Danny Balis, of Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket’s Hardline show, poses with the 2013 Lexus GS 350.
Danny, who started endorsing Park Place last year, has driven a number of Park Place vehicles. Danny recently visited Park Place Lexus to tour the dealership and test drive the new Lexus GS.
His quick take on the latest offering from Lexus – “This car is freakin’ awesome.” Well said Danny.
The Lexus Certified Pre-Owned Program offers incredible benefits and value. Each vehicle undergoes a rigorous inspection process, and are hand-selected for our lots. It’s the next best thing to owning new, and you get all the perks of being a Lexus owner (And a Park Place Preferred Client!).
To learn more about the Lexus Certified Pre-Owned program contact one of our sales professionals at our Lexus stores today.
Lexus has, since it’s inception in 1989, been known for luxury, safety and quality. More currently, with the luxurious super car – the Lexus LFA, and now the Lexus LF-LC concept – we can most definitely add super sporty, ‘super car’ and serious performance to this list. There have been suspicions and rumblings about something pretty special coming for Lexus with it’s hush-hush secret development of the Lexus LF-LC concept. What we’re seeing now, with the sneak peek reveal of this exquisite vehicle – is truly extraordinary. The buzz abounds with the excitement surrounding this car. And, it seems – with good reason.
We got a sneak peek from the Road and Track article posted below. The article itself focuses on the specifics of the design, and one interesting tidbit is that the car’s shape, was inspired by nature – a tree leaf, to be exact – for it’s flexibility and ‘flow’. Designers were given full reign on the designs for interior and exterior – with only a few requirements. It is said that CEO of Toyota, Akio Toyoda – asked the designers to ‘make sure the concept has “wow” factor’, including characteristics of avant-garde beauty, originality, driving joy and unequaled technology.
The Lexus LF-LC concept will be making it’s debut at the Detroit Auto Show on January 9th. Click here to read more from Lexus.
Read the full Road & Track Feature on the Lexus LF-LC Concept
As you may know, Lexus vehicles receive free parking at all Lexus valet stands for Texas Rangers home games. However, due to the Rangers’ stellar performance, the valet parking lots fill up quickly. But Lexus owners can now receive updates on their mobile phones to track the valet parking status. There are three new ways to get up-to-date information on game days:
• SMS: Text “LexusValet” to 76432 to find out which of the four valet stands have reached capacity and which stands are still available.
• Web: Visit texasrangers.com/valet for real-time updates.
• Twitter: Follow @RangerBlake for valet and traffic updates.
Keep in mind that we have four valet stands for your convenience (North, South, East, and West). But also remember that lots reach capacity 60 – 90 minutes before the first pitch, so get there early!
Want complimentary parking but don’t yet have a Lexus? Come visit us at Park Place Lexus Plano or Park Place Lexus Grapevine to check out our inventory of new and used Lexus vehicles.
Instead of calling the hotel concierge to request information on the Lexus ES 350, connect with one of the dealerships in the Dallas Fort Worth Texas area serving you: Park Place Lexus Plano or Park Place Lexus Grapevine. You spend a lot of time in a car. Shouldn’t every moment in the vehicle feel sumptuous and luxurious?
The 2011 Lexus ES 350 is your resort on the road and you know it as soon as you glide into the sedan onto the indulgent leather-trim seat surrounded by hand-selected wood accents. Like a five-star hotel, Lexus ES 350 provides floor to ceiling luxury and a personalized experience. The engineers have put a priority on every minor detail in the Lexus ES 350 to create a sedan with an experience of uncompromising luxury.
The Lexus GS 350 comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine with dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) and a six-speed transmission turning the ES engine into an intelligent one that generates 248 lb-ft of torque at 4,700 rpm. Dual VV-i increases torque at lower speeds for better maneuvering and boosting power at higher speeds.
The way the Lexus ES 350 clicks with the road, you’d think they’re inseparable. Again, the engineers have come through with a specially created rear sub-frame for improved handling and rigidity. They’ve also paid close attention to the geometry of the front suspension and traction control technology to boost handling for all weather conditions. Audio systems strive to help listeners experience the “sweet spot” of sound.
The interior IS the audio in the Lexus ES 350 as superior quality surround sound tailored for the interior fills the cabin. Sound dampeners, intelligent sensors and other meticulous alterations are just parts in other cars. But these aren’t just items on a list when it comes to the Lexus ES 350.
Add Lexus’ famous luxurious amenities and these features become a part of the experience. Edmunds.com says, “Materials are as good as you’ll find, with supple leathers and real wood trim. The ES 350 is also stocked with features that we’re more accustomed to finding in much more expensive luxury sedans.”
“Some buyers are really only looking for a comfortable and luxurious ride that isolates them from the outside world. The 2011 Lexus ES 350 was made with these car shoppers in mind,” writes Edmunds.com. Discover how the Lexus ES 350 delivers a calming and Zen-like atmosphere by visiting Dallas Fort Worth Park Place Lexus Plano or Park Place Lexus Grapevine.
