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Top 3 Features of the 2019 Lexus LC Yellow Edition
The Lexus LC 500, even without the exclusive additions, is already a powerful and beautiful car. It slots between a capable touring car and an everyday supercar. But though the LC 500 has its own identity, that didn’t stop the brand from treating it with more features.
Exterior
The color outside is, of course, an eye-catching vibrant Flare Yellow. It is really just yellow on the surface with a hint of a mango-like color to it, too. Lexus also fitted this special edition with extra aero bits like the carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic rear spoiler. This helps in the LC’s stability, especially when it is going at high speeds. Completing the whole look is a set of 21-inch forged alloy wheels.
Interior
The cabin is slathered with yellow color. The interior is wrapped in a generous amount of semi-Aniline leather and Alcantara in colors black, white, and warm yellow. The color schemes used are less vibrant than the exterior, but they are still effective in providing the luxury touch that Lexus is known for. Most of the times, Toyota’s luxury brand could not compete with its European counterpart but when it comes with special edition models like this one, Lexus could battle with the best.
The 10-way power-adjustable front seats are dressed in semi-aniline leather while the headlining above is all wrapped in Alcantara. Between these, there are yellow Alcantara inserts in the door panels and warm yellow contrast stitching on the white leather seats, instrument panel, steering wheel, and center console armrest.
Powertrain
The Yellow Edition is available either in LC 500 or LC 500h. The LC 500 is powered by 5.0-liter, naturally aspirated, V-8 that produces 471 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, and it has a top speed of 168 mph.
The LC 500h uses a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that combines with a pair of electric motors and a lithium-ion battery. It can produce 354 horsepower, enough to go from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.7 seconds. It has a top speed of 155 mph.
As a pure-bred Lexus special edition, the Yellow Edition has Dynamic Handling and Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS). The system allows four-wheel steering, enabling the driver to independently control the front- and rear-wheel-steering angles.
2019 Lexus ES Pricing Starts At $40,525
The 2019 Lexus ES sedan is the seventh generation of the model and the good thing about this is we now finally know how much the starting price would be for the popular sedan. According to Lexus, the model will start from $40,525 for the ES 350, an increase of $550 over the outgoing car. The price includes a $1,025 destination charge.
There are no specifics yet on what features the ES 350 will hold, although we’re pretty sure it will come with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. This will be paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, which will come standard across all variants.
We still don’t know if an all-wheel-drive system will be available for the ES, which means we’re spinning on a front-wheel exclusively for now. All ES sedans will pack the Lexus Safety System suite of active safety features, which include automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and bicycle detection, adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, and rear object and pedestrian detection during parking.
For the first time ever in a Lexus, the ES will also come with the Apple CarPlay.
If you’re looking for an environment-friendly Lexus ES, you’ll be happy to know that there would be a 2019 ES 300h hybrid that will cost $510 less than the outgoing car. It would have a starting price of $42,335. It will be powered by a 2.5-liter inline-4 running the Atkinson cycle mated to an electric drive system for a combined output of 215 horses.
Lexus said that the EPA released the rating for the 300h. It is rated at 43 mpg city, 45 mpg highway, and 44 mpg combined, making it the most fuel-efficient luxury vehicle without a plug-in hybrid system.
The ES 350 F Sport would be priced at $45,060. This marks the first time that an F Sport option will be offered for the ES model. This sportier variant will bring to the table a rear spoiler, 19-inch wheels, adaptive dampers, and a Sport+ option for the drive mode selector.
Lexus F Models May Get A Bespoke F Hybrid GT
Over the years, Lexus has introduced a number of electrified vehicles— the NX, RX, ES, GS, LS, and LC. The company’s F models surprisingly did not introduce an electric version, though will change sooner rather than later.
In a report from Auto Express, Lexus’ Yoshihiro Sawa admitted that there is a strong possibility that a hybrid variant will be made available for the F model. There might even be a standalone GT model. He said in the report that “one solution” to address the lack of EV variants in the F lineup is a “pure GT car.” It could be a hybrid with an electric motor and a strong engine that will give “a different drive feel.”
