Lexus left red-faced after showing car travelling at 290km/h on Melbourne’s Citylink

Toyota’s luxury division Lexus has been left red-faced after it depicted one of its sports cars driving at almost 300km/h on an iconic stretch of Melbourne highway.

The post, published on the Lexus Australia Instagram page, appeared to show an LC500 driving along Melbourne’s Citylink toll road – normally an 80km/h zone – with the digital speedometer displaying 290km/h.

The post was deleted by Lexus Australia after enquiries by Drive.

But despite the car being powered by a 5.0-litre V8 and producing 351kW and 540Nm, it appears the image had been digitally altered after the photo was taken, given the LC500 has a claimed top speed of 270km/h.

It’s believed the model may also be fitted with an electronic speed limiter, capping its top speed at 250km/h.

While car companies are bound by an automotive industry code of conduct that prohibits showing “people driving at speeds in excess of legal speed limits” in paid advertising, it’s understood social media posts are not bound by the voluntary rules.

“This was an unfortunate oversight in our proofing process,” a Lexus Australia spokesperson told Drive.

“The post was removed immediately once we were made aware.”

MORE: Car makers find creative ways to skirt local TV advertising laws

The image was credited as being shot by automotive content creator known as North Borders, who has more than 411,000 subscribers on YouTube and more than 418,000 followers on Instagram.

“I don’t have much to write here mainly because I can’t be f—-ed writing some heartfelt message about myself, I got other s— to do,” North Borders writes on the ‘about’ page of his website.

“Thanks for stopping by my website! Have a s— one lol.”

North Borders also deleted the post from his Instagram account about the same time as Lexus.

The post Lexus left red-faced after showing car travelling at 290km/h on Melbourne’s Citylink appeared first on Drive.