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Lexus unveils UK-only LC Black Inspiration

Lexus revealed yet another special edition of its LC halo model, this time targeting the coupe model and destined for the UK market. Dubbed "Black Inspiration," it's exactly what it sounds like, only with a nice, British twist. The blacked out look is certainly nothing new, but the LC certainly wears it well.  The finish is called Graphite Black, and like all paint codes for the LC, it's ostensibly unique to the car. Don't bother looking for subtle contrasts or two-tone treatments. Everything from the spindle grille, door mirror casings, headlight and rear light cluster surrounds to the housings for the headlight washers has been done in Graphite Black. The monotone treatment finally breaks inside, which is where the Black Inspiration really leans into its target market. The seat bolsters remain a smooth-grain semi-aniline leather, but the surfaces pick up a tweed pattern that is accompanied by a textured finish on the interior trim that looks almost wool-like to our eyes.  Lexus says the LC Black Inspiration will be available for order in the UK starting Nov. 1.  Related Video:  This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Mazda and Lexus crowned with KBB 5-Year Cost To Own awards

We report on a lot of awards, some of which are given out based on more solid criteria than others. This one, the Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own awards, seems like one that new car shoppers should pay attention to.
The cost of a car goes far beyond what you pay for the actual metal, leather and rubber at the point of purchase. Fuel, insurance, maintenance and repair costs, and the cost of fees from the state and financing will all weigh on your wallet while you own the car. That's not even taking into account the biggest cost: depreciation, or the amount of money you lose based on what your car is worth years from now versus the day you bought it.
KBB tracks these sorts of things, and they've compiled a list of winners for 2013 models. On the brand level, Mazda and Lexus earn the 5-Year Cost to Own award for having the lowest overall projected five-year totals (though, curiously, we note that Mazda and Lexus each had only one segment winner). There are lots of winners for all the various segments, so we'll just pick out a few surprising ones to share and you can view the rest here.

Lexus celebrates 10 years of F performance with special RC F, GS F

Ten years ago, Lexus launched its F performance brand in a big way with the V8-powered IS F. To celebrate its decade-long life so far, a pair of also-V8-powered Lexus F models, the RC F and GS F, will get special editions. Sadly, they don't get any performance upgrades over the normal models, but they are visually striking. Both cars are finished in a matte paint called Nebula Gray, which the company says makes these special Lexus models the only ones to receive factory matte paint besides the LFA. The wheels are painted in a gloss black, and the brake calipers are painted a bright blue to match the F brand's colors. The F badges on the outside of the car also get little blue lines around their edges. Inside, both cars go wonderfully overboard with blue highlights. They each get bright blue leather seats with gray accents, blue suede shift knobs, and window switch panels adorned with blue, silver, and black carbon fiber. Naturally, serial number plates also appear inside to denote which example the car is. The GS F, despite being a more sober looking sedan, has the wilder interior. The back seats get blue leather highlights to match the fronts, the dash is wrapped in blue suede, and more blue carbon fiber trim is fitted to the center console. These 10th-anniversary edition cars are extremely limited production. Only 240 of the RC F will be produced, a number chosen because there are 240 Lexus dealers in the U.S. Only 100 of the GS F will be sold. They'll be available to purchase this summer, but Lexus hasn't finalized pricing for the cars. Related Video: