2005 Lexus Sc 430 Pebble Beach 2dr Convertible on 2040-cars

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NHTSA, IIHS, and 20 automakers to make auto braking standard by 2022

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and virtually every automaker in the US domestic market have announced a pact to make automatic emergency braking standard by 2022. Here's the full rundown of companies involved: BMW, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo (not to mention the brands that fall under each automaker's respective umbrella). Like we reported yesterday, AEB will be as ubiquitous in the future as traction and stability control are today. But the thing to note here is that this is not a governmental mandate. It's truly an agreement between automakers and the government, a fact that NHTSA claims will lead to widespread adoption three years sooner than a formal rule. That fact in itself should prevent up to 28,000 crashes and 12,000 injuries. The agreement will come into effect in two waves. For the majority of vehicles on the road – those with gross vehicle weights below 8,500 pounds – AEB will need to be standard equipment by September 1, 2022. Vehicles between 8,501 and 10,000 pounds will have an extra three years to offer AEB. "It's an exciting time for vehicle safety. By proactively making emergency braking systems standard equipment on their vehicles, these 20 automakers will help prevent thousands of crashes and save lives," said Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx said in an official statement. "It's a win for safety and a win for consumers." Read on for the official press release from NHTSA. Related Video: U.S. DOT and IIHS announce historic commitment of 20 automakers to make automatic emergency braking standard on new vehicles McLEAN, Va. – The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety announced today a historic commitment by 20 automakers representing more than 99 percent of the U.S. auto market to make automatic emergency braking a standard feature on virtually all new cars no later than NHTSA's 2022 reporting year, which begins Sept 1, 2022. Automakers making the commitment are Audi, BMW, FCA US LLC, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Tesla Motors Inc., Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo Car USA.

Lexus will reportedly usher in new design language with global EV

Lexus took its first steps in the electric car sector when it released the UX 300e, a compliance car developed for the Chinese and European markets. It's planning to launch a follow-up model in 2022, and the yet-unnamed EV will represent a much more serious attempt at capturing a slice of the segment in global markets than its predecessor. British magazine Autocar reported that the next electric Lexus will take the form of a crossover built on the e-TNGA platform developed to underpin a large number of Toyota and Subaru models. It will be about the same size as the NX, one of the firm's best-selling models, but it will receive a specific design inspired by the LF-Z Electrified concept (pictured) introduced in March 2021. It will retain the spindle grille, though the feature will become more of a trim piece than an air vent, and the design study's wide rear light bar is expected to make the transition from the drawing board to the showroom floor. Some of these defining styling cues will permeate other models in the 2020s.  What the low, hatchback-like body will hide remains to be seen. Autocar believes the crossover will be closely related to the production version of the Toyota bZ4X concept, which will also ride on the e-TNGA architecture. All-wheel-drive seems like a given, and Lexus will undoubtedly put a greater focus on performance and handling than its parent company. We're expecting to see some degree of automated driving, though not full autonomy. Interestingly, a steer-by-wire system may come standard, allegedly to provide a more engaging driving experience. Lexus could introduce the EV before the end of 2022, meaning it would arrive in showrooms as a 2023 model. If everything goes according to plan, it will launch a total of 10 new electrified models (including hybrids) by 2025. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

2019 Lexus LX Inspiration Series is relatively uninspiring

We're a whole month away from the Los Angeles Auto Show, but Lexus is already showing us a special edition LX it plans to debut at the show. Called the LX Inspiration Series, it's an appearance package for the already opulent Lexus SUV. It starts with black paint and black wheels, then adds black trim to the headlights, fog lights and windows. Its grille gets a new dark chrome surround — as though it needed to be any flashier. The headlamp lenses are smoked black as well. Around back there's more black chrome accents around the taillights, license plate surround and back door. Then for what we can only assume is for balance, Lexus gave it a white leather interior. The white leather is complemented by plenty of black leather to create a two-tone appearance. It looks expensive and classy and all of the things that a $100,000 Lexus should be – this special edition climbs over the century mark at $101,715 including destination charges. You do get a fully-optioned version of the LX with the four-zone climate control, heated/cooled rear seats and projector door lamps, but this version is still significantly more expensive than the base Lexus LX which comes in under $90,000. The Toyota Land Cruiser-based LX is ancient at this point, and frankly this doesn't do much to move the needle. No other updates appear to be in the works for now, so you better really like this traditional SUV to go grab one up. Only 500 of these "Inspiration Series" special edition models are planned if the blacked-out exterior strikes your fancy. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2019 Lexus LX Inspiration Series View 12 Photos Lexus SUV Luxury Off-Road Vehicles toyota land cruiser 2018 LA Auto Show