Lexus LF-LC 2+2 sport coupe Concept Leaked

This compliments this previous post;

http://www.thehondaportal.blogspot.com/2011/12/lexus-to-unveil-sport-coupe-concept.html

Lexus to Unveil Sport Coupe Concept Vehicle at North American International Auto Show in Detroit

TORRANCE, Calif., Dec.21, 2011 – Taking the new Lexus design direction one step further, the LF-LC 2+2 sport coupe will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit at 1:25 pm Eastern time on January 9, 2012.

"Crafted from a clean sheet of paper at the request of Lexus headquarters in Japan, the LF-LC blends both high technology and organic shapes to connect the driver to the machine," said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. "The clean lines of the vehicle emphasize motion, creating a distinctive look for this futuristic sport coupe."

Conceived as a design exercise to explore the future of Lexus design, the LF-LC was created at the company’s Calty design studio in Newport Beach, Calif.


Source;
http://www.lexus.com/concept/_pdf/Concept_Vehicle_Press_Release_12_21_2011.pdf

Next Gen Toyota Supra underway!

Lexus plans super LFA Tokyo Edition, new Supra underway
By Tim Pollard

Lexus will launch an LFA Tokyo Motor Show Edition at this autumn's 2011 Japanese show, CAR has discovered - and we can expect a brace of additional new Toyota/Lexus performance cars in the coming years, including a likely Supra replacement.

The Lexus LFA Tokyo edition will bring an M3-esque exposed carbon roof and (still hydraulically adjustable) carbon rear spoiler. Presumably this just means the weave is exposed, as the LFA is already made from carbonfibre.

CAR understands the LFA Tokyo will cost about €40k more than a 'regular' Lexus LFA.
What else is planned for the Lexus LFA?

A spider roadster was planned and its carbonfibre construction meant the open-top LFA was nearly as rigid as the coupe. But our sources in Japan have confirmed the roadster LFA has been canned owing to the economic uncertainty in markets around the world.

And what's this about new performance cars from Toyota/Lexus?

Toyota is working on two other performance cars separate from the FT-86 and LFA projects.
Information is sketchy at this point, but CAR understands one is a front-wheel drive car (possibly a go-faster CT200h) and one is a potential successor to the Supra.

Officially, a Supra replacement is denied. But we hear a skunkworks, unofficial project is underway to replace the RWD coupe and some insiders predict a 2014 launch.

It also sounds like future fast Toyota/Lexus models will switch from high-revving naturally aspirated engines - as in the LFA, ISF and FT-86 - to smaller, turbocharged engines. Interesting times at Toyota, as it attempts to play catch-up after a decade away from the performance heartland.

Source;
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Secret-new-cars/Search-Results/Spyshots/Lexus-to-launch-super-LFA-Tokyo-Edition-plus-new-Supra-underway/

Lexus CT 200h

The Lexus CT 200h is a hybrid electric automobile introduced by Lexus and is an entry-level luxury hatchback. It made its debut at the March 2010 Geneva Auto Show, six months after the unveiling of the LF-Ch concept car; it is primarily targeted at the European market but will be sold worldwide and was introduced to North American markets at the April 2010 New York International Auto Show. The Lexus CT 200h uses a front MacPherson strut suspension and a rear double wishbone design. Lexus had previously trademarked the names CT 200h, CT 300h, and CT 400h. CT 200h production began at the end of December 2010 with European sales following shortly after. US sales began in March 2011. The CT 200h is powered by the same 1.8 litre VVT-i four-cylinder petrol engine (Toyota's 2ZR-FXE) as used in the Auris and Prius, producing 73 kW and 142Nm of torque, paired with electric motor/generators in the hybrid drive system; together the engine and electric motors produce up to 100 kW and 207Nm of torque. Fuel consumption for the CT 200h is listed at 4.1 l/100 km in Australia. The CT 200h has several driving modes Normal, Sport, Eco and EV included on other hybrid drive vehicles. Sport mode modifies the throttle and electric power steering settings, while making the Stability control and traction control less intrusive, maximising the CT200h's performance. EV mode generates zero emissions at the vehicle by using only the vehicles electric motors to drive the vehicle. Safety features include vehicle stability control (VSC) and eight standard airbags with the options of a pre-collision system with dynamic radar cruise control at extra cost. The chassis is based on the Toyota MC platform, which is the same platform used by the Corolla and the Matrix.

