Lexus Gives IS F CCS-R its First Shakedown Test in the States

Lexus is wasting no time preparing the IS F CCS-R racecar for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on July 8.

Straight after its arrival in the States, the Lexus motorsports team took the IS F CCS-R to the Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, California, for its very first test on U.S. soil.

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Lexus Brings IS F CCS-R to the U.S. to Compete in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb

Lexus has welcomed the IS F CCS-R racer to the U.S. as its first ever entry in Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, which will take place in July.

The IS F CCS-R is the racing version of the Lexus IS F Circuit Club Sport concept dispalyed at the 2010 Tokyo Motor Show. It has taken part in several races such as the VLN 10 event at the Nürburgring.

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2013 Lexus ES Fuel Economy and Performance Figures, Hybrid Returns up to 40mpg [76 Photos]

We are still waiting for Lexus to price the new ES sedan, but today, the Japanese automaker released EPA estimated fuel-economy ratings and performance figures for both the 2013 ES 350 and ES 300h.

The new ES 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine rated at 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,700, linked to a six-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels.

According to Lexus, the mid-size saloon completes the 0-60mph (96km/h) sprint in 7.1 seconds and the quarter mile in 15.1 seconds, and tops out at 130mph (209km/h – electronically limited). It returns an EPA estimated 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined.

By comparison, the outgoing 2012 ES 350 does 0-60mph in 7.0 seconds, the quarter mile in 15.2 seconds and achieves 19mpg city, 27mpg highway and 22 mpg combined, meaning that the new model is equally fast but more fuel efficient.

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Lexus Contemplating a Unibody Architecture for GX and Turbo Engines

Could the next generation of the Lexus GX luxury SUV abandon its current body-on-frame platform for a car-like unibody architecture? Mark Templin, group vice president of the Lexus division, believes it is an option.

"There is a potential that at some point, when we replace the GX, we can have a car-based SUV," Templin told Wards Auto during a recent media event.

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How to Turn a Lexus LS 400 into a Convertible on the Spot

Reinforced A-pillars and pyrotechnically charged roll hoops are obviously not on the menu for this second-generation Lexus LS 400 Cabriolet, which was created in a matter of minutes during a DIY coachbuilding lesson at the 2012 StanceWars event in Belgium this past weekend.

Make the jump to view the videos for yourself.

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Toyota and Lexus Cumulative Hybrid Sales Since 1997 Top 4 Million Vehicles

As of April 30, the Toyota and Lexus brands have both sold more than 4 million hybrid vehicles around the world since the market launch of Toyota's first hybrid model in Japan, the Coaster Hybrid EV in August 1997, followed by the Prius in December of the same year.

Global sales of the Prius began in Europe, North America and other regions in 2000, with the second-generation of the model landing in showrooms in 2003. The Japanese automaker then expanded the use of its hybrid system on other models such as minivans, SUVs, rear-wheel-drive sedans and compact hatchbacks.

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Refreshed Lexus RX 450h Priced from £44,495 in Britain

The global rollout of the facelifted Lexus RX crossover continues with the launch of the RX 450h in the UK. The hybrid model is on sale now with on-the-road prices ranging from £44,495 to £55,495.

The revamped RX 450h is offered in four trim levels including the base SE, the Luxury, the newly introduced F Sport and the Premier.

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