1995 Lexus Ls400 Base Sedan 4-door 4.0l on 2040-cars

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BMW-Toyota partnership to spawn hybrid supercar

BMW and Toyota inked a partnership some time ago to develop green technology, and while we were excited by the idea of a reborn Supra with BMW's carbon fiber reinforced plastic slashing the curb weight or an ultra-efficient, hybridized 1 Series, the joint efforts have been rather limited. That's set to change, though, according to a report from Australia.
Motoring reports that the partners have come to terms on a sports car. And not just any sports car, but a lightweight, hybridized model, with a six-figure price tag. Lending a bit of street cred to that idea is the site's claim that Toyota is currently carrying out durability testing on the BMW i8. According to the site, the new model will slot into the spot left by the Lexus LFA, although based on the language used, it's unclear if this is the Tokyo-bound vehicle we mentioned several months ago.
Details on this potential car are limited, although Motoring claims it will use a Toyota hybrid system mated up to a BMW gas engine - likely the 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V8 found in the M5 and M6. That sounds pretty amazing to us, but we'd still advise taking this with a grain of salt. What would you like to see out of a joint-venture supercar from Toyota and BMW? Let us know in Comments, and have your say on the prospects of a hybridized, twin-turbocharged V8.

600-horsepower IS leads Lexus to SEMA

SEMA appears to be back in full swing for 2022, replete with in-your-face custom builds and engines tuned within inches of their lives. Lexus will be at the show with several builds based on its factory offerings, not the least of which is an IS 350 sedan packing Toyota's new turbocharged six-cylinder, rather than the V8 found in the IS 500 F-Sport Performance. Let's dive right in.  Lexus DSport IS600+ SEMA build View 10 Photos DSport IS 600+ Concept The DSport IS 600+ is far and away the headliner in this crowd. Unlike the IS 500 F-Sport Performance, this build utilizes Toyota's new turbocharged six-cylinder. A fresh set of turbos and custom tune for E85 churn out more than 600 horsepower (hence the name) for this track-focused build. Additional modifications include a 4-point roll cage, sequential transmission, carbon ceramic brakes and a two-way adjustable suspension. Carbon fiber and an Artisan Spirits widebody kit complete the exterior look.  Lexus LX 600 Urban SEMA Concept View 8 Photos LX 600 Urban Concept Dialing things back a bit, the LX 600 Urban Concept leans toward luxury. Artisan Spirits is featured here yet again, with a body kit that is far more subtle than the one found on the IS 600+. You'll still find plenty of carbon fiber (front spoiler, rear bumper, fenders, hood, rear roof spoiler, rear gate spoiler and diffuser) but no carbon ceramics or adjustable dampers.  LX 600 Alpine Lifestyle SEMA Concept View 5 Photos LX 600 Alpine Lifestyle Concept If practical off-roading is more your speed, the Alpine Lifestyle Concept may just be for you. This build leans into the overlanding craze. Yeti is featured heavily in the gear department, while the truck itself was overhauled with endless storage and fitted with enough armor to protect it in most off-road situations.  GX 460 Overland SEMA Concept View 9 Photos GX 460 Overland Concept Sticking with the overlanding theme, this GX 460 Overland concept built by Cruiser Outfitters looks to expand the GX's off-road capabilities. Beneath the extensive exterior modifications, you'll find an Old Man Emu suspension with increased ground clearance and travel, Toyo mud-terrain tires and  self-recovery winch up front from Warn.  RX 500h F-Sport Performance AWD SEMA concept View 7 Photos RX 500h F-Sport Performance AWD Concept Don't let the "500" and "F-Sport Performance" bits fool you; there's no V8 to be found here either.

2016 Lexus GS 200t First Drive

Last year, Lexus rolled out an ad for its GS that featured several luxury rivals swinging on pendulums, with a hypnotic voiceover that derides the BMW 5 Series' standard four-cylinder engine. The ad then asks viewers to, "Open your eyes to the six-cylinder, eight-speed Lexus GS." Oh, how times have changed. Consider the facelifted Lexus GS 200t and its four-cylinder turbocharged engine an admission that maybe the Germans are on to something. It's good to see Lexus getting with the times, but after a drive in Southern California, we find the first turbocharged GS comes up short in a lot of ways. This is the same engine Lexus uses in the NX, IS, and RC with 200t designations. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder uses a twin-scroll turbo, direct injection, and Toyota's most advanced continuously variable valve timing to produce 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. That's 70 horsepower short of the GS 350's 3.5-liter V6. But torque is down only 22 fewer lb-ft, and the 200t's broad peak torque, from 1,650 to 4,400 rpm, promises ample usable power. The 200t offers little reward for the slower acceleration. As for that previously-mocked BMW 5 series, the Lexus has nearly identical output. But a 7.0-second 0-60 time is nearly a full second slower than the BMW's claim for the 528i, a car that weighs practically the same as the Lexus. Fuel economy is another head-scratcher. Lexus estimates the GS 200t F Sport returns just 20 miles per gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, three and four mpg less than the 5er. This brand-new 2.0-liter turbo is hardly more efficient than the three-year-old GS 350. The V6 model nets 19 mpg city and 28 mpg on the highway, and is 1.3 seconds quicker to 60 mph. A smaller engine almost always means sacrificing performance for economy, but based on the figures the 200t offers little reward for the slower acceleration. At least the 200t is better from behind the wheel than on paper. We weren't that impressed by the low-end grunt of Lexus' 2.0-liter turbo when we drove it in the NX, but different gearing in the GS means snappier off-the-line behavior. Once the turbo catches up you're well into the heart of the torque curve, and the GS feels quicker than a seven-second jog to 60 mph. Mid-range punch is the engine's most endearing quality. Passing moves are easy and entertaining, even when you're already traveling at or above freeway speeds. Unfortunately, the engine gasps above 4,400 rpm.