Auto blog

Lexus launches supercharged LX 570 in Middle East

The Lexus LX SUV is a very muscular, old-school vehicle. Based on the Toyota Land Cruiser, it's still a big, body-on-frame SUV, but inside it offers acres of leather and luxury tech. The brand's Kuwaiti distributor is taking it machismo even further for the local market with the new LX 570 Supercharger.
As the name suggests, the upgraded SUV grafts a supercharger onto the LX 570's 5.7-liter V8 to boost it to 450 horsepower, from 383 hp in the naturally aspirated version in the US (or 362 hp in the standard Kuwaiti version), and it uses the same six-speed automatic as the standard model. To signal the improved strength, much of exterior chrome is replaced with black trim. It also wears special 20-inch wheels and a rear spoiler. The interior is fitted with crimson leather seats and red-accented carpet. It also gets an aluminum sill plate that says "Supercharger." Like the standard Kuwait-spec LX 570, it has two fuel tanks with a total combined capacity of 36.46 gallons, which should help satiate the likely thirsty, forced-induction V8.
The LX 570 Supercharger won't be rumbling down streets outside of the Middle East, though. According to Lexus spokesperson Bill Kwong, this is a project by the distributor in the region. The supercharged engine also has "issues with emissions" in the US, especially in California, he told Autoblog. Too bad, it would be an interesting Range Rover alternative.

This Lexus LC Super Bowl ad is like a Sia music video with sweet wall dancing

What you see above is the extended, 60-second version of Lexus's "Man & Machine" Super Bowl commercial. The car/machine half is obviously the new 2017 Lexus LC 500 coupe, and the man in question is Lil Buck, a so-called movement artist (we think that's like a dancer). Both are moving to Sia singing "Move Your Body" from her latest album, "This Is Acting." So yeah, it's basically a music video with a car featuring prominently in it, which is fine by us. (In fact, it was directed by Jonas Akerlund, who specializes in the genre.) We see the machine and the man on split screen, and then the voiceover attempts to tie it all together: "Machines don't have emotions, but the rare few can inspire them." And then Lil Buck seems to defy gravity by slithering into the car while the door closes. The coolest part is how he dances on the walls around the Lexus. Revolving sets with fixed cameras are neat, especially with a car stuck in the middle. The spot closes with Lexus's new tagline, Experience Amazing. Like most corporate mottos, it says almost nothing about the brand. But hey, the commercial is fun to watch, and we happen to like the new LC, so they're doing something right. A 30-second version of the spot will air during the big game. Related Video:

Lexus GS F coming in 2016 with 500 hp

The Lexus GS F has been one of those cars that's been rumored and whispered about for years, but has never come to fruition. The last time we spoke of the Lexus-badged BMW M5-killer was in a crop of spy photos, posted one year ago yesterday. So what's behind this latest rekindled round of rumors?
Well, according to Autocar, sources have claimed that the GS F will hit markets in 2016, and that it will make use of a more potent version of the Lexus RC F's 5.0-liter V8 that will sing to the tune of 500 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission from ZF will be included, as will a Torsen limited-slip diff. Taken as a whole, the executive sedan should get to 60 in the mid-four-second range and accelerate to a top speed of 170 miles per hour.
Prices in the UK will start at 80,000 pounds ($130,000 at today's rates, but as we know, translating British prices to American prices is an inexact science), and right away, we run into a big issue.