Japan

Lexus has launched the RX 270 in Japan this week, which will be powered by the 1AR-FE 2.7L engine and putting out 187hp with torque of 252Nm.

The RX 270 was also announced for Russia, and it’s expected (for some time) that the low-displacement version of Lexus’ most popular vehicle will also be available in China at some point.

[Source: Automotive World]

The 2011 Lexus IS F was also revealed as part of Lexus Japan’s big website update yesterday, and it looks like the super-IS will be getting a variation of the LFA’s instrument panel:

Let’s zoom up a bit:

Here’s an alternative view, once again zoomed up due to image size:

From the looks of it, different modes can be selected, and central dash can alternate between a tachometer & speedometer — also note the new Sport button on the steering wheel, right below the phone controls, which may have something to do with the new display.

Pretty amazing we’re already seeing the effects of the LFA on the rest of the lineup — I wouldn’t have expected it to happen so fast.

[Source: Lexus Japan]

We’ve already taken a look at the RX & IS Art Works special editions released by Lexus Japan today, but I’ve saved the best for last — just take a look at this GS in Sunset interior:

Here’s some close-ups:

This color combo is really something else (reminds me of the LS Sport interior), tasteful but energetic — I can’t stop looking at this pic:

(Hopefully this interior mimics the infamous Passionate Black GS and makes its way over to North America.)

[Source: Lexus Japan]

An RX Art Work special edition was also released today by Lexus Japan, who have teamed up with Stone Designs on some wild interior color schemes:

Here’s some detail shots of the interior:

Both this RX and the previously mentioned IS are really quite playful — quirky even — and while it’s tough to imagine a market for these colors in North America, but I’m really excited to see this kind of customization coming out of Japan.

(Also noticed, the RX 270 has started production is now available in Japan.)

[Source: Lexus Japan]

As part of their new Art Works initiative, Lexus Japan has teamed up with design studio Stone Designs to create some extremely unique interior options — the first of which is this Lexus IS in Sunrise:

The IS in Sunrise is the only design we’ve seen previously, and it features a decidedly oceanic color scheme:

Here’s all the special touches:

The entire package is a bit of mishmash of color, but I have to admit, the piano white interior trim is pretty nice. More impressive to me are the LFA-style wheels:

(Stone Designs also created a RX in Sunlight & GS in Sunset, which I’ll be posting shortly.)

[Source: Lexus Japan]

It’s now time for our weekly look at the black Lexus LFA that’s being tested in Japan — this time it’s three videos, and in an exciting development, we get our first glimpse of the front end:

Here’s a freeze-frame:

I wonder when we’ll see this LFA’s first public appearance — can not wait for high-resolution photos.