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Lexus RX L coming to L.A. with 3 rows of seats

It's been nearly a year and a half since we heard Lexus would introduce a three-row RX crossover, and now it's finally materializing. The crossover will make its debut at the L.A. Auto Show with the name of RX L. Lexus will offer it with two different powertrains and individual designations for each. The basic version is the RX 350L, which we presume will use the same 3.5-liter V6 with 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque as the two-row model. The other is a hybrid called the RX 450hL. We also expect this to use the same 308-horsepower hybrid powertrain as the short RX hybrid. Toyota hasn't revealed any other details about the crossover aside from the teaser photo shown above. The full reveal happens on November 29, when we should have more photos and information. This bigger RX is an important vehicle for Lexus, too. Currently, the only way to get a Lexus with three rows of seats is to get a GX 460 or LX 570. Both of these are based on traditional, body-on-frame, V8-powered SUVs, the Land Cruiser Prado and Land Cruiser respectively. As such, they could be a turn-off for someone that wants the car-like driving and better fuel economy of the RX, but needs that extra level of practicality. The RX L bridges that gap, and could be a big sales success for the brand. Related Video: Image Credit: Lexus LA Auto Show Lexus Crossover SUV Hybrid Luxury lexus rx 2017 LA Auto Show lexus rx450h

8 things you should know about the Lexus LC 500h powertrain

Lexus unveiled the LC 500h today in The Netherlands, and I got to take a look inside its new hybrid system. On one hand it seems like a box of magic – it combines two seemingly incompatible transmission types into one package. But that's also the ingenious simplicity of the thing. We don't have all of the details on how it all works yet, but here's a rundown of the high points.Efficient business in front, low-key party in the back. What makes it all work is the mullet of transmissions. For the new hybrid transmission, Lexus used the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive/Lexus Hybrid System – which consists of an e-CVT with a planetary gearset and two electric motors (one for charging the battery, the other for motivation and regen) – and grafted a conventional four-speed automatic onto the back. The two units actually coexist in one package, with the e-CVT making things efficient and the automatic expanding the capabilities. So at the low end, the system can deliver more torque, and the engine can also run at lower rpm on the highway. It's all thanks to those fixed gear ratios, and it's surprisingly simple.Except it's not that simple. This is where the virtual gear ratios come in. Like current Lexus hybrids, the system has ratios it can call up with the e-CVT. In this case, there are six virtual ratios to complement the four real physical ratios, for a total of 10 "gears" at the transmission's disposal. (Not coincidentally, the V8 LC 500 coupe has a 10-speed automatic.) One of the four fixed gears is always engaged when the car is moving, so the 10 ratios come about from combinations of what the e-CVT in front and the automatic in the back are doing. In other words, all 10 ratios are variations on the four fixed gear ratios, which means that all 10 gears could be considered virtual.It won't use all the gears all the time. In Eco mode, the car will start off on electric power and skip the first couple of "gears." When it's set to Sport or Sport +, the engine will be engaged from a stop and the transmission will select the lowest ratio. The sportier modes will also ignore the top couple of gear ratios.It can drive faster with the engine off. In a Lexus GS 450h with the Lexus Hybrid System, for example, at speeds above 62 mph or so the engine has to start up. This is because something needs to take up some slack from the battery-charging motor-generator or else it will start spinning too quickly.

Like sands through the hourglass, so is the 2014 Lexus GX

Well, that didn't take long. Just days after patent images leaked, Lexus has released pricing and images for its redesigned 2014 GX 460. Our first reaction is... wow, look at the front end on that! The updated luxury SUV features what Lexus calls "a new interpretation" of its now-trademark Spindle grille. The oversized hourglass shape is certainly unique, and whether for good or bad, it's sure to make the GX stand out.
The redesigned GX is set to hit dealerships in September and it starts at $49,085 - nearly $5,000 less than the 2013 model. Along with the new grille, it comes with standard LED headlights and daytime running lights. Inside, the GX boasts a new eight-inch touchscreen display with backup monitor, HD radio with complimentary weather and traffic data, Bluetooth and a vehicle information display. New espresso wood with black trim is also available for 2014.
Of course, the Luxury model, which starts at $60,715, adds even more frills, including navigation, a new Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, adaptive air suspension and Intuitive Parking Assist. Some of these features are also available on the base model with the addition of the new Premium Package, which Lexus touts "will be at the same price as the base 2013 model year GX 460."