Mark Levinson Surround Sound: The available 14-speaker 300-watt at less than 0.1% THD, 20 — 20,000 Hz Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound Audio System is powered by a 10-channel amplifier and features a six-disc, in-dash DVD/CD auto-changer. It provides discrete 5.1-multichannel playback via a 7.1-channel speaker architecture. The element speakers include titanium tweeters and Neodymium subwoofer for a truer high-frequency response. The system also features a subwoofer, front-center and rear-corner surround-sound speakers and active sound balancing.
Bluetooth and USB Audio Support: Compatible portable audio players enabled with Bluetooth audio profile capability can be controlled using the onboard audio controls in the ES. Because it’s a wireless technology, your entire music library is accessible without ever taking the player out of your pocket or purse. A standard USB connection also enables you to control your compatible iPod audio player through the 2011 Lexus ES 350 audio interface and offers the added benefit of charging the device whenever it’s plugged in. In both cases, information such as artist name, track name and album name can be displayed on the audio display or available navigation screen.
10-Way Power Adjustable Seats: In addition to adjustable settings, the driver’s seat comes with a two-position Lexus Memory System. The memory system features settings for two different drivers, as well as settings for the exterior mirrors. Available heated and ventilated front seats have separate heaters and fans in the seat cushions that provide comfort regardless of the weather.
Voice-Activated HDD Navigation System: The available voice-activated HDD Navigation System uses a hard disk drive (HDD) to store maps and data, which allows it to operate much faster than previous DVD-based models. Additionally, it can recognize over 100 voice commands; provides a sharper, more colorful display; can map over eight million points of interest; and display information in English, French and Spanish.
XM Radio, XM NavTraffic, XM NavWeather, XM Sports and Stocks: While available XM Radio offers diverse and commercial-free music programming, available XM NavTraffic can provide real-time traffic reports on specific highways or routes and reroute you around congestion. Available XM NavWeather can give real-time weather reports for specific cities and even automatically alert you of severe weather. To find out more about XM Radio, please visit www.lexus.com/xmradio.
Power Rear Sunshade: Controlled by a button on the left-hand side of the instrument panel, the shade helps keep the rear seats cool and comfortable on sunny days. When the car is taken out of reverse and the vehicle speed exceeds 9 mph, the available sunshade automatically rises.
Wood and Leather Trim: The Lexus ES 350 interior is designed with highly polished brown walnut or espresso bird’s-eye maple wood trim accents on the doors, glove box and center console. These accents are also featured on the available wood- and leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob. And chrome-finished touches are featured throughout the cabin. Seats feature soft and luxurious leather or are available with semi-aniline leather trim. Because of the nature of this process, higher-quality leather is used, resulting in an even more supple and natural feel.
Lexus Memory System: Each driver can set the positions for the driver’s seat, exterior mirrors and power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. By pressing either the No. 1 or No. 2 memory button on the door panel, the settings will be recorded. The next time you open the driver’s door, your key fob will automatically bring your settings back to your recorded specifications. The system can also recall settings for two different SmartAccess fobs, and can automatically move the driver’s seat, outside mirrors and steering wheel to your preferred positions.
Panorama Glass Roof: The available panorama glass roof appears to span the entire cabin. This roof offers twin skylights for front and rear passengers to enjoy. The full-length glass roofline seamlessly integrates with the metal roof frame.
Intuitive Parking Assist: With six ultrasonic sensors on the Lexus ES 350’s front and rear, available Intuitive Parking Assist detects how close the vehicle is to surrounding objects. When the Parking Assist button is active, the system alerts the driver when another vehicle or object is in proximity. Distance is indicated by an LCD display, accompanied by an audible beep. The closer the 2011 Lexus ES 350 is to the object, the fewer lines appear on the display, and the more frequent the beeping becomes.
Backup Camera: A tiny camera lens located over the rear license plate transmits a wide-angle color image to the screen on the available voice-activated HDD Navigation System. It activates as soon as the ES is placed in reverse. The camera image helps capture objects that a mirror could miss or obstacles not visible through the rear window.
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: A millimeter-wave radar sensor allows the available Dynamic Radar Cruise Control to help maintain your selected speed when it’s activated. This system also allows you to follow the vehicle in front of you at the same pre-set speed. A car icon on the information display shows the selected following distance.
Alloy Wheels: The Lexus ES 350 is complemented by five-split-spoke alloy wheels that add elegant styling accents. The ES also offers available 17-inch, 10-spoke Liquid Graphite-finish alloy wheels for an exceptionally attractive look.
Aerodynamic Design: Engineers designed the Lexus ES 350 with a tapered front and narrow gaps in the body panels, resulting in a low 0.29 coefficient of drag. Other benefits include high-speed control and fuel efficiency, along with reduced wind noise. A specially designed cover mounted below the engine also reduces the front-end lift that often occurs as speed increases.
Bold Exterior Design: A bold illustration of our L-finesse design philosophy, the ES sports a sleek and elegant style. A distinctive grille and dynamic headlamps give it a strong stance. A long, streamlined cabin, integrated fog lamps and wraparound tail lamps express speed and grace. Complemented by a dual exhaust, this look embodies simple yet stylish design principles.
