Lexus cars

2012 Lexus LF-A Nurburgring Package Whitest White Edition

Featuring a price tag of $445,000, the Lexus LF-A Nurburgring package isn’t exactly a bargain. The only thing that substantiates that price is the fact that it is limited to only 50 units, making it a rare model of epic sports car proportions. Now, RK Motors has one of these bad boys up for sale, but it is even more unique than you think.

Lexus offered the LF-A Nurburgring Edition in just four exterior colors - Matte Black, Gloss Black, White, and Orange - but this unit is painted in a new color called "Whitest White" combined with a very cool red interior. This paint was combined with the usual elements that distinguish the Nurburgring package from the standard model: a carbon fiber body, a larger front spoiler, fin-type side spoilers, and a fixed rear wing - all made in carbon fiber.

Under the hood, there is a 4.8 liter V10 engine producing a total of 562 HP and 354 lb. ft. of torque. This power is enough to sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and to the quarter mile in 11.4 seconds. Top speed goes up to 202 mph.

2012 Lexus IS-F CCS-R Race Car

In 2011, Lexus unveiled the IS- F Club Circuit Sports Racer Concept at the Tokyo Auto Show. Today, the company has introduced the production version of that concept that will compete in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on July 8, 2012.

The Lexus IS-F CCS-R will be powered by a 5.0 liter V8 engine that delivers a total of 416 HP at 6,600 rpm and a peak torque of 371 lb.-ft. at 5,200 rpm. The engine will send its power to the rear wheels via an 8-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic with paddle shift and manual mode.

For improved aerodynamics, the IS-F CCS-R received a carbon fiber hood, door handles, front fender, front spoiler, front canard, rear spoiler, and ventilator. Painted in a very cool Orange mica color, the race car sits on a new set of 18" wheels combined with a high-performance brake cooling system. Since this is a race car, Lexus also added a racing brake kit, racing exhaust system, and, of course, a roll cage.

UPDATE 06/11/2012: The new Lexus IS-F CCS-R is preparing for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on July 8, 2012, so Brian Smith, VP Lexus Marketing, does his part by explaining the modifications made to the car’s engine and body. Check out the video by clicking on the image above!

UPDATE 10/31/12: A surprise appearance at the 2012 SEMA Auto Show, the Lexus IS-F CCS-R Race Car sure knows how to make waves in the biggest aftermarket show in the US. Can’t say we saw this one coming.

2013 Lexus ES 300h

The first generation Lexus ES has been unveiled in 1989 and 2013 model year marks both the introduction of the sixth generation, but also the first-ever hybrid model of the line-up: the ES 300h.

The new ES 300h will be offered with the Lexus Hybrid Drive that combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine with an electric motor for a total of 200 HP and an impressive fuel economy of 39 mpg combined. The car can hit a top speed of 112 mph and will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 8.1 seconds and the quarter mile in 16.8 seconds.

"Since its introduction in 1989, the ES has been the benchmark luxury sedan for quality, reliability, ride comfort and value," said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. "The new ES 350 and the first ever ES hybrid raise the bar once again."< /p>

Updated 07/16/2012: Lexus has announced today that the 2013 ES 300h will arrive at dealerships next month. The model will be priced at $38,850, representing a difference of $2,750 over the ES 350 - priced at $36,100.

Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Lexus ES 300h.

Motor Trend pits Lamborghini Aventador, Lexus LFA, and McLaren MP4-12C against Bugatti Veyron

Acceleration is one of the key components which create a supercar. Getting that perfect launch requires a combination of an extensive list of factors, namely finding a car with perfectly suited horsepower and torque figures. Finding a supercar with enough grip and a fast enough transmission to whip through the gears is also extremely important in getting off the line and continuing through to the quarter mile.

In the latest episode of Head2Head on the Motor Trend YouTube channel, they pitted the latest generation of carbon fiber constructed supercars against the all-conquering Bugatti Veyron over the quarter mile to see just how close the competition has come and if the Veyron can finally be knocked off its seemingly everlasting pedestal.

Motor Trend gathered the Lexus LFA, the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, the McLaren MP4-12C, and a beautiful blue Bugatti Veyron Grandsport and took them to an abandoned runway in the depths of the U.S. They then conducted the review through two knockout rounds in order to find the Veyron’s closest competitor before pitting the remaining car against the Veyron.

So who won, you ask?

Well, we won’t ruin that for you as this video is definitely worth the 7 minutes it lasts.

Tony Hawk jumps yellow Lexus LFA on skateboard

Few sportsmen are known across the world as much as Tony Hawk. He is one of the true pioneers of skateboarding, even being the very first man to pull off a 900 degree spin during competition in 1999. With all this fame comes an equally impressive bank account, and where else could that money take you but to the most expensive car Lexus ever produced?

Well in his latest stunt, Hawk splashed a bit of cash by renting a bright-yellow Lexus LFA before jumping it on his skateboard with the help of a small skate-ramp, showing that even though he’s retired from competition, he still has skills which would put all novice skaters to shame.

The interesting thing about this story is that the video was not shot for advertising purposes on behalf of Lexus to help drum up sales for its $375,000 supercar, and it seems it was just shot for recreational purposes. As mentioned, the particular LFA in question was a rental car, although we’re not sure why Hawk wouldn’t just splash the cash and purchase one as he unquestionably has the money to do so.

Additionally, Hawk is also an avid Lexus-lover, currently owning a SC 430 and LS600h.

