1999 Lexus Gs400 Base Sedan 4-door 4.0l Owned By Viking Great Randy Moss on 2040-cars

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Lexus US execs want the LF-1 Limitless concept or something like it

Many years ago, Mercedes-Benz counted many blue moons debating about and then hinting at a full-sized SUV, before the GLS-Class arrived in 2007 (known then as the GL-Class). After that, Audi and BMW each grabbed a gilded handle on The Waffler's Cup, equivocating for years about a Q8 and an X7, respectively; both of those luxurious load-haulers are expected in showrooms soon. Having seen the Lexus LF-1 Limitless Concept at the Detroit Auto Show, we wonder if Lexus intends to hoe that same row - dodging years of questions about a production version of the LF-1 Limitless before finally committing. Lexus US general manager Jeff Bracken hopes that's not the case. His address to the unveil audience at the NAIAS included the appeal, "We have to build this vehicle," aimed at his boss, Lexus global chief Yoshihiro Sawa. Bracken stoked the flames of his own desire after the reveal, telling journalists, "We couldn't be happier if we turned this into a production vehicle," and, "We clearly have a gap at the high-end premium cross-utility segment." We're certain plenty of his colleagues share the sentiments, and why wouldn't they? A Lexus LS-based family functionary begs the question, "Why isn't this already a thing?" The LF-1 Limitless does fierce, futuristic service to its Ghost in the Shell design philosophy of "molten katana," and Lexus needs a proper three-row crossover. Not the three-row RX, nor the opulent, cretaceous GX and LX SUVs, but a unibody crossover to challenge the aforementioned German rivals. If Lexus really does "want to be the brand which is emotionally connected with the customer," it would do well to begin its courtship with this rose-copper gem. Related Video: Featured Gallery Lexus LF-1 Limitless Concept: Detroit 2018 View 13 Photos News Source: Wards Auto Detroit Auto Show Lexus Crossover Concept Cars Luxury lexus rx lexus crossover

Rebooted Apple program gets permit to test autonomous vehicles in California

For a while, Apple has been pursuing autonomous vehicle technology, but has more or less tried to keep the specifics of those ambitions under wraps. We did learn last fall that the company was killing off plans to build its own car, and clues about its program to develop a self-driving system popped up since. Today, though, we have more concrete information, as the California DMV has issued Apple a permit to test self-driving cars in the state, as TechCrunch reports. In a document released by the DMV, the tech company joins a number of others in California with approval to test autonomous vehicles. Apple will test its systems on three cars, each a 2015 Lexus RX540h, with six approved drivers. Presumably, those cars will be on the road quite a bit, as gathering lots of data is crucial to developing a working system. Per California rules, the company will have to provide accident reports, as well as a log of every instance that a human driver has to take over driving duties from the autonomous system in what the DMV calls a "disengagement report." Those reports will be made public, so we'll be able to glean a little more information about Apple's progress once they're available. Related Video: News Source: TechCrunchImage Credit: GABRIELLE LURIE/AFP/Getty Images Green Lexus Technology Emerging Technologies Autonomous Vehicles California

Pony cars, trucks and Italian SUVs | Autoblog Podcast #552

On this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor Alex Kierstein and Associate Editor Reese Counts. We discuss the updated 2019 Chevy Camaro Turbo 1LE variant, the new 2019 GMC Sierra Denali, and the Ferrari-powered Maserati Levante GTS. We also debate whether Volkswagen should build the Atlas-based Tanoak pickup truck and what a delay means for the next-gen Ford Mustang. Finally, we answer a reader question about the state of Lexus.Autoblog Podcast #552 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown 2019 Chevy Camaro Turbo 1LE 2019 GMC Sierra 2019 Maserati Levante GTS Should Volkswagen build the Tanoak? Next-gen Ford Mustang delayed The past, present and future of Lexus Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: Podcasts Chevrolet Ford GM GMC Lexus Maserati RAM Truck Coupe SUV Luxury Performance