2012 Lexus Is250 F-sport Sedan 4-door 2.5l on 2040-cars

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Toyota and Lexus show off advanced safety research vehicle [w/video]

While Google and Audi explore the possibilities of autonomous vehicles, Toyota and its Lexus division are studying the intermediate step of vehicles equipped with a deep suite of technology that help drivers make the best decisions. Introduced at this week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the Lexus advanced safety research vehicle is an LS sedan fitted with three high-def color cameras to detect objects up to almost 500 feet away, 360-degree Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) lasers that can detect objects up to 220 feet away, three radar units to keep track of other vehicles at intersections, a precision odometer on the rear wheel, GPS that estimates orientation and an accelerometer.
Currently testing at a purpose-built 8.6 acre urban testing ground at the Higashi-Fuji Technical Center in Susono, Japan the Toyota research vehicle is being used to study how to make better drivers, as well as figuring out how to reduce crashes as the industry's journey through passive and active safety systems progresses. In the event of a crash, new rescue systems are also being tested.
Further investment is being put into the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) that would use shortwave signals to harness information from the car and from other vehicles on the road, as well as roadside infrastructure and even pedestrians. Toyota reasons it could then build a picture of interactions and, for instance, alert the driver to a potential collision at a blind intersection.

Lexus LF-SA Concept leaks its mini self ahead of Geneva

What you see here is the Lexus LF-SA Concept, which is speeding toward a date next week with the Geneva Motor Show. We don't yet have any official details, but Lexus is apparently saying the LF-SA was "conceived as a luxurious, driver-focused vehicle, designed to address a future world that is more influenced by technology and virtual experiences," and that it "[reflects] Lexus' vision that real experience will remain ultimate luxury." We don't know how far into the future Lexus is looking with its LF-SA Concept, but it looks very small, with just two doors, meaning it's likely even more diminutive and less spacious than the entry-level luxury Buick Encore. It could be positioned below the current CT 200h, which currently stands as the smallest model from Lexus. Check out the pictures above, and stay tuned for all the official details from Geneva. Featured Gallery Lexus LF-SA Concept leaked images Design/Style Green Geneva Motor Show Lexus Coupe Crossover Hatchback Concept Cars Future Vehicles 2015 Geneva Motor Show

Lexus resurrecting SC name for big, expensive coupe

Lexus is preparing the SC nomenclature for its third act, after the first bombshell SC coupe from 1991 and the second, Desperate Housewives hardtop convertible evolution from 2001. The brand is aiming again for something that makes a deep mark, with rumored specs pointing to a large, heavy, powerful coupe that will square its spindle grille up against the Mercedes SL and BMW 6 Series. It will be built on the frame of the next-generation LS sedan, and Automobile says internal combustion motivation will come in three flavors. The starter will be a juiced-up version of the company's 5.0-liter, naturally aspirated V8, the one that currently makes 467 horsepower in the RC F. Stepping up from there will be some kind of hybrid powertrain good for around 500 horsepower; last year Motor Trend wrote that the hybrid would be based around a V6 ICE with Toyota's coming "multi-hybrid" system. The top step will be a twin-turbo version of the V8 that could exceed 600 hp. Early reports of dimensions have it at 185 inches long, 75 inches wide, and 53 inches tall. It is expected to use the world's first application of a ten-speed automatic transmission. It'll also get the RC F's torque vectoring mechanism for the rear-wheel-drive setup, though Car and Driver says an all-wheel drive option "might be added later." Aluminum and carbon fiber components will help manage weight. Its design will be inspired by the LF-LC concept, and right now its pricing is as murky as its looks. C/D posits an MSRP from $80,000 to $95,000, Automobile figures it will go "past the $100,000 mark," and MT pegs the situation at $150,000. All agree, however, that it will join the retail pipeline as a 2017 model.