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2022 Lexus NX gives a peek with Japan's highest peak

Lexus is nearly ready to introduce the second-generation NX. It released a postcard-like preview image of the crossover with the planet's seventh-highest peak located on an island. "The future of Lexus is just on the horizon," the company explained in a release accompanying the image. That's a little misleading; the photo shows Mount Fuji, a 12,388-foot high volcano in Japan, on the horizon. It's what's in the foreground that's about to break cover. One of the biggest visual changes made to the NX (which was the second-best-selling Lexus model in 2020) is the addition of a light bar that stretches across the hatch. It connects the rear lights, and it's underlined by "LEXUS" lettering written in bold capital letters. This styling cue marks a major departure for the brand. Nearly all of the cars it has released since its inception in 1989, including the V10-powered LFA, have worn its L-shaped logo out back. It's not unreasonable to assume this is a styling cue that will spread to other members of the range, like the popular RX. Beyond that, it's difficult to tell how the next NX will stand out from the current model introduced in 2014. We're not expecting a revolution. The crossover's silhouette won't drastically change, and its spindle-shaped grille isn't going anywhere. It might grow, if stylists follow recent design trends, though hopefully not to Fuji-like proportions. Bigger updates will likely be found in the cabin, where a raft of new tech features will trickle down from bigger models. Lexus will unveil the next-generation NX online on June 11. It will stream the event on a dedicated website starting at 11 a.m. Eastern time, which is 8 a.m. in Los Angeles. Sales will start nationwide shortly after. 

Toyota, Lexus will offer low-cost automated braking system

First, a technology gets better, then it gets a lot better, then it gets less expensive, then it gets a lot less expensive. Advanced driver safety and convenience systems are about to make that last step thanks to Toyota. Centered around a pre-collision braking system, there will be three suites of driver aids known as Toyota Safety Sense C (TSS C) for compact cars, Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS P) for midsized and premium cars, and Lexus Safety System+ (LSS+) for the luxury brand. TSS C pairs a camera with laser radar to provide a pre-collision system that prompts the driver to brake if it detects an impending accident, and can supply additional braking force and automatically brake between seven and fifty miles per hour. There are also Lane Departure Alert and Automatic High Beam. TSS P pairs a camera with more precise millimeter-wave radar. Starting with the three functions in TSS C, it adds pedestrian pre-collision capability and adaptive cruise control. This one will be available first, coming on the new RAV4 Hybrid and Avalon. TSS - either C or P - will expand to three more vehicles by the end of the year. The wallop is in the price: TSS C will be a $300 option, TSS P will cost $500. Compare the Ford Fusion SE, for instance - it's Driver Assistance Package comes with Lane Departure Warning, Automatic High Beams, it has Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot and Cross Traffic Detection that neither TSS has, but doesn't have any autonomous braking feature. It costs $1,200, but requires you to add the Technology and Luxury Packages for a total price of $3,165. If you want Autonomous Cruise Control, that's another $995, for $4,160 in total. Instead of $300 or $500 on the Toyota. Lexus' LSS+ will come first on the new RX then spread to four more models by the end of this year, and cost between $500 and $635 to add as an option. It also uses a camera and millimeter-wave radar for its vehicle and pedestrian pre-collision system, lane departure warning and lane keep assist, automatic high beam, and auto cruise control. The similar package on a BMW X5, with no pedestrian component, is $1,200. Toyota says both safety suites will eventually be on "nearly all" of it products and all trim levels by the end of 2017.

2021 Lexus IS teased, will be revealed next week

While the larger Lexus GS has finally been discontinued after declining sales, its smaller sibling is getting a new generation. The new 2021 Lexus IS will be revealed next week, and in the meantime, Lexus released this teaser image. It doesn't reveal too much, and the company was smart enough to make some adjustments so that playing with exposure and brightness in Photoshop wouldn't reveal anything more. All we can tell is that it's a sedan, it gets a full-width taillight design, and there's a bit of a diffuser treatment to the rear bumper. Lexus does confirm that this generation will be rear-wheel-drive, not that we were worried that would change. What we're left wondering is what will power those wheels. Previous rumors have speculated it could get a BMW inline-six from the Supra and Z4. Others have reported the current range of engines, including a turbo four-cylinder and a naturally aspirated V6, will carry over, and the 5.0-liter Lexus V8 could join the group. Fortunately we won't have to wait long to know the truth. The Lexus IS will be revealed on June 9. You can be sure to see it here on Autoblog. Related Video: