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Lexus IS named Esquire Car of the Year

Esquire holds an annual car of the year award, and for the past four years, only American or German autos, such as the Cadillac ATS and the Audi S4, have earned the publication's top pick. But for 2013, the top pick is from Japan: the 2014 Lexus IS350 F Sport. The publication calls the IS "thrilling first, responsible second."
Upon learning the top pick, we had to make sure we were still reading about a Lexus, though we admit the new IS350 F Sport is indeed a new breed, one that approaches BMW 3 Series levels of performance and handling while maintaining its Japanese identity.
Esquire appreciates the F Sport's new direction, but says, "Crucially, unlike everything else, it's not trying to be the BMW." It claims the 2013 car of the year is an "honest, gutsy, fast set of wheels."

Lexus LF-FC concept is a preview of the next LS [w/video]

As far as flagship luxury sedans go, the Lexus LS is one of the oldest on the market. But the upscale Japanese automaker is out to fix that in short order. And to give us a taste of what's to come, it's presenting the concept you see here at the Tokyo Motor Show today. Called the LF-FC, the show car clearly points the way forward for the next-generation LS. The design adopts the latest take on the brand's "L-finesse" styling language, with a large, spindle-shaped front grille leading to sharp creases cutting their way across the entire surface. Lexus refers to the roofline as approaching that of a four-door coupe, though it clearly places more of an emphasis on rear-seat space. Power comes from a conceptual hydrogen fuel cell whose components have been scattered throughout the vehicle to optimize weight distribution. The fuel cell drives the rear wheels and sends power to hub motors in the front wheels as well for all-wheel-drive capability. Those 21-inch rims are made of carbon fiber, with aluminum spokes, to minimize unsprung weight. Naturally, Lexus has equipped the concept with all the latest electronic aids to track the flow of traffic and even drive autonomously through it. Of course a vehicle like this is designed around the driver and occupants. The white and brown interior space features four individual bucket seats, because really, who wants to dream of riding in the middle? Interior appointments look suitably tasteful, all done in satin-finish wood and metal with white and brown leather, and would look at home on the next generation of first-class aircraft cabins. Lexus has equipped the concept with gesture control that incorporates a floating holographic image to show users where to place their hands to operate the audio and ventilation systems touchlessly. In typical concept style, the LF-FC sits wider and squatter than the production sedans at which it takes aim. More telling, however, is the overall length: at 208.7 inches, it's a few thumbs longer than even the extended version of the current Lexus LS, and a touch longer than the current long-wheelbase Mercedes S-Class, Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ, and Maserati Quattroporte. We're looking forward to seeing the production version in the form of the next LS in due course to see how it measures up against the competition, and not just in terms of size. Related Video: Lexus LF-FC Flagship Concept Revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show TOKYO (Oct.

Lexus teases new luxury concept for Tokyo

Lexus certainly doesn't want to reveal any secrets about the concept premiering at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show on October 28. The company's teaser simply shows a squinting LED headlight with a devilish, hooked tail running underneath. Plus, the dearth of descriptive text merely says that the vehicle is a "vision of progressive luxury." While there's not much useful info, some recent rumors might hint at what we're looking at. One possibility is the concept providing a peek at the next-gen LS because the rounded, current generation no longer matches the rest of the Japanese brand's sharper styling. Reports earlier this year even suggest a fuel-cell version under development as part of a hydrogen push in Japan. This range-topping model could potentially weigh even less than the current hybrid by adapting the powertrain from the Toyota Mirai. The less likely alternative is a concept pointing the way towards Lexus' second flagship. Reportedly a successor to the SC, the model isn't rumored to debut until the 2016 Detroit Auto Show. Still, the company could shuffle things around, and we look forward to seeing what's worth being so coy about in Tokyo in just a few days. Lexus' Vision of Progressive Luxury at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show October 21, 2015 See it all here, at 13:45 (JST) on October 28th. What do you want to see and know about most from the Lexus booth? Tell us by using hashtag #LexusInTokyo and you may receive an image or video reply from Lexus. News Source: Lexus Design/Style Tokyo Motor Show Lexus Concept Cars Tokyo 2015