| | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 Lexus GS 350 F-Sport
 
The new Lexus GS350 debuted at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours, leaving many with the building anticipation for its F-Sport package sibling. That wait will soon be over as Lexus will be headed to the 2011 SEMA Auto Show with the GS F-Sport and will be displaying it from Nov. 1st-4th, 2011. The new GS F-Sport harbors the same 306 HP 3.5-liter V6 engine from the standard model, but adds "the ability to take performance to an entirely new level." The F-Sport package adds unique exterior and interior design treatments, as well as an F-Sport-tuned Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), thicker anti-roll bars, bushing changes, and new larger front brakes with high friction pads. "The all-new GS 350 with F-Sport package will offer our customers more agility and a sportier appearance," said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “The racing-inspired F-Sport components were precision engineered for this vehicle, providing quality performance without compromise." Hit the jump to read more about the Lexus GS 350 F-Sport. Full story Video: Going back in time with the Lexus LF-A supercar
One of the things automakers seek when they build a supercar is to see that car become a conversation piece everywhere it goes. In the case of the Lexus LF-A, the road towards becoming one of the world’s most talked about supercars began in the mind of Haruhiro Tanahashi, the man that became car’s official program head, and ended becoming one of the most important projects Lexus has done in its history. In the years of development of the LF-A, one that took the better part of ten years to build, the project has undergone so many twists and turns it could have easily been a different supercar from what Lexus unveiled a few years ago. For one, the LF-A was first designed with an all-aluminum chassis in mind but was later changed to carry 65 percent carbon fiber and 35 percent aluminum. The final version of the LF-A also comes with a central cockpit that’s made out of the former while the latter is likewise represented by front and rear subframes made out of aluminum. In the end, the final version of the Lexus LF-A speaks for itself. For a car that took a long time to develop, it ended up becoming the kind of supercar Lexus always wanted it to be.
2012 Lexus CT 200h F-Sport Special Edition
Shortly after releasing details on the 2012 Lexus CT 200h F-Sport Package, Lexus has unveiled the CT 200h F-Sport Special Edition exclusively for the US market. Only 900 units of this model will be built, and they are scheduled to arrive in dealerships in November 2011 with a price tag of $37,995. The new Lexus CT200h F-Sport Special Edition will be offered in the new Nebula Gray Pearl color, as well as Starfire Pearl and Tungsten Pearl. Each model will come with a new set of F-Sport 17" alloy wheels in a Liquid Silver finish. The exterior will be further distinguished by a unique front mesh grille, a larger rear spoiler, and an F-Sport exterior badge. The interior of the F-Sport Special Edition also gets a number of additions including Ocean Blue NuLuxe trimmed seats, black F-Sport floor mats with blue contrast stitching, metal front scuff plates, and aluminum sport pedals. Metallic trim was then added to the dash panel, highlighting the black headliner. The interior is completed with a perforated leather-trimmed steering wheel with F-Sport logo and a leather-trimmed shift knob. The Lexus CT 200h F Sport Special Edition will still be offered with the F-Sport suspension with anti-sway bar and springs, but Lexus is also throwing in a Navigation Package and a Premium Audio Package as standard (these are optional in the standard F-Sport Package). 2012 Lexus LS-F TMG Edition
That seemingly souped up Lexus LS that has been spotted lapping the Nurburgring these past few weeks now has a name, as well as some juicy details, thanks to a spied spec sheet. The Lexus LS-F has now been christened the TMG Edition, giving props to the company’s motorsports division, Toyota Motorsport GmbH. It’s hyped up engine and scorching numbers will come to fruition when the vehicle debuts at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show in December. According to the spied spec sheet, the Lexus LS-F TMG Edition will be powered by 5.0 L engine - quite possibly a higher displacement version of the LF-A’s V10 or a turbocharged version of the IS-F’s 5.0L V8. Whatever the engine, the LS-F will be pumping out 478 kW (650 PS, 641 HP) and 710 Nm of torque (523 lb-ft). Performance numbers are also listed as a 0-62 mph sprint of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph). So why an F version for the Lexus LS? Well, Lexus has been making some aggressive moves towards targeting the sportier models of its main competitors, competitors that have long mastered the combination of luxury and extreme performance - AKA BMW. This new Lexus LS-F TMG Edition looks like it could be a welcome player in the game. UPDATE 09/22/2011: We were able to catch the new LS-F TMG Edition taking a few test laps! Check out the video by clicking on the image above. Hit the jump to check out the full spied spec sheet. Full story 2014 Lexus LF-A Roadster
