Lexus LF-LC Hybrid Sport Coupe Concept

The stunning Lexus LF-LC Hybrid Sport Coupe Concept has been honoured with the annual EyesOn Design Award for the best concept car, at the Detroit Motor Show (NAIAS).

The Lexus Calty studio in California created the LF-LC and their aim was to create a future redefinition of Lexus design, with new and advanced technologies. Some of the features of the new design concept have already been introduced in the new GS 450h, for example the “spindle” grille shape and the rear architecture.

Lexus LF-LC concept

Kevin Hunter, Calty President,said,”The LF-LC was a dream car to design and a true collaborative effort at Calty. It is an honour to have that work recognised by our peers and to receive the award”.

The EyesOn Design Awards are one of the most prestigious awards a car manufacturer can receive, as the judges are made up of a group of world leading automotive designers and design academics. They evaluate Aesthetics and Innovation, Concept Implementation, Functionality and the Spirit of Industrial Design.

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2012, together with MGM Grand Detroit, will once again feature über-luxury and performance vehicles at The Gallery.  Now in its fifth year, this exclusive motoring event will be held at MGM Grand Detroit on Sunday, the 8th January, 2012.

The Gallery will feature some magnificent luxury vehicles from Aston Martin, Bentley, Corvette, Falcon, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Lexus, Lincoln, Lingenfelter, Maserati, Morgan, Porsche, Range Rover, Rolls-Royce, and some of the finest motorcycles. 

Many of the vehicles on display at The Gallery will not be shown at the NAIAS, for example the Aston Martin One-77, Lamborghini Aventador, Rolls Royce Ghost and Jaguar XKR-S will be on display exclusively at The Gallery.

A YouTube promotional video can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ19OgGWZK0&lr=1&feature=mhee).

Lexus LF-LC 2+2 sports coupe concept

Lexus is planning to unveil its exciting new LF-LC 2+2 sports coupe concept at the forthcoming North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on the 9th January 2012, in Detroit. This great looking sports coupe marks a further step in the styling and design direction of the Lexus brand.

Inside the Lexus concept

Lexus created this car from scratch and the concept combines high technology and clean lines to create a highly distinctive , futuristic look. The concept was created at Lexus’s Cally design studio in Newport Beach, California and let’s hope the car goes into production.

New Lexus GS 250

Lexus has launched a further extension of its all-new luxury GS saloon car range with their new GS 250 which has just been showcased at the Guangzhou motor show in China. The GS 250 is powered by a 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine with D-4S direct port injection and Dual VVT-i intelligent valve timing. This luxury Lexus saloon car has a maximum 206bhp,  0-62mph time of 8.6 seconds, a top speed of 142mph (where permitted), CO2 emissions of 207g/km and the combined mpg figure is 31.7.

The engine is mated to a Super ECT-i close-ratio intelligent six speed automatic transmission, with a sequential manual shift function and also a Drive Mode Select option. This allows you to change the driving mode of the car to the road conditions, with Eco, Normal and Sport S modes available. If you opt for Adaptive Variable Suspension as an option you then get Sport S+ mode added to the drive mode functions.

The Lexus GS 250 is equipped with the same innovations and safety features as the new Lexus GS 450h and will be launched in the UK in June 2012 alongside its larger sibling. The safety provisions include Lexus’s advanced Pre-Crash Safety system, Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring and Lexus Night View. Further details and vehicle specifications of the new Lexus GS 250 will be released closer to the launch date.

Salon Prive 2011

If you like your exotic, exclusive, luxury supercars you will be pleased to know that the Lamborghini Aventador and the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport will be headlining the 2011 Salon Prive event, which is being held next month at Syon House, West London. You will now be able get up close and personal to many of the world’s exotic cars at one location, with the following supercars on show;

• New BMW 6 Series coupe and convertible
• Maserati Gran Turismo MC Stradale
• Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante
• New Range Rover Evoque
• Aston Martin Virage and V8 Vantage S
• Hennessey Venom GT
• Arash AF-10
• GTA Spano
• Eagle E-Type Speedster Lightweight
• Rolls Royce 102EX
• Jensen Interceptor R

Other manufacturers showcasing their cars include Bentley, Ferrari, Jaguar Cars, Lexus, Maybach, Noble, Porsche, Spyker and tickets for this exclusive event start from £175+VAT, which are available off the official 2011 Salon Prive website @ www.salonprivelondon.com

Kia Sorento

Kia has been awarded a hat-trick of awards by Total Off Road magazine. Their newly-launched Sportage crossover won “Junior SUV” category, the Sorento SUV won the “SUV” category and Kia also picked up the overall prize for “4×4 Manufacturer of the Year”.

