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Lincoln MKC crossover adopts the Continental's grille

The last vestiges of the controversial split Lincoln grille are slowly being removed as the company revamps its lineup. It started with the MKZ and Continental, with the most recent rhinoplasty recipient being the Navigator. Now, based on spy shots, it looks like the MKC crossover will be the fourth to get the new corporate grille. Under the heavy vinyl coverings, we can clearly see the proud Continental-inspired grille. We can also see that it will feature the same chrome mesh with Lincoln badge-shaped openings found on other cars with the grille design. We can also assume that the headlights will receive a substantial refresh, but the lower bumper doesn't look particularly different. The rest of this prototype MKC looks the same as the existing model. The back is covered, which indicates that the taillights may be updated. We wouldn't expect a radically different look, since the MKC already has a full-width taillight treatment. We also noticed that the wheels appear to be inspired by the cool turbine wheels of the Navigator. Whatever the other changes are, we'll probably see them soon. This is clearly just a refresh, and so there's a good chance we'll see the production model revealed by the end of the year, or early next year at the latest. Related Video:

Lexus LC Coupe and Convertible add a bevy of official TRD parts

TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development, but that doesn’t stop the performance division from developing parts for Lexus products, too. One of those Lexus products it just released a set of performance parts for is the LC 500. The two-door coupe is our favorite Lexus for sale right now because of its excellent driving dynamics and stunning looks, so adding more performance is a good thing, right? WeÂ’ll stop short of saying itÂ’s a great thing for appearances in this particular instance. The parts shown here tend to muss up and clutter the LC's otherwise gorgeous design. That large rear wing, aero cowling above the rear seats and aero mirror cover all notch the aggressiveness up a level, but it makes the styling look a bit messier in photos. TRD does claim real performance gains from the parts, though. The modified side skirts reduce the amount of wind flowing to the rear tires, which makes the car slipperier through the air — TRD also claims a benefit in fuel economy and reduced wind noise. There are three new wheel designs, all offering a reduction in weight over the stock wheels and an improvement in rigidity. The wheels pictured on the car are the Lunanium Gun Metallic option. TRD says the giant aero cowl reduces wind noise in the cabin for the LC Convertible, and the big rear wing improves vehicle stability. Other available parts include a front spoiler (adds downforce, lowers front clearance by 30 mm), rear diffuser (adds moderate downforce, says TRD), smaller rear spoiler (improves stability at speed), and a “performance damper.” Details are short on this damper, but we can assume itÂ’s slightly stiffer than stock and could offer a noticeable handling improvement. ThereÂ’s a 3-D mini configurator you can play around with on TRDÂ’s site, too. You can only choose between the exterior color, interior color and aero cowl cover, but itÂ’s worth it to see what the mods might look like on your particular LC. Interestingly, the aero cowl sitting above the rear seats can be had in either black or white. Availability of the parts in the U.S. is still unclear, but weÂ’re reaching out to TRD and will update with any news we might hear.  Related video:

2021 Lexus ES 250 AWD First Drive | Pick your first-world problem

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Looking at the 2021 Lexus ES sedan, one couldnÂ’t be faulted for thinking it unchanged from the previous model year. There is a significant new element, however, with Lexus offering an all-wheel-drive ES for the first time. The ES 250 AWD is a bone tossed to customers living in the Snow Belt, many of whom find the confidence of all-wheel drive an easier investment than a set of snow tires for their front-drive vehicle. With our first drive of the new AWD model, weÂ’d have the opportunity to take it on a long trip to Northern Michigan and, as luck would have it, a terrific storm was headed our way complete with snow and bone-chilling temperatures. Aside from pushing lateral grip and balance to its limits on a race track — and, really, who tracks their ES? — it seemed the perfect opportunity to test the ES lineupÂ’s newest improvement. The new feature comes with a caveat, though, which could be a deal-breaker for fans of the ES 350Â’s 3.5-liter V6: All-wheel drive can only be had in the also-new-for-2021 ES 250 designation, which indicates the sedanÂ’s naturally aspirated, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Unlike the I-4 in the ES 300h — ‘hÂ’ standing for ‘hybridÂ’ — the 250Â’s mill doesnÂ’t come linked to any electric motors. The engine and drivetrain go hand in hand. You can only get all-wheel drive with the I-4, and you can only get the non-hybrid four with all-wheel drive. Interestingly enough, the ES 250 AWD costs exactly as much as the V6-powered ES 350 in each of its trim levels. Both start at $41,025, and go up from there. If all that sounds familiar, perhaps it's because the mechanically related Toyota Avalon has the same price and drivetrain situation going on. It too is locked into the combinations of FWD/V6 and AWD/I-4, with equal price tags for both and for ultimately the same reason: the also-related Toyota Camry AWD. Because of the minuscule numbers the V6-powered Camry sells in, Toyota saw no need to invest in engineering the all-wheel-drive system to work with a V6. And since the lower-volume Avalon and Lexus ES are really only getting AWD because it can be essentially pulled off a shelf and plugged into the TNGA platform shared by all three, well, that's how you end up with this unusual ES 350 and ES 250 AWD situation. ES 250 AWD, left, ES 250 AWD F Sport, right   So what do the two extra driven wheels actually cost? Your soul? No, but close, depending on your priorities.