2001 Lexus Gs300 Base Sedan 4-door 3.0l on 2040-cars

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Lexus has big expectations for small NX crossover

One has to wonder why it took so long for Lexus to enter the hotly contested compact premium crossover market. The brand itself projects some 36,000 sales for its brand-new NX, which is set to go on sale in the US in November. Add that potential to the 100,000-plus RX crossovers it sells annually in the States and Lexus looks poised to put some hurt on German rivals like Audi, BMW and Mercedes.
The vast majority of Lexus NX models imported to the States will be powered by a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that pumps 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque to either the front or all four wheels. Just 10 percent or so of NX models will get the 194-horsepower hybrid powertrain wrapped in NX 300h trim. Though not yet rated by the EPA, Lexus projects mileage ratings of 22 city, 28 highway and 24 combined for the turbo and 35/31/33 for front-wheel-drive hybrids (expect a one-mpg combined hit for AWD models with either engine).
In terms of sizing, the Lexus NX is dimensionally very similar to the Audi Q5, which starts at $37,300. Lexus hasn't yet released pricing information for its NX, but promises to be in the same range as its competitors. We note with interest that the larger Lexus RX starts at $40,795 - a little over $3,000 more than the Audi its NX will compete against - and wonder out loud if the Japanese automaker can undercut its German competitors in pricing with the NX. Expect official pricing info from Lexus closer to its on-sale date later this year.

Toyota to pay $17.35M federal fine for delayed Lexus RX recall

This summer, we brought you news that Lexus was recalling over 150,000 RX and RX hybrid crossovers tied to its massive pedal entrapment issue. An update to that story included word from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it was considering launching a federal investigation into potential delays by the automaker in notifying owners about the problem. Now comes news that parent company Toyota will pay a hefty $17.35 million in fines for delaying its recall of the 2010 Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h. According to The Detroit News, the Japanese automaker is being forced to pay the maximum fine for delaying recalls - and this isn't the first time. In fact, this is the fourth time since 2010 that Toyota has been required to do so, including paying $48.8M in civil penalties in 2010 for failing to recall vehicles in a timely manner - in three separate campaigns.
In addition to the fines, Toyota has agreed to restructure the way it handles quality control and review "safety-related issues." Though the Japanese automaker has not admitted any wrongdoing, Toyota has agreed to meet with NHTSA for six months on the matter and may extend the meetings another six months.
US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says he is counting on Toyota to improve its ability to address such safety issues: "With today's announcement, I expect Toyota to rigorously reinforce its commitment to adhering to the United States safety regulations," he said in a statement.

Lexus still weighing convertible prospects [w/poll]

Lexus dealers may be clamoring more for a three-row crossover than a two-door convertible, but as far as the automaker itself is concerned, the prospect of a droptop is not out of the question. In fact, according to the latest report from Automotive News, Lexus is currently considering two alternative proposals for adding a new convertible to its lineup. One would be based on the LF-C2 concept showcased at the LA Auto Show last month and take the form of an RC convertible, essentially taking the place of the outgoing IS Convertible at a relatively accessible market position. The other would essentially be a roadster version of the LF-LC sports car and take a much higher position in the company's lineup. Lexus is reportedly evaluating whether it can justify having both convertibles in its lineup – something it hasn't done since the IS and SC convertibles briefly overlapped in 2009-10. But considering the downwards slide in sales of IS Convertibles, it would be hard to make the business case for two new ones. So if sales of the IS Convertible have been so low, why make a new droptop altogether, you ask? A fair question, and the answer very well might come down to projecting a more youthful image and attracting younger buyers into Lexus showrooms – even if they don't ultimately buy a convertible at all. Lexus is well aware that its core customer base is aging, and is in no rush to alienate its more mature clientele, but if it's going to succeed in the long run, it's going to have to bring in younger customers. Have an opinion one way or the other? Voice it in the informal poll below.