2014 Lexus Ls 460 on 2040-cars

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Toyota's hydrogen fuel cell Mirai isn't good enough to be a Lexus

It looks like the first hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle from Lexus will be faster than previously advertised, but it will get to the market slower than expected. It's all part of the paradox involved with Toyota looking to broaden its fuel-cell technology beyond the Mirai. Either way, the first Lexus fuel-cell vehicle is slated to start sales by the end of the decade, said Auto Express, citing comments from Alain Uyttenhoven, head of Lexus Europe. Uyttenhoven noted that it'd take an SUV to provide enough space to accommodate the packaging for the Lexus fuel cell powertrain. That comment may imply that the hydrogen-fueled powertrain from Lexus will offer similar performance to that of the Lexus RX450h hybrid SUV. That model delivers 300 horsepower and boasts a 0 to 60 mile-per-hour time of about seven seconds. Such a mill would be a departure from what we'd previously reported on Toyota's plans to expand its fuel-cell technology to its Lexus luxury badge. With Toyota believed to be planning to unveil as many as three fuel-cell models in time for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, the Japanese automaker said early last year that it may have a Lexus fuel-cell vehicle available as soon as 2017, while reports suggesting the model would be a Lexus LS-based sedan. Additionally, the Mirai's fuel-cell powertrain had been believed to be the platform for the proposed Lexus fuel cell from the moment that model started sales in California last year. Apparently, though, the Mirai's 152-horsepower powertrain, coupled with a full-tank range that would be about 20 percent less than the 300-mile Mirai, isn't up to snuff for Lexus duty. Related Video: News Source: Auto Express via Hybrid CarsImage Credit: Jonathon Ramsey / AOL Green Lexus Toyota Hydrogen Cars mirai

2014 Lexus IS 250 AWD F Sport

"Ooh, this looks fun!" my otherwise car-ignorant friend said as we walked up to the 2014 Lexus IS 250 F Sport. And yeah, it does look fun. In fact, despite my initial strong negative reaction to the design, I've really warmed up to this new IS, especially with the flashier F Sport package found on this test car (unique front fascia, 18-inch dark alloy wheels and appropriate badging). Even though that rear end still looks a bit Droopy Dog to me (stop frowning, Lexus), the IS is sharp, though I'm not entirely sure that such a bold design will age well.
"Looks can be deceiving," I told my friend, and we hit the road... slowly. You see, despite looking like a fresh, modern sport sedan, the IS 250 still uses what is, quite frankly, a dog of an engine. And that, combined with dynamics that are just so-so at best, makes for a sedan that's all show and no go. Say hello to Jennifer Slowpez.
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2016 Lexus RX teased ahead of NYC show

The Lexus RX is one of the big players in the luxury crossover field, and the Japanese brand is giving us the first, shadowy look at the upcoming fourth-generation model. It debuts in just a few weeks on April 1 at the 2015 New York Auto Show. Lexus doesn't reveal anything technical about the plush CUV in its teaser, but the model does show off some interesting styling in the accompanying photo. In this shot, the rear pillar appears to incorporate the side window's glass into its shape in an intriguing way. You can also get a good look at the RX's wraparound taillights. Spy shots indicate the frontal design softens some of the ideas from the smaller NX, but the big, spindle grille and squinting headlights remain. The fourth-gen RX also reportedly uses aluminum for some body panels to shed weight. We expect to get the full scoop about it in New York. Related Video: 2016 Lexus RX To Make Its Global Debut Under the Bright Lights of the Big Apple: 2015 NYIAS March 20, 2015 TORRANCE, Calif. – March. 20, 2015 – Lexus will introduce the all-new 2016 RX at the 2015 New York International Auto Show. When the RX model launched 17 years ago, it defined a new luxury segment. Since then, it has dominated mid-size luxury utility vehicle sales. The fourth generation RX will make its global debut at a press conference in the Galleria at Jacob Javits Convention Center on Wednesday, April 1 at 9:10 a.m. EDT. The press conference will also be streamed live at https://new.livestream.com/LexusInternational/NY-2015. ###