2007 Lexus Ls460 Base Sedan 4-door 4.6l on 2040-cars

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Fascinating if true: Toyota GR 86 could spawn Lexus variant

Neither the Toyota GR 86 or its Subaru BRZ platform twin are out yet, but there are already whispers of a third variant for the lightweight sports coupe. Japanese media are reporting that the GR 86 will spawn a Lexus variant, and that there's already a name for it, the Lexus UC. According to Japanese site Spyder7, the UC will stand for Urban Coupe, fitting in nicely with the Lexus UX nomenclature. It might measure slightly larger than the GR 86. The upcoming GR 86 has a length of 168 inches, but the report says the the Lexus UC could be almost a foot longer, with a total length of about 177 inches. That doesn't mean there will be any more interior room. The extra length will likely come from a heavily redesigned front and rear fascia, much more different than the GR 86 and BRZ are from each other. Lexus Enthusiast has a spy shot of the vehicle allegedly undergoing testing. The car in the photo wears a version of Lexus's trademark spindle grille. Meanwhile, Creative Trend reports that the UC's 2.4-liter boxer engine could be mated to a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Subaru does not currently have a PHEV system attached to that engine. The Crosstrek PHEV uses a 2.0-liter engine for its gasoline half, so if these rumors prove correct it would be a first for the 2.4-liter. The report also states that the interior might take on the new Lexus interface that debuted recently with the NX. That would differentiate the Lexus even more from the Toyobaru twins, which have almost identical cabins. While all of this still resides in the realm of rumor, Toyota did make one official announcement regarding the GR 86. It will make its driving debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where the GR Supra made a similar appearance in 2018. We'll be looking for it when the event opens July 8. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

2021 Lexus IS makeover will reportedly include V8 model

Come next year, things may get interesting for the Lexus IS, a car that currently is not the first to jump to mind when one thinks of compact, rear-wheel-drive sports sedans. The IS is rumored to be getting a major makeover for 2021, the most notable element of which is said to be the arrival of a V8-powered version. Don't call it an IS F, however; the model instead will be known as the IS 500. None of the above is official — the source of the V8 rumor is an Instagram post from allcarsnews, as surfaced by thedrive.com. As has been previously reported, the IS is going in for a major makeover for 2021, one that this outlet characterizes as being less than a complete redesign. It will, however, bring revised sheetmetal mirroring the look of the Lexus LS as well as a new interior. While the current engine lineup is said to carry over, this report says it will be joined by the brand's naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8. That engine powered the IS F, which was dropped after the 2014 model year, but in the 2021 car it, strangely, will be sold as the IS 500. That's the rumor, anyway. In the IS F, Toyota's 5.0-liter V8 made 416 horsepower and 371 lb-ft of torque. Currently, in the RC F coupe, it's putting out 472 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque. The IS 500 and its V8 would join an IS engine lineup that consists of a 2.0-liter turbo four with 241 horsepower and a 260-hp 3.5-liter V6 in the IS 300, plus a 311-hp 3.5-liter V6 in the IS 350. Today's sportiest variant is the IS 350 F-Sport Blackline Edition (pictured). If true, this could be a brief last hurrah for Toyota's 5.0L V8. Previous reports have claimed that by 2022, Toyota and Lexus plan to eliminate V8s from any vehicle costing less than $90k, and as part of that move, Toyota will drop its 5.7-liter truck engine as well. Related video:    

Lexus RC F sets the pace Down Under

A few months back we reported that Lexus was considering competing in V8 Supercars, Australia's premier touring-car series. And while it might not be ready to launch a campaign of its own, the Japanese luxury automaker has done the next-best thing. Starting this season, the Lexus RC F will serve as the series' official safety car. The eight-cylinder muscle coupe appears to be mechanically unmodified, as it is apparently suitable to the task right out of the showroom. It has, however, been enhanced with a special livery, emergency lighting and an interior likely to have been upgraded with bucket seats, racing harnesses, a roll cage and emergency equipment. The RC F safety car will be joined by an IS 350 F Sport that'll serve as the medical car and another GS 350 F Sport support vehicle, giving Lexus a strong presence on the circuit Down Under and potentially paving the way for a competitive assault on the series in the near future. Aussie racing fans can expect to see the trio on the track starting with the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide later this month. It won't be the first time we've seen Lexus provide a safety car in Australia, but it's a definite step up in profile from the GS 350 that has served for the past few years at the same Sydney Motorsport Park where this trio was launched. 06 February 2015 LEXUS ROARS INTO V8 SUPERCARS WITH RC F SAFETY CAR The Lexus high powered performance RC F coupe will feature as V8 Supercars' official Safety Car in 2015 as part of a new partnership between the Japanese luxury marque and V8 Supercars, Australia's premier motorsport series. A Lexus GS 350 F Sport and an IS 350 F Sport will also be on track as the championship's official course and medical cars as part of the new agreement. The RC F, which is equipped with a 5.0-litre V8 that produces 351kW of power and 530Nm of torque, will feature at each of the 15 V8 Supercars Championship events in 2015 alongside the GS 350 F Sport and IS 350 F Sport. Lexus Australia chief executive Sean Hanley said the partnership with V8 Supercars was a fitting match for the brand. "V8 Supercars is the world's leading touring car series and our involvement as supplier of vehicles reflects the new energy in our brand and our dynamic model lines," Mr Hanley said.