Lexus to launch 'high output' hydrogen luxury car by 2020

Lexus to preview production-ready hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain technology and autonomous driving system in LF-FC concept at Geneva 2016

Lexus is pulling out all the stops ahead of the Geneva Motor Show. Not only will we be seeing the stunning Lexus LC 500h hybrid coupe, but the LF-LC saloon concept previews a production version hydrogen car for 2020.

We've been treated to the LC-FC concept previously at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, but Geneva at the start of next month will be its European debut. Ahead of the event, Lexus confirmed it provides a taster for a planned production hydrogen model due in the next four years.

Could you really live with a hydrogen car?

We knew already that a toned-down LF-FC will go on sale in the next few years to replace the LX luxury saloon, which was first launched in 2012. But this is the first time the Japanese luxury car maker has committed to a fuel-cell production model, following in the footsteps of parent company Toyota with the Mirai. The question is, can we live with a hydrogen fuel-cell car?

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Lexus LC 500h revealed - New Multi Stage Hybrid Drive System revolutionises performance and fuel economy

Lexus flagship coupe to be launched on 3 March 2016 at the Geneva Motor Show

The best just got better! When the President of the Toyota Motor Corporation and Chief Branding Officer of Lexus International Akio Toyoda lifted the covers off the mesmerising LC 500 at the Detroit Auto Show on 11 January 2016, the effect was akin to hammer breaking the glass ceiling on what Lexus engineers and designers could do. It seemed they did almost the possible: to translate the concept Lexus LF-LC into the LC 500 with as little changes as possible from what initially had our tongues wagging.

Now, we have details that the coolest Lexus ever, just got even better. We reported rumours that swirled around the auto grapevine in early December last year that there was a high possibility the Lexus LC 500 would also be offered as a hybrid. Well, it seems those rumours are now true as Lexus has just released details of the LC 500h and we can tell you it will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show on 3 March 2016!

What makes the Lexus LC 500h so different to warrant a separate launch on a different arena from the Lexus LC 500, the (slightly more prestigious) Geneva Motor Show? Interested? Great, let's roll up our sleeves and dig in.

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2018 Lexus LS to get "some cool interior stuff" - Lexus insider!

Floating seats might be carried over from the concept

In an interview with media journalists, Lexus International Executive Vice President Mark Templin revealed some interesting details about the next-generation Lexus LS which as we reported, is expected to launch in the market in 2017. He mentioned that the flagship sedan will feature "some cool interior stuff."

Showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show 2015, the Lexus LF-LC concept previewed the next generation LS and provided an insight into the future model's interior. In addition to 'floating' front seats, reclining rear seats, it featured a high-tech interior with a digital instrument cluster, hand gesture recognition technology to control the audio and climate control systems and a full length centre console with an array of touchscreen displays.

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Namaskar India! Lexus to finally launch in India ending months of speculation

Luxury marque to revolutionise Indian car market with three hybrid models initially; high performance naturally-aspirated models to follow up 

After endless speculations about its arrival, Lexus has confirmed they will enter the Indian market in August 2016, with a humble line-up of three models to usher their Indian operations to begin with. Tentatively, plans are afoot to open dealerships in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai.

All three models to inaugurate Lexus India are hybrid models; no naturally-aspirated petrol powered engine will be offered in the beginning. The models concerned are the Lexus RX 450h, Lexus GS 450h - both of which are widely believed to target the growing affluent demography, while the flagship LS 600h is aimed squarely at environment-conscious Indian Bollywood stars, captains of industry and cabinet members of the second-most populous country in the world. The latter will be made available in standard and 'L' wheelbase configurations.

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Jude Law treats lucky girlfriend to a new Lexus... what did you get your girlfriend for Valentines Day?

Did you get a discount on that, Jude? Or is the £36,750 Lexus part of your spokesperson fee?

