Lamborghini packing a surprise or two up its sleeve for Geneva?

Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Lamborghini, Rumormill

Lamborghini

It was quite a while back that Lamborghini promised it would have something new for every major auto show. That seemed quite the claim at the time, particularly for a company with a two-car model lineup, but with a few exceptions here and there, the Italian automaker has been keeping pace famously. So what has Sant’Agata Bolognese got in store for us for the upcoming Geneva Motor Show? A surprise – or two – from what we hear.

All indications are that the Aventador Roadster is ready to go. With 700 horsepower and no roof, that would be more than enough to garner its fair share of attention and then some. But that’s not all.

According to the trusty old rumormill, Lamborghini has got something else in store for Geneva. Just what it is, we don’t know. It could be the final production version of the Sesto Elemento, which likely wouldn’t be very different from the concept version we’ve already seen. It could be, as is usually the case, another special edition Gallardo. But it could be a proper new debut.

If it is, we could be looking at the new third model – be it a sedan or a crossover – or maybe the Gallardo’s replacement. We’ll have to wait and see just what Lamborghini has in store, but if Stephan Winkelmann and company plan on sticking to the formula, they could opt to show the Aventador Roadster at another show and keep the spotlight on whatever surprise they’re allegedly working on.

Lamborghini packing a surprise or two up its sleeve for Geneva? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Lexus LX 570 price increased to $81,805*

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Lexus, Toyota, Luxury

2013 Lexus LX 570

A new Lexus LX 570 is going to set you back nearly $82k after you add $875 delivery to its $80,930 base price. The luxury version of the Toyota Land Cruiser wears a new Lexus spindle grille, one that’s big enough to make Rumplestiltskin proud, and it has revised front and rear fascias among the other upgrades that Lexus says justify its 1.9-percent price increase.

Among the other new-for-2013 features are an updated Crawl Control mode and terrain-select for the all-wheel-drive system, because what Lexus owner doesn’t enjoy serious rock-crawling? A new multimedia system with the next-generation Lexus Enform system is also part of the deal, which seems much more in line with real-world customer behavior, as Enform allows drivers to use Facebook and Yelp, among other services.

For those LX 570 buyers who just must have it all, there’s also a $1,510 luxury package that adds some higher grade trim and features, and a backseat entertainment system for $2,005.

Toyota only sold 3,167 units of the Lexus LX last year, down by about 20 percent.

To read the full release, click past the jump.

Continue reading 2013 Lexus LX 570 price increased to $81,805*

2013 Lexus LX 570 price increased to $81,805* originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Lexus Super Bowl ad to star 2013 GS

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Lexus, Luxury

Lexus Super Bowl ad teaser screencap

Given a moment’s thought, it’s a little surprising that Lexus, a luxury brand that changed the game, has never run an ad during the Super Bowl. But the home of L-Finesse not only has nine new or updated cars coming out this year, led by the 2013 GS, it has a new attitude, which will be “uncontained” in a 30-second spot while the Niners play the Patriots the NFL champion is decided.

The ad will be supported by a campaign called “TweetDrive Engineered by Lexus,” and those with a Twitter account and a bunch of correct answers will have a chance to win a trip to that Bowl of Superness. The spot arrives on February 5. For now, you can watch the teaser trailer and check out the press release and contest details after the jump.

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First Lexus Super Bowl ad to star 2013 GS originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus pondering CT variants, seven-seat people mover

Filed under: Lexus, Luxury

What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Only in this case, when we say “goose,” we mean Toyota, and when we say “gander,” we mean Lexus.

Take, for instance, the Japanese auto giant’s hybrid strategy. Leave aside hybrid drivetrains available in conventional models (like the Toyota Camry Hybrid or the Lexus GS 450h) and look directly at the stand-alone hybrid models like the Prius, which has grown from a single model into an entire range into an of itself. Now Lexus is reportedly preparing to follow suit.

Fortunately that won’t mean more vehicles like the HS, which is being discontinued, but more variants based on the CT 200h. In the coming years we could be looking at more body-styles based on the hybrid hatchback, though details remain scarce at this point.