As a reminder, the Lexus LFA features a 4.8-liter V10 engine pumping out a Lamborghini Gallardo-rivalling 552 horsepower at a screaming 8,700rpm and 354 lb-ft of torque at 6,800 rpm. Not only does the LFA has one of the most distinct and pleasant exhaust notes out there, it’s actually quite the performance car with the Nurburgring edition lapping the Nordschleife last year in 7:14.64.

2014 Lexus IS-F

Lexus is already preparing the next generation IS and with the standard version will come a new IS-F model. The first details we have on the upcoming IS-F suggest that it will be offered with a 5.0 liter V8 engine that will deliver a total of 470 HP, making it a serious competitor for the BMW M3.

The Lexus IS-F will measure 4,680 millimeters in length, 1,820 millimeters in width, and 1,400 millimeters in height. The new 5.0 liter V8 engine will deliver a total of 470 HP at 7,000 rpm and a fuel economy of 23.5mpg. It has been rumored that the IS-F will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds and will hit a top speed of about 170 mph.

Rumors are also floating around that the future IS-F will be offered for the first time in coupe and convertible versions, but we’ll have to get more than a whiff of that rumor to believe it. Stay tuned!

Spy Shots: 2014 Lexus IS caught testing for the first time

Rumors about Lexus working on a new generation IS sedan have been around for awhile, but this is the first time a mule of the next IS has been caught testing. The mule is still wearing a modified body of the current generation, but it sits on a new platform, a new drivetrain, and a new suspension.

This beginner mule was the first move towards keeping the new design language hidden from all of us camera-happy journalists, but it still can’t keep us from speculating a bit on the new model. The next IS will feature the same design language as the recently announced GS and LS. Under the hood, it has been rumored to feature a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder and/or a 3.6-liter flat-6 engine. The 2014 Lexus IS F will continue with a high-powered V-8 with an output of more than 400 HP. The IS-F will sprint from 0 to 60 mph sprint in about 4.5 seconds and will hit a top speed of about 170 mph.

Double the pleasure, Double the dough: Lexus LF-A II could cost as twice as much as current model

The idea of supply and demand has always been a key ingredient in any successful business, and automakers know that just as much as any leading entrepreneur currently raking in millions of dollars. Take Lexus, for example. Their LF-A took some heat for being much more expensive than leading supercars in the market, but the company didn’t have any problems finding customers to hand over the $375,000 for it, instead of dishing out the $225,000 for the Ferrari 458 Italia. Bottomline, this was Japan’s first supercar ever and only 500 units were going to be built, meaning people will pay for exclusivity, no matter the cost.

Now it seems as though Lexus is taking the demand for the Lexus LF-A to a whole new level by working on a second generation for the LF-A with double the features and only one fifth of the units. Needless to say, the price for this bad boy just jumped to double the original. A source close to the company has passed information along to AutoGuide stating that the upcoming LF-A II will be vastly more impressive in terms of performance, but will also be vastly more expensive. This source confirmed that the new supercar will deliver a significantly higher performance level, but the price will be somewhere in the range of $800,000 to $1 million. Oh and the number of units dwindled down to 100 in case math isn’t your strong suit.

This is one of those cases where we think some customers may just settle for the first generation.

2013 Lexus RX 450h

The Lexus RX range entered the market back in 1998 and, in 2005, a hybrid version was offered for the first time. Now, the RX 450h has been redesigned for the 2013 model year with a new, more elegant and aggressive frontal design, as well as a new Sport mode, supplementing the full hybrid powertrain’s Normal, Eco, and EV (electric only) drive modes.

The new Lexus RX 450h has received a bold, elegant, and highly individual frontal treatment which was inspired by the latest generation GS sedan. Lexus has combined the trapezoid upper grille and slanted lower grille into just one element, while the lower grille now features horizontal bars and is finished in black. The rear lamp clusters have been redesigned with a stronger, more sweeping horizontal emphasis.

Under the hood, Lexus placed the usual 3.5-liter V-6 engine combined with two electric motors for a total of 295 HP. However, compared to the previous model, the RX 450h adds a new Sport mode that further improves the performance and dynamic ability of the RX 450h.

UPDATE 04/10/2012: Lexus has announced the US prices for the 2013 RX450h set to arrive in dealerships this month. The RX 450h FWD version will be priced from $45,910, while the AWD version will be priced $47,310, an increase of 1.5% and 1.0% respectively over the previous year.

Hit the jump to read more about the new Lexus RX 450h.

2013 Lexus ES

Lexus unveiled the fifth generation ES luxury sedan in 2006 and has battled it out with the Buick LaCrosse ever since. Now, the sixth generation ES has made its debut at the 2012 New York Auto Show in hopes of getting the upperhand on the LaCrosse.

Next to a progressive new design and enhanced handling, the sixth generation ES will be offered for the first time with Lexus Hybrid Drive that offers an incredible 40 mpg. The standard ES350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine with Dual VVT-i combined with a six-speed automatic driving the front wheels.

The exterior design looks similar to the recently announced GS: a new spindle grille, new LED daytime running lights, dual exhaust pipes in the rear bumper, and an integrated spoiler. On the interior, the instrument panel also resembles the one in the GS. It features a big LCD screen and the Lexus Remote Touch Interface controller.

UPDATE 04/05/2012: This review has been updated with the official details and images for the Lexus ES.

Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Lexus ES350 and the ES 300h.