Nother CarGuy

Lexus is embarking on a major product push, which will see the brand launch 20 new or updated vehicles by 2025. That offensive is kicking into high gear with the unveiling of the 2022 NX. Redesigned from the ground up, the 2022 Lexus NX looks like a crossover-ified version of the IS sport sedan. It features an all-new front fascia with a revised spindle grille that has “tall U-shaped blocks” for a more three-dimensional appearance. The grille is flanked by vertical air intakes and redesigned headlights with integrated daytime running lights. This is a notable change as it means the NX no longer resembles a rolling Nike advertisement. Continuing down the sides, we can see evolutionary bodywork and a distinctive shoulder line. The rear end is also familiar, but it adopts full-width taillights and “Lexus” lettering that replaces the circular “L” emblem. Moving inside, the cabin has been completely reimagined with higher quality materials and a modern design. The stars of the show are a 7-...

The Lexus ES might not be as exciting as the IS or as luxurious as the LS, but it’s the company’s bread and butter sedan. It’s also getting better with age as the automaker has announced a series of updates for the 2022 model year. Starting with the exterior, the revamped ES has been equipped with a new grille that “emphasizes the vehicle’s elegant design with a series of concentric ‘L’ shapes that radiate from the front Lexus emblem.” The grille is flanked by new LED headlights that are accompanied by a revised color palette which sees Iridium and Cloudburst Gray replace Atomic Silver, Silver Lining and Nebula Gray. Additional changes are limited, but the 2022 ES has updated wheels including standard 17-inchers that have “thicker spoke ends that are layered in ‘V’ formations to produce a sporty impression.” The sedan can also be equipped with updated 18-inch wheels, while F Sport variants come with exclusive 19-inch wheels featuring a new black finish. Touchscreens are nearly everywhe...

This is the Lexus LF-Z Electrified Concept which the automaker says incorporates driving performance, styling, and advanced technology set to be realized by 2025. Underpinning the concept is a battery-electric vehicle-dedicated platform that uses the company’s DIRECT4 four-wheel driving force control technology, making the most of the instant responsiveness of an electric motor’s force to freely control the concept’s wheels. Lexus adds that this technology controls the distribution of power across the wheels and can operate in front-, rear-, and all-wheel drive configurations. Lexus hasn’t provided all that many details about the car’s key hardware components, other than the fact that it features a steer-by-wire system. The Lexus LF-Z Electrified Concept previews the evolution of the automaker’s design language. With a silhouette that reminds of coupe-crossovers, the front of the concept features an iteration of the brand’s spindle grille which, since this is an all-electric vehicle an...

When it was updated for the 2021 model year, people accused the IS 350 F Sport of needing a little more engine. Well, Lexus has listened. The brand announced that it is stuffing its naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 under the hood of its smallest (North American) sedan and calling it the IS 500 F Sport Performance. Needless to say, this mechanical set-up is a dying breed in the age of smaller, force-fed or even electrified engines, and if anything, Lexus deserves our praise for giving it what could very well turn out to be a last hurrah. So strained is the IS to contain the engine’s heft that the hood has been raised two inches to accommodate it. Despite making 160 more horses than the V6, though, the 3,891-pound IS 500 weighs just 143 lbs more than the IS 350. The engine, which you may recognize from the RC F, makes 472 HP at 7,100 rpm and 395 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. That’s around about the same amount as the base M3, which gets 473 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque out of its twin-turb...

Lexus is expanding its LC 500 sports car family with a soft-top convertible that will be celebrating its world premiere at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday. Set to go on sale next summer, the model closely echoes the coupe but adopts a four-layer soft top that has been designed to recreate the flowing roofline of the coupe.  It can be opened or closed in approximately 15-16 seconds at speeds up to 31 mph (50 km/h). The top will be offered in black and beige, and be paired with a stylish body in one of ten colors.  Speaking of the latter, the convertible features a unique rear end with a new tonneau cover and a modified trunk with an integrated third brake light. Since owners will drive their cars in a variety of conditions, the LC 500 has been equipped with an advanced heating and cooling system.  Dubbed Lexus Climate Concierge with Upper Body Heating, the system automatically adjusts the climate control system, seat heaters, neck heaters and heated...