The F models are fitted with twin-turbocharged engines, which is either a V8 or a V10, but Sawa said they could not stick with the same engines for the hybrid model if they want it to stand out. The F sub-brand, he added, needs to use a variety of powertrain options in the future.
He believes that the auto industry is merely in a “transitional period,” where EVs are trendy. “… but three years later, who knows? People like the sound, the dynamics [of combustion engines]. I think we cannot stick to the one solution when it comes to providing emotion.”
The Lexus UX small crossover is the model that’s a natural fit for a pure EV, Sawa said. The model will arrive later this year and the company already confirmed there will be a hybrid version that offers more power than the gas powertrain. Pretty neat, right?
The F models are not only being built to be trendy in the inside. Lexus wants it to attract new customers as well with its new take on the exterior such as the controversial spindle grille. As much as there are polarizing opinions about the grille, it has created quite an interest among potential buyers.
Presenting The Lexus RC F And GS F 10th Anniversary Editions
If you want limited editions vehicles, there will be a price to pay. If you want the anniversary editions of the Lexus RC F and GS F, the brand’s sport-tuned and performance vehicles, you might have to sell a kidney… or two. Kidding aside, the F sub-brand is celebrating its 10th year anniversary since the debut of the IS F in 2008.
When the IS F debuted a decade ago, it was a direct competition to the tried and tested BMW M3. That was packing a V8 engine, but it was soon followed by the LFA, RC F coupe, and GS F sedan that are all powered by a V-10 machine.
The two anniversary editions are called the RC F and the GS F and there will only be 240 RC Fs in America and 100 GS Fs. That’s how exclusive these two editions are going to be.
Both cars will be finished off with matte Nebula Grey paint, 19-inch black BBS wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, and Brembo brakes with blue calipers. The RC F has blue leather seating with white accents up front and blue accents on the shift knob, steering wheel, and instrument panel cover.
On the other hand, the GS F also gets blue leather seating both for the front and rear passengers and driver. There are also blue carbon-fiber accents, blue suede on the dashboard, and blue seat belts. It will also have blue leather on the steering wheel, console, and shift knob.
Overall, the two cars will get that elegant black-and-blue combination that’s a favorite for most sports and performance vehicles.
These two vehicles are still going to be powered by a naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine that can produce 467 horsepower. That power is sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, and both cars will come with a torque vectoring differential.
These special edition models should arrive later this year.
3 Things That Make The 2018 Lexus RX Crafted Stand Out
Photo Source: CarAdvice
Lexus has come up with the RX Crafted. The Lexus RX Crafted sits right between the Luxury and the F Sport trims, giving customers who want more features but don’t want to pay the price of the F Sport trim a new alternative. It’s only available in Australia for now, but we’re hoping we’ll see it this side of the globe, too.
Exterior
The update did not alter the exterior of the RX completely, though it now stands out because of the black accents to the front grille and the fog lamp bezels. The mirror caps are also now wrapped in black for a sportier look and the standard wheels have been replaced with 20-inch alloy units.
The rear is unchanged, but the bumper insert has been painted black and the chrome trim in the center and around the tailpipes have been removed. This gives the RX Crafted a sportier stance. The exterior is finished off with a standard moonroof.
Interior
Think about all the equipment you would want in a car and that’s what you’re going to find inside the RX Crafted interior. The Luxury trim used an eight-inch infotainment display. The Crafted has updated this to a 12.3-inch screen at no additional cost. It also has the heads-up display and the premium 15-speaker Mark Levinson sound system with Clari-Fi technology. These are the features that are reserved for the more expensive models.
Powertrain
Most special-edition models only have one powertrain, but Lexus is giving us more with the RX Crafted. It comes available with all the powertrains offered with the standard RX. There’s the RX 300, which uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It can produce 235 horses. Next, there’s the RX 350, which uses a 3.5-liter V-6 engine with 296 ponies. Finally, the RX 450h hybrid is rated to have 308 horsepower.
