Autoblog

Next-gen Lexus IS design revealed to be swoopiest yet

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Lexus, Luxury

We drove it while it was covered in cloth and vinyl not long ago, but before the 2014 Lexus IS350 F-Sport gets revealed at the Detroit Auto Show and we find out everything about it, Lexus has graced us with images. In addition to the spindle grille - with an elevated waistline on the F-Sport - the coming IS gets a jagged set of dual-beam headlights with L-shaped DRLs that are, for the first time on a Lexus, separate from the main units. Further back, the side sills get a twist and intense sculpting throughout the length of the longer wheelbase.

Inside is an LFA-inspired cockpit with thinner sport seats and more room in just about every area, the moving "driver's meter" in the dash cluster, electrostatic controls for cabin temperature control, 60/40 folding rear seats and "metal film 3-D-effect ornamentation."

The F-Sport package will be available on the IS250, IS350, IS300h equipped with Lexus Hybrid Drive. The hybrid will not come to the US.

We'll be bringing you the photos and information from the new sport sedan's reveal on January 15. The reveal will also be live-streamed at www.lexus.com and Lexus' Facebook page. For now there's a press release below with a few more tidbits, and a poll to register your satisfaction - or otherwise - with the future IS.

View Poll

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Next-gen Lexus IS design revealed to be swoopiest yet originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jan 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Ride: We check out the 2011 Lexus CT 200h in Europe

Noah Joseph — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Europe, Hatchback, Lexus, Luxury, Quick Spins

2011 Lexus CT 200h prototype - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota is no stranger to being first - Japanese luxury vehicles and hybrids chief among them. Although Acura may have launched earlier, Lexus remains the only Japanese luxury marque to market in Japan. And having launched in Europe shortly after America, Lexus was also the first to challenge the European heavyweights on their home turf, and with its LS and LFA, it remains the only non-European marque to compete at the top level.

Credit Toyota, as well, for popularizing hybrid technology, as it launched the Prius domestically as the first mass-produced gas-electric, whereupon it has dominated the market with successive generations. But where the Japanese auto giant has really stood apart is in the combination of both luxury and hybrid technology.

Recognizing the technology's popularity with upscale buyers, Lexus has carved out a niche in producing luxury hybrids. In fact, its lineup in many European markets is comprised exclusively of hybrids. The HS 250h launched late last year as the world's first dedicated luxury hybrid model and now Lexus is branching out again by electrifying territory previously uncharted by Japanese automakers: the premium hatchback segment. We flew out to Toyota's European headquarters to see how development of the new CT 200h has been coming along. Follow the jump to see what we found.

Gallery: First Ride: 2011 Lexus CT 200h

Continue reading First Ride: We check out the 2011 Lexus CT 200h in Europe

First Ride: We check out the 2011 Lexus CT 200h in Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo 2007 Preview: Lexus bringing LF-Xh, LF-A to Tokyo

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 01:34:00 EST

Filed under: Tokyo Motor Show, Crossover, Supercars, Lexus

Click the image above for a gallery of the Lexus LF-Xh concept.

Lexus plans on unveiling two concepts at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month, and while one of them is the LF-A that we've seen before, the other may foretell the future of the next RX-series crossover.

Naturally, Lexus is touting the L-finesse design theme with the LF-Xh, but first impressions aren't particularly pleasing. It's somewhat blocky, and although the lines are clean, it strikes us as a bit too derivative to change the game in any substantive way.

The "h" designation affixed to the nameplate indicates that Lexus will be employing its Hybrid Drive system, which mates a gasoline-powered V6 to a high-output electric motor that then sends power to all four wheels.

Lexus' press release on both vehicles is posted after the jump.

Gallery: Lexus LF-Xh concept

Continue reading Tokyo 2007 Preview: Lexus bringing LF-Xh, LF-A to Tokyo

Tokyo 2007 Preview: Lexus bringing LF-Xh, LF-A to Tokyo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Oct 2007 01:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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