2007 Lexus Gs350 Climate Leather Sunroof Nav Rear Cam Texas Direct Auto on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Toyota's future fuel cell vehicle lineup revealed?

Being an Olympic sponsor from 2017 through 2024 puts Toyota in the international limelight, and the company is preparing a fleet of efficient, cutting-edge vehicles just in time for the Tokyo games in 2020. At least eight new models could be on the way, according to Automotive News citing Best Car from Japan. Three of those might make use of the hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain developed for the Mirai. While many of these fuel cells are going into Japan-only vehicles, one of them could come here. Reiterating earlier rumors, Automotive News reports a hydrogen-powered Lexus LS is set for 2018. It could be even lighter than the current hybrid model, too. A similar version of the Toyota Crown would launch there in 2019 and possibly an FCEV Estima minivan, too. Beyond fuel cells, Toyota also intends to put the JPN Taxi Concept from the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show into production in time for the games, according to Automotive News. For 2017, the brand's flagship Century is also expected to adopt a hybrid V8 to replace the current V12, as well. Plus, many of its Japanese-market vans are also due for updates. All of this is certainly a massive undertaking to be ready in time, but Tokyo want to use the games as a chance to show the city as an innovative, international destination. Automotive News predicts Toyota could supply thousands of vehicles to haul all of the athletes and dignitaries around. In addition, the Japanese government wants 6,000 fuel cell vehicles on the road and 35 refueling stations up an running for the games. Related Video:

Lexus RC F GT3 Racing Concept is green-flag ready

Lexus is hardly the first brand that comes to mind when comes to motorsports. In fact, it's not even the first Japanese brand. But Toyota's premium marque is showing new signs of understanding that it will need to at least pay racing further lip service if it wants to be viewed as a more emotionally connected brand with the wherewithal to challenge the Germans on every level.
Lexus has already made it clear it wants to race its RC F coupe, and at least philosophically, the new model certainly strikes us as a more appropriate racecar conversion than the SC 430 that preceded it. This just-unveiled RC F GT3 Racing Concept looks properly menacing sitting on the carpet at the Geneva Motor Show, and it while it's officially labeled as a concept, it's a model Lexus promises will be made available to racing teams in 2015.
Designed run in Group GT3 events, this 2,756-pound coupe has a front-mounted V8 derived from the production RC F tuned to deliver over 540 horsepower. Lexus' plan is to commit to a season's worth of testing this year before building them to order, and we expect to see them in the Japan's Super GT and Super Taikyu Endurance series, along with endurance events like the 24 hours of Nürburgring.

Lexus builds an actual hoverboard [w/video]

Sometimes a story comes along that your heart desperately wants to be true, but every brain cell is screaming that something is amiss. For one of the best examples of this in recent memory, take a good look at the Lexus Hoverboard. Despite seeming like pure science fiction, the company vehemently claims this vision of the future isn't a joke or a hoax. It all seems so hard to believe, though. Like us, your first question is probably how this thing works if it is real. Unfortunately, Lexus is being very cagey with the details at this time. The Hoverboard allegedly runs on "magnetic levitation with liquid nitrogen-cooled superconductors and permanent magnets." That's all we know for the moment, but the Japanese automaker claims to be working with "experts in super-conductive technology." While not the first functioning hoverboard, this one can apparently work on concrete, based on the teaser video. The company's spokespeople aren't giving away any of the tricks, either. "It is indeed real. We have worked with companies to make this happen, and there will be more demonstration of this later this summer," Nik Pearson, Press Relations Manager for Toyota and Lexus in the UK, said to Autoblog. "The technology mentioned in the release is accurate." According to Lexus, the Hoverboard prototype is being tested in Barcelona. So any readers in the Spanish city should keep an eye out for someone floating by. Get any Back to the Future 2 dreams out of your head right now, though. The company is clear that this thing isn't going on sale. Pearson also reiterated that point to Autoblog: "Don't expect it in showrooms any time soon." The teaser video below shows off more of the board but still raises a lot of questions. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. LEXUS CREATES ADVANCED HOVERBOARD Design and technology collaboration achieves creative breakthrough for new Lexus Amazing in Motion project A Lexus has always been a vehicle that rides on wheels, in contact with the ground. Until now. This summer a new Lexus takes flight, bringing the stuff of science fiction closer to real world fact. Lexus has worked with experts in super-conductive technology to create one of the most advanced Hoverboards the world has seen. The concept is the fourth project in its Amazing in Motion campaign, demonstrating its commitment to pursuing new possibilities in advanced design and technology.