
An innocent bystander caught in a police shoot-out in Lewisville, Erica Montes was lucky to get out alive; her Honda CR-V however, sustained a lot of damage. Adding insult to injury, her claim for repairs was denied.
After several months of back-and-forth with the insurance company, Ms. Montes came to terms with her SUV being riddled with bullet holes.
What she didn’t know is that her story caught the attention of Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth- General Manager, George Johnson, and things were about to get a lot better.
Mr. Johnson reached out to the manager of Park Place BodyWerks Fort Worth, David Norris, who invited Erica to stop by the body shop for the necessary repairs; oh and those repairs…they’re on the house.
Having been through so much, Montes was thrilled with the offer and knowing that her car will be restored.
In 2-weeks, Park Place BodyWerks fixed the damage from the shoot-out, but that’s not all they did.
Having taken panels and bumpers off, the body shop technicians noticed several other bumps and bruises on the CR-V that needed to be fixed or tended to. They fixed and replaced a laundry-list of small items that made a big difference. The icing on the cake- a complete detail and a full tank of gas; also compliments of Park Place BodyWerks.
When Erica came to pick-up her CR-V, it was unrecognizable.
It was no longer the dull silver SUV with rusty bullet holes she dropped off just 2-weeks ago, it was whole again and shiny.
There was more than a car restored that day. Montes’ smile was back on her face and that put a smile on ours!
An experience to last a lifetime and a permanent grin to prove it.
Park Place teamed up with the Make-A-Wish foundation to make 7-year-old Michael Hollis’ dream come true.
His dream…worth nearly $3 MILLION!
Watch Michael Take The Ride Of His Dreams!
The young boy, battling leukemia, is a fan of fast cars and auto-racing video games.
Naturally, he wanted to experience a Bugatti Veyron for himself.
Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse
Michael, along with his mom and dad flew in from San Antonio for the big surprise, arranged by Park Place Premier Collection, Make-A-Wish and Bugatti.
They pulled up for Michael’s big surprise in a white stretch-limo.
Michael had no idea what was in store for him till he saw his dream car…a black and blue Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse…with a Bugatti factory driver.
The driver wasn’t just any driver, it was Butch Leitzinger- a race car driver who won the famed Rolex 24 at Daytona three times.
Butch Leitzinger- Bugatti Factory Pilot
Michael- stunned and excited, climbed into the Bugatti, taking it all in while Butch explained what each button does and how the super car, packing 1200 horsepower- taking it from 0-60 in under 3 seconds, works.
After a thorough overview and Michael’s Bugatti hat on, the duo was off for the ride of a lifetime.
Although the car tops out at 255 mph, Leitzinger didn’t go quite that fast.
Michael, taking it all in during the ride was all smiles, waved to cars as they passed.
After the ride, Michael and his family got a personal tour of the Park Place Premier Collection- checking out Rolls Royces, Bentleys and other awe-inspiring luxury vehicles.
Michael Hollis in a Rolls RoyceMalcolm Gage- Park Place Premier Collection New Car Sales Director with Michael Hollis and a BentleySimon Crossley- Park Place Premier Collection Sales Consultant showing a McLaren to Michael Hollis
Bugatti and Park Place didn’t let Michael leave empty handed. He received quite the swag bag full of goodies from Bugatti to ensure he’ll have plenty to remind him of his experience of a lifetime.
(L) Heath Strayhan- General Manager Park Place Premier Collection (M) Michael Hollis (R) Butch Leitzinger- Bugatti Factory Pilot
Park Place Lexus of Plano rolled out the red carpet for a fun evening of fashion, food, and fundraising. The Women’s Auxiliary group- Legacy Chapter hosted its annual fundraiser “Legacy of Love” benefiting Children’s Health in Plano.
The raffle table was loaded with goodies ranging in value from $1,500 to $6,000. Everything from a Tory Burch gift bag to a trip to Mexico was donated for “Legacy of Love”. Park Place Lexus also donated a ‘Weekend in a Lexus’ package, which includes dinner and theater tickets.
