The Lexus LF-LC blends perfectly in its design lines organic shapes and advanced technology to link the driver and the machine. The big bosses in Japan actually told the designers in Newport Beach to start with a blank paper but it is hard not to notice the similarities of the concept coupe with the Lexus LFA.

While the concept vehicle will not roll out into production, it is a clear indication what kinds of Lexus vehicles we are going to see in the near future. The design of the grille for example on the LF-LC has already been implemented for the 2013 GS 350.

Toyota was a bit vague when they were asked about the drive train of the LF-LC since it will not be going to production. They are only saying that it is a hybrid. And for the purpose of the LF-LC we are not sure if being a hybrid means returning a really good fuel efficiency or if hybrid technology here was used to pushed in better performance.

The interior is all about form and function. Enter and you will see on the center not a switch or a a knob but everything is controlled via touch screen thru the 12.3in LCD. This was purposely done to lower driver distraction . The materials are mostly wood and leather which clearly suggests that there are still the elements which defines luxury today and which might still be the case in the future.

The LF-LC will not be hitting the showrooms as a production car but expect that it will be making rounds to the different car shows this year.

Lexus addressed the criticisms that were thrown the way of their CT 200h SE-L with the bulk pointing to a disconnected driving feel. The F-Sport released of the 200h now comes with a lateral damping setup that comes as standard. This lateral dampers act to decrease the vibrations which leads to a more comfortable ride and better steering feel.

The engineers at Lexu also changed the rates of the coil spring and replaecd the shock absorbers by Showa with Kayaba dampers to give he CT 200h F-Sport with a more aggressive orientation.

The CT 200h F-Sport also gets a big rear spoiler, redesigned side skirts which are more flared, a mesh grille in front, reworked bumpers, and it rolls on 17 inch alloy rims.

The F-Sport derives its DNA from the 200h SE-L trim but packs in a ton of improvement like leather upholstery, cruise control, electric adjustment for the driver seat, heated seats in front, auto dimming, parking cameras, and retractable side mirrors.

The F-Sport will also make use of the 4-cylinder 1.8L petrol engine with a peak output of 98 bhp on a transverse configuration just like its other siblings on the CT200h range. This gas engine has on its sides the hybrid transaxle that transfers power to the wheels in front which has the electric motors giving out 81 bhp.

The new hybrid system used by Lexus for the 2013 S 450H has a V6 Atkinson-cycle engine that runs on gas and a pair of electric motors for the rear wheels. This revised hybrid system achieved better fuel mileage and emission reduction while giving out a performance similar to a V8 gas engine.

Like the recently released GS 350, Toyota reworked the chassis of the GS 450h which improved the driving dynamics of the car with technologies like DRS or Dynamic Rear Steering and AVS or Active Variable Suspension.

The interior of the car makes use of different interfaces for the driver for safety, alertness, and comfortable ride.

Lexus also makes use of the Dynamic Handling System for the GS 450h that intergrates the DRS, AVS, steering with variable gear-ratio, and VDIM or Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management. Buyers will also benefit from the LKA or Lane Keep Assist, blind spot monitor, a head up display, Night View, and pre-crash safety technology.

The RAV4 currently has no hybrid model but if Lexus will be doing the CX 300h then most likely we will hear of a RAV4 version in time. If the tandem hybrids will come, it will mimic the tandem of the bigger Hybrid Toyota Highlander ad the RX 450h of the Lexus which share a common platform.

The RAV4 might have a fully electric version to be launched by next year. This electric vehicle will be worked on by the team of Tesla and was first unwrapped at the Los Angelese motor show back in 2010.

The upcoming Lexus CX 300h is set to meet head on with the crossovers of other premium brands like the X1 of BMW, Q3 of BMW, the EX from Infiniti, and the SRX by Cadillac.

Experts assume that the CX 300h hybrid might use an engine that is bigger than the 2.5L four that is utilized for the Hybrid Synergy system for the hybrid Camry and the HS 250h.

The smaller crossover on a hybrid system will boost the presence of Lexus in the market in addition to the RX crossover that they have for the US market.

The numbers of Lexus rose by 8.1% translating to 21,091 units compared to BMW’s 17% growth or 19,272 vehicles and Mercedes’ 1% or 18,351 units.

Lexus has been the consistent leader on the boards since 2000 but has been suffering due to the massive vehicle recalls while BMW and Mercedes-Benz has been enjoying the benefits of launching their new models. According to some reports, Lexus has increased the consumer incentives to around $2,152 per vehicle in October compared to $923 in the same period back in 2009. These numbers do not include the non-luxury vehicle deliveries.

The luxury arm of Toyota has been very aggressive recently to be back from the sideline and compete again with BMW and Mercedes. Lexus reports total US sales of 183,529 units from January through October of this year versus 178,080 of Mercedes and BMW who leads globally at 176,736.

According to analysts, Lexus wants to grab the number 1 spot for the year but it will not be very easy when you look at the historical for December which shows the strong performance of Benz. It will definitely be a good race to the finish line.

