2008 Ls 460l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Bosch builds an infotainment system that just might not suck

As far as we've come with in-car infotainment and interfaces over the past decade or so, we still have a long way to go — as most current systems show. Whether it's high-end brands like Mercedes-Benz with its kludgy COMAND system, which we hope will be replaced with the MBUX platform revealed at CES, or more mainstream vehicles like Hondas (with their frustrating, knobless Display Audio interface), getting the kind of content and ease of use in the car that we're used to having on other connected devices is far too complex and sometimes costly. While Apple and Google have tried to ride to the rescue with CarPlay and Android Auto, respectively, they're limited solutions. No automaker or tech supplier has been able to deliver an easy, economical, flexible and non-distracting infotainment solution. But Bosch could be closing in on this elusive goal, given the digital cockpit concept demo I recently received at CES. Displayed in a Cadillac Escalade, the concept featured five interconnected color screens: one in the instrument cluster, two in the center console, and two more in the front-seat headrest for second-row passengers. The digital cockpit concept demo had cool features such as haptic-feedback touch-screen controls that created an edge-like feeling similar to a physical button, facial recognition to confirm driver credentials, and the intelligence to know the location of a phone in the car to lock it out to keep the driver from texting. The most significant aspect of the Bosch digital cockpit concept wasn't visible — but shows the company's vision for a future of seamless, convenient, cost-effective and safe in-car infotainment. It's powered by a single electronic control unit (ECU) that can simultaneously run multiple operating systems and also separates vehicle and infotainment controls for critical safety and cybersecurity reasons. Most modern cars can have as many as 100 separate ECUs, Philip Ventimiglia, product manager for Bosch Car Multimedia North America, explained at CES, and several just for infotainment functions. "The goal is to reduce that to about 10 so that we can save cost throughout the vehicle and enable new technologies," he added. "OEMs want to put more technology into cars, but it costs money," Ventimiglia said.

Lexus LCs for SEMA inspired by Blue Morpho butterfly, Marvel's Black Panther

Lexus is bringing a pair of LC 500 coupes to this year's SEMA show, and they're thoroughly different vehicles to one another. The first is a production car, the Lexus LC Inspiration Series. It's a highly limited-edition car that is mostly stock except for a unique paint job. The other also has a special paint scheme, but it's a one-off show car designed around the upcoming Marvel movie, " Black Panther," in which an LC 500 will be featured. The LC 500 Inspiration Series, being a production car, should be of the most interest to consumers, but also because of its special paint. Looking at it, it's very clearly blue, but according to Lexus, there are no actual blue pigments in the paint. Instead, the blue hue comes from the way nano-structures buried in the paint reflect blue light. It works similarly to the wings of the Blue Morpho butterfly, which also lack any actual blue coloration, but the structure of the wings' surfaces reflect blue light. This paint is not easy to make, either. Lexus says it takes eight months to produce a batch, and only two cars with the coating can be built each day. So it's easy to understand why this is a limited edition car and color. Only 100 will be sold in the United States. To sweeten the deal, this Inspiration Series edition comes standard with 21-inch forged wheels, exclusive carbon fiber door sill plates, and, for some reason, a Barneys sommelier bar set with a design inspired by the LC. View 11 Photos As subtle as the Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series is, the Black Panther LC 500 isn't. The car features an extremely widened body. It's a fairly elegant design, except for the stuck-on claws on the side mirrors that are echoed by the silver panted fender vent strakes. The paint scheme is equally absurd. The dark indigo blue paint has an enormous Black Panther mask design on the hood. Under the car is blue underglow, and the interior is finished in black leather with blue Alcantara. Lexus also lists a number of fictional features for the car, since it is meant for the Black Panther superhero. Among them are a bulletproof, self-healing Vibranium body, systems controlled by a "Wakandan B-CPU (Brain/Computer interface) creating a symbiotic relationship between the vehicle and its driver," and side mirrors with "instinctual positioning technology" to automatically move to the right position for the driver.

2023 Lexus NX gets slight price increase across the board

Launched for 2022, the second-generation Lexus NX enters its second model year on the market with small price increases across the board. The company's popular mid-range crossover remains available in several variants, including a pair of hybrid models. Pricing for the 2023 NX starts at $39,755 including a $1,150 destination charge. That figure corresponds to the front-wheel-drive NX 250 model. In comparison, the 2022 NX 250 started at $39,500 including the same destination charge. Pricing for the full range is as follows: NX 250 front-wheel-drive: $39,755 ($255 more than in 2022) NX 250 all-wheel-drive: $41,355 ($255 more than in 2022) NX 350: $43,515 ($415 more than in 2022) NX 350h: $43,105 ($405 more than in 2022) NX 450h+: $57,705 ($405 more than in 2022) Lexus is not making any significant changes to the NX for the 2023 model year. The crossover comes standard with a 9.8-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite of electronic driving aids, which bundles features like Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist and Left Turn Oncoming Vehicle Detection/Braking. The list of options includes what Lexus calls "nature-inspired Thematic Ambient Illumination," Black Prism interior trim, and a panoramic moonroof. Buyers who select the NX 350 can also order the F Sport Handling package that adds the Active Variable Suspension (AVS) system, front and rear performance dampers, 20-inch wheels painted in gloss black, and an array of specific trim inside and out. Dealers across the nation will begin receiving the 2023 Lexus NX in the coming weeks. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.