Autoblog

2013 Lexus RX redesign revealed in leaked brochure

Noah Joseph — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Lexus, Design/Style, Luxury

There's no doubting the importance of the Lexus RX. It's one of the top-selling models from one of the top-selling luxury marques. At the cutting edge when introduced in the late '90s, the RX is now on its third iteration, with a fourth on the way - and this appears to be our best look at it yet.

Coming your way via a leaked brochure, the 2013 Lexus RX is apparently undergoing a facelift that will bring its appearance in line with the brand's latest design language - centering around the pinched chrome-edged "spindle" grille that characterizes the front of the latest GS sedan. Reshaped headlamps with a strip of LEDs flank either side, and, of course, it's all riding on new wheels.

While the RX may not be exactly what you'd call "performance-oriented" - floating as it does down the road and communicating less through the steering wheel than you'd expect from a pouting pre-teen behind a slammed bedroom door - the new model is apparently getting an F Sport trim kit. That would include a new front bumper, honeycomb grille, rear spoiler, bigger wheels and tinted lamps, with sportier trim to match on the inside.

We'd expect to see Lexus officially release the new RX sometime within the next few weeks, with a probable debut at the New York Auto Show in April, but in the meantime you can scope it out right here.

2013 Lexus RX redesign revealed in leaked brochure originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota offering to fix oil lines on nearly 1M six-cylinder models

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:47:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Safety, Crossover, Toyota

"This is not a safety recall."

Toyota is making it perfectly clear that this latest limited service campaign involving V6-powered vehicles sold over the past few years is not, in fact, a safety recall, as it does not have the potential to harm drivers. What's happening, however, is the rubber portion of the oil supply hose for the VVT-i actuator has the potential to degrade, which can cause oil to leak, in turn causing the engine to produce odd noises and the oil pressure light in the dash to illuminate.

The most recent phase of this service campaign involves 2007-2009 model year V6-equipped RAV4 and Avalon models. Last year, however, Toyota announced the first two phases of this campaign, which included 2005-2006 Avalons, 2007-early 2010 Camrys, 2006 RAV4s, 2007-2008 Lexus ES350s, and 2007-2009 Lexus RX350s. For all of these models, Toyota dealers will replace the oil hose at no extra charge, and the service campaign will be available to owners until March 31, 2013. Click through the jump to read the full details in Toyota's press release.

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota offering to fix oil lines on nearly 1M six-cylinder models

Toyota offering to fix oil lines on nearly 1M six-cylinder models originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cold Weather Testing in Minnesota: Where Acura beats on one of the best AWD systems in the business

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, SUV, Etc., Safety, Technology, Crossover, Acura, Audi, BMW, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Luxury, Off-Road

Acura Cold Weather Testing - Click above for high-res image gallery

"Don't hold back."

Three words I've never heard before at a press event and three words that are running through my mind as I tramp down on the throttle and wheelspin my way towards the gray horizon.

Don't hold back.

Ahead of me lies a three-quarter-mile stretch of perfectly groomed snow sitting atop a thick layer of ice, with over 300 feet of desolation on either side.

Don't hold back.

From a standing start, the well-worn BMW X6 grapples with a lack of traction and then finally grips through the slush to propel me past 20... 30... 40... 50 mph. Then I slam on the stoppers. The ABS system pulses through the brake pedal and the coupe-shaped 'ute grinds to a squeaky, squawky halt. Let's try that again.

Don't hold back.

This time I get up to 60 mph, lay on the brakes and it's the same result. Now I'm bored, so it's time to experiment with a few emergency lane change maneuvers. I get up to 30 mph, stab at the brake, yank the wheel to the right, then back to the left and straighten up. Nothing. No drama. No hesitation. No tail wagging. I do it again, this time at 40 mph with the traction control off. Same result. Then 50 mph. Same result. Then 60 mph. And then I promptly stuff myself into an six-foot-tall snow bank.

Didn't hold back.

Follow the jump to read about our experience at Acura's cold weather testing facility in Minnesota.

Gallery: Acura Cold Weather Testing

Continue reading Cold Weather Testing in Minnesota: Where Acura beats on one of the best AWD systems in the business

Cold Weather Testing in Minnesota: Where Acura beats on one of the best AWD systems in the business originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports tests fuel efficiency vs. speed; Honda Insight biggest loser

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:58:00 EST

2010 Honda Insight - Click above for high-res image gallery

The faster you drive, the more fuel you use. Common sense, right? Absolutely, but it's still helpful to see real-life data, as you'll see by checking out the results of a recent test performed by Consumer Reports. Not all cars perform the same at various speed limits, and as you might expect, America's most fuel efficient models are also the vehicles most affected by higher speeds.

A total of seven vehicles were tested by CR: a Acura TSX with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder; a new 2010 Honda Insight; a Lexus RX350; a Mercury Mountaineer with 4.6-liter V8; Toyota Camry and RAV4 with 2.5-liter four-bangers; and a Yaris with a 1.5-liter four.

