These spy shots show us one of the first mules of the new Lexus IS, whose third generation will be introduced in 2013 with a decidedly more sporty attitude than the outgoing version. The new sedan from the Japanese carmaker is being developed on a new platform that previous rumors said it is quite similar to the one which spawned the Toyota GT 86: a few weeks ago website MotorAuthority reported that the IS was going to be longer and wider, but the general layout of the model - and, obviously, its rear-wheel drive architecture - will be pretty much the same.

As for now there is no info concerning the engine range of this model, while the aesthetics of the car should adopt the same design language used for the Lexus GS. However, it is fair to assume that the new IS will come with an hybrid powertrain as well, and it is quite likely that an all-wheel drive variation will also be made available. The most sporty version of the range, the IS-F, will come with a manual gearbox option beside the automatic one, that was the only one available for the previous generation.

A few days ago Lexus delivered in the UK the first LFA Nurburgring Edition model to ever grace the European soil. The car is one of the only 50 units produced in the series, and comes with a massive and flashy CFRP rear wing, an exclusive set of alloys and some modification to the already impressive standard powertrain: its 4.8-litre V10 gets an extra 11 hp, which makes for a grand total of 571 horsepower, while aerodynamics, tyres, transmission and suspension set-up have also been modified in order to achieve maximum performance on the track.

Just to make the record straight, let’s not forget that a Lexus LFA equipped with the Nurburgring Package and professional driver Akira Iida behind the wheel was able to stop the clock on the famous German track at 7:14.640, a laptime that’s better than what such cars as the Porsche 911 GT2 RS, the Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1, the Maserati MC12 and the Ferrari Enzo were able to do on same circuit.

This very special edition of the Japanese coupe can go from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 325 km/h (202 mph). On the top of the car itself, all buyers will also get an individual driving lesson as well as a pass that will give them free access to the famous Nordschleife for a whole year.

View the Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package photo gallery

Toyota is working on a new supercar with significantly higher performance and even more exclusive than the already exceptional Lexus LFA. Twice the performance means twice the price: in fact the amount requested for the new sports car could be around £500,000 against the £336,000 of the current version and the production will be limited to only 100 units, compared to the 500 of the LFA. This exclusive recipe should make the taste buds of wealthy collectors tingle. No details regards the engine, yet, but it should be expected a far more powerful engine than the roaring 4.8-litre V10 installed on the Japanese supercar. The design might take inspiration from the beautiful LF-LC Concept, but at this point no rumours have been confirmed yet.

Lexus has chosen the 2012 New York Auto Show to launch its new 2013 Lexus ES, either in version ES 350 and ES 300h hybrid. This model is the ultimate expression of design language proposed by the Japanese manufacturer. The wheelbase has been lengthened to increase the spaciousness inside and the driving dynamics have been improved by revising steering system and suspension.

The Lexus Hybrid Drive system appears for the first time on the ES range with a four-cylinder 2.5 engine coupled to an electric unit. The manufacturer declares consumption of 5.9 litres per 100 km on combined cycle. There are four driving modes: Normal, Sport, Eco and EV. This allows covering short distances on battery power alone. The Lexus ES 350 is powered by a 3.5 V6 Dual VVT-i engine mated to the ECT-i six-speed automatic transmission.

The new ES features the signature Lexus spindle grille, advanced LED accent lighting, a lower and more slender profile with solid lines from back to front. It mounts 215/55 R17 tires with 17 “alloy wheels as standard or 18 “wheels as optional. The body is available in two new colours: Agate Pearl Metallic and Silver Lining. Inside the car features luxury upholstery made of new materials and colours. Thanks to a longer wheelbase rear passengers can enjoy 10.4 inches of extra space.

The tech-department is packed with safety devices such as blind spot monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Pre-Collision System, 10 airbags as standard and Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL); also featuring Lexus Enform infotainment system with Internet connectivity and smartphones integration, Lexus Premium Sound system with Automatic Sound Levelizer, CD player, USB, Bluetooth, and Sirius XM receiver. The HDD navigation system is offered as an option.

The Lexus ES 350 and ES 300h will be available with left hand drive from next summer, but the UK will have to wait until 2013.

Lexus will attend the next New York Auto Show (6th-15th April) with the new ES saloon, now in its sixth generation and recognisable from the same revised design as the GS. The ES promises “a new dynamic driving experience”, giving a hint about possible new suspension. Here it is anticipated by an official image, which shows a particular of “Lexus’ signature spindle grille.” Official images and details will be announced at 16.20 (British Summer Time, 11:20 local time) Wednesday, the 4th April, when the press conference will take place
The current Lexus ES was introduced in 2006 and measures 4.85m in length, 1.82m in width and 1.45m in height. It is equipped with a 2.4 litre L4 engine with 165 hp and a V6 3.5 litre with 272 hp. The model is fitted with front wheel drive layout.

Lexus has released a new series of images of the concept LF-LC. The full hybrid sports car was unveiled for the first time in Europe at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show and was created to anticipate the future design of the Japanese brand.

The look, very sleek and sporty, presents cutting edge technical solutions for the body, as well as high-tech equipment inside the car. The designers at the Lexus Calty Design Centre of Newport Beach gave free rein to the imagination to create innovative features for the interior, essential but elegant, futuristic and comfortable, too.

