2011 Lexus Lx 570 Excellent Condition on 2040-cars

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Next-gen Lexus RC will be a race car first

There has been one generation of the Lexus RC, the Japanese luxury maker's sports coupe meant to mix it with offerings like the Audi A5, BMW 4 Series, and Mercedes C-Class. Instead of doing that, it has hung back in the enthusiast consciousness with the Infiniti Q60, a car you remember — and remember is actually pretty good — when someone else brings it up. At least one exec at Toyota wants to change that for the next-gen RC, assuming we get one. David Wilson, president of Toyota Racing Development (TRD), spoke to Car and Driver at the recent 24 Hours of Daytona. C/D said Wilson "hinted" the coming RC will look at the Toyota Gazoo Racing GT3 concept revealed as last month's Tokyo Auto Salon for inspiration, the target being to create a better performing race car for global GT3 competitions, which will breed a better performing road car. "ItÂ’s fairly safe to connect the dots and suggest that [the GR GT3 concept] could be a precursor to the next global GT3 car for Lexus," he said.  As we wrote about the GR GT3 concept, Toyota believes it can provide more enjoyment for customers by commercializing race cars than by making customer cars racy. So instead of turning the next Lexus RC into a not exactly ripping IMSA and GT3 competitor, as it did with this one, the GT3 Concept could lead development of one or more Toyota Group race cars that, as required by GT3 homologation rules, become one or more road cars. Speaking to Motor1, Wilson and Lexus GM Andrew Gilleland affirmed the coming RC will be a racer first, Wilson saying, "Our Lexus RC F is a dynamite sports car, but I'll be candid and say that itÂ’s not a GT3 car. The current gen that weÂ’re racing right now was an afterthought to make it a GT3 car." That process gets reversed for the next coming, the president confiding to, "Before you put your first line on paper, you decide youÂ’re going to race that car and that shapes the design parameters, the performance parameters of that production car." Gazoo Racing said there'd be a prototype of the GT3 concept on track by the end of this year. We might learn then how Toyota and Lexus plan to push the sporty angle for track and road. As for when a new RC race or road car might debut, the TRD honcho would only say, "hopefully in a couple of years." Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Lexus ROV concept is a hydrogen-powered luxury side-by-side

Side-by-sides come in all shapes and sizes, but we've never seen one like the Lexus ROV concept. For one, it's a Lexus; the firm is not a big player in the side-by-side segment. It's as luxurious as the badge on its nose suggests, and it's powered by a hydrogen-burning engine. Lexus explained that the ROV (an acronym that stands for Recreational Off-highway Vehicle) is its "response to the growing passion for the outdoors and adventurous spirit of luxury consumers." It also illustrates the brand's wish to design lifestyle-oriented products, and it showcases the engineering department's research into new technologies. The ROV stretches 322 inches long, 68 inches wide and 71 inches wide. And, while it doesn't wear a giant spindle grille, it falls in line with the Lexus design language thanks to angular body panels. Inside, the ROV offers a pair of seats with harnesses and suspension elements to filter out bumps, carbon fiber accents and a relatively simple instrument cluster with an analog tachometer and a digital display. Lexus notes that the "Tazuna" approach to interior design that has shaped most of its recent concept cars permeated the ROV, meaning the cabin is human-centric. Interestingly, it also points out that the ROV meets the same quietness, durability, and reliability standards as the regular-production cars it sells, which is no small feat. Power comes from a direct-injected 1.0-liter engine that burns compressed hydrogen stored in a tank. Lexus didn't publish technical details so we don't know how much horsepower or torque the engine makes. Its cylinder count wasn't even published, though zooming in on the exhaust manifold confirms that it's a three-cylinder. It's likely not a coincidence that parent company Toyota tested a hydrogen-powered Corolla race car powered by a 1.0-liter hydrogen-burning triple earlier in 2021. That engine was turbocharged, however; this one is not. Looking at the center console reveals the ROV is equipped with a two-speed transfer case and locking differentials, so it should be capable off the beaten path. Lexus also tells us its first side-by-side offers users a large amount of suspension travel. Is this purely theoretical, or is Lexus serious about taking on Polaris? We've asked, and we'll update this story if we learn more. Related Video:      

Join Autoblog editors for a full video tour of the 2019 Detroit Auto Show

The 2019 North American International Auto Show might have been a little more quiet than past years, but there were still some pretty major reveals, including the Toyota Supra, new Ford Explorer, Shelby GT500, Subaru WRX STI S209 and Kia Telluride. We also saw some lovely concepts like the Nissan IMs and Lexus LC Convertible. Senior Editor Alex Kierstein, Consumer Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski and Senior Green Editor John Beltz Snyder join me, Associate Editor Reese Counts — with Social Media Manager Michael Dylan Ferrara behind the camera — on a long walk through the show. We discuss cars, poke around the stands, dress a bloody wound and answer your questions in the Facebook comments. For more Detroit coverage, you can check out Autoblog's picks for the best in show, listen to our podcast or look at the best images from all the reveals. Finally, don't forget to watch Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore hand over our 2019 Technology of the Year award. Related Video: Green Detroit Auto Show Acura Cadillac Chevrolet Ford GM Hyundai Infiniti Kia Lexus Nissan RAM Subaru Toyota Volkswagen Truck Convertible Coupe Crossover Hatchback Minivan/Van SUV Videos Sedan facebook 2019 detroit auto show live