Photo Source: CarAdvice
Lexus LC 500 Appears in Black Panther Movie
One of the most anticipated movies from Marvel this coming 2018 aside from the Avengers: Infinity War is the Black Panther film. Just like almost any other superhero movies, several brands have taken the opportunity to promote their products there. One of them is Lexus with its LC 500 premium car. Black Panther can be seen in one part of the film riding on top of the vehicle.
The automaker also released a Lexus LC 500 concept car in honor of Black Panther. Lexus simply calls it the “Black Panther Inspired LC.”
The Black Panther Inspired LC 500 is highlighted by its night blue color. It is fitted with a new glowing blue Lexus logo, blacked out radiator grille, front lip spoiler, side skirts, rear diffuser, rear wing and custom wheels. The hood of the car comes with the face of Black Panther and the plate at the back has the Black Panther movie logo.
In addition, the sides seem to be sporting chrome gills with five horizontal lines probably representing the claws of the superhero. The side mirrors also appear with four sharp spikes resembling the nails of the panther. There seems to be something bluish glowing beneath the rear glass of the car too.
The same two-tone color theme can be found in the interior of the concept LC 500. The sporty black leather seats of the auto looks like the padded paw of the panther.
The luxury car brand even went as far as to integrate several elements of the Black Panther mythos into the vehicle. According to the automaker, the concept car is powered by a fictitious element called “vibranium.”
Vibranium happens to be the most important material in Black Panther’s kingdom called “Wakanda.” It is a rare ore coming from a meteorite that can store vast amounts of energy.
The Liberty Walk Lexus LC500 is Just Wild
Japan-based Liberty Walk just released its new custom body kits for the latest Lexus LC500. The new package adds more to the sporty exterior of the car.
There two versions to choose from in the new body kits of Liberty Walk for the LC500. There are also two options for the materials used in the upgrades.
Exterior Upgrades
According to Liberty Walk, the visual enhancements offered by the body kits include a new front diffuser, side diffusers, rear diffuser, rear wing and wide fenders. Buyers will have the option to select either the fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) or carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials for the package.
From the looks of it, the add-ons really bring the base of the car very near the ground. So, better look out for some speed bumps along the way. The photos reveal a new set of Advan wheels and blue-tipped quad tailpipes too, which really complement the body kit. There are some decals in the car as well, including Liberty Walk logos, Advan logos, and letterings on the doors that read “Imagine all the people living life in peace.” The quote was lifted from John Lennon’s song titled “Imagine”.
Pricing
The first version of the body kit costs $15,650 for the FRP and $19,440 for the CFRP. The second version is priced $13,380 for the FRP and $16,740 for the CFRP. It should be noted that the LC500 already has a starting price of $92,995 (including shipping).
Interior
The interior of the LC500 is not covered by the package, but we think that the stock carbon fiber and Alcantara materials used inside the car will go well with the Liberty Walk body kit.
Engine
The engine remains in its factory configuration. As a recap, the LC500 is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 with 471 hp and 379 lb-ft of torque. Combined with a 10-speed automatic, it can go from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Its top speed is capped at 168 mph.
Lexus Will Debut Level 4 Self-Driving Tech in 2020s
Lexus, the luxury vehicle division of Toyota, aims to integrate level 4 self-driving capabilities to its cars by the early half of the 2020s. Then, Toyota plans to trickle it down to their standard mass-produced units after.
According to Automotive News, the decision of Toyota to put its new tech into its premium car segment first is because of its costly development. Ken Koibuchi, the company’s executive manager for automotive driving, explained that the feat entails fitting their cars with expensive sensors capable of long distance detection and advanced on-board computers. They have also put more priority on the basic safety elements of self-driving tech like lane-trace assist and pedal misapplication prevention systems.
The source noted that the self-driving Lexus might hit Japan first before it gets to the U.S. Again, the report stated that it had something to do with safety. It takes longer time to verify the complex traffic systems, driver behaviors and laws of the U.S.
Koibuchi pointed out too that many roads in the U.S. have fading lane markers and other indicators. He said that they are yet to make sufficient verification on the matter. Another reason is that most roads in Japan already have highly-detailed GPS mapping which many parts in the U.S. still lacks.
