1995 Lexus Es300 Loaded on 2040-cars

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2022 Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series gets red accents, unique wheels

Every year spawns a new Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series model, and 2022 is no exception. You’re looking at the latest LC 500 Inspiration Series here, and this one features a subtle (model exclusive) Iridium exterior paint option. The yellow, green and blue special edition model options in years past were certainly more enticing than this one, but donÂ’t think this Inspiration Series is entirely dull. If you opt for the Convertible instead of the coupe, Lexus pairs a Dark Rose fabric soft top with the Iridium paint that looks lovely. This LC also features unique 21-inch wheels that were “3D machined,” a Lexus first. They are two-tone in appearance, featuring both bright and dark elements. Those darkened elements pair well with many of the accents all around the car. For example, Lexus uses a special dark finish for the grille, rocker garnish, headlight/taillight surrounds, and rear spoiler. The interior is a black/red two-tone with the red being the same Dark Rose color used on the ConvertibleÂ’s soft top. YouÂ’ll see Dark Rose used on the seat stitching, perforations, seatbelts, center console, doors and dash. Additionally, each Inspiration Series model will come with stainless steel sill plates that call it out as the special model it is.  Only 150 Inspiration Series models will be produced for 2022, and a badge on the center console will recognize the specific unit that it is. The LC 500 Inspiration Series Coupe starts at $105,575, including the $1,075 destination charge, and it comes equipped as a fairly loaded Touring package model. Meanwhile, the Convertible starts at $116,655. TheyÂ’ll be arriving at dealerships in late spring. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Lexus CT 200h could be replaced by sub-compact hybrid CUV

The Lexus CT 200h is an interesting vehicle that never really caught on. It's a sporty Prius in sleeker hatchback clothing and was aimed at the Audi A3 when it hit the market in 2011. Since then, though, the CT has averaged a meager 16,000 sales per year. For that reason, the hybrid hatch won't be redesigned at the end of its life cycle. And according to Lexus' European brand boss, Alain Uyttenhoven, it could be replaced by a crossover. While you may lament yet another CUV hitting the market, Lexus needs a small car that sells in big numbers. Uyttenhoven told Autocar the brand aims to move 100,000 units per year in Europe to "give us visibility in the market." For 2016, European sales are on pace to hit just 70,000 units, with 10,000 of those coming from the CT 200h. He sees an opportunity for the right little Lexus based on the recent nature of the European luxury market. View 29 Photos According to Uyttenhoven, "a full 50 percent of the European luxury car market exists below the [$44,600] mark," and the only model Lexus has at that point is the CT. Put another way, the company has a remarkably slow seller as its sole representative for half of an entire continent's luxury market. Enter the crossover. Replacing the CT with a crossover makes a great deal of sense. The body style is getting more and more popular by the day, especially in the sub-compact and compact markets. Adding a smaller model – below the current NX crossover but larger than the LF-SA concept shown in Geneva – would allow Lexus to challenge the Mercedes-Benz GLA, the BMW X1, and the Audi Q3. We're betting the small crossover would use the Toyota C-HR as its basis and add a Lexus-correct heavily creased skin. Hybrid power is a given for the European market, where almost all Lexuses sold are gas-electric, but a conventional gas variant could join it in the US. That would give Lexus three hybrid CUVs in three popular sizes, alongside the NX and RX. With a forthcoming RX-based three-row on the horizon, the brand would have a full lineup of crossovers ready to take over the world. We'll miss the quirky CT when it goes, but it's hard to stop volume-driven progress. Related Video:

Online Find of the Day: Lexus-engined Mercedes pickup is a vintage hybrid

You have to love someone who gets incredibly committed to a very weird idea. What you see for sale here is a right-hand drive 1971 Mercedes-Benz 220D in South Africa, but this old Mercedes is now converted into a pickup, complete with bed cover, and there's big secret under the hood, too.
The pickup conversion appears well done based on seller Sedgefield Classic Cars' photos. Even the tonneau cover fits well. You could almost believe that this Mercedes lived its life as a Chevrolet El Camino-like pickup from the very beginning.
However, the rear-quarters conversion might not be the weirdest thing about this Mercedes. The original diesel is gone from the engine bay in favor of a Lexus V8. It seems really odd to pop the hood and find a Japanese mill in this German car, but the photos make it look like a fairly well performed swap. So, bravo to the crazy thinking. According to the seller speaking to Autoblog by email, "as far as we can establish, this was done a few years ago, with all Lexus components."