1990 Lexus Ls400 Base Sedan 4-door 4.0l on 2040-cars

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Lexus RC F and SI swimsuit model Lisalla Montenegro compare flowing lines

Lexus has been desperate to break out of its decidedly boring image for years. There is no doubt that it has made quality cars, but many of them have lacked for excitement. But with the new RC in 2014, especially the M4-fighting RC F version, it might finally turn some heads.
If the car doesn't turn heads, Lexus can at least be sure that Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Lisalla Montenegro will, in its latest video. Of course, phrases like, "Hair by over 383 pound-feet of torque," and, "Goosebumps by an aggressively tuned exhaust note," don't really mean anything, but most of the people watching the video aren't going to be reading the copy, anyway. Instead, they will either be focused on the attractive woman or the cool car. Maybe both. Scroll down to check out the video.

J.D. Power study sees new car dependability problems increase for first time since 1998

For the first time since 1998, J.D. Power and Associates says its data shows that the average number of problems per 100 cars has increased. The finding is the result of the firm's much-touted annual Vehicle Dependability Study, which charts incidents of problems in new vehicle purchases over three years from 41,000 respondents.
Looking at first-owner cars from the 2011 model year, the study found an average of 133 problems per 100 cars (PP100, for short), up 6 percent from 126 PP100 in last year's study, which covered 2010 model-year vehicles. Disturbingly, the bulk of the increase is being attributed to engine and transmission problems, with a 6 PP100 boost.
Interestingly, JDP notes that "the decline in quality is particularly acute for vehicles with four-cylinder engines, where problem levels increase by nearly 10 PP100." Its findings also noticed that large diesel engines also tended to be more problematic than most five- and six-cylinder engines.

Optimistic Lexus bumps US sales target higher

Last year Lexus sold 244,166 cars in the US, slotting into third place in the luxury segment behind BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Earlier this year Lexus said its target was 260,000 units in the US (which would still put it behind BMW's and Mercedes' numbers from last year), but Automotive News reports that it has raised its upper outlook to 270,000 cars.
The half-year pace hasn't been enough to make either number, but Lexus is gunning for a 15-percent gain in IS sales behind the arrival of the 2014 model, and this is also the first full year of sales of the new ES and LS. Lexus will most likely end the year in third place in the luxury segment behind BMW and Mercedes again, even if it does sell 270,000 units, but has said its prime directive is "good, steady growth."