As mentioned in our earlier report, Toyota topped the reliability survey conducted by Consumer Reports for 2017. Lexus followed its mother company in the rankings.
The high rating was attributed to Toyota’s meticulous process of putting new features into its cars. As a way to minimize issues, it has been known to gradually and steadily introduce new technologies into its vehicles. Usually, the systems have already been introduced and tested by its Lexus vehicles. Basically, that’s what it is doing again with its self-driving technology.
At the Tokyo Motor Show, Lexus gave us a preview of what the future has in store for us with their LS+ Concept. The auto was an electric LS with self-driving features.
Top 3 Selling Points of the 2018 Lexus LC 500
Starting at $92,000, the 2018 Lexus LC 500 boasts a striking design and decent engine output. The luxury coupe is its brand’s answer to the likes of BMW 650i Coupe, Jaguar F-Type and Mercedes-Benz SL450.
Is it worth its expensive cost? Let’s take a look at the three key selling points of the car based on a review by Cars.com:
1. Design
One of the paint finishes offered by the LC 500 is the “Infrared”. As its name implies, it is a special red paint. The source shared that he was engaged by more people as he drove the car compared to the other vehicles he tested.
The spindle grille of Lexus also gives the car a striking identity. Add to that the smooth body, strategically-placed intakes and lighting system of the auto, and we have a real beauty here.
The only setback seen in the design of the LC 500 is that it is a bit bulky. It is more of a touring car than a sports car.
Inside, a mix of high end leather and fabric adorn the surfaces of the LC 500. The highlight of the cockpit is the 10.3-inch display controlled by a touchpad. However, the person reviewing the vehicle found the touchpad to be a nuisance when making inputs as it takes the eyes of the driver away from the road more than a touchpad does.
There appears two rear seats inside the car too but the source noted that they are too tight to even fit a child. It seems like the area is only for the luggage.
2. Engine
The LC 500 retained its naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine. The unit produces 471 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. The power is distributed via a 10-speed automatic transmission. The configuration lets the vehicle sprint from zero to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.
3. Performance
The review stated that the LC 500 has a smooth power delivery. Then its engine revs fast. Moreover, the power unit is quiet.
The major setback in the driving performance of the car though is its heavy frame. This factor causes the vehicle to have heavy steering and the back gets twitchy when at high speeds.
Overall, the 2018 Lexus LC 500 may not have some of the elements of a sports car but the styling and other features surely make up for what’s lacking.
Top 3 Facts About The 2018 Lexus LS
For many years, Lexus LS, which debuted in 1989 at the Detroit Auto Show, has been the standard of many stylish sedans. Lexus is looking to recapture some of that former glory during this year’s North American International Auto Show.
To do that, Lexus has to make this fifth-generation LS larger, more powerful, and more stylish than ever based on a report.
1. Size And Design
The new architecture used by Lexus makes the LS lower, wider, and is closer to the ground center of gravity. The front end reminds us of the LC Coupe but the side profile is far different from the current generation LS. It comes with Lexus’ new six-side window design and 20-inch wheels with a special hollow rim structure which can reduce the vehicle noise.
Why is this important for Lexus? The exhaust will certainly be noisier than this model’s predecessor even if the sedan is fitted with an active noise cancellation system in the cabin.
2. Powertrain
During the auto show, the Japanese automaker only showed the specs of the LS500 model. It comes packed with a twin-turbocharged direct-injected 3.5-liter V-6 engine that can produce 415 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque.
The power allows the LS to compete well with its counterparts from other luxury car makers: the Mercedes-Benz S550 that cranks out 449 horsepower and the BMW 750i that produces 445 horsepower.
The engine is paired with Aisin-supplied 10-speed automatic transmission with rear-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as optional. According to Lexus, the car can go 0-60mph in just a matter of 4.5 seconds.
3. Interior
Luxury is the name of the game in the LS’ cabin. It’s covered with plush, buttery-smooth leather and beautifully designed dashboard. Owners can choose different types of wood trim and ambient lighting that is based on Japanese lanterns.
It also comes with Lexus’ remote touch interface that controls the 12.3-inch central display screen. It has smartphone-like operations.
