2011 Lexus Is250 Base Sedan 4-door 2.5l on 2040-cars

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Amazon Alexa will become your co-pilot in Toyota, Lexus cars

A number of carmakers have introduced Amazon Alexa voice commands that can activate the locks and climate control on their cars, but Toyota is going a step further with Alexa integration by bringing Alexa into the car. Starting in 2018, Toyota will join the likes of BMW by offering the full Alexa voice-controlled app in Toyota and Lexus vehicles with either EnTune 3.0 or EnForm 2.0 infotainment systems. Though Toyota doesn't specifically say which models, we suspect the Camry and Sienna will be the first, since they're the only Toyotas with EnTune 3.0. With Lexus, the LC, NX, RC, and LS models all have available EnForm 2.0, so any or all of those could get Alexa this year. Toyota suggests a number of ways users could use Alexa in the car, such as for taking notes and setting reminders, activating apps, or for controlling other smart devices, such as the heating and cooling on your house. That suggestion rings strongly to those of us in the midst of the bomb-cyclone winter storm. We imagine you'll probably even be able to order goods from Amazon, too. One thing that is strange is that Toyota has made this leap in connectivity, and yet you still can't get Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on any Toyota or Lexus. This is especially odd as it's safe to assume more people own and use Apple and Android products on a daily basis and on the road than Amazon Alexa. Not to mention the fact that almost every other automaker offers both systems on their vehicles. Either way, mobile Alexa presents some interesting possibilities and is sure to be appealing to fans of the Amazon service. And while only a few models will be available with it in 2018, Toyota and Lexus will expand availability in 2019. Related Video:

2023 Lexus RC costs a little more, makes a few little changes

The Lexus RC and RC F are finally ready to say hello to 2023. The eight-year-old coupe is still in its first generation, and the new model year car is not moving the needle much aside from two small, noticeable changes inside. Instead of the current car's two large analogue dials separated by a small digital screen, the new RC puts a new digital screen on the left, a large digital tachometer in center stage, and a small analogue speedo on the right. In the center stack, a new touchscreen infotainment display comes out from under the cowl built into the instrument panel to stand proud of the dash, tablet style. The standard screen measures eight inches across, upgradeable to 10.3 inches. Yes, there's still a trackpad just ahead of the armrest, but ... touchscreen. The last minor alterations inside are round vents by the doors instead of rectangular units, and an unnamed tweak made to the glovebox. Prices for the 2023 RC after the $1,150 destination charge, and their changes from 2022 MSRPs are below: RC 300: $45,470 ($1,500) RC 300 AWD: $48,160 ($1,500)  RC 300 F Sport: $50,090 ($1,650) RC 300 F Sport AWD: $52,380 ($1,765) RC 350: $48,400 ($1,500) RC 350 AWD: $50,565 ($1,500) RC 350 F Sport: $53,020 ($1,650) RC 350 F Sport AWD: $54,745 ($1,765) RC F: $67,845 ($475) RC F Track Edition: $100,720 (returning model) The RC F Track Edition comes back after a two-year pause, replacing the RC F Fuji Speedway Edition sold in the meantime. The most recent Track Edition in 2020 cost $97,820, while last year's Fuji Speedway Edition cost $102,245, so the 2023 Track Edition runs a little more than splitting the difference. The F Sport Special Appearance Package making its way through the lineup alights on the 2023 RC. The special body color is a dark silver called Incognito. The bi-tone color combination is finished with an Obisidian roof, hood and 19-inch dark Enkei wheels.     Powertrains don't change. The rear-wheel drive RC 300 makes its noise with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder putting out 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic. The AWD RC 300 makes 260 hp and 236 lb-ft, shifting through a six-speed auto. The RC 350 in both RWD and AWD forms runs with a 3.5-liter V6 making 311 hp and 280 lb-ft. The rear-driver gets the eight-speed auto while the all-paw swaps just six cogs. The RC F burbles with a 5.0-liter V8 ladling 472 hp and 395 lb-ft.

Autoblog Podcast #396

Episode #396 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Steven Ewing, and Chris Paukert talk about the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata, the 2016 Jaguar XE, and the 2015 Lexus RC. We start with what's in the garage and finish up with some of your questions, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Check out the rundown below with times for topics, and you can follow along down below with our Q&A. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #396:
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