2020 Lexus Lx 570 on 2040-cars

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The refreshed 2018 Lexus NX looks just like a baby RX

The refreshed 2018 Lexus NX compact crossover debuted this week at the Shanghai Motor Show. Most of the changes are visual, and it should keep the NX fresh for the next few years until more extensive changes come. Power and performance remain the same, but Lexus claims its smallest SUV is quieter and more refined thanks to some updates under the skin. As the automaker's third best-selling vehicle in 2016, behind the venerable RX crossover and ES sedan, the NX has been a huge hit for Lexus in every market. Up front, the love it or hate it spindle grille remains, though it has received a few modifications. The upper portions of the grille and fenders have been reworked to flow better into the hood and doors. In addition to the sleeker visuals, it should help improve aerodynamics. New headlights with three projectors are similar to those on the new Lexus LC sport coupe. The bottom portion of the bumper has been pulled forward a bit, making the NX look both less pointy and more like a small RX than ever. In the rear, the bumper is redesigned, adding in design elements that draw influence from the spindle grille. Like the headlights, the taillights have been updated with a shape that's similar to those on the LC. Other changes include reshaped exhaust tips, new 18-inch wheels, and a kick sensor that opens the rear hatch if you make a motion under the rear bumper. Like the exterior, the changes to the interior are small but notable. The infotainment screen has grown from 7 inches to 10.3 inches. The controls for both the infotainment and HVAC system have been updated. Nearly all of the control knobs and switches have what Lexus is calling a metallic satin finish, essentially a silver-gray looking matte coloring. Like with many other Toyota and Lexus products, the automaker's Lexus Safety System + now comes standard on all models. This includes emergency braking, radar cruise control, lane departure warnings, and automatic high beams. The turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four carries over unchanged, though the model is now known as the NX 300 (formerly the NX 200t). Likewise, the hybrid system in the NX 300h is unchanged. There have been some updates to the suspension, adding in a modified version of the adaptive variable suspension system from the LC. Lexus claims this should improve both ride and handling. No word on pricing or a release date, so look for more news some time in the next few months.

2014 Lexus CT 200h F Sport

The idea of the Lexus CT 200h F Sport intrigues me. A compact, premium, efficient hatchback with an added dose of sportiness? Sign me up. It's why I'm still crossing my fingers for Volkswagen to sell the Golf GTD on our shores (though recent reports on that front are bumming me out). And judging a book by its cover, this Lexus certainly looks like it could be an interesting proposition.
Lexus first launched the CT for the 2011 model year, and for 2014, the little hatch has been given a makeover, now proudly wearing the company's new spindle grille, for better or worse. When we reviewed the CT after its launch, executive editor Chris Paukert called it "handsome, well screwed together," and "one of Toyota's boldest offerings in years." That may have been true, but after a slight makeover and some fresh new F Sport duds, I'm wondering if the CT proposition isn't looking a little more unfortunate than before.
Driving Notes

Lexus bringing next-gen IS to Detroit

With ES, GS and LS models all now minty fresh at your local Lexus showroom, it was only a matter of time before we had official word that the company's IS had a replacement in the wings. That word has come down today in an ultra brief press release that names the date and venue that the sheet will be pulled on the new car: January 15th in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show.
Don't pay too much attention to the test mule in these dusty spy shots, we're told that the small Lexus has been "completely redesigned" from the inside out and that it has drawn inspiration from the sultry LF-CC concept car. In LA we learned that the LF-CC has been green-lit for production, so we'd expect to see a lot of cues from that car (in the gallery below) lifted directly for the all-new IS. New fang-face, here we come.
While a coupe and a convertible version of the next IS are undoubtedly in the cards, too, we'd guess that the sedan will be first to go on stage at Detroit next month.