New Lexus CT 200h F-Sport Receives World Premiere at 2010 Sydney Show

Lexus chose this week's Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) for the world premiere of its CT 200h F Sport model ahead of the car's introduction to Australia in the first half of 2011 as well other markets around the world.

As with other Lexus models, the F Sport treatment adds a number of visual and performance goodies to the firm's dedicated hybrid. On the outside, the CT 200h gets a sportier looking front bumper along with a honeycomb upper grille, beefier side skirts, and a reworked rear bumper that incorporates a diffuser.

The larger alloy wheels in a gunmetal finish and the option of a unique Flame Blue color round off the exterior upgrades.

Inside, those that opt for the F Sport-badged CT 200h will receive unique dashboard and door panel trims, plus F Sport steering wheel with a thicker rim, sports pedals, scuff plates, instrument panel and privacy glass.

While there are no changes to the CT 200h's hybrid powertrain, which comprises a 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine, an electric motor and an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission (E-CVT), Lexus says the F-Sport features an up-rated suspension.

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New Toyota Recall, this time for Toyota Avalon and Highlander, and Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350

Toyota has announced a voluntary recall of some 740,000 vehicles in the United States to address a potential leak problem with a seal in the brake master cylinder. The models that are being recalled in the U.S. are the 2005-2006MY Toyota Avalon, 2004-2006MY Highlander (non Hybrid) and Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350. Another 600,898 vehicles were recalled in Japan and approximately 200,000 in China for the same issue.

According to the company, there's a possibility that a small amount of the brake fluid could slowly leak from the brake master cylinder, resulting in illumination of the brake warning lamp.

"If the brake warning lamp has illuminated and the vehicle continues to be operated without refilling the master cylinder brake fluid reservoir, the driver will begin to notice a spongy or soft brake pedal feel and braking performance may gradually decline," said the automaker.

Toyota said it will begin notifying owners of the involved vehicles through mail beginning in early November 2010. As with all recalls, Toyota and Lexus dealers will replace the brake master cylinder cup with a newly designed free of charge.

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Lexus CT200h Full Hybrid Luxury Compact Car

In mid-October will be announced prices and combinations of equipment and finishes, coinciding with the opening of the reservations of the first vehicles to be delivered in early 2011. Have already released the technical specifications of this hybrid type approved by the European cycle CO2 emissions of 96 g / km.

It offers 134 horsepower from its combined petrol and electric motors that can operate independently, each on its own or combined mode. Specifically, their batteries are capable of propelling power for no more than 3 km and at speeds below 45 km / h, thanks to the energy stored by the recovery of braking and engine braking, because currently not offer the ability to plug to an electrical outlet.

VIDEO: C&D Pits Lexus LFA Against Ferrari 599 HGTE

In 1971, one of the greatest one-on-one boxing matches took place in New York's Madison Square Garden: the bout between Mohammed Ali and Joe Frazier. So big was this event, advertisers dubbed it, 'The Fight of the Century'. Now, two different contenders take to the ring (uh...tarmac). The reigning champion: the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE. The challenger: the Lexus LFA. Video after the jump.

One is a purebred, Italian racehorse with decades of motor racing heritage under its belt. The other is the new kid on the block: the young hood with its 'doof doof' music and unshakable will to win.

So maybe I went a bit too far with the boxing analogy...

The real scoop here is U.S. magazine Car and Driver putting the V12-powered 599 GTB HGTE and V10-powered LFA through their paces on the narrow, sodden backroads of Wales. Technical editor Michael Austin is behind the wheel of the Ferrari while executive editor Mark Gillies is in the Lexus. Their goal: to find out which of these two, similarly priced front engined, rear-wheel-drive GTs is the best?

Watch the video and decide for yourselves.

By Tristan Hankins

VIDEO

2010 Lexus RX 350 Gallery

2010 Lexus RX 350 Black Edition

2010 Lexus RX 350 Car Show

2010 Lexus RX 350 Interior

2010 Lexus RX 350 Wallpaper

2010 Lexus RX 350

2010 Lexus RX 350 Picture

Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing: Lexus SC gets Mercedes-Benz AMG Makeover...

I really should hate this as much as that '95 Thunderbird with the '50s Ford front end, but I don't.

Maybe it's because this Z30 Toyota Soarer, otherwise known as the first generation Lexus SC in the U.S., with a Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM-esque front end and SL AMG rear end is so well done. Heck, it's a lot more convincing than those Miata-based replicas we see so often.

Of course, it's not all good. The window line is more E46 BMW M3 than CLK and the rear end looks more like a S15 Nissan 200SX than it does a Mercedes-Benz. And there's all that jiff about besmirching the manufacturer's name with this cheap knockoff, and ruining the original car.

Though it has to be said the Z30 Soarer was kinda boring to look at. It had those rounded, utterly inoffensive designed-by-committee looks that most Japanese cars of the '90s seemed to have. So if anything, this is a noticeable improvement.

Am I a heretic? Tell us in the comments below.

By Tristan Hankins

Via: Minds Farm

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2011 Lexus CT 200h F Sport Wallpapers

2011 Lexus CT 200h F Sport Wallpaper

2011 Lexus CT 200h F Sport Dashboard

2011 Lexus CT 200h F Sport Logo

2011 Lexus CT 200h F Sport Back View

Lexus CT 200h (2011) | Auto Zone Video

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Front Picture Lexus CT 200h (2011)

White Lexus CT 200h (2011)

Side Picture Lexus CT 200h (2011)

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Lexus CT200 h - hybrid, changing mood

Lexus has prepared for European buyers hybrid hatchback CT 200h.

The new hatchback Lexus CT 200h is equipped with modern hybrid plants Lexus Hybrid Drive. Depending on the driver of the regime of the power unit machine "changes the mood.

In ECO mode hybrid powertrain consists of a 1.8-liter gasoline engine VVT-i, the electric motor and an electronically controlled stepless variator E-CVT. The driver can choose one of three modes: Eco (Economical), Normal (conventional) and Sport, depending on which electronics set the settings of the suspension and return the accelerator pedal. From the start, and to set a speed of 50 km / h Lexus CT 200h is automatically set in motion by an electric motor, and then switched into action gasoline engine.

Enabling Eco mode translates all of the car mode for maximum efficiency. Select Sport mode allows you to realize the full potential of the machine. In this case the electronics for maximum acceleration in aid petrol engine motor mounts. In addition, the electronic display backlighting instrument panel changes its color from blue (Eco) to red (Sport), but rather an indicator of the hybrid drive appears on the display tachometer.