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2017 Lexus Model Year Preview and Updates

As the market for luxury and near-luxury vehicles continues to expand, Lexus intends to grow its already-dominant share; new entries and updates to existing models reflect that. Biggest news for this calendar year – if not the 2017 model year – is unquestionably the introduction of the 2018 LC 500 - pictured above - and LC 500h, high-performance 2+2 coupes powered by either a blazing 5.0-liter normally aspirated V8 (LC 500) or full-hybrid system (LC 500h). Complementing their spring intro is the arrival of a redesigned LS 500 sedan, also making its debut as a 2018 later in this calendar year. LEXUS CT 200h: Lexus' hybrid hatch, nearly invisible from a marketing standpoint, receives new colors in 2017: Atomic Silver Caviar, Autumn Shiver and Blue Vortex Metallic. ES: The various ES trims, including the hybrid, incorporate the Lexus Safety System+ as standard equipment. Display Audio adds the Scout GPS link and all trims receive rain-sensing wipers. GS: Lexus' 5 Series weapon, sold in four variants – 200t, GS 350, GS 350 AWD and GS 450h – incorporates the Lexus Safety System+ as standard, offers a limited-slip differential option for the GS 350 RWD and supplies navigation on the 200t free of charge. IS: The compact Lexus four door receives an in-your-face refresh. A new front fascia, headlamps and wheel designs constitute the significant updates. Inside, the infotainment screen is enlarged, and the Lexus Safety System+ is made standard. LC: Lexus' 2+2 halo is all-new, and comes in two variants: LC 500 is V8-powered, while the LC 500h is equipped with a V6 and fully hybrid integration. The coupe is in Lexus showrooms by May, 2017. LS: The 2017 LS drove into the model year with minimal changes. The big news is the introduction of an all-new 2018 LS in the fourth quarter of this year. RC: Lexus' four-place coupe receives new wheel finishes on both 18-and-19-inch wheels, as well as available triple-beam LED headlamps. In the RC 350 performance dampers are made standard, and in all models the Display Audio receives a Scout GPS link. GX: Little substantive news for the Lexus GX SUV, but heated/ventilated front seats are available as a standalone option, and second-row captain's chairs are standard on the Luxury trim and available on Premium. Finally, the GX receives an optional Sport Design Package, a set of cosmetic upgrades targeting those with a taste for urban adventure.

2021 BMW M3 and M4 vs all the high-powered sport sedans and coupes

Should you have a found a way to get past that schnoz, you've probably digested some of the basic specs for the all-new 2021 BMW M3 sedan and M4 coupe specs. They're plenty impressive. There's also, basically, two sets of them thanks to the regular and Competition versions that differ in engine output and transmission type.  But how do they compare to other ultra sport sedans and coupes? Well, we were wondering that too, so we fired up the Autoblog Comparison Spreadsheet Generator 5000 (aka me chained to my computer in a dark basement).  Sadly, there are surprisingly few competitors for the 2021 BMW M3. Rival sedans include the Mercedes-AMG C 63 and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, along with the Audi RS 5 Sportback sedan/coupe/hatchback thing. There's no more Lexus IS F, the Cadillac CT4 Blackwing has yet to arrive and Jaguar doesn't offer a spicy XE R.  Happily, there are more coupe rivals for the 2021 BMW M4, including the two-door versions of the AMG and Audi as well as the Lexus RC F. I also included the Ford Shelby GT350 and Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE. On paper, they align incredibly well. On the street and on a track, I can personally attest that these Americans are fully capable of keeping up and/or bettering the fancy-pants luxury brands (and let's not forget there are even more powerful, hardcore versions available). If they don't align in terms of price or prestige, whatever. OK, let's get to the spreadsheet. Let's start with the coupes and note that I didn't bother listing the dimensions for the M4 Competition and C 63 S as they are identical to their "lesser" siblings.  I won't bother burning words explaining what you can see on the chart. Instead, I'll point out a few things that stood out to me. First, BMW M comes awfully close to matching the output of AMG's twin-turbo V8 despite having two fewer cylinders. Similarly, Audi manages to better the 0-60 time of the M4 Competition and tie the C 63 S despite being WAY down on power. It's not like it weighs less. Magic? Second, and speaking of 0-60 times, remember the importance that transmission and drivetrain make with them. It's not just horsepower and torque. An automatic will be quicker and easier to launch than a manual, while all-wheel drive provides more instantaneous and beneficial grip.

Lexus customizes 10 cars as characters from 'Eternals'

Lexus has vanda — uh, customized — ten cars to go along with "Eternals," the latest movie in the Marvel cinematic universe. Each vehicle has been chosen to represent one of ten heroes from the story, wrapped in colorful designs that Lexus says reflect their costumes and powers. We suppose that if you're an immortal being that needs to be embodied in automotive form, a Lexus isn't a bad choice given their reputation for long-term reliability. But, if you've been living among Earthlings for 7,000 years and are trying to lay low, maybe a brightly colored car with gold underglow isn't the most effective stealth mode. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Some of the cars are quite appropriate. Thena, incarnated as a white and gold Lexus LC500, seems like a perfect embodiment of Angelina Jolie's character's power and elegance. Similarly, the red RC F Track Edition representing Makkari, played by Lauren Ridloff, is a good fit for what is described as the fastest Eternal. And the hulking Land Cruiser-based Lexus LX570 makes a good Gilgamesh, played by Don Lee, the biggest and strongest of the bunch. However, we then get into questionable territory when Phastos is also represented by a second LX570 because, per Lexus, "The LX is technologically advanced, making it an ideal fit for Phastos, played by Brian Tyree Henry, the technological guru of the team." Uh, okay. That claim would make more sense if the SUV was a 2022 Lexus LX600, but images show the Phastos car based on a current-gen LX, which is 14 years old. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. We don't know enough about the rest of the "Eternals" characters to know if the cars are fitting, but for the sake of completion, here we go. Salma Hayek's Ajak and Barry Keoghan's Druig are represented by Lexus GX460s, Richard Madden's Ikaris is a Lexus LS sedan, Gemma Chan's Sersi is a non-Track Edition RCF, Lia McHugh's Sprite is a Lexus NX, and Kumail Nanjiani's Kingo is an IS350. Again, that last one is an odd choice since Nanjiani drove an IS500 in a recent ad (that also features a pretty cool looking right-hand-drive Mitsubishi Pajero). "Eternals" opens on November 5, 2021. The Lexus cars will be used at promotional events and at the red carpet premiere. It is the second time Lexus has been the official car of a Marvel movie, following 2018's Black Panther.