When Lexus unveiled the LF-A Roadster concept at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, everyone was hoping that the drop top version of the LF-A wouldn’t end there. Now, three years after the highlighted debut, the roadster model has finally been confirmed for production. Expect the Lexus LF-A Roadster to make its appearance in late 2014, only after all of the 500 coupes have been produced. The design of the future drop top should remain parallel to that of the coupe with possible tweaking in the headlamps and a few other minor tricks. The biggest change will be the fabric soft top, waiting and willing to deliver a wind-in-your-hair experience. Under the hood, expect the same 4.8 liter V10 engine as found in the coupe version. This engine delivers a maximum output of 560 HP at 9,000 RPM and a peak torque of 354 lb-ft at 6,800 RPM. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph will still be made in under 4 seconds, while top speed will be kept in the 200 mph area. The only question remaining is if Lexus will also offer a Nurburgring package for the Roadster model. UPDATE 09/21/2011: Despite the fact that everyone was waiting to see a roadster version of the LF-A supercar fairly soon, in a recent interview with British magazine, CAR, Lexus sources have confirmed that plans for a roadster model have been axed due to the economic uncertainty in markets around the world. Ouch!(CAR) UPDATE 01/16/2012: We all know that Lexus axed the LF-A Roadster due to economic uncertainty in some markets, but then a Lexus LF-A Roadster made a surprise appearance at the D1GP Kick Off Drift event that took place just outside the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon. This LF-A Roadster could just be a one-off custom job from one of its owners. But seeing what a drop-top version of the Lexus supercar could look like has us pining to see the roadster program get kick-started again. Check out the video after the jump to see the LF-A Roadster burn some rubber on a drift track at the 2012 TAS.You can get to the tire thrashing at the 48-second mark. Full story 2012 Lexus LF-A Tokyo Edition
Ever since it was revealed a few years ago, the Lexus LF-A has failed to gain the traction similar to some of its European contemporaries. Lexus looks to be aware of that conundrum and is set to do something about it with the upcoming release of a second special edition model of the Japanese supercar. Following in the trail set by the LF-A Nurburgring Edition, Lexus may soon give birth to another special edition LF-A called the ’Tokyo Edition’. According to CAR Magazine, this particular LF-A will carry some unique features, including an unpainted carbon roof and a specially designed rear spoiler, among other things. Everything will more than likely stay the same in terms of power, so expect the 4.8 liter V10 to deliver 560 HP at 9,000 RPM and 354 lb-ft of torque at 6,800 RPM. This would mean a 0-60 mph sprint of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 202 mph. The Lexus LF-A Tokyo Edition is being prepared to make its official debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in the latter part of the year. Once it hits the market, word has it that it will carry a price tag of about $430,000, over $50,000 more than the standard LF-A. Further details are expected to be revealed leading up to the Tokyo Motor Show, which is scheduled to take place in December 2011. Note: Photo is of the 2012 Lexus LF-A Nurburgring Package Spy Shots: Mystery Lexus LS spied testing at Nurburgring