2011 Lexus CT200h Review

The little hybrid hatchback needs an attractive price if Lexus has any hope of selling 1,000 CTs each month in U.S. The rumoured base price of $29,120 would be enough to get a very good traffic in Lexus dealerships. This pricing data was leaked a day ahead of its planned arrival. Lets assume that these prices are accurate, the 2011 CT 200h will be the least expensive new Lexus sold in America. The base price for the IS series and HS 250h hybrid sedan is several thousand dollars higher. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) in its 2011 Hybrid Scorecard ranked the Lexus CT200h, together with the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, as the top luxury hybrid models in the scorecard’s environmental improvement category, an achievement the UCS attributed to their relatively small gasoline engines, as both carmakers downsized these vehicles’ engines from six to four cylinders to maximize fuel economy. The UCS evaluation found that the Lexus CT200h reduces greenhouse emissions by 42.9% as compared to the Lexus IS 250, used as its gasoline-only similar for this comparison.



Standard features on the CT 200h include SmartAccess with push-button Start/Stop and touch sensors on exterior front-door handles, leather steering wheel, a six-speaker, audio system with a CD player, and Bluetooth phone connectivity, iPod connectivity, 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, and dual zone automatic climate control. In Australia, the CT 200h is offered in "Prestige", "Luxury", "F Sport" and "Sport Luxury" specifications. The Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury variants add a reversing camera as standard, while the Sports Luxury gains active cruise control and the pre-collision safety system. F Sport models include all the features of the Sport Luxury model, plus sports bumpers, sports side skirts and a large rear spoiler. Interior features of the F Sport are an F Sport steering wheel, sports pedals, scuff plates, instrument panel and privacy glass. At the 2011 Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne (25–27 March 2011), the Lexus CT200h was used in the Celebrity Challenge, a one-make, one-off series event held as part of the Grand Prix's weekend attractions. The event, supported by CAMS and sponsored by Lexus Australia, was promoted as the world's first race containing only petrol-electric vehicles. In the United Kingdom, Australian pop superstar Kylie Minogue was invited to be the spokesperson for the new CT200. She has recorded a TV advertisement and the press release of the car will feature Minogue. In the United Kingdom, the CT200 will be one of the sponsors of Minogue's latest concert tour, Aphrodite World Tour.The estimated US EPA fuel economy is 43 miles per US gallon (5.5 L/100 km; 52 mpg-imp) in the city and 40 miles per US gallon (5.9 L/100 km; 48 mpg-imp) on the highway, while utilising regular 87-octane fuel. Canadian fuel consumption ratings are 4.5 litres per 100 kilometres (63 mpg-imp; 52 mpg-US) city, 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres (59 mpg-imp; 49 mpg-US) highway, and 4.6 litres per 100 kilometres (61 mpg-imp; 51 mpg-US) combined.

Lexus LFA will be available on lease in the US and Canada

The 552hp Lexus LFA supercar will be available in North America on a lease basis for at least two years, after which, you can choose to purchase the car. Out of 500 units planned, about 140 are expected to be available in the US and 10 for the Canadian market. This is to prevent the cars from not being driven until they carry more value and subsequently sold. It also to avoid speculators from purchasing the car and selling it immediately for a huge profit.

Source;
http://paultan.org/2009/11/26/lexus-lfa-will-be-available-on-lease-in-the-us-and-canada/

Jalopnik: The All-Acrylic Lexus LFA Looks Cold As Ice

So cool that it needs no explanation....
This transparent sculpture, by Japanese architect Scu Fujimoto, displayed at Milan Design Week earlier this year, of the new $375,000 Lexus LFA super car just revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show is stunning. Old, yes, but still stunning.

What's most impressive about the piece is details like the seats, instrument panel, engine and the suspension can all be seen. According to Lexus, the sculpture is constructed from transparent acrylic boards that have been sanded and polished. All we know is it's simply epic.

Source;

http://jalopnik.com/5389872/the-all+acrylic-lexus-lfa-looks-cold-as-ice

Lexus LF-A Supercar Spyshots by KPG

All I can say is wow, and it has the price tag to match too....
Here's the full spy report from the folks at KGP:

"We just caught a near production-ready Lexus LF-A prototype almost completely free of camouflage, giving us our best look yet at the upcoming supercar very close to showroom trim. This is the first time that the LF-A's revised front air-intake design has been seen uncovered. The final shape of the finessed side intake is also more apparent on this clean, white prototype. Finally, remove the white tape from the tail-light, and you'll have the final shape of the LF-A's rear-end, and the fully-trimmed rear exhaust vents and rear diffuser.
The LF-A is expected to be built using a carbon fiber chassis, keeping weight down to approximately 3,300 pounds. A V-10 should produce at least 550-hp, channeled through a GT-R style auto-manual tranny. The LF-A will probably reach production sometime in 2010, with low production numbers perhaps commanding a $400,000 price tag."

Source;
http://jalopnik.com/5361642/lexus-lf+a-clearest-look-yet