The expansion of the CT family is only part of a larger product push for Lexus, which reportedly plans nine new or significantly updated models before the end of this year. The new GS sedan is to come first, followed by new versions of the ES, IS and LS, plus hybrid and F-Sport versions. A facelifted LX sport-ute just debuted at the Detroit Auto Show, and we could see the addition of a seven-seat crossover (to compete with the new Infiniti JX) and a new coupe to succeed the long-gone SC.

All in all it’s shaping up to be quite an ambitious campaign to propel Lexus back to the top of the luxury car market, a position reclaimed in recent years by the likes of Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

Lexus pondering CT variants, seven-seat people mover originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus LFA Roadster makes appearance at Japanese drift event

Filed under: Motorsports, Convertible, Performance, Videos, Lexus, Tokyo Auto Salon, Specialty

Lexus LFA Roadster drifting

If top-down motoring is your cup of tea, there are few droptops that could elicit as many smiles per sun-drenched hour than the long-rumored Lexus LFA Roadster. We first saw the V10-powered 552-horsepower machine at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, but the automaker has kept its lips firmly sealed on the potential of a production version since that showing.

Interestingly enough, though, it appears that Toyota’s luxury division may not be done trotting proproduction LFA Roadsters around the auto show circuit. As can be seen in the video after the break, the Lexus droptop stunner made an appearance at the most recent Tokyo Auto Salon, where it took part in an exhibition run for the D1GP Kick Off Drift event.

Here’s where things get a little murky. We have no idea if this is a factory-made LFA Roadster – it could be a custom job, or it could be the same exact car Lexus showed off in Detroit four years ago, albeit wearing a new coat of white paint and an unfortunate rollbar. Whatever the case, you can see exactly how easily the V10-powered machine can smoke its rear tires after the break.

Special Bonus: Watch now and you’ll see extra drifting footage of a Toyota GT 86!

Continue reading Lexus LFA Roadster makes appearance at Japanese drift event

Lexus LFA Roadster makes appearance at Japanese drift event originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Fusion, Lexus LF-LC win Eyes on Design awards

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Ford, Lexus, Design/Style

Every year at the Detroit Auto Show, the Eyes on Design awards honors the best designs among production vehicles and concepts debuting that year. Unlike, say, the North American International Car and Truck of the Year awards, the only vehicles eligible for an Eyes on Design award are the ones that introduce themselves to the world – well, really just North America – in Detroit.

What’s particularly interesting is that the judges for these two awards (one for production vehicles and the other for concepts) are all active or retired designers themselves, so they know a little something about the topic. This year’s group includes, among others, Volkswagen head of design Walter de Silva, President and CEO of SRT Ralph Gilles, and GM Vice President of Global Design Ed Welburn.

This year, the Eyes on Design awards were handed out to the 2013 Ford Fusion in the production category and the Lexus LF-LC in the concept category. The Fusion’s fellow finalists were the 2013 BMW 3 Series and 2013 Cadillac ATS, while the LF-LC eked out a W over the Chevrolet Tru 140S and Lincoln MKZ.

Ford Fusion, Lexus LF-LC win Eyes on Design awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch a twin-turbo Lamborghini Gallardo race an Aventador

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Lamborghini, Specialty

Heffner Lamborghini Gallardo race

There’s no doubt a stock Lamborghini Gallardo doesn’t have the guts to go toe-to-toe with its more powerful sibling, the Aventador. But make no mistake: That’s nothing a couple massive turbochargers can’t fix.

The twin turbos come courtesy of Heffner Performance, and they turn the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera into a monster with more than 600 horsepower force fed through the V10 engine and to all four wheels. For the sake of comparison, the naturally aspirated Aventador offers up 691 horsepower straight from the factory.

There’s no data on which Heffner kit this Gallardo has been fitted with, so we can’t say exactly how many horses it’s hiding underhood – it could be as many as 1200. At any rate, after watching the video, all we know is that it’s more than 691. See for yourself… and keep the racing confined to the racetrack, please.

Continue reading Watch a twin-turbo Lamborghini Gallardo race an Aventador

Watch a twin-turbo Lamborghini Gallardo race an Aventador originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch a twin-turbo Lamborghini Gallardo race an Aventador

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Lamborghini, Specialty

Heffner Lamborghini Gallardo race

There’s no doubt a stock Lamborghini Gallardo doesn’t have the guts to go toe-to-toe with its more powerful sibling, the Aventador. But make no mistake: That’s nothing a couple massive turbochargers can’t fix.

