Lexus’ relentless pursuit of perfection started years before it launched its first luxury sedan in 1989.Toyota’s newly-formed luxury division needed a brand name and a logo that would evoke images of luxury. Over two-hundred names were suggested, including Verone, Chaparel, Vectre, Calibre, and Alexis.
“Finding an appropriate name proved to be a difficult exercise. It had to be elegant, but not effeminate; classy, but not prissy; bold, but not brazen. And it had to be unique.” (Lexus: The Relentless Pursuit by: Chester Dawson)
Alexis was the frontrunner, but there were a few hesitations. “The chief argument against this appellation [Alexis] was that it sounded like the name of a person, not a car.” (Lexus: The Relentless Pursuit by: Chester Dawson)
Eventually “Alexis” was shortened to “Lexis” which evolved into “Lexus” and Lexus’ identity started taking shape.
With a brand name in place, Lexus needed a logo. How do you convey luxury and sophistication of Lexus so it’s recognized with a single glance?
The Lexus logo is simple yet symbolic. The letter “L” surrounded by an oval border portrays Lexus’ timeless elegance and sophistication. The smooth, oval shape resembles the aerodynamic quality of Lexus vehicles.
Celebrity Lexus owners include Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman, Cameron Diaz, and Christie Brinkley.
Lexus has partnered with world leading experts in super conductive technology to create one of the most advanced Hoverboards ever developed.
“At Lexus, we constantly challenge ourselves and our partners to push the boundaries of what is possible,” said Mark Templin, executive vice president, Lexus International. “That determination, combined with our passion and expertise for design and innovation, is what led us to take on the Hoverboard project. It’s the perfect example of the amazing things that can be achieved when you combine technology, design and imagination.”
The Lexus Hoverboard operates using magnetic levitation to achieve amazing frictionless movement. Liquid nitrogen cooled superconductors and permanent magnets combine to allow Lexus to create the impossible.
Wrapped in a design that is uniquely Lexus, the Hoverboard features the iconic Lexus spindle grille signature shape and uses materials found in the luxury car brand, from the high tech to natural bamboo.
The Lexus Hoverboard is part of the fourth project in the Lexus ‘Amazing in Motion’ campaign that showcases the creativity and innovation of the Lexus brand.
Testing of the Lexus Hoverboard will be taking place in Barcelona, Spain over the coming weeks.
Following an impressive run that has seen the team earn a victory and a top-five in successive races, Park Place Motorsports drivers Patrick Lindsey and Spencer Pumpelly will head to this weekend’s Sahlen’s Six Hours at the Glen in pursuit of victory in their sleek Porsche 911 GT3. Currently sitting sixth in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship GT Daytona standings, the team knows it must achieve maximum points as the season nears its halfway mark.
“The Six Hours of the Glen is always a big challenge. With such a high speed circuit you’re pushing at the absolute maximum the whole time, but we feel as prepared as ever,” stated Park Place Motorsport driver and team principal Patrick Lindsey. “At Laguna Seca we proved that we had an unbeatable pace, and this track should reward a similar setup and approach. With Spencer on board we have a great shot at it, I’m looking forward to the weekend.”
While many teams will run a three-driver line up for the six-hour event, Lindsey and Pumpelly have elected to keep the lineup to just them.
Spencer Pumpelly, a former winner of this event, looks forward to the challenge ahead.
“A two-driver lineup should hopefully give us an advantage this weekend,” stated Pumpelly. “Each practice session is only an hour, and with Patrick being as quick and as fit as he is, there’s no need for us to add to the mix. Anything can happen, but we’re well prepared and this has historically been a good Porsche track, so we’ll see what happens come Sunday.”
Practice for the race begins this coming Friday, June 26, with the race going green at 10:10 AM ET on Sunday, and finishing six hours later. The first four hours will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1 beginning at 10:00 AM ET, with FOX Sports 2 broadcasting the remainder of the race beginning at 2:00 PM ET.
The 2016 Jaguar XJ’s all-aluminum luxury sedan is now more desirable than ever. An updated exterior design, enhanced information and entertainment systems, new available driver assistance features and greater differentiation are in the model line-up.
Subtle changes to the exterior design, accentuated by full LED headlights, add to the XJ’s already distinctive looks. Materials such as semi-aniline leather and inlay veneers enhance an interior already considered the most luxurious in the segment.
Matching this traditional craftsmanship is state-of-the-art technology, including a new infotainment system.
InControl Touch Pro offers features such as door-to-door navigation, Wi-Fi and 1,300W Meridian Digital Reference audio.
The driving experience is better than ever, thanks to a V6 diesel engine which offers more power and torque and less fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and an electric power-assisted steering system that enhances Jaguar’s reputation for unrivalled agility and responsiveness.
“More dynamic and distinctive than ever, we’ve engineered our flagship sedan to deliver even greater levels of luxury and performance.”