Alan Kidd, Editor of Total Off Road magazine, said,”Kia’s won a string of value for money awards from us in the past, but the new Sportage and Sorento are about much more than just that. If money were no object, they’d still be really strong contenders- even the Sorento, in a category where it’s up against some absurdly expensive rivals.

Kia Sportage

Kia was up against competition from 18 mainstream and premium models for the Sportage, including the Volkswagen Tiguan, Volvo XC60 and Ford Kuga and for the Sorento, from Range Rover and Lexus. The full range of Kia 4×4 vehicles are on the site now on Kia business contract hire.

2010 Salon Prive

The 2010 Salon Prive was a resounding success with more exhibitors than any other year, most days sold out and £150,000 was also raised for various good causes, including The Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, Prostrate Cancer Research and The Prince’s Trust.

Over 40 super and luxury cars were on show including Aston Martin, Jaguar, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Lexus, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Rolls-Royce all showing cars.

Concours d'Elegance

For the Salon Prive Concours d’Elegance, sponsored by CHUBB insurance, 58 exotic and beautiful rare cars were displayed, from the Panther 6 to a Jaguar 1953 Le Mans shortnose D-Type. The results of the judging of this part of the show are below. Tickets for next years event will go on sale in November 2010.

Class A – Jaguar: Celebrating 75 years of the Marque

WINNER               –              Jaguar Heritage Trust     Jaguar D-Type 1954

RUNNER-UP       -              Michael Duffy                   Jaguar XK150 3.8’S’ Roadster 1960

Class B – Bugatti: Pre-war Touring Cars

WINNER               -              Allan McNab                      Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux 1935

RUNNER-UP       -              Jeffrey Gee                        Bugatti Type 44 1930

Class C – Superbikes of the 1970s

WINNER               -              David Frier                          MV Agusta 750Sport 1973

RUNNER-UP       -              John Warr                           Harley Davidson XLCR Café Racer 1977

Class D – Maserati: The Orsi Era

WINNER               -              Gordon McCulloch          Maserati A6G/54GT 1956

RUNNER-UP       -              Nick Mason                        Maserati 250F 1957

Class E – Hypercars: 200mph+ pre 2000

WINNER               -              Rowan Atkinson               McLaren F1 1995

RUNNER-UP       -              Peter Read                         Bugatti EB110 GT 1994

Class F – Alfa Romeo: Classic Racers pre 1940s

WINNER               -              Hugh Taylor                        Alfa Romeo Monza 1932

RUNNER-UP       -              George Gebhard              Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Aerodinamica Spider 1935

Class G – Hollywood Era: Big Fins from the 1950s

WINNER               -              Sam Lawrence                   Oldsmobile 98 Starfire Convertible 1956

RUNNER-UP       -              Alan Carrington                                Cadillac Series 62 1955

BEST OF SHOW

WINNER               -              Hugh Taylor                        Alfa Romeo Monza 1932

Salon Prive

The Salon Prive, the collection of Europe’s largest collection of classic and modern super and luxury cars, is close to selling out all its tickets with only 100 remaining for the Supercar Day (Wednesday the 21st July) and Concours d’Elegance Day (Friday 23rd July).

The latest new cars from specialist sports cars to the finest luxury marques will grace the lawns at London’s Hurlingham Club with brands such as Audi, Lexus, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Maserati  and Aston Martin on show.

Kia cee'd

The Kia cee’d scored 83.8 per cent in the recent J.D Power and Associates/What Car? Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study (VOSS) to achieve a stunning 4th overall position. The c’eed finished just behind luxury cars like the Lexus and Jaguar. The cee’d also topped the “Lower Medium Car” segment ahead of vehicles such as the BMW 1 Series and the Skoda Octavia.

The Kia cee’d was the first Kia model to benefit from Kia’s major quality offensive and the Soul Urban crossover, Venga B-segment MPV and Sorento SUV have also been part of the quality excellence programme. Steve Fowler,Group Editor of What Car? said,”This is a superb result for Kia. The cee’d's fourth place is seriously impressive given the strength of the opposition, while securing top spot in the lower medium car category (ahead of some traditional J.D.Power high flyers) is a clear indication of how the newer Kia products are providing just what customers want”. Kia contract hire prices are available now.

Toyota Prius

Toyota has announced today that they are recalling the latest, third-generation Prius built before 27th January 2010, which will involve about 8,500 cars in the UK. To date no accidents have been linked to this braking issue and no other Toyota or Lexus models are affected.

The recall is happening due to reports of inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady braking or slick road surfaces when the ABS anti-lock braking system is activated. The repair procedure will be undertaken at your local Toyota dealer and the software setting change should take no longer than 40 minutes. Toyota will be writing to all customers shortly.

Toyota maintains the cars are safe to drive however if you drive a third-generation Prius  and you are concerned then call the Toyota Customer Relations department on 0800 1388 744.