Buick takes home the gold in affordability and having changed the most – but with Lexus ES, why change what’s so good?

A 2010 Lexus ES 350 remains a staple of Lexus engineering. With a $31,000-34,800 starting price tag it’s a great way to not drop $50K for a luxury automobile. ES 350 contains a six-speed auto tranny with 3.5 liter engine, and Horsepower reaching 272 at 6200 RPM’s. EPA for city & highway max out at around 19/27 MPG – much better then the LaCrosse, with only 17/26 respectively.

Reports state the Lexus handles like a dream – under the hood its power plant keeps quiet when taking hard turns and reaching top RPM’s.

ES 350 contains almost a dozen separate airbags and other safety features. Lexus also doesn’t seem to be suffering from the Toyota recall hell going on at their parent company.

Motor Trends official verdict was for Buick, for having changed the most over the years. Our verdict – what do you think? The Lexus outshines domestics in our opinion, and again – if it’s not broken, why change/fix it?

Source: Motor Trend

According to these leaked details, the hybrid is based on the LF-Ch concept shown at the Frankfurt show in 2009. It comes complete with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder VVT-i gas (petrol, as they say over the pond) engine. It also includes a “magnet synchronous electric motor.” Fancy, no? Nickel-metal hydride is used for the high voltage battery, while power is sent to the front by electrically-controlled variable transmission, or E-CVT.

As far as design goes, the car remains an aerodynamic five-door like its previous concept. It has “sporty overhangs at the front and back, and a well-placed rear spoiler.” Compared to the Prius, at 4,320mm long, the car is 140mm shorter than the Toyota Prius. Lexus CT 200h is 1,765mm wide by 1,430mm high; 20mm x 50mm less than the Prius.

This leak may be a good thing for Lexus after all – demand is high for CT 200h, surpassing the announced 500 units set to be produced already.

Source: WorldCarFans

WORLD DEBUT FOR LEXUS CT 200h AT GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

KEY POINTS

* World-first appearance of the Lexus CT 200h
* First and only full hybrid model in the premium compact segment
* New gateway model to progressive luxury and the Lexus brand

Six months after revealing the LF-Ch concept, Lexus is set to unveil its new CT 200h model at the Geneva motor show.

Created for motorists who want to lower their emissions, but not their standards, the CT 200h will be the first full hybrid vehicle in the premium compact segment. It will offer new levels of refinement, sophistication and attention to detail, without compromising style or driving pleasure.

Equipped with second-generation Lexus Hybrid Drive technology, the CT 200h reinforces Lexus’s hybrid power leadership in the premium market, joining the established RX 450h, GS 450h and LS 600h models to create an unprecedented range of full hybrid vehicles.

The critically acclaimed Lexus LFA supercar will also be on show at Geneva, just ahead of the initial order period for the model coming to a close.

Andy Pfeiffenberger, Vice President Lexus Europe, will host a press conference on Stand 4211 in Hall 4 at 4.45pm on 2 March.

Outside, the vehicle’s curves are sexier than most foreign sportscars. Inside, stained wood and tight grips mesh well with a futuristic instrument panel and a wheel people can’t keep their hands off of.

The Lexus SC430 takes power from a 4.3 liter V8, with 288 horse power at 5600 rpm, and 317 lb-ft of torque at 3400 rpm. Your typical model is mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic with sequential shift rear wheel drive. SC430 hits 0-60 in 5.8 secs. EPA estimates the SC430 receives about 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. Oh, and the hard-top convertible can be retracted in just under 25 seconds.

This Lexus may be one of the safest luxury autos on the road today. According to specs via LeftLaneNews: Standard safety features on the SC include six airbags, including knee bags, traction and stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and anti-lock brakes, brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution. HID headlights, LED taillights and a Mark Levinson sound system with 9 speakers and a six disc CD changer are also included.

Pics via automobiles de luxe

It was like a scene out of Batman – waiting for The Joker to gas all people around and Catwoman swing in to try and steal the 552 horsepower V10. The Batmobile would even have trouble catching up to the daring duo – LFA leaps from 60 in 3.6 seconds and keeps it up until 202 mph. It’s understandable they keep the car under tight security – it is worth around $350,000.

Other Lexus models on display included the IS sedan, ISC Convertible and their LX-10 SUV. Lexus also sported the hybrid variants off all current sedans.

The Source: Lexus Enthusiasts

Allegedly GS-F is to compete with the Mercedes E63 AMG, the BMW M5, and Cadillac CTS-V. Since all those have over 500 horses under the hood, the 416 hp 5.0-liter V8 from the Lexus IS-F will not be enough. Instead, Best Car is reporting the GS-F will feature a slightly modified version of the 4.8-liter V10 from the LFA supercar. With approximately 560 hp and 480Nm of torque, the V10 will enable the GS-F to stand toe-to-toe with the 556 hp Cadillac, the 518 hp E63, and the 555 hp M5.

The Source: WorldCarFans

There’s little left we don’t know about the Lexus LFA – From its 4.8 liter V10 that can produce 560 horse power, to the upwards of $400,000 price tag for a special edition model. But now the Lexus Official LF-A website also includes a configuration option, which allows possibly car buyers to transform their potential Lexus inside and out. The “Lexus LF-A Online Configuration” includes ‘Special Colors’ palate – so you can choose to make your almost-half-a-million-dollar roadster neon green, hot pink or any color matching a late ’80’s – early 90’s fanny pack.

Actual photos of the Lexus LF started popping up online last year, with spy shots and design concepts filling the pages of auto blogs (including Lexuspedia) globally. 2009’s Tokyo Motor Show featured a LF-A live and in person. Since then Lexus has pimped the crap out of this sports car online…honestly, as much as we love Lexus models, we are getting a tiny bit sick of LF-A. Or, maybe we’re just jealous because no one on staff will ever be able to afford one.

The multi-colored & fully customizable meters allow driver/passenger to be completely distracted while they should be looking at the road. We love the options, though the actual “needle” could use a bit more clarification with certain backgrounds. Pics via Jalopnik.

pics via Jalopnik

While Bangma talks one LF-A just out of camera view screams down the main straight and then again a second time right on queue as he closes out his thoughts. The LF-A looks set to be unveiled at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show next week. It’s powered by a petrol V10 engine making what’s said to be around 550 horse power.

pics via WCF