Fashion designer Nicole Miller was a special guest at the event. She is also one of several designers who provided fabulous outfits for the fashion show.
(L) Nicole Miller (R) Diane Hopson
Some of the youngest models who commanded the runway were patients from Children’s Health.
Former star of The Bachelor Jake Pavelka & Amy Vanderoef emceed the fashion show.
Pictured: (from left to right) Amy Vanderoef, Diane Hopson, Jake Pavelka
Guests enjoyed treats from Sambuca 360, Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Moët & Chandon, and Silver Star Whiskey.
2015 Legacy of Love event at Park Place Lexus Plano
Also a real treat were the gift bags, loaded to the brim with goodies from fantastic sponsors.
Gone are the days of soft curves and rounded edges. The newly redesigned 2016 Lexus RX is edgy yet elegant, it’s sophisticated but with a bit of attitude. One thing is for sure, it definitely commands attention.
The large spindle grille and a more aggressive bumper give the 2016 RX a fierce and edgy exterior. Sharp creases accent the side panels and doors, providing for a more sculpted appearance.
Wrap-around rear LED lights create a wider presence and increase the visibility of the SUV.
No more pushing buttons to access the cargo area from the outside. The cargo door is activated simply by holding your hand over the Lexus logo.
Proving the RX is a luxury SUV, backseat passengers can indulge in heated rear seats as well as more leg and knee room due to a slightly longer wheel base than the current model.
Enhancing the luxurious experience is the newly available power panoramic moon roof.
The completely redesigned RX is loaded with new top-of-the-line features to keep you safe and comfortable on the go. Down to the tires; safety is the name of the game at Lexus. The automaker’s Safety System Plus is available on the RX for the first time. It includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, Lane Keep Assist, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control that can bring the SUV to a full stop under certain circumstances. Adaptive High-beam System helps improve visibility when driving at night. Also included are Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and the Panoramic View Monitor, which provides a 360 degree visual image of the car’s surroundings on the 12.3” navigation screen.
Also, a new addition available to the RX model is the Adaptive Variable Suspension, which monitors and adapts the shock absorber damping and steering for optimal driving experience.Heads-Up Display, which projects pertinent vehicle information on the windshield in front of the driver, is also an option in the 2016 RX.
Replacing the current 19” wheels are new 20” wheels which can be customized with color inserts to make the car stand out or make it custom to your individual style. On top of the new 20” wheels are the Michelin Premier tires equipped with Ever Grip technology which helps with traction.
For drivers looking for a sportier flair and an even more enthusiastic ride, F-Sport will be an option on the All Weather Drive equipped RX350 and the RX450h.
2016 Lexus RX450h
One thing is for sure, whichever RX model you choose- you won’t be disappointed.
“The pioneering spirit of Lexus drives us to create new technology and gives rise to new ideas. It allows us to introduce new vehicles with leading-edge features. And indeed, we are committed to bringing ‘progressive luxury’ to the world. I believe this new RX will not only surprise new customers, but will also delight and satisfy our loyal customers, whose high expectations will be met by many new innovations,” said Takayaki Katsuda, Chief Engineer of the new RX.
Navigating a maze of cars and SUVs, the 2015 DFW Auto Show will definitely have something for every type of automotive aficionado you can find.
From antiques to the latest models fresh off the production line, the show can be a sensory overload of the best kind.
1961 Jaguar XK1501989 Porsche Carrera
From the moment you walk in the door, the sight is a sea of cars. You’ll definitely want to climb inside, feel the soft leather seats, play with the latest state-of-the art technology, or even catch a view of a car that hasn’t made it to a showroom yet.
The bright lights illuminate the vivid colors of all sorts of vehicles from Lexus’ newest addition- a blue Lexus NX to an orange McLaren 650S Spider to a bright red Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Coupe spinning slowly atop a display pedestal.
2015 Lexus NX2015 McLaren 650S Spider2016 Mercedes Benz AMG GT Coupe
Car shopping has never been easier with so many brands and models all under one roof. You can climb into and get a feel for many vehicles on display. Shop to your heart’s content at the show then let the Experts in Excellence take it from there.
