We still don’t know much about Lexus' newest concept, the LF-LC, but we now have a full spread of photos to gawk over. The latest side profile shot of the four-seat hybrid screams Ferrari California to us. It looks interesting so far, and we’ll have more information about the concept on Monday. For now, check out the new photos and tell us what you think in the comment section below.
The redesigned 2013 Lexus GS 350 maintains the same pricing as its predecessor, starting at $46,900, excluding an $875 destination fee, according to Lexus. That compares favorably to a similarly equipped 2012 BMW 535 i ($52,250), though a 2012 Cadillac CTS with performance trim ($42,290) and 2012 Audi A6 ($41,700) are less expensive. The 2013 Lexus GS 450h hybrid goes on sale later next spring; its price hasn’t been announced yet.
The GS 350 comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, bi-xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights, a moonroof, dual exhaust and side-mirror-mounted turn indicators. In the cabin, the model comes standard with a passive entry system, push-button start, ambient lighting, leather upholstery, a padded instrument panel, 10-way power driver and passenger seats and an 8-inch multimedia screen.
Lexus continues to unwrap more of its upcoming concept car with this full-view shot of the LF-LC. Before, we only saw a headlight shot of the four-seater. The full profile image reveals a design that looks almost production ready with only a glass roof and tiny side mirrors keeping it in the realm of concepts.
We'll see more when the car debuts to the media Jan. 9 at the Detroit auto show.
Twenty-five days separate us from the 2012 Detroit auto show. Of the more than 36 new cars coming to the show, we now can confirm at least 28 vehicles will be there.
Unlike the 2011 L.A. Auto Show, the Detroit show seems to focus heavily on concept cars. The most important production cars we know of now include the 2013 Ford Fusion, 2013 Dodge Dart, 2013 Acura RDX, 2013 Toyota Prius c and the 2013 Cadillac ATS.
This week we learned that the 2013 Fusion will be at the show and a Lincoln MKZ concept, as we previously reported. The Fusion will be introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Jan. 10 and at the Detroit auto show on the same day. The next-generation Mercedes-Benz SL-Class will also be shown off (shown above).
There will be some thinly veiled concepts to look out for, too. They include the Acura ILX Concept, a compact car with a hybrid variant, and, more importantly, the 2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept. If past Honda concepts are any indication, it will pretty much be the new Accord that will go on sale later next year.
For now, those are the major releases we know about. We’ll have more info once the 2012 Detroit auto show gets under way Jan. 9.
Lexus has established a reputation of providing cushy, quiet sedans. With the 2013 GS 350, Lexus aims to improve upon the car’s predecessor, which couldn’t appease the sport-minded and comfort-minded alike. Does it succeed? The sport sedan not only impresses with its intriguing looks, nimble handling and posh interior, but the car signals a turnaround for the luxury brand’s future, according to Cars.com Managing Editor David Thomas.
This front fender photo is all we have to go on for a concept vehicle that Lexus says will show off its future design language. Is this a different language than the just-released GS, which sports the brand’s future grille? The company couldn’t even tell us the name of this new concept car. Perhaps Lexus will put that out in a separate press release before the real thing debuts at the 2012 Detroit auto show on Jan. 9.
As our 12 days of highs and lows from the past year continue, we look at the oft-forgotten car stereo. We've seen high-end makers like Bowers & Wilkins and Bang & Olufsen invade the nicest of vehicles, but one name stood out among all others for making an impressive splash, while the naughtiest name is one we've long wanted to send some coal.
The 2013 Lexus GS 450h’s fuel-economy estimates beat the automaker’s expectations with an EPA-estimated 29/34/31 mpg city/highway/combined, Toyota announced. That’s about a 35% improvement in gas mileage over the 2011 GS 450h, which gets 22/25/23 mpg. When Toyota officials unveiled the hybrid at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, they expected a 30% improvement over the 2011 model.
Like the previous GS 450h, Lexus promises V-8 power with four-cylinder efficiency. The 338-horsepower hybrid system has two electric motors — one for each rear wheel — and they can power the GS using electric only or in tandem with the 3.5-liter V-6. Overall, Toyota says the 2013 GS 450h should hit zero to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, which is 0.4 seconds slower than the 2011 GS 450h but 0.1 seconds faster than the 2013 GS 350. The hybrid model gets high- and low-beam LED headlamps and LED taillamps standard. The cabin has a standard climate control system, a bamboo-trimmed steering wheel and a hybrid monitoring system.
Toyota has issued a voluntary recall to a correct a potential defect with the power steering pump. The recall affects about 283,000 Toyota and 137,000 Lexus vehicles in the U.S, the company says.
In the recall are V-6 models of the following vehicles:
No four-cylinder models are involved in the recall, Toyota says.
Over the past few years, Lexus has tried to be more than just a maker of reliable but bland luxury vehicles. The Lexus IS F, CT 200h and LFA try to move the brand toward that sporty and aggressive strategy. While the previous-generation Lexus GS sport sedan had some F Sport options, Lexus has decided to anoint a complete F Sport Package to its redesigned 2013 Lexus GS series. The package includes new bumpers, mesh grille, rear spoiler, diffuser and larger wheels.
We covered the F Sport Package earlier last week, but intrepid Cars.com photographer Ian Merritt spotted the real thing at SEMA. Check out his photos below.
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