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Rumormill: Lexus working on even hotter LFA II?

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Lexus, Rumormill

Lexus LFA Nurburgring package

Lexus LFA Nürburgring package – Click above for high-res image gallery

Even amidst the disastrous situation on their island nation, the Japanese are showing no signs of slowing down. At least, not when it comes to its supercars. Honda was recently reported to be forging ahead with on-again, off-again plans to resurrect its NSX supercar, Nissan is hard at work on the new GT-R and now Toyota is said to be working on a new version of the Lexus LFA.

While the handle being used in the interim might suggest a completely new successor, rumor has it that an LFA II is being developed as a variant of the existing model. Following in the footsteps of the above-pictured Nürburgring package, Japan’s Best Car says that the so-called LFA II is expected to push the performance envelope even further. Just what that will entail – or for that matter, if it will come to fruition at all – remains to be seen, but if there’s any truth to the reports, we certainly applaud the company’s spirit.

Lexus working on even hotter LFA II? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus planning to bring three new models, hotter CT200h to market

Filed under: Sedan, SUV, Crossover, Lexus, Australia, Luxury

Lexus logo

It looks like Lexus is planning to bring a range of new models and customer options to market in Australia soon. The Japanese luxury brand has met with struggling sales down under, and according to The Age, the automaker plans to reverse that slide by giving buyers more choices. According to Tony Cramb, the chief executive of Lexus, that will begin with the addition of a number of new paint colors and interior finishes to put the Lexus option sheet on par with what rivals Audi and BMW offer their buyers.

In addition, the Lexus showroom will grow a little more crowded with the introduction of three new models. Those include a CUV, a more affordable luxury sedan and a seven-passenger SUV. Details on those creations are slim at the moment, though Cramb says that the vehicles will join a new hotter version of the CT 200h called the CT 300h. That wee beastie will come with a more potent gasoline engine and a jazzed-up electric motor to match.

Lexus planning to bring three new models, hotter CT200h to market originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 May 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: More details on Honda’s hotter CR-Z come to the fore

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Japan, Hatchback, Honda

2011 Honda CR-Z

2011 Honda CR-Z – Click above for high-res image gallery

To hear Autocar tell it, Honda has confirmed that it’s working on a faster version of its disappointing CR-Z hybrid. Having suffered the slings and arrows of enthusiast who thought they were getting another CRX, Honda has said they will have a quicker version of the car out when the next-generation IMA hybrid system arrives.

They’re keeping mum about what engine the augmented CR-Z will rock, but speculation is that the new model will put down about 160 hp between its gas and electric powerplants. Honda R&D chief Tomohiko Kawanabe says the company is leaning away from a turbo engine because a naturally aspirated set up will work better with the hybrid drive.

Kawanabe also indicates Honda won’t let the power increase take away from the current car’s fuel efficiency and C02 production numbers, so expect most of the new power to come from an improved electric motor.

The as-yet unnamed sportier CR-Z is still at least a year away, which makes sense, as the new hybrid system isn’t expected on our shores until 2012, when it’s due in the new Civic. Watch for updates as details emerge.

Gallery: 2011 Honda CR-Z: Review

[Source: Autocar]

Report: More details on Honda’s hotter CR-Z come to the fore originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pontiac still a hotter Google keyword than Buick?

Filed under: Etc., Buick, GM, Pontiac

Pontiac may be dead, phased out by parent company General Motors in the wake of its financial collapse, but you wouldn’t know it from searching these interwebs. According to search trends tracked by BringPontiacBack.org, more people are still searching for Pontiac on Google than they are for Buick.

This, despite Pontiac’s demise and Buick’s increased sales and marketing. The Trans Am loyalists admit that part of the discrepancy could come down to the city of Pontiac, Michigan, which is still standing. But would that be enough to account for Pontiac’s 2:1 search popularity over Buick? Or is it that Buick’s demographic has yet to figure out what the internet is? One way or another, the numbers are interesting. Hat tip to Christopher!

[Source: BringPontiacBack.org]

Pontiac still a hotter Google keyword than Buick? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hotter Subaru Forester in the works?

Filed under: Performance, Crossover, Subaru, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia

Subaru Forester STI

Scooby fans down under might get the first look at an STI version of the Subaru Forester meant for global markets. It’s only speculation at this point, but Subaru has said it will bring a “sporty SUV,” and the Sydney Morning Herald figures an additionally boosted Forester makes the most sense.

Regardless of whether such a beast would wear an STI badge – if it exists at all – the theory goes that it would get an STI-like jump in power above the turbocharged Forester currently on sale in Australia. The JDM version of the Forester STI, on sale for five years, puts down 322 horsepower – that’s 26 more ponies than are available in the Aussie WRX STI.

The Forester is already the top-selling compact SUV in Australia. Right now the most powerful version is the 227-hp XT model, so a boost in gumption would place it incontestably above the 268-hp Toyota RAV4 and 235-hp Mazda CX-7. Subaru won’t confirm anything else about what will be revealed, except that it could go worldwide.

[Source: Sydney Morning Herald]

Hotter Subaru Forester in the works? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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