“Featuring our new world-class infotainment system, interior materials and finishes which create an even more bespoke feel, and with our higher output, lower emissions diesel engine, the XJ rewards drivers and passengers like no other luxury car.” Ian Hoban, Vehicle Line Director, Jaguar XJ.
The new XJ features a larger, more upright grille, while sculpted chrome blades in the outboard air intakes emphasize the car’s mature, prestigious character.
The full LED headlights accentuate the ‘quad lamp’ design feature that Jaguar sporting sedans have made their own. They are further enhanced with active front steer- and static bend lamp functions, and auto high beam-assist. LED headlights also provide a color temperature closer to that of daylight than Bi-Xenon lamps, improving visibility and driver comfort, and are also more energy-efficient.
The LED rear lights feature a new J-signature tail and position light graphic, making the XJ even more distinctive. The rear bumper now features a gloss black valance and a slender chrome insert. Oval exhaust finishers complete the look.
The XJ’s peerless interior design has been taken to the next level. So luxurious has it become that the outgoing Portfolio trim is now used for the Premium Luxury model. The new Portfolio gains quilted soft-grain leather seats with diamond stitching and embossed headrests, and figured ebony veneer.
The Autobiography model, new to XJ in the 2016 model year and available only with the long-wheelbase body, can be identified on the outside by chrome front bumper air intakes and 20” Mataiva wheels. Inside, there’s a unique Autobiography Intaglio, quilted semi-aniline leather seats with contrasting stitching, a leather headliner, rich oak inlay veneer, and illuminated stainless steel tread plates, air vents and boot finisher.
The new R-Sport model features a three-piece front splitter, deep side sills, side power vents and rear spoiler. A gloss black finish enhances the grille mesh, rear valance and, as standard in select markets, the window finishers. Wheels are 20” Venom. The interior gains sports seats, R-Sport steering wheel and tread plates, Jet headliner and piano black trim.
The story of Bentley begins high in the sky in the early 1900s. The now world-renowned British maker of luxurious cars started out designing and manufacturing rotary engines that were used on airplanes during World War 1.
Bentley rose to fame in the aviation industry with the Bentley BR1 aero-engine. Shortly thereafter, the company branched out into the automotive industry and Bentley Motors was born in 1919.
Bentley factory in Cricklewood, outside London in early 1920’s
Bentley showroom in Central London in 1920
Founder Walter Owen Bentley, known to everyone as W.O., was known in the automobile industry. Prior to finding success with plane engines, he worked with his brother selling cars before launching the brand bearing his name.
W.O. Bentley with his car
The Bentley logo has 2 versions – a “Winged B” and the flat “B” logo with wings on either side.
The letter B simply stands for Bentley while the wings on either side symbolize speed, as if to say the car can fly.
What’s interesting is the badge colors and the number of feathers in the wings on either side of the “B” varies depending on the type of car.
Vintage cars typically have 13 feathers on the left and 14 on the right.
Crewe cars have 10 feathers on each side.
Derby cars have 10 feathers on the left and 11 on the right, which is the most commonly used logo today.
The red Bentley logo is used to identify V8 models while the 12-cylinder models are adorned with the black Bentley badge.
The Bentley logo is made up of three main colors: white, black, and silver.
The white symbolizes charm and purity, black stands for elegance and superiority of the luxury cars, and silver is the overall sheer sophistication of the brand and the detail that goes into a Bentley.
Maserati logo is one of the most recognized around the world. The trident logo dates back to the days of Neptune, the Roman God of the sea. Upon launching the brand in 1914, the Maserati brothers incorporated the trident in their logo and badges on the cars to pay homage to their hometown of Bologna, Italy, which was also the first home of the Maserati factory before it moved to Modena.
Six of the seven Maserati brothers were involved in creating and building the brand, but it was their brother Mario, who was an artist, who came up with the logo for his brothers’ new automotive brand.
He drew his inspiration from a fountain in Bologna’s Piazza Netunno featuring a statue of Neptune holding his symbolic trident. Piazza Netunno was founded in 1565 to display the statue of Neptune.
Incorporating the trident into the Maserati logo, tied together the history of the city and the family that founded the brand.
The colors in the logo are also symbols in their own right. The blue symbolizes Maserati’s strength and ties back to Neptune- God of the sea. The white resembles purity and allure of the Maserati brand and its line-up.
Today, Maserati symbolizes luxury, power, elegance, and prestige.
The story of a secret romance is embodied in the intriguing and mysterious woman known as Spirit of Ecstasy. The widely-recognized graceful beauty with flowing hair and cape, which adorns the hood of every Rolls-Royce, was inspired by a real woman.
Lady Eleanor Velasco Thornton was the secretary of car-enthusiast Lord Montagu of Beaulieu- who was also a friend of company co-founder Charles Stewart Rolls. Many speculate Lady Eleanor was more than just Lord Montagu’s secretary.