Whether you fell in love with a Lexus or a Maserati or perhaps you’d like to experience the exquisite luxury of a Rolls-Royce or a Bentley, Park Place has locations across Dallas-Fort Worth to provide you with a car buying experience that only Experts in Excellence can deliver.
2015 Maserati Ghibli2015 Bentley Flying Spur W122015 Volvo S602015 Rolls Royce Wraith2015 Jaguar F-Type Coupe R
The 2015 DFW Auto Show runs through Sunday, March 29th. Purchase tickets online here.
It was hard to say who had more fun at the Park Place Lexus & Jaguar – Dallas Stars Casino Night February 25th at Park Place Lexus in Plano: the Dallas Stars players or the more than 650 fans who sold out the popular event.
Dallas Stars Head Coach Lindy Ruff deals blackjack at Casino Night 2015.
Stars players and coaches served as casino dealers and helped raise $325,000 for the Dallas Stars Foundation, which is a 41% increase over last year’s $230,000 raised. Fans enjoyed the intimate access and camaraderie with their favorite Stars players as well as the Mardi Gras-themed cuisine from Cool River and signature beverages.
“I think this was the best Casino Night yet,” said Jordan Case, president of Park Place Lexus and Park Place Jaguar. “This year’s ‘Diamond Champagne’ raffle sold out in 10 minutes. And the live auction grossed nearly double what it did last year. Everyone had a good time and the proceeds went to a great cause.”
(L to R) Dallas Stars Captain Jamie Benn; Dallas Stars Chief Operating Officer Jason Farris; Dallas Stars Foundation Executive Director Jessica Dunn; and Park Place Lexus President Jordan Case
The Dallas Stars Foundation focuses on providing support to children in our community so they may lead quality lives and develop into contributing members of society. Through teamwork, interaction, and education, the Dallas Stars Foundation works to bring together all members of the Metroplex and build a bright future for today’s youth.
Lexus has been ranked highest among the most dependable vehicles, according to J.D. Power’s 2015 Vehicle Dependability Study.
The study, which examines issues relating to vehicles purchased in the 2012 model-year, takes into account a number of factors that increase reliability of today’s vehicles, including new technological offerings. Covering 177 vehicle issues across 8 vehicle categories, the study is now in it’s 26th year.
Lexus ranks highest for the 4th consecutive year, returning the “fewest problems per 100 vehicles.” The Lexus ES and Lexus GX were awarded high honors in their respective categories, and the Lexus RX and Lexus CT received honorable mentions in their categories.
When the weather gets icy, we always recommend staying off the roads if at all possible, but if you must venture out in the freezing cold, the following advanced systems help keep you safe when driving on snowy/icy streets
ECT Snow – Electronically Controlled Transmission (ECT) Snow mode Reduces throttle response for more gradual acceleration on snow/ice to help reduce wheel spin. The transmission will also shift to a higher gear sooner than in normal mode. The road conditions we just experienced were perfect for this setting.
TRAC – Traction Control System (TRAC) uses the ABS sensors to continuously monitor the rotational speed of each individual wheel. As soon as they detect that one or more wheels are starting to slip, the system instantaneously calculates the best way to restore traction. The engine’s computer control unit then adjusts the throttle accordingly and the Brake Actuator directs the braking force to the most appropriate wheel (or wheels) until traction returns. Only turn off if stuck and need to rock the vehicle to get it out.
VSC – Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) assists you when taking a corner too fast or being forced to brake sharply mid-corner. Sensors continuously monitor and cross-reference speed, steering angle, yaw rate and deceleration. The instant the system detects a loss of control, VSC steps in and momentarily dictates the individual braking force sent to each wheel. It also moderates the throttle until the tendency of the front to run wide (understeer), or the rear to break away (oversteer), is corrected.
If you have any questions about the technology options in your Lexus vehicle operate, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Park Place Lexus Technology Specialists at Park Place Lexus Grapevine and Park Place Lexus Plano.