The twin turbos come courtesy of Heffner Performance, and they turn the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera into a monster with more than 600 horsepower force fed through the V10 engine and to all four wheels. For the sake of comparison, the naturally aspirated Aventador offers up 691 horsepower straight from the factory.

There’s no data on which Heffner kit this Gallardo has been fitted with, so we can’t say exactly how many horses it’s hiding underhood – it could be as many as 1200. At any rate, after watching the video, all we know is that it’s more than 691. See for yourself… and keep the racing confined to the racetrack, please.

Continue reading Watch a twin-turbo Lamborghini Gallardo race an Aventador

Watch a twin-turbo Lamborghini Gallardo race an Aventador originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LF-LC concept proves Lexus can do sexy sports coupes

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Hybrid, Lexus

Lexus LF-LC Concept

The Lexus LF-LC concept has been leaking on the Internet longer than most Detroit-bound reveals, but that doesn’t make the 2+2 coupe any less stunning. The concept clearly shows the design progression that started with the CT 200h and made real strides with the 2013 GS.

The hot-looking coupe was penned by Lexus’ Calty design studio in Newport Beach, California. It comes as no surprise to us that this rolling design study also packs hybrid power, but Lexus claims that the sleek sports car will also deliver cutting-edge driving dynamics.

We’re all for a Lexus with track aspirations, but this coupe is a design study that promises to further reveal the future of Lexus design. The LF-LC boldly displays Lexus’ new spindle grill, while also mixing in sharp angles and elegant curves. The LF-LC also suggests to us that the LF-A may not be a one-and-done foray into the exotic sports coupe segment, but at the same time Lexus promises that the LF-LC could “remain within reach for premium buyers.”

Outside of audacious LED headlamps and about two inches of ground clearance the exterior of the LF-LC looks production ready. The same cannot be said for the futuristic but still very cool cabin. the cabin is dominated by rich leather, tons of suede, thin yet elegant seats and more polished wood than a bowling alley. Actually, the center stack looks like it could spit out a 14-pound ball with three holes, and that’s not a bad thing.

The tech story is equally impressive, as a pair of 12.3-inch screens that pull information and navigation duties, respectively. The impressive screen dominating the center stack is of the touch-sensitive variety, and it also controls audio, climate and navigation. The LF-LC also features a keyboard that helps the driver with more complex entries… hopefully for when this high-end Lexus remains in park. Lexus has gone further still with the touch tech, as doors, windows, mirrors, seats and entertainment systems are all manipulated through similar controls on the doors.

The LF-LC is clearly a concept vehicle, but it’s definitely sexy enough to help improve the design forecast for the (still) visually underwhelming Lexus lineup. We’re hoping to get more information on what the LF-LC has under the hood when it is officially unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show momentarily. Hit the jump to read over the Lexus press release and feel free to click through the high-resolution image gallery above.

Continue reading LF-LC concept proves Lexus can do sexy sports coupes

LF-LC concept proves Lexus can do sexy sports coupes originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Lexus LX 570 gets GS-inspired minor facelift

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, SUV, Lexus, Luxury

2013 Lexus LX570

Lexus has put the LX 570 under the knife for 2013. The sprawling SUV makes its debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show wearing a revised front fascia, complete with the company’s “spindle” grille design and new LED daytime running lights – very similar to its sister SUV, the Toyota Land Cruiser. The vehicle’s side-view mirrors now come equipped with integrated turning indicators for the first time, and around back, the 2013 Lexus LX 570 wears redesigned tail lamps alongside a revised rear valance with stainless steel accents. A new 20-inch wheel design is also part of the update.

Indoors, the 2013 LX 570 comes equipped with a new Easy Access system for the driver, which automatically retracts the steering wheel and driver’s seat for easier ingress and egress. Designers sprinkled new mahogany wood trim throughout the cabin as well as additional 120-volt power adapters. Likewise, the instrument cluster now comes in a new color scheme for 2013. Snazzy.

Otherwise, expect to find the same 5.7-liter V8 underhood that’s powered LX 570 models of yore. That means buyers can look forward to a stout 383 horsepower and 403 pound-feet of torque. Click past the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading 2013 Lexus LX 570 gets GS-inspired minor facelift

2013 Lexus LX 570 gets GS-inspired minor facelift originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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