Lexus LF-A roadster

At the Detroit Auto Show Lexus unveiled the LF-A Roadster Concept, even if everyone was waiting for the long-anticipated LF-A supercar. If put into production the LF-A Roadster will compete with the M6 convertible.

The production Lexus LF-A is set to arrive in 2010 priced at over $200,000. We remember speaking to the PR at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show and they said that if the roadster was received favorably in Detroit and other auto shows throughout this season, Toyota may consider it putting it into production. But this won’t happened until after the coupe version debut.



The LF-A Roadster is powered by a high-revving V10 engine that approaches 5.0 liters in displacement. The V10, capable of more than 500 horsepower and test-track speeds greater than 200 mph, is mounted in front of the passenger compartment but behind the front-axle centerline in what the LF-A’s engineers refer to as a "front-mid" configuration.

Lexus LF-A targeting 217 mph

Until now Lexus wanted their future supercar to hit a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph), but they decided if they want to target supercars like Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini they just need more. This is why they hope the future LF-A will hit a top speed of 217 mph (350 km/h).

Set to go on sale in 2009, it will be powered by a Formula One-inspired V10 engine that will deliver 509 hp (most powerful engine coming from Lexus). The 0 to 60 mph sprint will be made in less than four seconds.

The V10 engine is mounted in the long, sleek nose, which is characterized by angular shapes and a distinctive Lexus personality. in an effort to optimize weight balance by shifting more weight to the rear Lexus is believed to have fitted a transaxle (with the gearbox mounted at the rear of the car on the axle). There are also radiators at the rear of the car, which are fed air through the rear scoops behind the occupants.

As seen in the spy shots, the future Lexus LF-A might also be fitted with a retractable rear wing that rises at higher speeds and sinks into the boot at city speeds.

The most exclusive Lexus ever will go on sale at a price at less than $300,000.

2009 Lexus RX 350 (and more) pricing announced

Lexus announced Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) today for the 2008 ES 350, LS 460, and IS model luxury sedans, and the 2008 RX 400h and 2009 RX 350 luxury utility vehicles.

The ES 350 entry luxury sedan MSRP will increase 0.3 percent, or $100, to $33,820. The IS entry luxury sport sedans will increase 0.3 percent overall, or $100. The IS 250 rear-wheel drive model with a manual transmission will carry an MSRP of $30,555, while the IS 250 rear-wheel drive automatic will have an MSRP of $31,725. The IS 250 all-wheel drive and the IS 350 models will have an MSRP of $34,185 and $36,005, respectively. The MSRP for the LS 460 flagship luxury sedan will increase 0.8 percent, or $500, to $62,000 for the LS 460 and $72,000 for the LS 460 L.

The 2008 RX 400h hybrid luxury utility vehicle MSRP will increase 0.2 percent overall, or $100, to $41,280 for the RX 400h front-wheel drive, and $42,680 for the all-wheel-drive model.

The 2009 RX 350 luxury utility vehicle MSRP will increase 0.3 percent, or $100. The front-wheel-drive RX 350 will have an MSRP of $37,500, while the RX 350 all-wheel drive will carry a base price of $38,900.

Mid-year price adjustments on the 2008 models are effective with vehicles arriving in the U.S. beginning December 18, 2007. RX 350 pricing changes are effective on 2009 models arriving at dealerships in early February 2008. MSRP does not include a delivery, processing and handling fee of $765.

Lexus sold 6000 LS600h; three times more than expected

When Lexus launched the luxury LS600h they expected to sell around 2000 units all around the world, mainly because the hybrid model is quite expensive: you need to pay more than $100.000 for a fully equipped car.

But just from the beginning, the Japanese maker had 1650 orders for the LS600h, and since the car was in July until now they sold 6093 units. The company says that a big part of this huge success is due to the marketing campaign very well organized.

The LS 600h combines a 5.0-liter V8 gas engine with combined massive, high-output electric motors and a newly designed large-capacity battery pack. It delivers a peak, combined output of more than 430 horsepower.