Leno Samples 2013 Lexus IS Prototype

Lexus takes aim at BMW once again with its upcoming redesigned IS sport sedan, due out later in 2013. But first, car guy extraordinaire Jay Leno is given a top secret preview.

When you're someone who's influential to both the automotive and entertainment industries as Jay Leno is, then it should be no surprise that automakers would seek your advice for some of their upcoming models. Such is the case today when Lexus asked "The Tonight Show" host to come to Japan and test drive the 2013 IS prototype. Leno wasn't able to get any details about Lexus' new BMW 3 Series fighter from its chief engineer, but he was able to take it for a test drive around the track.

Powered by a 306-horsepower V6, the Lexus prototype left Leno admittedly impressed at not only its engine but also how it felt on the twisty pavement. But the big question is whether it's good enough to de-crown the benchmark 3 Series. We'll have to wait to find out.

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TMG TS-650 Concept is a Lexus LS on Some Crazy Steroids

We all know that automakers and custom shops alike often overdo it with their tuning concepts at events like the SEMA Show in Las Vegas and the Essen Motor Show in Germany, but once in a while, you see some pretty nifty creations likethe TS-650 Concept made by Toyota's motorsports division and Lexus Europe.

The only thing that looks out of place on the TS-650 that made its world premiere today at the 2012 Essen Motor Show are the Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) logos that replace the Lexus badges on the car.

We would also have preferred to see TMG base the TS-650 on the recently facelifted Lexus LSwith its more sculpted body, but still, the Japanese brand's European designers deserve praise for turning a dull luxury limo into a fully fledged sports sedan.

The muscled up concept gains a wider body with blistered wheel arches along with matching front and rear bumpers, and a carbon fiber aero kit comprising a front lip spoiler, extended side skirts, rear diffuser and boot lid wing. The same lightweight material is also used on the roof and the front fender air vent trims.

The car rides on new 20-inch wheels wrapped around in special high-performance tires from Michelin, while TMG's engineers have also added Carbon fiber-ceramic Brembo brakes, a Torsen differential and Sachs dampers and coil springs.

At the heart of the concept is a specially modified version of the Lexus IS F's 5.0-liter V8 that now breaths fire through a pair of turbochargers lifting its output to 641hp (478 kW / 650PS) and peak torque to 765Nm (564 lb-ft) at 5,460 rpm.

Lexus says the TS-650 Concept tips the scales at 2,050 kg (4,519 pounds) and can reach 100km/h (62mph) from standstill in just 3,9 seconds and top out at 320km/h (199mph), all while keeping the same interior amenities of the regular LS, as you can see from the pictures.

The changes inside the car concern a set of front sport seats and the use of Alcantara on the seat bolsters, steering wheel, automatic gearbox lever and the top section of the dashboard.

Given that the TS-650 is based on the pre-facelift Lexus LS, we doubt that automaker has any production plans, but we wouldn't mind seeing concept inspire another model built on the newer LS.

 

PHOTO GALLERY

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Lexus LF-LC and LF-CC on Display at the LA Auto Show; Which One Do You Like More?

They may be what you call "old news" in the motor show circuit, as the blue LF-LC was displayed at October's Sydney Motor Show, and before that, at the Detroit show in January(albeit in a different color), with the bronze LF-CC appearing in Paris in September, but there's no denying that the two Lexus coupes are amongst the most impressive cars at this week's LA Auto Show.

The bigger LF-LC is a pure sports car featuring a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain producing 499-horses (506PS) and all-wheel drive. Lexus officials have admitted that they are considering a production version, though no final decision has been reached yet.

Lexus' second study is the LF-CC for a coupe model based on the underpinnings and mechanical hardware of the next IS sedan.

In concept trim, the Japanese carmaker's BMW 3-Series Coupe-rival sports a hybrid systems comprising a 2.5-liter four-pot and an electric motor delivering somewhere around 200-horses to the rear wheels.

The LF-CC is much closer to production than what you may think, as evidenced by the 2014 IS sedan prototype we scooped last month.

Once you check out the image gallery below, tell us if and which one of the two models is more to your liking.

POLL: Which one of these two Lexus concepts do you like more? 

LEXUS LF-LC

LEXUS LF-CC

 

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