2006 Lexus Es 330 on 2040-cars

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Lexus teases new F Sport engine cover

Lexus has teased a new F Sport model by revealing just the engine cover. It could point to a new performance version of the 2021 Lexus IS, and a potential successor to the dearly departed IS F. The image was obtained by Lexus Enthusiast, which pointed out that the carbon-fiber pattern cover is exactly the same shape as the one found shrouding the 5.0-liter V8 that powers the GS F and RC F. Good for 467 horsepower and 389 lb-ft of torque and a symphonic revving sound, the 2UR-GSE has traditionally been the heart of Lexus's F performance line. The teased cover, however, shows an "F Sport" badge where the GS F and RC F's "F" badge once resided. That implies a car with stiffer sport suspension along with some of the styling of a full-blown F model, but not the full stable of horses under the hood. Recently, Best Car magazine reported that Lexus was about to come out with a trio of F models. We think this engine cover is unlikely to preview an LC F, as the LC 500 is already powered by the 2UR-GSE, and wears a completely different engine cover. Also, an LC F would likely be turbocharged and thus don a different cover altogether. While it's possible that Lexus would drop the more powerful 2UR-GSE into the LS to give it a 73-horsepower bump over its current 394, that would imply an LS F model, not a simple F Sport. And besides, the LS already has an F Sport variant. The Best Car report also indicated that the LS F in the works, if it happens at all — and that's a big "if" — would be propelled by a twin-turbo V8.  That leaves the new IS, which in its most powerful guise has a 3.5-liter V6 generating 311 horses and 280 lb-ft of torque. It's possible that rather the teased engine cover is foreshadowing an IS 500, a conclusion that Lexus Enthusiast also draws, albeit with slightly different reasoning. An IS 500 would be one way for Lexus to squeeze as much use out of its marvelous 2UR-GSE before the V8 goes the way of the dodo, but without having to develop an all-out F model. The original IS F had, among other things, wider body panels, six-pot front brake calipers with cross-drilled rotors, and a Torsen LSD. By not calling an IS F, Lexus could be lowering expectations for enthusiasts of the original who would expect those performance features. Or, if the V8 gods are listening, perhaps Lexus is saving the true F badge for an IS with the rumored twin-turbo powering the LC F. One can hope, right? Related Video:

Are you the 2016 Lexus LX 570? [w/video]

What we appear to have here is our first glimpse at the updated 2016 Lexus LX 570. The luxury counterpart to the Toyota Land Cruiser, the Lexus LX first arrived in 1996. It entered its current third generation in 2007 and underwent a facelift in 2012. That would make it prime for replacement, but if this leaked image is anything to go by, Lexus has apparently opted to give it another refresh to keep it relevant for a little while longer. Reportedly leaked by Japanese magazine Best Car (and coming to us in the YouTube video below through Arabic publication Almuraba), the image shows what looks to be an updated version of the existing LX. The shape looks largely the same, but with a pronounced take on the brand's signature spindle grille dominating an even more aggressive face, flanked by sharper headlights and boomerang-shaped DLRs. The inset image ostensibly shows a revised version of the existing model's interior, with what appears to be a slightly larger infotainment display in the center of the dashboard. Given the subtle visual enhancements, it does not appear likely that Lexus has changed much under the hood, where the current model (in North America at least) packs a 5.7-liter V8, driving 383 horsepower and 403 pound-feet of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. That giant engine could probably benefit from some fuel-saving measures, but we'll have to wait for the full reveal to find out one way or another. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

2019 Lexus UX now the most affordable Lexus

The 2019 Lexus UX subcompact crossover now has official pricing, and it makes it the most affordable Lexus model available. The standard, non-hybrid Lexus UX 200 starts at $33,025, and the hybrid Lexus UX 250h starts at $35,025. This means the base UX is roughly $4,000 cheaper than the next most affordable Lexus, the compact NX 300 crossover. Not only that, but the UX 200 undercuts some of the little crossover's main rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 and BMW X1. The former starts at $34,945, and the latter starts at $34,895. With the basic Lexus UX 200, you get a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that's also found in the new Toyota Corolla hatchback. It makes 169 horsepower, 151 pound-feet of torque, and it goes solely to the front wheels via the same kind of CVT as the Corolla, complete with 10 selectable ratios and a special short-ratio gear for takeoff. If you want all-wheel-drive, you'll have to opt for the UX 250h hybrid. That model features 175 horsepower and a rear electric motor to provide power to the back wheels. Notably, both of these UX models are significantly down in power and torque compared with the aforementioned German rivals. The Mercedes GLA 250 makes 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and the BMW X1 makes 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Regardless of whether you pick the basic UX 200 or the UX 250h, you'll get at least a six-speaker sound system with a 7-inch infotainment screen. It also comes with Apple CarPlay, though Android Auto is not available. The UX models can be optioned with larger infotainment displays all the way up to a 10.25-inch example. All models also come standard with adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and forward collision prevention with pedestrian detection. The UX 200 will be the first on sale starting this December, and the UX 250h hybrid will become available the following month. Related Video: