3rd Generation Toyota Prius and Hybrid-Only Lexus Coming Soon

It’s a little early to start up the 2009 Detroit Auto Show predictions BUT, here goes anyway.

Toyota has plans to debut the new 3rd generation Toyota Prius along side of a new Hybrid-Only Lexus. According to Toyota Motor Corporation president Katsuaki Watanabe, by this time next year, Lexus will be welcoming its first hybrid-only model. The new 3rd generation Toyota Prius will resemble closely to the Hybrid X concept (teal colored vehicle image) which was at last years Geneva Auto Show. Toyota plans to accelerate its global PHEV research and development program “by 2010,” delivering a fleet of plug-in cars to commercial customers for on-road testing. The new Hybrid-Only Lexus will resemble along the lines of the Toyota FT-HS concept from the 2006 Detroit Show. The FT-HS concept has the same hardware from the current Lexus GS450h which we all know is no slouch. We should see something “sports car” related from Toyota very soon.

We are pretty sure the gas prices will be around $5 to $6 a gallon by time the 2009 International Auto Show gets here…. By then we ALL will have placed the 3rd generation Toyota Prius on back-order!  WOOT WOOT!

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2008 Lexus LS 600h L Test Drive

 

The all-new 2008 Lexus LS 600h L is the most technologically advanced luxury sedan on the planet. In model year 2007 Lexus brought us the all-new LS460 sedan and stretched ‘L’ model that were a solid hit for Lexus with several automotive firsts, such as the first 8-speed automatic transmission, and the ability to parallel-park itself.

Lexus comes back stronger in model year 2008 with the Lexus LS600h L full hybrid luxury sedan, the first V8 powered hybrid automobile on the market. It is also the first automobile with low beam 3+1 projector LED headlights.

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Lexus LF-A Supercar Test Drive on the Nürburgring

A spy video of the new Lexus LF-A supercar on the Nürburgring test track.

Look for more exclusive information on the new SUPRA… opps I mean the new Lexus LF-A Supercar.

LS600h More Than a Bigger Toyota Camry

I hope Lexus is not thinking that just pricing the LS600h in the 100k range will automatically earn them a place in the high end luxury market.

My past experience with Japanese luxury vehicles is that they are always lacking in the feel of i am getting what I paid for. The feeling comes from having owned two BMW’s a 1988 320 and 1992 750iL. When my friends would say I spent too much when I could have purchased a comparable Japanese luxury vehicles for less. I just opened the doors and shut them sharply and say no thanks. The feel and quality at that time was just not in the same league. I distinctively remember the Nissan commercial calling the ES300 a Camry with some bells and whistles.

My first Dislike of this vehicle is the fact that it has a very similar silhouette looking very close to that of the Camry. The only distinct difference is the front grill and If I was thinking of paying 70 to 100 G’s for a car I would not want anyone to mistake it for a Toyota Camry.

The LS600h (the h is for hybrid) has a few unique features such as a messaging rear seat even though it is only on the right side. I guess you rear seat passengers will have to take turns sitting on that side on long trips. I remember my 750iL having a power reclining rear seat that was available on both sides so the other passenger would not feel left out.

The LS600h has a pre-collision system that uses a camera to scan the area ahead for obstacles but also trains a camera on the driver, to determine whether that driver is responding adequately; the system flashes a light and sounds an alarm to warn the driver of a possible impending crash, helps the car respond by quickening the steering ratio and by starting to apply the brakes automatically , and prepares the car by tightening the seatbelts and closing the windows. This will really help to avoid crashing your $100k hybrid.

The LS600h is demonstrating Lexus ability to provide performance with energy conservation and environmentally considerate by giving you V12 performance with V8 gas mileage. Lexus puts the combined output of the 5.0-liter V-8 and the electric motor at more than 430 hp (versus 380 hp for the LS460’s 4.6-liter V-8). The company claims that the hybrid delivers acceleration on a par with twelve-cylinder luxury sedans while providing fuel economy that beats competitors’ V-8s. The LS600h L continues Lexus’s philosophy of positioning its hybrids not as fuel-sipping green machines but as the highest-performing, top-spec models in the range. As such, the LS600h L will be the most expensive version of the LS, and will be offered in the United States with the long-wheelbase body only. Whereas the LS460 comes with rear-wheel drive, the hybrid will have standard all-wheel drive. Seating is for only four, with a console between the individual rear seats and power sunshades in the doors and a Maybach-style articulating footrest.

2008 Lexus LX 570 SUV at the New York Auto Show

The new Lexus LX 570 debuts at the New York Auto Show this year. The big SUV sports the new 5.7 Liter V8 as found in the Toyota Tundra with 381hp and 6 speed auto tranny. The Lexus LX 570 will be able to tow up to 8500lbs and has the good old Toyota SUV traits from the outgoing Lexus LX model. Some notable features will be the automatic suspension system that will naturally lower the vehicle at highway speeds for better stability and to reduce drag which in this day we could all use this to save a little on gas consumption.
More to come on this new vehicle later in the New York Auto Show sections to come at Automotive Addicts.

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