Legend has it that in 1911 Lord Montagu commissioned sculptor Charles Sykes to create a personal mascot for the hood of his Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. The model for the hood ornament was none other than his love interest Lady Eleanor. The original figurine depicted Lady Eleanor in fluttering robes with her finger pressed against her lips- allegedly symbolic of the couple’s secret love affair.
Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce vehicles didn’t have a hood ornament, so buyers attached random dolls and objects to their cars. That’s when business partners Charles Stewart Rolls and Sir Frederick Henry Royce decided to add the Spirit of Ecstasy as Rolls-Royce’s trademark ornament.
The manufacturing process today takes days of work to perfect each Spirit of Ecstasy. The symbol of class and elegance starts out as a wax figurine; it’s then dipped into melted steel and polished by hand to make it Rolls-Royce ready. No attention to detail is missed, as it takes one week to make just one Spirit of Ecstasy.
The “flying lady” as she was called by some, underwent several changes over time, but the message still remains the same. The graceful goddess is still symbolic of luxury. To everyone at Rolls-Royce, the Spirit of Ecstasy stands for relentless pursuit of perfection that goes into every car they produce.
The story of Rolls-Royce and its iconic leading lady, will be featured on the big screen in 2016. Director Martin Scorcese is producing the film aptly titled “Silver Ghost.”
Park Place is celebrating a historic win at the races in Monterey, California. Patience and preparation put Park Place Motorsports in the top spot in the winner’s circle. The No. 73 Park Place car- a Porsche 911 GT/ Justice Brothers / Children’s Tumor Foundation Porsche 911 GT America competed at the TUDOR United Sports Car Championship during last weekend’s Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix in Monterey, California.
Drivers Patrick Lindsey and Spencer Pumpelly led the team to victory after a difficult start to the season.
“It is great to get the monkey off our back,” said Team Principal and co-driver Patrick Lindsey. “We’ve had really fast cars, qualified well, and bad luck has kept us from the top of the box. This is just the first win to get out of the way, there are a lot more to come.”
Good luck and careful management of resources contributed to a dominant performance. They weren’t off to the best start at the Sunday race, a slight balk on the start allowed a few competitors to get ahead during the opening laps.
As the race went on, momentum shifted as the competitors started pulling over for pit stops.
Team Park Place Motorcars knew the challenges ahead with the twists and turns of the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Californian Patrick Lindsey had a strategy in place: patience and managing his tires and fuel would be key to winning.
Patrick was able to pit from the lead with just over one hour remaining, handing the reigns to teammate Spencer Pumpelly for the rest of the event.
“The start was pretty bad for us,” said Lindsey. “If it weren’t for the guys on the pit box though, and our crew over the wall that executed just awesome pit stops, I would have been in a world of hurt. They gave me the chance to shoot out front, get a little bit of a lead and control from ahead. And Spencer got in the car and did what Spencer does best which is go out, run hard and win races.”
With Pumpelly comfortably in the lead, all attention turned to managing fuel for the rest of the race. The team’s calculations worked perfectly putting them first at the finish line and taking the first TUDOR win for the team in the process.
“This was a team effort from start to finish,” stated Pumpelly. “The car was fantastic all weekend. Everyone did a great job. Patrick drove really well this weekend and got his first pole. We proved we had a fast car, all we needed was good drives, good pit work and a little bit of luck that we haven’t had. Sure enough, Patrick gave me a huge lead. The guys got us on and off pit road, twice, faster than I’ve ever seen them do it. Just flawless. True team effort today!”
Up next for the team is the highly challenging Grand Prix of Detroit at the beautiful Belle Isle circuit on May 30th. We wish the team all the best as they prepare for the race. Be safe and Good Luck!
About Park Place MotorsportsPark Place Motorsports is an extension of Park Place Dealerships.Park Place Motorsports augments the unparalleled attention its dealerships provide by offering customers a premium level of support in relation to their motorsports activities. Services include maintenance and repair, driver and racecar support, and parts engineering and distribution. These offerings are authentically promoted by Park Place Motorsports’ flagship GT Daytona team in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.
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!
This summer’s must-have accessory was recently revealed at the New York International Auto Show. The 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder will take your breath away with its updated looks and the most powerful Boxster engine ever.
The lightest Porsche on the market is equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission and a 375 horsepower, flat-six engine which makes driving the ultimate sports car more engaging than ever.
Some things, though, never change. In keeping with the design of its predecessors, the new Boxster Spyder has two prominent streamlined bulges that extend down along the long rear lid behind the headrests while the fins that stretch back to the rear lend the vehicle’s silhouette its characteristic design.
The lightweight convertible top is also mostly manually operated.
Treat yourself this summer to a new Porsche Boxster Spyder, scheduled to arrive to a Park Place Porsche showroom in July.
