I setup this page to share my experience attending the Taste of Lexus event in Dallas in 2005 with my girlfriend, Novie. It was a very fun day in Irving, TX at Texas Stadium. This year, I had a frame of reference for comparison, last year's event.
After a brief orientation and registration, you are released to go experience various events. This year, there was no real off road course, and they put a much stronger emphasis on "lifestyle"events like massages, golf, and fine foods, etc.
The Lounge Area (Lexus Vehicle
Options, Circular Display, etc.)
However, I am not sure about everyone else, but we were there for the cars. :-) The off road course from the previous year was my favorite part of the entire event last year. I bet tearing up BMW's and Range Rovers proved to be too expensive. Oh, well. Still, there was plenty to look forward this time, even outside the realm of Lexus . . . the new BMW 3-Series was here, the new Lexus IS against it, the new Hybrid Lexus SUV, and much more. :-) So, let's get to it!
There was a lot of emphasis on the new Lexus RX 400h Hybrid Vehicle. In addition to the opportunity to drive it around, you got to see displays explaining the technology in detail.
Hybrid Display (Close Ups: Battery
Side, Motor Side)
I was pretty excited about driving and seeing this vehicle, but I wound up thoroughly disappointed. This was my first drive in any hybrid vehicle, and I was not pleased. I was surprised that there was such an audible and rough transition between the motors when they switched. It felt like you were driving a car with a broken transmission, and it sounded like it, also. I hope this technology continues to improve.
Novie Driving the RX400h Hybrid (More Shots: 1,
2, 3, 4)
This vehicle had a crazy display on the front that would tell you, at any given point in real time, where power was being shifted along the drivetrain. It would tell you when the battery was charging, using power for the electric motors, or when the engine was running on gas. It was kind of neat, although quite busy. Crazy Hybrid Dash.
All in all, I think this vehicle is a great idea and a great start, but it has a very long way to go to be refined enough to call a Lexus. I would also be interested to see how reliable this drivetrain is over the next couple of years or so, and especially after the factory warranty runs out.
The Electrical Assist Bike (Novie
Riding the Bike)
In addition to all this jazz, they had a bicycle setup which was quite curious. It was an electric motor assisted bicycle that charged upon braking and assisted with the push of a button. Theoretically, you were supposed to feel effortless at higher speed after you used the electric motor . . . see instructions. I don't think I got the full experience, but it was a nice idea.
This was the other portion of the event that I was really looking forward to, I was anxious to try out the all new, infamous 3-Series, along with the new IS that was just released.
Reasonably and Safely? Ah, Up For Interpretation.
;-)
We first started by testing the BMW 330i over the Lexus, and impressed as much as the 3-Series always does. It was nimble, responsive, controlled, and perfect on imperfect roads.
Novie Finishing the Course in the 330i (More Pictures
of Novie Driving the 330i: 1, 2,
3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8,
9)
We drove the IS350 after that, and the IS was plenty quick . . . but it did not have the same rock solid and stable feel that the BMW exhibited so elegantly.
Novie Driving the Lexus IS350 (More Pictures: 1,
2, 3, 4)
It was a lot of fun to try out these new vehicles back to back for a comparison. :-)
While we were here, we took a few rounds with the midsized vehicles like the Lexus GS series, the BMW 5-Series, etc.
Midsizes on the Track (Me
Staging the 530i, Midsizes Staging)
Me Driving the 530i (Novie Driving
the 530i)
I suspect that the 530i that was in this event had various transmission failures occurring. It was not shifting properly and having extreme hesitation in first gear. If I owned this car, it would've already been at the shop for warranty service. With that being said, the car performed terribly, but I suspect it wasn't a fair evaluation.
Novie Driving a GS430 In Front of a BMW (More Pics. of Novie
Driving the GS430: 1, 2,
3, 4)
The Lexus GS430 was, well, "as smooth as a Lexus." It was a very nice vehicle, as straightforward . . . well performing, reliable, and bland as Lexus vehicles generally are. Not much to say here, it was a great car. :-)
Me Driving the LS430 (More Pictures: 1,
2; Novie Driving the LS430)
On two separate tracks, we were able to drive the large Lexus SUV's and cars. The Lexus LS430 was, for some reason, less than impressive during this drive. But, I was comparing this to my own vehicle (an S500), which they did not bring out for the public to test this time.
Taking the GX470 Up the Only Ramp (One
More Shot)
We also got a chance to drive the LX470, we didn't take many pictures . . . but we did get one of the luxurious dash.
They had an actual IS Race Car on display, and that was kind of neat. Not much to say, but here are the pictures . . .
Novie By the IS Racer (The Seat,
Vivek & The Car, Inside
Dash, Inside Back, Steering
Wheel, Back)
Lexus placed a huge emphasis on LifeStyle events, moreso than in the past. This involved many things . . .
The Spa Menu
We chose the "Hote Stone Massage," and it was fun/interesting. Definitely worth the "free" admission. Not something I expected at a driving event . . .
ESPN Golf Center (Entrance)
We did not partake in the ESPN Golf Center, but it was interesting to see. Apprently you could get putting tips from the golf pros.
Fiji Water Display
We did, however, take plenty of Fiji Water. :-) Hehe. And, that pretty much summed up our day at the event. We had a great time, checked out a few of the vehicles we were looking forward to seeing, developing driving impressions on them, and much more. We look forward to events in future years. :-)
If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to send me an E-Mail by clicking here!
To Return To A Part Of Vivek's Site, Click The Appropriate Link: Motoring Events Page, Lil' Viv.com.
This page was last updated December 26, 2005.
ŠVivek K. G.; 2005, 2006.
