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Top Ten Lexus News Stories of 2013


It’s been a busy year for Lexus — the launch of the new third-generation IS, plenty of speculation on the future of the brand, and the recent reveal of the Lexus RC coupe made for some exciting news.

As 2013 draws to a close, let’s look back on the top ten Lexus news stories of past twelve months.

(This list was calculated using an inexact formula of page views & Facebook likes.)


#10: Rumors of the Lexus IS F Being Discontinued

Lexus IS F

Buried in a bland review of the 2013 Lexus IS F, James Healey of USA Today reported that the brand’s only high-performance sedan would be discontinued.

(There’s been no further developments since this story in March, though there is a new high-performance RC F coupe debuting at the Detroit Auto Show in January.)


#9: My First Drive Review of the 2014 Lexus IS & IS F SPORT

Lexus IS Review

In April, I travelled to Austin, Texas, where I was able to drive the new third-generation Lexus IS in all its various forms. Following my trip, I posted an extensive technical overview of the new model, along with my personal impressions of the cars.


#8: Jeremy Clarkson’s Love Letter to the Lexus LFA

Lexus LFA Blue

Jeremy Clarkson proclaimed his love for the Lexus LFA in a written review for Top Gear Magazine:

I love the LFA a lot. So much, that I recently described it as the best car I’ve ever driven.

Read the full Jeremy Clarkson Review


Editorial: Lexus Should Release its own GT 86 Coupe

Toyota GT86

After driving the Scion FR-S, I came to the conclusion that Lexus should build an affordable sports coupe on the same platform — a opinion I still stand behind despite the introduction of the RC coupe.


#6: 2014 Lexus CT 200h Spotted

Lexus CT 200h 2014

In October, the 2014 Lexus CT 200h was spotted during a commercial photo shoot — official photos of the updated hatchback were later released.


#5: Lexus RC Coupe Debuts at Special Event in Tokyo

Lexus RC Coupe Tokyo

In a surprise move, Lexus unveiled the RC coupe in November at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan sumo stadium in Tokyo — I was on hand to take photos of the brand new Lexus model.


#4: Lexus RC F Prototype Spotted in Europe

Lexus RC F Prototype

After all the rumors, photos of an RC F prototype at the Nürburgring confirmed that Lexus was working on their first mass-market non-convertible coupe since the original SC.

(Video of the RC F prototype was later released.)


#3: Lexus Files Trademark for GS F High Performance Sedan

Lexus Project GS F SPORT

In March, Lexus filed a trademark for GS F with the United States Patent Office, opening the door for a high-performance variant of the mid-size sports sedan.

(A prototype was later spotted at the Nürburgring in Germany and Japan.)


#2: Rendering the Lexus RC F

Lexus RC F Rendering

Speculating on how the upcoming Lexus RC F coupe will look has been a very popular topic in 2013, beating out actual information on the RC F prototype.

Illustrating the RC F is well traveled territory (see examples one, two, three, four, five, six & seven) — speculation will all come to an end in January, when the high-performance coupe will debut at the Detroit Auto Show.


#1: Lexus LF-LC Confirmed for Production

Lexus LF-LC

The LF-LC being approved for production was the top Lexus news story of 2013, beating out all other topics. No formal release date has been set, but it’s quite possible the highly regarded super coupe will be the top story of 2014 as well.

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    Lexus Cohen
  • December 31, 2013
I'm patiently waiting for the RC F.
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    DillonD
  • December 31, 2013
Cool! I honestly may cry if the ISF gets discontinued. It was the first real performance step by Lexus. It shouldn't be killed off. The GSF will be exciting, but it will never be the ISF. I am excited for the GSF though! And the RCF! ...and the production LF-LC! 2014 will be a great year for Lexus.
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      Сафиуллина-Мохамед Ибрагимов
    • January 1, 2014
    From the day I saw the LF-LC, I keep dreaming about. SCF to go head to head with the M6, CLS/S class coupe AMG
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      DillonD
    • January 2, 2014
    SAME HERE! I just love the name SCF too. I hate to admit it but Lexus screwed us over with the second generation SC. It was a beautiful car but it lost the coupe, and performance from the first generation. Revive the SC Lexus! Except I wouldn't mind an LC and an SC...haha
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      Сафиуллина-Мохамед Ибрагимов
    • January 3, 2014
    LCF as SL competitor SC as CL/CLS/S coupe competitor
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      DillonD
    • January 4, 2014
    That's perfect! A part of me is feeling the SC can appeal to the more calm luxury oriented Lexus lovers with that little burst of performance (SCF) and the LC would be the all around luxury performance oriented Lexus lovers with an option to go even more extreme (LCF). hahaha Lexus would do a lot better having these two models there competing with cars they have have never competed with before like even the Porsche 911!
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    MikeVossen
  • January 1, 2014
Great list… I think the Yellow IS we did for SEMA is 11th :D The GS F an RC F keep me up at nights….
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    Сафиуллина-Мохамед Ибрагимов
  • January 2, 2014
My most favorite stories Story No.8 and Story No.1

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