The driver can control various functions through an LCD screen placed at the centre of the dashboard. The windows, seats, rear-view mirrors, air conditioning system and infotainment are controlled via two touch-screen displays integrated into the doors. The LF-LC boasts 21” wheels fitted with 265/35 tires. The Japanese brand does not exclude a future production of the prototype, as Yoshi Inaba, President of Toyota North America said “judging from the fantastic reception it received, people want us to build it”. We can expect the model to be put on the market with an estimated price of £120.000.

View the full Lexus LF-LC new official images photo gallery

Lexus has presented the European premiere of the LF-LC Concept at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show . The prototype, unveiled for the first time at the Detroit Auto Show, is a full-hybrid sports car with a futuristic design that anticipates the look of forthcoming models of the brand.

Inside the passenger compartment the Japanese designers gave free rein to the imagination, creating very innovative lines and designing a dashboard full of technological gadgets. The LCD central screen displays several information, including an Eco Driving Indicator showing battery life and fuel efficiency.

At the Lexus Calty Design Centre of Newport Beach designers have also developed a remotely controlled touch screen system, inspired by the one seen on the F800 Style by Mercedes. Inside the two doors, small monitors are used to control rear-view mirrors, windows, seats and infotainment system.

View the full Lexus RX 450h facelift and LF-LC live in Geneva 2012 gallery

Lexus has just released a new video starring the LF-LC Concept, its new 2+2 sportscar that was one of the undisputed stars at the recent North American International Auto Show of Detroit. The footage shows us a little bit more of the new model, which was developed at Lexus’ Calty design studio in Newport Beach, California, and uses Lexus’s own Hybrid Drive technology.

The video features contributions from some of the designers who worked on the project, and is quite revealing as for how certain elements of both the exterior and the interior design of the car came about. Apparently, the response to the LF-LC Concept has been so positive that Lexus is seriously considering putting it into production. Rumor has it that, in that case, the car will probably end up being priced at around 100.000 €.

View the full Lexus LF-LC Concept official photo gallery
View Lexus LF-LC Concept at the 2012 NAIAS images

A never-seen-before Lexus LFA roadster just made a surprise appearance at a drifting side-event just outside the venue hosting the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon, currently ongoing in the Japanese capital. At the moment there are no info about this model, but there’s a chance it is just an aftermarket conversion of a regular LFA coupe. In any case, it looks stunning and sounds just as great, and the video surely makes for a nice Sunday watch.

The new Lexus LF-LC Sports Coupe Concept has just been introduced ‘in-the-metal’ to the general public at the 2012 NAIAS in Detroit, prompting the Japanese manufacturer to release a full photo gallery and two official videos starring their new front-mounted rear wheel drive sportscar. However, as previously reported, Lexus did not reveal much about the model. We know it has been designed at Lexus’ Calty design studio in Newport Beach, California, that uses Lexus’s own Hybrid Drive technology, that it wears 21″ alloys and houses two 12.3″ LCD screens on the dashboard, but that’s basically it. Now at least we have an official photo gallery and two videos (check them out after the jump) giving us a clearer view of the model’s aesthetics. We will be waiting for more info about the LF-LC Concept.

View the full Foto ufficiali della Lexus LF-LC Concept photo gallery
View Lexus LF-LC Concept at the 2012 NAIAS images

The much hyped Lexus LF-LC Sports Coupe Concept is at the North American International Auto Show, and here are some live pictures of the model taken live at the Detroit event. This new supercar from Lexus is a front-mounted rear wheel drive coupe that uses Lexus’s own Hybrid Drive technology, but the Japanese carmaker did not release any detail as for which sort of powertrain is actually equipping the model, and the Press Release divulged in Detroit surely doesn’t shed any light on the matter .

The aggressive design of the car has been developed at Lexus’ Calty design studio in Newport Beach, California. It uses 21″ alloys fitted with 265/35 tyres, boasts about two inches of ground clearance and seems to be ready to enter production. As for the interior, it looks pretty similar to the LFA, although the LF-LC uses a lot more leather, suede and polished wood. This prototype also has two 12.3″ LCD screens on the dashboard that allow the driver to control the car’s infotainment system while there are another two small screens, one for each side of the cabin, that command seat adjustament, wing mirrors and side windows. Perhaps the passenger compartments is a little too futuristic for today’s standards, but the eventual production version of this LF-LC concept might end up using a more down-to-earth approach.

View Lexus LF-LC Concept at the 2012 NAIAS images

Two more official images of the upcoming Lexus LF-LC Concept have been published by Autocar.co.uk. The model will be officially unveiled at the upcoming North American International Auto Show of Detroit this coming January, and is a 2+2 sportscar that will anticipate the new design theme that the Japanese manufacturer will adopt in the future. The LF-LC has been developed on a not-better-specified hybrid platform, and many details of this model remain a mystery. According to the British magazine, this model might anticipate a high class convertible coupe model which would become an ‘informal’ version of the new LS, but there are no confirmation on the matter, as for yet. However, the 2012 NAIAS will open in just a few days, thereby we should get more info about the LF-LC concept pretty soon.