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Production Lexus NX leaks online

The first photos of the new Lexus NX crossover have leaked onto the web over a week before its official debut at the Beijing Motor Show. These pictures are pretty blurry, but there is no mistaking that they show off the Japanese luxury brand's smaller, premium CUV.
While the teaser only gave us a glimpse at its pointed strip of LED running lights and angular grille, the new image proves that the CUV is definitely not afraid of sharp edges. However, compared to the original concept, it looks almost sedate. The production version drops the knife-like side mirrors for more conventional units, and the grille appears narrower. The vertical intakes at the edges of the front are dulled slightly but still present. The NX is indeed a polarizing vehicle - we'll be interested to see it in person. After all, we've grown to like the new IS after our first, shocking reaction. We should give Lexus some credit, too, for not following the premium CUV styling herd.
Seen elsewhere, these's an exterior photo that hints at a powertrain configuration. The bumper reads NX 300h, which likely indicates that there will be a hybrid version of the CUV. This is likely the same combined 220-horsepower system with a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine and electric motor found in the IS 300h in Europe. There is no word on whether that model will be sold here. It's rumored to be offered with a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as well. More details about the new Lexus are expected in China later this month.

Rebooted Apple program gets permit to test autonomous vehicles in California

For a while, Apple has been pursuing autonomous vehicle technology, but has more or less tried to keep the specifics of those ambitions under wraps. We did learn last fall that the company was killing off plans to build its own car, and clues about its program to develop a self-driving system popped up since. Today, though, we have more concrete information, as the California DMV has issued Apple a permit to test self-driving cars in the state, as TechCrunch reports. In a document released by the DMV, the tech company joins a number of others in California with approval to test autonomous vehicles. Apple will test its systems on three cars, each a 2015 Lexus RX540h, with six approved drivers. Presumably, those cars will be on the road quite a bit, as gathering lots of data is crucial to developing a working system. Per California rules, the company will have to provide accident reports, as well as a log of every instance that a human driver has to take over driving duties from the autonomous system in what the DMV calls a "disengagement report." Those reports will be made public, so we'll be able to glean a little more information about Apple's progress once they're available. Related Video: News Source: TechCrunchImage Credit: GABRIELLE LURIE/AFP/Getty Images Green Lexus Technology Emerging Technologies Autonomous Vehicles California

2022 Lexus RC F and RC F Fuji Speedway growl on nearly unchanged

Two years ago, Lexus debuted an anyone-can-buy-it RC F Track Edition that cut 122 pounds from the standard RC F with upgrades like a raw carbon fiber hood, carbon fiber rear wing, Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, and a titanium exhaust. Our First Drive of that car praised its promise, but chided Lexus for giving up halfway to the goal of making a truly special sporting machine. A year later, Lexus rolled most of the Track Edition changes into the RC F Fuji Speedway Edition, dropping the price from the $98,750 Track Edition by exactly one Ulysses S. Grant to $98,700, but limiting availability to 60 units. The Fuji Speedway Edition returns for the 2022 model year, and while Lexus hasn't divulged pricing, availability's been constricted further, to 50 units.  The only two changes between the 2021 model and next year's version start with the exterior color. Instead of having the choice of Arctic Blast Satin White or Cloudburst Gray, the only sheetmetal hue on offer will be Electric Surge. The rich blue tone has a semi-matte finish, delivering a muted luster that won't be destroyed by an automatic car wash. The other changes is also about color, this time on the inside. The Circuit Red Alcantara and red carbon fiber trim retire to make way for a black cockpit with seats trimmed in Blue Alcantara and blue carbon fiber accents. Over on the standard car, the sole change for 2022 is a new 19-inch wheel design, still wearing staggered Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires, 255/35 in front, 275/35 in back. The real magic of the RC F lineup, its naturally aspirated V8 with 472 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque, waves its hardcore enthusiast flag for another year unchanged. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.