2014 Lexus Ct 200h on 2040-cars

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Finally, Lexus has a sick-looking crossover concept

So, Lexus isn't playing it safe. The Japanese luxury brand revealed a concept called the UX that will be revealed at the Paris Motor Show, and to say it's eye-catching is an understatement. It looks like one of those new-fangled, coupe-styled SUVs, along the lines of the BMW X6, though Lexus isn't explaining exactly what the UX is. It nebulously says the concept is meant to appeal to a "progressive, urban audience living in a connected environment." Sounds like an X6-, or perhaps an X4-fighter, to us. Oh, and probably with Wi-Fi. As you can see, the UX has massively flared fenders (which add an off-road vibe), a raked roofline and huge wheels. Pretty concepty, in other words. Like the NX SUV, which debuted as a concept then went into production largely unchanged, the UX has a lot of angles and curves. Like the NX, it will probably be divisive at first but a strong entry in the crossover segment if it makes it to production (we think it will). Lexus only released this rear three-quarters shot, so we'll have to wait to see what the front looks like. We'd expect Lexus' spindle grille and some snazzy LED lights. Inside, the UX "showcases imaginative technologies for an immersive driver experience, while the interior marries traditional craftsmanship with high-tech manufacturing techniques," Lexus says. Translation: It will be really digital inside with some wood, carbon-fiber, or fancy plastic trim. It debuts Sept. 29 in Paris. Related Video: Design/Style Paris Motor Show Lexus Crossover SUV 2016 paris motor show lexus ux

Updated Lexus CT200h coming next year, new variants reported

Lexus has had a minor success on its hands with the CT200h, a funky, five-door, sport-luxury hybrid that burst onto the scene in 2011, and managed just over 17,000 US sales in 2012. Worked out to a monthly average, that's nearly 50 percent more units per month than Lexus initially targeted when the car went on sale.
Though it's done well, the CT has been left behind while designers and engineers have reworked the rest of the Lexus lineup, bringing out fully revamped versions of the GS, IS and LS over the past few years. According to a report from Down Under, though, the little CT will get some attention soon.
Speaking to Sean Hanley, boss of Lexus Australia, Aussie site The Motor Report picked up a telling quote about the execs affections for the CT, when he said, "We see the CT200h as our greatest opportunity." Hanley added that a refresh of the CT could happen early in 2014, while a clean-sheet reworking would happen around 2016.

2018 Lexus RX 450hL hybrid will start just over $50,000

Lexus has announced pricing on its 2018 RX 450hL, saying that its new three-row, all-wheel-drive hybrid crossover will carry a starting MSRP just $1,550 higher than the non-hybrid AWD RX 350L when it goes on sale starting in April. The RX 450hL will start at $51,615, positioning it right in-between luxury crossover competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 and Infiniti QX60. The Luxury package, which adds features like semi-aniline trimmed seats, interior LED ambient lighting, laser-cut wood trim and 20-inch machine-finished alloy wheels, bumps the price up to $55,550. Prices include a $995 delivery, processing and handling fee. Lexus says the 450hL will get new features like second-row captain's chairs, leather-trimmed seats and complimentary Lexus Inform Safety Connect and Service Connect membership for the first 10 years of ownership. Standard safety features include a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assistance, intelligent high beam headlights and all-speed dynamic radar cruise control. The RX 450hL combines a 3.5-liter V6 engine with two high-torque electric drive motor-generators to produce 308 in combined horsepower, with an EV mode allowing it to run on pure electric power at lower speeds for short periods. Lexus hasn't yet released fuel-economy figures for the hybrid, but the conventional RX 450h is rated at a combined 30 mpg by fueleconomy.gov. Lexus has added 4.3 inches to the rear body length of the 450hL and added more room for third-row occupants by incorporating a steeper tailgate. We've previously covered the introduction of the three-row RX 450hL and the 2018 RX 350L, which is powered by a 290-hp 3.5-liter V6 and is available in both front- and all-wheel-drive. The latter starts at $48,665 and goes up to $55,080. The RX line has been Lexus' best-selling model, with sales of 108,307 units in 2017.Related Video: