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BMW Lexus Video

VIDEO: BMW M235i v Lexus IS-F drag race

BMW M235i v Lexus IS F

This video is like popcorn. It’s crap and you know it’s crap. You hate yourself for enjoying it, but you just can’t help yourself.

So, then, a six-cylinder turbo down on power up against a free revving normally aspirated V8 with a significant horsepower advantage. A straight line, of course, they’re in the US after all, who’s going to win? The BMW does have the benefit of lighter weight.

After you’ve watched the unedited video below, if you really want to assault your ears, and maybe your intelligence too, watch this.

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Alfa Romeo Audi BMW Bugatti Chevrolet Citroen Dodge Ferrari Fiat Gumpert Honda Hyundai Jaguar Kia Lamborghini Lexus Motor Shows

2014 Geneva Motor Show in pictures – part 1

2014 Geneva Motor Show

Like us you probably haven’t had a chance to duck over to Europe to check out the Geneva Motor Show. So here’s the first of a two part series bringing you a selection of the cars on show. Here we start with Alfa Romeo and go through to Lexus.

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Lexus

Lexus RC coupe previewed before Tokyo debut

Lexus RC coupe

Lexus brings us an official preview of its RC coupe ahead of its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month. And if you don’t look at the face of the RC it’s not a bad looking car. But you do look at the face, don’t you. You can’t help it.

Lexus says the front-end of the RC is the “most aggressive use yet of the iconic spindle grille.” Well that grille is iconic, in much the same way as the SsangYong Stavic was iconic; for all the wrong reasons.

Inspired by the LF-LC Concept the RC has taken a mostly sensible path from concept to production model. The dramatic shoulder line is its best aspect, based on this handful of photos anyway.

The RC350 will be powered by a 3.5 litre V6 engine and will be joined by a 2.5 litre engine at the heart of the RC 300h hybrid. Full details to be revealed in Tokyo.

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Formula 1 Lexus Toyota

Toyota back in F1 by 2015 using Lexus name?

Jarno Trulli at the 2009 Spanish Grand Prix

Toyota will re-enter Formula 1 in 2015 under the banner of its premium brand Lexus, according to a report on the unofficial Club Lexus website.

The Japanese giant left F1 at the end of the 2009 season amid concerns over the global financial crisis and poor on-track results. However, the introduction of new engine rules in 2014, coupled with a greater reliance on KERS technology, has been enough to lure Toyota back it would seem.

Lexus has proved with its LFA supercar that it can mix it with the best performance cars the planet has to offer. Add to that the numerous hybrid models offered for sale by both Toyota and Lexus you can see why Toyota might want back into F1 using its Lexus badge.

Having Lexus in F1 would also help to counter the increasing profile of competitor Infiniti (née Nissan) following its title partnership deal with Red Bull Racing.

As it stands this story remains a rumour, but Club Lexus states the deal has been discussed at the highest levels of Toyota management and describes entry of Lexus to F1 as “all but finalized”.

[Source: Club Lexus]

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Lexus

Lexus calls time on LFA supercar

Final Lexus LFA rolls off production line

Lexus always said they would only build 500 of its LFA supercars and, true to their word, the 500th and final model was built last Friday. That’s it there in the photo above, a white LFA Nürburgring package.

LFA production has trickled along at around 20 cars per month since December 2010. Lexus hand picked 170 of its best staff to work on the LFA. Their expertise and the knowledge gained in the use of carbon fibre reinforced plastic will be used to benefit future Lexus models.

We can’t say we’ve ever been the biggest fans of the LFA. But we do congratulate Lexus for making the car and for providing a worthy addition to the glorious symphony of V10 engine sounds.

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Lexus Motor Shows

AIMS 2012 gallery: Lexus LF-LC Blue

Lexus LF-LC Blue

This is the Lexus LF-LC Blue and it was the car’s world premiere presentation in Sydney. So we figured we’d show it here first under cover so you can imagine “pulling the silk”, as MC Glenn Ridge kept saying throughout the media day.

After the break you’ll see more of the LF-LC Blue and while we can’t say we’re massive fans of the car, the level of detail is highly impressive. This is most evident in the lighting clusters, especially the rear. The interior, too, benefits from the skills of some highly trained craftspeople.

Keen readers will remember the first LF-LC concept was shown in Detroit. However, the LF-LC Blue wears a specially created paint inspired by the rich blue found in Australian opals. We also now have a bit more idea about the drivetrain, which brings 372kW (500hp) to the table thanks to its petrol/electric hybrid system.

Expect a Lexus LFA to employ similar technology in future. “The LF-LC is absolutely stunning. Its good looks mask some very exciting design and engineering innovations that will influence Lexus vehicles in the future,” said Tony Cramb from Lexus Australia.

“LF-LC is part concept, part reality: the concept hints at what’s to come from Lexus, while the reality has us actively studying how we can engineer and build a vehicle like this in the future,” he added.

We hope the gawpy mouth doesn’t make it down the production line, but we’re not going to say no to 500hp!