This is the Lexus LF-30 Electrified Concept, created by the Japanese car manufacturer as a vision for an upcoming generation of electrified vehicles. It will premiere at this Tokyo Motor Show. Immediately distinguishing the LF-30 Electrified Concept from most other EVs, whether they are production models or concepts, is the fact that it features in-wheel electric motors at all four corners to deliver a combined 536 hp. The use of in-wheel electric motors provides superb handling characteristics aided by Lexus Advanced Posture Control technology that regulates the driver-power output from the high-power electric motors. The car can also be driven in front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and rear-wheel drive modes depending on the driving conditions. The Lexus LF-30 Electrified Concept imagines a world where chunky charging cables are no longer required for EVs as it features advanced wireless charging technology. Another technology found is an advanced autonomous driving system ...

The Lexus LC Convertible is making its world debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it will run up the hill in the hands of professional racing driver Nick Cassidy, who competes in Japan’s Super GT500 championship. Covered in a thin layer of camouflage that tries to conceal some of the final item’s details, the LC Convertible was previewed by a concept car at the 2019 NAIAS. It retains the proportions and styling of the Coupe, the only change being the electrically operated soft top that substitutes the fixed roof. “The Goodwood Festival of Speed celebrates the history and culture of the automobile and serves as a gathering place for some of history’s most notable cars and drivers”, said the company’s international executive VP, Koji Sato. “Lexus is honored to join this festival, and I could not be happier to unveil this prototype model of the LC Convertible at the same venue where the LC Coupe made its debut in 2016.” Toyota’s luxury brand will announce the exact u...

The first ever Lexus minivan has arrived and it’s quite a special vehicle. Celebrating its world debut at the Shanghai Auto Show, the Lexus LM is a flagship luxury MPV developed specifically for the Chinese market. However, it will go on sale on other Asian markets too — unfortunately, Lexus didn’t announce plans to offer it outside the world’s most populous continent. Lexus says the new LM integrates oriental car philosophy, combining unique craftsmanship with hospitality and comfortable driving experience. While it looks quite attractive on the outside (despite sporting the biggest spindle-grille we’ve seen so far), the Lexus LM is all about the interior. The new LM luxury minivan is showcased in Shanghai in a four-seat configuration that effectively turns the rear passenger compartment into a business-class lounge. The front and rear rows are separated by a wall fitted with a glass screen that can be raised and lowered. The partition also features a big flat-screen TV an...

Some automakers are saying no to people carriers and instead, focusing their efforts on giving customers even more crossovers and SUVs. But not Lexus. In fact, the Japanese automaker will be launching its first-ever minivan at the Shanghai Auto Show later this month. Named the LM, it’s likely based on the third generation Toyota Alphard. Judging by the latest teaser image released on social media, it has an almost identical profile, with sliding rear doors that facilitate ingress and egress, and long windows at the back that provide an airy feel. Lexus’ large grille is flanked by angular headlights at the front that incorporate LED daytime running lights, as a previous teaser showed. Toyota’s latest Alphard is offered with various powertrains, including a hybrid variant that could find its way in the LM, given that Lexus has trademarked the LM 300h moniker. The 3.5-liter V6 gasoline unit is another plausible candidate, as the LM 350 nameplate has been secured as well. Custom...

While all the lights are, rightfully, focused on Toyota’s brand-new (and long awaited) GR Supra, Lexus has just unveiled the 2020 Lexus RC F only hours before the opening of the Detroit Auto Show. The revamped RC F features redesigned headlights with stacked LEDs and integrated DRLs, a revised grille with a lower lip opening that stretches across the bottom, a reshaped rear bumper and new taillights. In addition to the cleaner exterior look, the 2020 RC F has a retuned suspension, with new steering rack mounts and stiffer bushings at the rear. It also has more rigid engine mounts as well, in addition to a weight reduction obtained by installing hollow half shafts at the rear, a smaller air conditioning compressor and aluminum toe control brackets and upper suspension support brackets. Thanks to a revised intake routing and lower rpm trigger point for the secondary intake opening, the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 has gained an extra 5 hp (5 PS / 4 kW) and 6 lb-ft (...