1996 Lexus Lx 4dr Wagon on 2040-cars

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Lexus LC convertible confirmed for production

The rumors were true, the Lexus LC convertible is going into production, and we got our first look at the production model at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Unfortunately, our first look at the production car is of a camouflaged example. The good news is that it looks pretty much just like the concept that was shown in full at this year's Detroit Auto Show. And that car looks just like the coupe minus a roof, and the coupe is a stunner. Lexus didn't reveal any other details about the production LC convertible. It didn't even give a specific date, only saying it will "go into production in the near future." We're assuming the only major mechanical changes will have to do with the roof and chassis, meaning it will have the same powertrains as the coupe. Those include a sumptuous naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 making 471 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque and a hybrid V6 making 354 horsepower. The V8 and its 10-speed automatic sounds amazing, as you can see in the video below, and the hybrid is paired with a fascinating transmission that earned it our 2018 Tech of the Year award.    

Lexus' LFA Works now making carbon fiber bicycles... kind of

The LFA Works that produced the Lexus LFA hasn't had too much to do since the 500th example of the V10 supercar left the plant on December 15, 2012. So what are a bunch of carbon fiber experts meant to do with their time when they have some of the world's most advanced CFRP machinery but no engine to wrap it with? Why, make a bicycle, of course - and not just any bicycle, but the kind that costs one million Japanese yen ($10,000 US) and of which only 100 will be made.
Only they didn't really "make" it - the carbon fiber frame was sourced from Takumi, in Taiwan. On the face of it that's a shame, but it makes sense; when you've got a company like McLaren assisting bike manufacturer Specialized produce a road bike, it's clear that 'pushies' have got so advanced that a company can't just hop in and mold a $10K bike in six months. Beyond that frame it's got a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 group with electronic shifters, and it weighs 15 pounds.
However, the Lexus crafstmen did polish each frame for three hours, and the bike is said to embody the "principles and philosophy" of the supercar, while the brochure for the bike says it represents "a new chapter in Lexus history." That chapter is still all about rarity, though, since there's only one bike headed for Canada and two for the US.

Lexus teases a wild electric car concept for Tokyo Motor Show

The Tokyo Motor Show is shaping up to have plenty of wild concepts, from Mitsubishi's turbine-powered plug-in hybrid to Daihatsu's funky mini cars. But we doubt any of these cars will top what Lexus is bringing based on the teaser image above. Not much is shown of the car, but what is visible is extreme. We can see what looks like the Lexus spindle grille taken to its ultimate conclusion with the lower section seemingly wrapping around the front corners. The edges of the grille contain the car's headlights. The nose looks quite blunt and the windshield looks to be placed far forward. Since this is an electric car concept, having the cabin close to the front is possible and makes sense for maximum cargo space. We can also make out the instruments, which appear to be rendered in concentric circles on a transparent display. Things like range, power and more are yet to be revealed. The car's unveiling will be at the Tokyo Motor Show in just a couple of weeks. With looks this dramatic, it's hard to imagine how it could translate to a production Lexus EV. But if it does, Lexus will be taking a mighty bold direction in car design.