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Lexus

Lexus LFA-based AD-X prototype spied

Lexus AD-X prototype

Lexus seems to be developing a habit of turning up to the Nürburgring with one-off prototypes that never see the light of day again. Already this year we’ve seen prototypes labelled AD-A and AD-B. Now we’re looking at the AD-X. It looks pretty cool in its Porsche GT3 RS-style colour scheme too.

It’s likely these AD-badged models are based on the LFA Nürburgring, itself a limited edition of the original LFA model. The Nürburging model gets 562bhp from its 4.8 litre V10 engine. How much do you reckon the engine in this AD-X produces?

Who knows if we’ll ever see this car again; if you want to see more be sure to follow the source link below.

[Source: Pistonspy]

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Audi Bentley BMW Ferrari Ford Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Kia Lamborghini Lexus Motor Shows

2012 Paris Motor Show in pictures – part 1

2012 Paris Motor Show

The 2012 Paris Motor Show is well underway and for those of us who can’t make it we’ve assembled a photo gallery, which highlights what a blue collar show this has turned out to be. There’s no real theme of haute coutoure motoring here. It’s mostly off the rack bread and butter models.

Thankfully, the Jaguar F-Type brings some style and class. Conversely, when you stop and think about it, someone must have actually signed off an be responsible for the Honda CR-V. They should be fired. It is just horrible.

After the break you’ll see manufacturers listed alphabetically from A–L. Stay tuned for part 2 from Paris soon.

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Lexus

Lexus LFA blinged up with chrome wrap

Lexus LFA with chrome wrap

This chrome wrapped Lexus LFA supercar, claimed to be the world’s first, has been revealed ahead of this weekend’s MotorEx show in Sydney. Despite being one of only five 10 LFAs in the country, and sporting this blinged up custom look, the owner wishes to remain anonymous, agreeing only to be identified as “JP”.

JP lives in Queensland and has already covered 4000km in his two-month old machine. “Long drives aren’t boring any more, I love it,” he told Drive.com.au.

If JP really did want to be modest about his identity perhaps he should have reconsidered the showy chrome look and LFUKNA personalised number plates! We’d also like to know how the Queensland government let that number plate through; was someone sleeping on the job?

The wrap was done by Exotic Graphix in Melbourne for a ballpark price of $10K. But when you’ve spent close to $800K on the car, that’s just pocket money, right? Half his luck!

[Source: SMH]

UPDATE: Lexus UK is running this story too. They also offer the info that this is LFA chassis #304.

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Lexus

Lexus LFA AD-A prototype nails Nürburgring

Lexus LFA AD-A prototype

Not content with selling all 500 of the initial run of LFA models, Lexus has been seen back at the Nürburgring, hard at work with a new prototype. At this stage not a lot is known about the car, tentatively titled the LFA AD-A.

The AD-A features a prominent fixed rear wing, similar to the Nürburgring package. Its most notable change can be seen at the rear (see video below) where the original centre-mount triangular exhaust tips have made way for a pair of twin-tips beneath the rear tail lights.

New front aero styling indicates Lexus are pushing this car further. The regular LFA already used carbon fibre reinforced plastic body panels, but this AD-A version shows them off, with a polished finish on the bonnet and roof panels.

It’s not immediately clear why, or if, this car is being made or when official details will be announced. Looking at the revised aero package we reckon part of Lexus’ objective is to beat the already impressive 7:14 lap time set by the LFA at the Nürburgring last September.

[Source: Bridge to Gantry]

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Lexus

VIDEO: Lexus LFA Roadster makes brief debut

Lexus LF-A Roadster

The Tokyo Auto Salon has already brought us the Toyota Prius GT300, and now it’s given us the Lexus LFA Roadster. The topless V10 is seen here in a brief video and, like the racing Prius, there’s no official press material immediately available. Indeed, there’s some suggestion this LFA Roadster may actually be a private conversion and not an official Lexus vehicle.

So, instead of marketing waffle, you’ll just have to make do with the shrieking goodness of 10 angry cylinders.

Regardless of its authenticity, we think the LFA Roadster actually looks okay. What do you reckon?

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Lexus Motor Shows

Lexus LF-LC named Detroit’s best

2012 Detroit Motor Show

The Lexus LF-LC concept has been given the gong for Design Excellence (Concept Category) by the EyesOn Design judges at the Detroit Motor Show.

The judging panel consists of retired and active design-related members from both automotive and academic fields. The most recent winners of the Concept Category include the Porsche 918 RSR, GMC Granite and Audi Sportback Concept.

Speaking on behalf of Lexus, US Group Vice President and General Manager, Mark Templin said, “The LF-LC is a striking design and breathtaking in its beauty. The team at Lexus quickly fell in love with this concept vehicle and it’s rewarding to see that the industry agreed. Receiving the EyesOn Design Award is a great start to what promises to be a fantastic year for Lexus.”

Designed in Calfornia at the Lexus Calty studio, President Kevin Hunter said, “The LF-LC was a dream car to design and a true collaborative effort at Calty. It is an honour to have that work recognised by our peers and to receive the award.”

In the production category, the Design Excellence award went to the Ford Fusion.