As you're probably aware, today's hybrids are optimized for high fuel economy at city speeds and therefore lose much of their miserly ways on the highway. As it turns out, this was especially true of the new Insight hybrid, which lost over 15 miles per gallon moving the needle from 55 mph to 75 mph - the largest drop in the contest. Click here for the complete test results.

Gallery: 2010 Honda Insight

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Consumer Reports tests fuel efficiency vs. speed; Honda Insight biggest loser originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2010 Lexus RX350 and RX450h

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Crossover, Lexus, First Drives

2010 Lexus RX350 and RX450h - Click above for high-res image gallery

Few vehicles have done more to establish a genre and define a brand as much as the Lexus RX. Introduced over a decade ago to suburbanite real estate agents and their Napa-weekending friends, the original RX300 helped boost Lexus sales by 60% when it hit dealers in late 1998. Over the ensuing years, Lexus' posh people mover slowly evolved to include a hybrid drivetrain, a refreshed exterior and tasteful appointments that helped solidify its success. For 2010, the RX plays the same tune but adds a few more instruments, a new backbeat and reworked crescendo.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Lexus RX350 and RS450h

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Lexus RX350 and RX450h

First Drive: 2010 Lexus RX350 and RX450h originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2008: Lexus unveils the third generation RX350 and RX450h

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:25:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Lexus

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Lexus RX350 and RX450h

Lexus dropped the third-generation RX on the world today here at the LA Auto Show. As before, the RX luxury crossover comes in two forms, the standard issue RX350 and the hybrid RX450h. The 3.5L RX350 gets a power bump to 275 hp while the hybrid engine grows from 3.3L up to 3.5L and 295 total horsepower. Lexus has improved the inverter that converts between DC power from the battery to AC for the motor, making the whole hybrid drivetrain more efficient. The RX450h gets a unique grill and badging to set it slightly apart from the new RX350, while both models get plenty of new gizmos and gadgets including an upgraded navigation and telematics system. For instance, a new controller for the nav system that Toyota calls Remote Touch provides customizable haptic feedback as you use it. A larger brighter OLED display screen also offers an improved angle of vision and a heads up display is available for the first time. The design is an obvious evolution of the previous RX, but now features a more broad-shouldered look just like the Toyota Highlander with which it shares its platform. Check out the press release after the jump as well as our high-res images in the galleries below.

Gallery: LA 2008: 2010 Lexus RX350 and RX450h

Gallery: 2010 Lexus RX350 and RX450h

Continue reading LA 2008: Lexus unveils the third generation RX350 and RX450h

LA 2008: Lexus unveils the third generation RX350 and RX450h originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA Preview: Lexus confirms debut of 2010 RX450h and RX350

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertible, Sedan, Crossover, Lexus

Our friendly neighborhood Toyota/Lexus spokesman, Curt McAllister, dropped us a note with an official announcement of what's coming to the Lexus booth at next week's LA Auto Show, and as expected, the big reveal will be the reworked RX luxury crossover. Like the current crossovers, the RX will come in two prescription strengths: the conventional RX350 with a 3.5L V6 and the hybrid flavored RX450h. The bump in nomenclature from the current RX400h likely implies some enhancements to the powertrain including a bump from the current 3.3L V6 to the 3.5L engine used in the 350. It's assumed the RX400h will also boast enhancements to the hybrid drive system with tech pulled from the 2010 Toyota Prius. The photo above, taken of the Japanese brochure, appeared online showing an evolution of the current design rather than a revolutionary redesign. In addition to the RX, LA will host the North American debut of the all-wheel-drive equipped LS460 and the IS 250C Convertible.

[Source: Lexus]

Continue reading LA Preview: Lexus confirms debut of 2010 RX450h and RX350

LA Preview: Lexus confirms debut of 2010 RX450h and RX350 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Lexus RX coming to LA Auto Show

Chris Shunk — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Spy Photos, Crossover, Lexus, Toyota

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Lexus LF-xh concept

The Lexus RX is one of the most successful luxury crossovers of the past decade, with sales doubling or even tripling that of its competition. Remarkably, the RX has achieved its considerable success without a major overhaul, but that will change when the next gen RX is unveiled this November in LA. Details on the new RX have been scarce to this point, but we can be sure that a hybrid version will continue to be available and that a plug-in version is a possibility.

The RX is also expected to grow by around five inches, just like its Highlander sibling, though Lexus will likely use the extra room to improve rear passenger leg room. We've seen spy shots showing more evolutionary styling changes, along with a few cues pulled from the LF-xh concept, with tweaks to the front and rear fascias and a curvier C-Pillar.

Gallery: Lexus LF-Xh concept

[Source: The Car Connection]

2010 Lexus RX coming to LA Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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