What started off as an F-Sport package for a few of Lexus’ models may just be taking off into a full line of sporty offerings from the luxury automaker. At first it was the Lexus IS-F getting all of the attention and then it was announced that the recently launched GS350 would also be getting its own F-version. Now, a new prototype caught testing at the Nurburgring is raising some eyebrows, particularly ours. This sporty looking ride taking some test laps looks a bit like the luxury LS sedan, possibly in an F version. It was seen with Toyota Cologne plates and was stationed at the Toyota/Lexus garage at the Nürburgring which points to a true model variation and not the work of an aftermarket tuner. So why an F version for the Lexus LS? Well, Lexus has been making some aggressive moves towards targeting the sportier models of its main competitors, competitors that have long mastered the combination of luxury and extreme performance - AKA BMW. If our guess is on par, then we’re looking at an F-variant offering much more than the 380 HP and 367 lb-ft of torque coming out of the standard LS’ 4.6 liter V8. Following along with the theme of the IS-F and possibly the GS-F, the LS-F could be carrying the same 5.0 liter V8 engine developing around 450 HP. 2013 Lexus GS 450h
It’s only been a few weeks since Lexus unveiled the new generation Lexus GS350, and now they are rounding up the crowd again with the debut of the GS 450h at the Frankfurt Motor Show. A relatively young model on the market - it was first unveiled in 2007 - the GS 450H is now the world’s first premium performance sedan to be equipped with a V6 Atkinson cycle gas engine and two-motor hybrid system. The hybrid system combines an Atkinson cycle 3.5-liter V6 engine with a two-motor hybrid system in a front-engine/rear-wheel drive configuration. They both deliver a total of 338 HP and will sprint the GS 450h from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. Fuel economy has also been improved by 30%. The model will be equipped with a Drive Mode selector that will allow the driver to choose between Eco, Sport S, Sport S+ and EV modes. Hit the jump to read more about the new Lexus GS 450h. Full story Video: Lexus LFA Nürburgring-Edition laps the ’Ring in 7:14.6
It was only four days ago that we caught wind of a new record set by the Lexus LFA Nürburgring-Edition and now we have confirmation of the wondrous feat. The LFA Nurburgring has lapped the famous Nurburgring in only 7 minutes and 14 seconds, just one year after Lexus’ longtime Chief Test Driver, Hiromu Naruse, died while test driving this very same car a short distance from the Nurburgring. This new record was achieved at the hands of Akira Iida using the Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tires that come standard with the LFA Nurburgring Edition. The 7:14 time beats out the competition provided by the Porsche 911 GT2 RS (7:18), the Corvette ZR1 (7:19.63), and the Dodge Viper ACR (7:22.1). Mr. Dr. Schmidt , the COO of the Nürburgring Automotive GmbH stated "‘For us, it is always very special when a car is developed to meet the needs of the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. It shows us that the Nordschleife still is of particular importance for the automotive industry and that it still radiates a tremendous fascination. Lexus met the challenge Nordschleife by developing the Lexus LFA Nurburgring package." "The lap time driven demonstrates impressively that Lexus have done an excellent job in matching the challenges of the track with the needs of an exclusive sports car. This is an outstanding result for Lexus and a reassurance of the excellent work done. We are very delighted by this." Did the Lexus LF-A Nurburgring Package lap the ’Ring in 7:14?
James May was right. Far too many automakers are using the Nurburgring lap time as a barometer on how they can gauge their vehicle’s performance against its competitors. Some people, May included, don’t get the whole point of spending massive amounts of research and development to try to shave a few seconds off their lap times. But on the flip side, other people put a premium on the lap time and if you’re to look at the 7 minutes and 38 seconds lap time of the Lexus LF-A’s around the ’Ring, it pales in comparison to what the LF-A Nurburgring Package supposedly achieved in its run around the race track. Nothing has been confirmed, but there have been tweets going around that the LF-A Nurbugring Package pulled a rabbit out of a hat by blitzing the ’Ring in just 7 minutes and 14 seconds. The first tweet came from no less than EVO journalist, Chris Harris, who posted an entry that read: "Akira Iida was the man who did the LFA’s 7.14. Great time." This was then followed by a reply from Lexus Europe, which ’confirmed’ the LF-A’s time around the Ring, saying "7:14 around where? If it’s the ’Ring, it’s astonishing.< yes Nurburgring." We’re still waiting for a more formal confirmation, or better yet, video evidence from Lexus that this indeed happened. If it did, then we’re looking at a mind-blowing lap time for the souped-up LF-A. | featured reviews:Lexus cars reviews2014 2013
* prototypes, future cars, modified cars (tuning) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lexus cars
|
|