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2019 Lexus LX Inspiration Series is relatively uninspiring

We're a whole month away from the Los Angeles Auto Show, but Lexus is already showing us a special edition LX it plans to debut at the show. Called the LX Inspiration Series, it's an appearance package for the already opulent Lexus SUV. It starts with black paint and black wheels, then adds black trim to the headlights, fog lights and windows. Its grille gets a new dark chrome surround — as though it needed to be any flashier. The headlamp lenses are smoked black as well. Around back there's more black chrome accents around the taillights, license plate surround and back door. Then for what we can only assume is for balance, Lexus gave it a white leather interior. The white leather is complemented by plenty of black leather to create a two-tone appearance. It looks expensive and classy and all of the things that a $100,000 Lexus should be – this special edition climbs over the century mark at $101,715 including destination charges. You do get a fully-optioned version of the LX with the four-zone climate control, heated/cooled rear seats and projector door lamps, but this version is still significantly more expensive than the base Lexus LX which comes in under $90,000. The Toyota Land Cruiser-based LX is ancient at this point, and frankly this doesn't do much to move the needle. No other updates appear to be in the works for now, so you better really like this traditional SUV to go grab one up. Only 500 of these "Inspiration Series" special edition models are planned if the blacked-out exterior strikes your fancy. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2019 Lexus LX Inspiration Series View 12 Photos Lexus SUV Luxury Off-Road Vehicles toyota land cruiser 2018 LA Auto Show

Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4-Door and Fiat 124 Spider Abarth | Autoblog Podcast #596

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder and Associate Editor Joel Stocksdale. This week, they focus on the cars they're driving, starting with the hardcore, four-door Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S. Then they move on to the aging Lexus GX 460 and the plucky Fiat 124 Spider Abarth. They discuss the practical-yet-luxurious Lincoln Nautilus, as well as the state of Lincoln as a whole (did you hear it just got a new design boss?). Finally, they help pick a modern vehicle for someone with a hankering for the look of the classic Ford Bronco. Autoblog Podcast #596 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 Mercedes-AMG Four-Door GT 63 S 2019 Lexus GX 460 2019 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth 2019 Lincoln Nautilus Spend My Money Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Japanese earthquakes send ripples through auto industry

The earthquakes since April 14 in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu are having aftershocks on the US auto industry, particularly for Toyota. The company shut down most of its factories in the country due to parts shortages, and the plants will be closed at least through April 23. "Decisions regarding recommencement of operation at plants in Japan will be made on the basis of availability of parts," the company said in a statement. According to Automotive News, Toyota's closed factories include a vast range of popular models in the US, including the Toyota Prius, Mirai, RAV4, 4Runner, Land Cruiser, Lexus ES, LS, IS, GS, RC, NX, RX, GX, and LX. The company's only sites in Japan that are still open build Hino trucks, Daihatsu models, and the Toyota Century limo. Toyota isn't yet sure whether these shutdowns could lead to vehicle shortages in the US. "As you can imagine, we are still reviewing the situation and working to learn more," company spokesperson Aaron Fowles told Autoblog. "While we know that production will be suspended in stages at most of our vehicle assembly facilities in Japan between April 18th and the 23rd, we do not know if they will continue production suspensions. Also, any effects to our inventory and/or sales have yet to be determined." He expects the automaker to know more in the coming days. Many of the affected Toyota plants aren't even in Kumamoto Prefecture, but major suppliers have factories in the region. For example, Aisin Seiki and Renesas Electronics both had to shutdown operations at plants in the area, according to Automotive News. Toyota isn't the only automaker affected. Nissan experienced a brief slowdown but was back to work on Monday, and Honda has suspended a motorcycle plant in the region until Friday. Mitsubishi had to close a production line due to the parts shortage, according to The Japan Times, but it didn't affect US models. "A supplier to our Mizushima plant has been impacted but they only supply an engine part for our mini car line. That line has been temporarily shut down due to that situation," spokesperson Alex Fedorak told Autoblog. "That same plant builds the Lancer and i-MiEv and there has been no impact to that line and production continues uninterrupted." Two major quakes hit Kumamoto Prefecture around Kumamoto city in the past week. The first on April 14 measured 6.4 magnitude, and a second on April 16 measured 7.3.