With the recently released November sales statistics, BMW overtakes Mercedes-Benz and is putting the pressure on the current leader, Lexus.

In its latest commercial, the Lexus LFA uses its V10 engine to shatter a champagne glass. The commercial was shot in a very modern studio and involved not only directors but physicists who determined the right glass for the ad.

It was pure science as the video below will show. Plus some drama, of course.

No camera tricks were used only microphones in the studio were set up to focus the precision sound of the Lexus LFA. The engine was started and the wheels of the supercar turned the dynamometer. It goes to 150, 170, beyond 200, then bang, the glass shatters and goes to the recycling bin.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Japanese luxury brand worked with engineers to improve the acoustics of the 4.8L engine of the LFA by tuning the different segments of its exhaust system. Safe to say, the LFA roars like not other car on the streets.

If you want a sound like this on you cellphone, Lexus gives away for free an LFA ringtone. Just go to www.lexus-lfa.com and click on Digital Premium.

The wagon for some time has lost its appeal but it is back in business now at least partially. In the United States, studies show that consumers are starting to value the functionality of the wagon again and are starting to veer away from gas guzzling SUVs. Lexus wants to capitalize on this trend thus the estate IS.

The Japanese carmaker takes note that the C Class of Mercedes-Benz and the 3-Series of the BMW are set to launch their third edition by 2011. The current model of the IS which was rolled out in 2005 has not been made available as a wagon. The move to produce a wagon will help the brand compete in Europe.

The last time we saw an IS looking like a wagon was during its first run when they introduced the SportCross.

If ever the move to produce the wagon variant will push through, it will be launched by 2011 as a 2012 model. To further push for better sales in North America, Lexus is taking the direction of making the entire range as hybrid only units.

The details about this move of Lexus are very limited. We will keep you posted with regard to developments. If there is really something in the works, we might be seeing spy shots soon.

The Lexus CT 200h will take the form of a hatchback and will use similar lines to the concept car Lexus LF-Ch which was just unveiled a few months ago.

Lexus explains that the CT 200h is a car designed for those who want to be more responsible and lower their emissions but who will not compromise their standards. The new member of the Lexus garage will be the first full hybrid compact to be offered in the premium market. The drive system of the car will take its cues from the set up utilized for the LS 600h, RX 450h, and the GS 450h.

It is not yet clear if the CT 200h will go on sale in the United States but there is a stringing backing from the management team to roll it out in North America. The sale of the Lexus compact on the US shore might just be the companies answer to plans of Lincoln and Cadillac to introduce new cars to the market. BMW and Audi also plan to send variants of their 1-Series and A3, respectively, stateside.

According to experts, the luxury segment might just hit it big time with the compacts in coming years. A lot of prestige car aficionados are on a downsizing trend plus the congestion of traffic is expected to get worse.

The GS 450H 2010 model still sports the hybrid motor in combo with the V6 3.5L engine capable of giving out 340 horsepower. The fuel mileage is excellent with 25 mpg while on the highway and 22 mpg during city driving.

The new GS 450h gets some fine tuning for its exterior design lines and gives some color options available for car buyers. Lexus also injects some interior trim updates. Safety features like the Pre-Crash system also gets some tweaking. The navigation and entertainment system also received some upgrades.

The exterior aesthetics are not really that major. The designers changed the front grille and put emphasis on the hybrid blue logo. The tail lights are also now covered with clear lenses. The SE-L line has an option for an 18-inch alloy rim. The insides get a Venaro Grey leather treatment while the start-stop button gets the blue backlight to be consistent with the hybrid color concept.

The Pre-Crash system now makes the seatbelts tighter prior to an impending crash while the car implores brake assist to somehow slow the car down before a collision. Whiplash protection is also enhanced with the new headrests equipped with inflators.

The navigation upgrades includes a 40 Gigabyte hard drive that can store the navigation files and also store music for the entertainment system. Consumers can either opt for a 10-speaker set up of Lexus Premium or go for the Mark Levinson 14-speaker surround sound with USB, aux, and Bluetooth capabilities standard to both.

The sticker price for the new Lexus release is expected to stay close with the 2009 model at $56,550.

One of such green and environment friendly cars from the stables of Lexus division of Toyota is the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L. this car has a combination of a brand new 5 liter gasoline direct injection V8. It also boasts of high output capable electric motors and a battery pack that has been redesigned from scratch to make it capable of delivering horsepower in excess of 430. It is expected by Lexus that this vehicle will earn a SULEV (super ultra low emission vehicle).

When compared to this car, its conventional avatar has a 4.6 liter V8 that delivers just 380 horsepower and has a ULEV II rating. This car is being positioned by Lexus to deliver the performance and power of a 12 cylinder car and being the best in the class of V8 fuel efficient cars. Owners of this car should expect an average mileage of around 20. Lexus owners should be proud of owning this green car.