Just before Christmas 2015, Hollywood actor Jude Law was unveiled as the face of Lexus. The Talented Mr. Ripley actor (nobody remembers him as Dr. Watson in Sherlock Holmes anymore) partnered Lexus for 'The Life RX', a series of TV commercials aimed to showcase the sophistication and refinement of the all-new Lexus RX.

Proving his loyalty to the Lexus brand, Jude Law bought a brand new Lexus for his girlfriend. He timed the delivery of the rather special gift just before Valentine's Day and, like a true gentleman, had it delivered right to her doorstep. 

So who's Jude Law's latest squeeze, and what type of Lexus did he get for her?

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Lexus LC 500 cabriolet rendered. Could this be Lexus' next top dog after the LFA?

Lexus LC 500 redefines sexy with the top off

Automotive manipulator Theophilus Chin has given us a spin on what the already insanely gorgeous Lexus LC 500 could potentially look like when Lexus debuts a convertible version.

The floating C-pillar from the original, production-ready Lexus LC-500 have given way to a pair of buttresses positioned aft of the rear passenger headrests, much like those you'll find on the convertible variants of the McLaren 650s and Ferrari 488 Spider. Roof down, the LC 500 certainly looks the part it's meant to play: The mile-crunching, sun-soaking, babe-magnet open top GT.

When Lexus debuted the LC 500 a month ago, it shook the public's perception of Lexus as a (beige, vanilla, garden variety... insert your synonyms here) manufacturer whose designers and engineers lacked a beating heart for raw power or having the gift of eyesight in design matters. So when news of a Lexus LC 500 cabriolet makes it rounds in the automotive grapevine, it's sure to turn one or two ears. But how real are the rumours? Or are they just that: rumours?

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Lexus sold an astonishing 222 units of the Lexus IS every day in 2015!

Lexus IS finds 81,000 buyers in 2015. Even hot cakes don't sell like that!

Lexus UK have just tabulated their 2015 sales report and what a cracking year it was for the luxury marque. Sales of the all-new Lexus RX were off to a strong start following its launch in August 2015, and the Lexus NX similarly performed strongly. But the star performer was by far the Lexus IS range, which notched up sales of 81,000 units in 2015!

Of the 81,000 Lexus IS sold, the majority were accounted for by the Lexus IS 300h, followed by the Lexus IS 200t. To put those numbers into perspective, think of it this way: 

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Lexus suspends production for six days due to disruption in raw material availability

Explosion at key steep plant in Aichi Prefecture could mean up to 10,000 vehicles affected

Come Monday 8 February 2016, Lexus is temporarily suspending production at its Japanese factories. The reason cited is an acute shortage of steel, owing to unforeseen circumstances at a key specialty steel plant. 



Just a month earlier, on 8 January 2016, an explosion occurred at the No. 2 Bar Mill Shop of Aichi Steel's waterfront Chita plant in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, which had been supplying specialty steel for engine, chassis and transmission components. According to reports, the explosion occurred after an operator lit up the gas-fueled furnace at the start of the night-shift. When the employee in question lit up the pilot burner, the furnace instantly blew up in flames. Four employees were taken to hospital but were later declared fine. No deaths have been reported.

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Lexus Malaysia confirms locally-sold RX units are not affected by US airbag recall

Lexus Malaysia's response brings relief for 2016 Lexus RX buyers

Just a few days ago, I posted an article about how Lexus USA issued a recall for the 2016 Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h models. According to an official press release, 

"The involved vehicles are equipped with a driver's knee airbag that may not have been properly manufactured. This could affect performance of the airbag and increase risk of injury in a crash."

A malfunctioning airbag can be a serious cause of concern as the said vehicle may not perform up to the manufacturer's standards. The potential increase in human harm would also necessitate manufacturers to implement steps to address the issue. Naturally, when a manufacturer detects an airbag that doesn't perform optimally, safety recalls are immediately issued to safeguard safety standards for drivers. 

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