F-Sport

The production Lexus LFA will be entering its first professional race when it takes part in the Nürburgring 24 Hours race this May.

Gazoo Racing will be preparing and fielding two LFAs in the race, where the supercars will be receiving some minor aero-effects:

This will mark the third time the LFA has participated in the 24h race on Germany’s famous racetrack, though the previous two times were in pre-production models and piloted by Toyota’s new president, Akio Toyoda—here’s a breakdown of the driving crew:

Led by Toyota master test driver Hiromu Naruse, the team will include four Japanese and three German drivers who between them boast outstanding GT and endurance racing experience.

Takayuki Kinoshita is a six-time winner of the Super Taikyu Endurance Series and has competed more often and finished higher (fifth overall) at the Nürburgring 24 Hours than any other Japanese driver. Akira Ida was overall winner of the Tokachi 24 Hours in 1995 and 2007, and both Juichi Wakisaka and Kazuya Oshima have recorded consistent success in Japanese Super GT 500 and GT 300 competition.

The German team members are Armin Hahne, winner of the Spa 24 Hours in 1982 and 1983; Jochen Krumbach, who finished second overall in the 2008 Nürburgring 24 Hours; and Andre Lotterer, Super GT 500 champion in 2006 and 2008.

The Nürburgring 24 Hours race takes place May 13-16—which should be plenty of time for Lexus to co-ordinate an announcement of the LFA Nürburgring track edition that was revealed earlier today.

A Lexus IS 350C F-Sport special edition is on its way to the USA later this month, and will feature the following upgrades over the standard IS 350C:

• Newly designed 19-inch forged alloy wheels with a wheel lock set and Michelin Pilot Sport 225/35ZR19 tires in the front and 255/35ZR19 tires in the rear
• Front and rear brake upgrade for a firmer pedal feel and enhanced fade resistance
• New and unique F-Sport grille not previously available
• Shock set developed in cooperation with Bilstein
• Lowering springs that reduce the ride height approximately one-inch in the front and rear
• Sway bar set that helps reduce body roll and provide flatter cornering
• Embroidered floor mats with F-Sport logo
• Leather-wrapped shift knob with F-Sport logo
• Exterior badging and an individually numbered badge on the center console

This IS 350C F-Sport special edition will have a MSRP of $57,500 and is limited to just 100 units. Only two exterior colors, Tungsten Pearl or Obsidian, will be offered.

So far no photos (the photo above is of an earlier IS 350C loaded with F-Sport parts), but most of the announced upgrades are already available individually at dealerships. There are two exceptions—first are the new 19” alloy wheels, which I’m going to guess are the same that were seen on the TRD IS-C at SEMA last year:

The other new option is the new grille, which is likely identical to the grille found on the UK/Canadian IS F-Sport package:

The full Lexus press release after the jump.

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Only moments after I linked to Lexus Europe’s Facebook photo of the CT 200h, Autoblog posted up a massive photo gallery from the preview event—check this car out:

Also mentioned on Autoblog:

Interestingly, though Lexus has yet to confirm what markets the CT will enter, our men on the scene report back, “Lexus executives were adamant about a near-simultaneous global launch a year from now. In their own words, the United States and Japan will receive the CT 200h, even if it was developed as an euro-centric model. First deliveries should begin in Q1 2011.”

Be sure to check out the full gallery, plenty of photos to go through.

[Source: Autoblog] (Thanks World of Luxury!)

Road & Track has posted their driving impressions of the LS 460 Sport, which features a sport-tuned air suspension, Brembo brakes, and the Sport Direct Shift (SPDS) transmission from the IS-F, all intended to give the Lexus flagship a more performance-oriented demeanor:

Seemingly small changes add up to big differences out on the road—especially if that road is curvy. Setting the suspension to Sport (the stiffest of its three modes) does away with the squish associated with the regular LS. It takes a firm set entering turns, with minimal body roll and negligible understeer, ..The Brembo brakes bring a high level of confidence, allowing you to brake later entering turns, while the 380-bhp 4.6-liter V-8 makes exiting turns fun, with easily controlled power-on oversteer available—who knew the LS chassis was so competent?

The LS 460 Sport also gains a unique interior with exclusive features like brown ash burl wood trim and a unique-to-the-Sport Package heated leather steering wheel.  The SPDS transmission is also programmed for smoother shifting in the LS Sport than in the IS-F.

(Lexus also offers an Appearance Package which replicates the LS Sport’s exterior appearance for the standard LS 460.)

[Source: Road & Track]

The first Lexus CT 200h video has been released:

There may not be any footage of the car in motion, but the video does illustrate the interior blue-to-red color change when activating sport mode as well as showing some closer detail shots of the stitching and art piece shift stalk.

I’m really falling for this car, though I’m reserving my full adoration until some driving impressions are published.

KEY POINTS

• Lexus’s first  premium compact model
• Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain with 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine and powerful but compact electric motor
• Full hybrid system with selectable EV mode for emissions-free electric running
• Further selectable ECO, NORMAL and SPORT driving modes
• ECVT intelligent electronic continuously variable transmission
• Expected to deliver class-leading CO2  emissions
• Significantly lower NOx emissions than equivalent diesel engines and almost no particulates
• Long, 2,600mm wheelbase ensures excellent accommodation for everyone on board
• Debut at Geneva motor show prior to worldwide sales launch in late 2010

The new Lexus CT 200h is the first full hybrid vehicle to be launched in the premium compact segment. Entering production in late 2010 and set for sale worldwide, the full hybrid model will provide a new gateway to the Lexus range and attract new, younger customers to the brand.

The CT 200h was designed and developed with the European market in mind. Lexus’s first five-door compact car, its size, packaging, full hybrid technology and low emissions fully address the requirements of discerning, environment-conscious customers in a key market sector. At the same time, it does not compromise the quality, refinement and driving pleasure that are the hallmarks of every Lexus.

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