World Concept Cars

Lexus feels the need to release a sub-model of its LFA. As if the car needs any more attention drummed up; enough people are drooling over this piece of engineering arrogance as it is.

Officially referenced as the SPECIAL EDITION (and not Nurburgring Edition) in the press release , it'll be available in Black, Matte Black, "Whitest White", or Orange.

The LFA SE will come with canards and a fixed wing in CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced polymer); you know, to make it more unique than the other $375,000 Lexus down the street. Also, they'll apparently help at the track aerodynamically.

Power is said to get a boost from 560 to 570 horsepower (ECU work, most likely), and the suspension is "high-power-only", whatever that means. The Special Edition's SWs (special wheels) will be shod in grippy rubber (Haiguripputaiya), which should help get the power to the ground through the re-calibrated transmission.

Whereas a regular LFA's shift speed on a track day would be around 0.2 seconds, an SE owner's rack day will get done just a hair quicker at 0.15 seconds.

There's no word yet on pricing...this is the point where clever people would usually put "If you have to ask...", but I'm not clever, I'm realistic. You just can't afford it. That, or you don't live in the right area with the right roads.

Source: Carscoop

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A media brochure for the new Lexus CT200h – the Japanese firm's answer to the 1-series – has leaked ahead of the car's planned debut at the 2010 Geneva motor show. It's Lexus's first five-door compact hatch and pitches the company deep into what is tipped to become the world's biggest premium car segement within 12 months.

This is the first time we've seen the finished car, and it's been watered down substantially from the Lexus LF-Ch concept car. While the dimensions and silhouette are little changed, the details are much more IS range than LF-Ch.

What's the tech story on the new CT200h?

The brochure spills numerous details on the CT200h. We know now the suspension will be a McPherson strut front set-up with double wishbones out back and drivers can pick Eco, Normal or Sport driving modes to calibrate the car's dynamic systems and power delivery.

The Lexus Hybrid Drive system uses the same 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine and nickel metal hydride as the Prius, tied to a full hybrid module that offers a zero-emissions electric mode for up to 2km in town use at speeds of up to 30mph.

Plenty of dimensions are divulged in the brochure, too. The CT200h is 4320mm long, sits on a 2600mm wheelbase, the wheels span 17in in diameter and the boot stands at 345 litres.

What else will be at Geneva on the Lexus stand?

The same press brochure reveals that Lexus will launch a front-wheel drive RX450h in selected European countries. Dumping the rear-drive axle helps strip out weight and complexity to bring down the CO2 emissions of the Lexus premium SUV from an already remarkable 148g/km to a deeply impressive 140g/km.

Stripping out the rear transaxle and electric motor saves 65kg.

Source: Carmagazine.co.uk

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