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Lexus rolling out LC 500h with new hybrid system in Geneva

When Lexus revealed the new LC 500 at the Detroit Auto Show last month, we knew it wouldn't be the only powertrain variant on offer. Now the Japanese automaker is teasing another version that will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Toyota's luxury division hasn't given up much in the way of details as to what will power the new LC 500h, except to label the powertrain as the Lexus Multi Stage Hybrid System. The technology is slated to deliver "enhanced driving pleasure, more performance, and greater efficiency" over the current Lexus Hybrid Drive system. Whatever the specifications, expect the system to proliferate into additional Lexus hybrids to come. Otherwise we can expect the LC 500h to closely mirror the conventional LC 500. The sleek coupe design closely followed that of the LF-LC concept from 2012, and took top honors in the EyesOn Design Awards this year as the most beautiful new production car, and with the best interior as well. Alongside the hybrid coupe at the Geneva Motor Show, Lexus will also showcase the LF-FC concept that previewed the next LS sedan at the Tokyo Motor Show this past November with a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain. Related Video: Lexus at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show - World Premiere of the LC 500h luxury coupe with next-generation Lexus Multi Stage Hybrid System - European Premiere of the LF-FC concept Lexus will unveil the hybrid version of its all-new LC luxury coupe at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. The LC 500h is equipped with Lexus' next generation hybrid powertrain, the Lexus Multi Stage Hybrid System, providing enhanced driving pleasure, more performance, and greater efficiency. The LC was first revealed at the 2016 North America International Auto Show. Its styling, performance and craftsmanship position the vehicle as Lexus' flagship coupe. The LC also utilizes Lexus' new architecture that promises enhanced dynamic capability. Inspired by the acclaimed LF-LC concept that debuted in 2012, the LC represents a shift in Lexus' engineering processes and design ideologies, and marks the beginning of a new phase for the Lexus brand. Its outstanding visual appeal has been unanimously praised following the Detroit reveal, and recognized by professionals who granted LC EyesOn Design awards for Production Car and Best Designed Interior at the 2016 NAIAS. Lexus will also display the LF-FC concept at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.

Dear rich people, skip the SUVs and big sedans. Buy a coupe!

Pretty much from the first time I drove a Lexus LC, I fell in love with the car (and most of us on staff have similar feelings). And having spent a week recently in a 2022 LC 500h variant, I'm still as fond of it as ever. It is, in many ways, a near perfect grand tourer. It's got stunning good looks (confirmed by various strangers asking about it) with details at home on a concept car. I'll never get tired of the infinity mirror taillights. The interior does the same with leather and suede over nearly every surface and even more styling flair from the grooves in the doors to the floating handles. And finally, it's lovely to drive. Even with the hybrid engine, it's smooth and fairly swift, and the ride and handling are just on the sporty side of comfortable: great to commute in, and happy being pushed a little bit. It's a car that's so good, that I found myself wondering, why aren't there more of them? And I'm not just talking about LCs (even though the LC is so good it really deserves to be selling in massive numbers). Why aren't there more personal luxury coupes and grand tourers? It certainly wasn't always that way. The mid- to late-20th century was the heyday of the luxury coupe. America led the way with enormous Cadillac and Lincoln hardtops with as much sheet metal on either end as it had in the middle. But later in the century, as more luxury automakers jumped in, we got more svelte GT-style cars from BMW (8 Series), Lexus (SC), Acura (Legend) and more. Classy two-door luxury was a thing. But now the number of high-end coupes are dwindling not just in sales, but in offerings. Mercedes killed its S-Class coupe a few years ago, and it's been ages since we've seen anything of the sort from Cadillac, Lincoln and others. Ok, so I literally know why they're not much of a thing anymore, at least to an extent. Coupes just aren't the popular body style. That crown goes to SUVs. Just look at BMW's sales for proof. It sold around 1,400 8 Series models in the first quarter of this year, and that's including convertibles, coupes and the Gran Coupe four-door hatchback. In contrast, it sold more than 6,400 X7s, the effective SUV equivalent to the 7 and 8 Series cars. And I have no doubt that there's more going on than the desire for the big, truck-like shape. There's also the practicality of having an SUV.

Toyota and Lexus will have standard automatic braking by 2017

Last week, NHTSA and IIHS announced that 20 auto manufacturers and three agencies had agreed to include automatic emergency braking (AEB) as standard equipment by 2022. Toyota was one of those 20 companies, but this week they upped the AEB ante: Nearly every Toyota and Lexus model and trim level will have standard AEB by 2017. That's next year. Many models already offer AEB as part of the Lexus Safety System+ and Toyota Safety Sense packages, but consumers have had to pay extra for these options (unless they leased a Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle; it already has AEB as standard equipment.) By the end of next year, all but the Lexus GS, Toyota 4Runner and Toyota 86 — which was developed together with Subaru — will have AEB installed at no extra cost. (Interestingly, the new Prius Prime unveiled at the New York International Auto Show has Safety Sense as an option rather than standard equipment.) The AEB function is part of Toyota's safety suites, which will be included in 25 Lexus and Toyota models. Both makes have a precollision system that detects the possibility of collision with the car ahead and engages the brakes if the driver doesn't react quickly enough, as well as lane departure alerts and automatic high beams. Toyota's move leapfrogs ahead of Honda making its Honda Sensing system, which includes AEB tech, available as a flat $1,000 option on every Civic Sedan. Related Video: This article by Kristen Hall-Geisler originally ran on TechCrunch, a leading technology media property, dedicated to obsessively profiling startups, reviewing new Internet products, and breaking tech news.