Side-view Mirrors: The side-view mirrors feature integrated turn signals to help warn other drivers of intended lane changes or turns. In addition, puddle lamps are located on the underside of the mirrors. They light the ground next to the door to prevent you from stepping in puddles, slush or other road debris. As you approach the Lexus ES 350, the SmartAccess key remotely turns on the puddle lamp. And, for added convenience when parking, the mirrors automatically tilt down when the ES is placed in reverse.
Smart Stop Technology: For additional peace of mind, this safety feature is designed to automatically reduce engine power when the driver is pressing down the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time under certain conditions. When releasing brake pedal, the Smart Stop Technology disengages. The feature does not engage when pressing the brake pedal before the accelerator.
ABS With Brake Assist: A sophisticated Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) helps give you authoritative driving control during hard braking. And because people sometimes don’t push hard enough on the brake pedal during an emergency stop, Lexus ES 350 offers the added benefits of Brake Assist. This feature identifies a panic-stop situation by monitoring how quickly and forcefully the brake pedal is pressed by the driver, and automatically applies increased braking boost until the pedal is released. An added safety feature, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), uses a computer to precisely modulate the amount of fluid pressure to the brakes, resulting in even further control.
Pre-Collision System: An advanced automotive safety feature, the available Pre-Collision System (PCS) is equipped with a front-mounted radar sensor that constantly monitors the distance and closing speed of a vehicle traveling ahead. When the system’s computer determines that a frontal collision is unavoidable, it preemptively retracts the front seatbelts and preps the Brake Assist for increased braking force the moment the brake pedal is depressed.
SmartAccess: With a unique secure code in the key fob, the SmartAccess system recognizes you and automatically allows you to unlock and open all four doors and the trunk of the Lexus ES 350. The ultimate in convenience, all you need to do is grab a door handle or press the trunk open button. SmartAccess even activates the lighting entry system to illuminate your points of entry from the exterior puddle lamps to the interior lighting. In addition, the system can recognize two SmartAccess fobs for two different drivers, and can automatically recall preferred settings for that particular driver.
Safety Connect: Safety Connect™ means additional peace of mind — 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In the event of a severe rear-end collision or when the vehicle’s airbags deploy, Automatic Collision Notification can send a request for help — even when you can’t. And should you report your vehicle stolen, the Stolen Vehicle Location service can help the police recover it more quickly once a stolen vehicle report is filed. Safety Connect also includes Enhanced Roadside Assistance, which allows you to get help for things like a flat tire with a simple press of the Emergency Assistance Button (SOS), which can also be used for other emergencies. Safety Connect is a subscription service. A one-year trial subscription is included with new vehicle purchase.
Direct Tire Pressure Monitor System: Proper tire pressure is important. The Direct Tire Pressure Monitor System in the ES constantly monitors the air pressure of all tires, including the available full-size spare. When it senses that tire pressure is critically low, it alerts the driver with an indicator light.
Reinforced Body: The front and rear of the Lexus ES 350 help absorb impact energy by compressing at a controlled rate. For protection during possible side collisions, the reinforced side-impact door beams help resist cabin intrusion.
Six-Speed Automatic Transmission: In sixth gear, the wider gear-ratio spread provides greater acceleration, efficiency and seamless shifting. The sequential-shifting capability enhances performance by allowing the driver to control shifting by nudging the gearshift forward or backward.
88 Vibration-Reducing Measures: While the Lexus ES 350 features one of the smoothest engines available, it also employs 88 measures to absorb, dampen and even cancel vibrations — before they ever reach the cabin of the vehicle. For instance, liquid-filled engine mounts were used rather than conventional rubber mounts to help contain engine vibrations. And when the vehicle is idling, an active-control engine mount actually detects the frequency of vibrations and emits a counter-frequency, which effectively cancels them out. In addition, 24 pieces of foam coating and 22 urethane sponges are strategically placed throughout the vehicle to help absorb vibrations, as well as reduce wind and road noise.
Dual Variable Valve Timing: Monitoring the engine’s speed and load, dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) increases torque at lower speeds for better maneuvering, while boosting power at higher speeds. By making the valve train more flexible, this results in faster acceleration, better performance and lower emissions.
ECO Indicators: To instill greater awareness and to encourage a more environmentally sensitive driving style, two ECO Driving indicators are included in the ES. An Eco Driving Indicator Light illuminates whenever fuel-efficient acceleration is being achieved. And, to allow the driver to monitor their level of driving economy in real-time, an Eco Driving Indicator Zone Display is also included. Using a bar graph to display a real-time measurement of the accelerator operation, this display includes a light that blinks if the driving habits exceed the eco-friendly range.
Independent Suspension: Each wheel of the 2011 Lexus ES 350 can react to bumps in the road independently, allowing it to absorb the shock more thoroughly, courtesy of the four-wheel, independent, MacPherson strut suspension.
Dual Exhaust: With two exhaust pipes, there’s a greater surface area from which to expedite gasses from the engine. This generates peak horsepower, increasing performance. Seamless chrome tips also maximize style.
Four-Wheel Disc Brakes: The ES front disc brakes contain special ducts, which help reduce the heat build-up that accelerates brake fade. The brakes are also equipped with Brake Assist and a four-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
