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Lexus

First for Lexus: seven-seater SUV expected to spark sales

March 22, 2018 by Alastair Sloane

Lexus NZ is about to launch a couple of vehicles it needs to spark 2018 sales, after coming off a 2017 year that was down slightly on 2016 results. The cars in question are RX-badged seven-seater SUVs – the petrol-only 350L Limited ($108,400) and the hybrid petrol-electric 450hL Limited ($126,400), both with 3.5-litre V6 engines, eight-speed transmissions, and on-demand … [Read more...] about First for Lexus: seven-seater SUV expected to spark sales

Lexus sedans must be sportier to battle SUVs, says brand boss

May 3, 2017 by Alastair Sloane

The ratio of traditional passenger cars to crossover/SUVs in the NZ market mirrors the concern a senior Toyota executive has over the future of the Lexus range of sedans. Tokuo Fukuichi (above), Toyota board member, Lexus branding chief and head of advanced design, says Lexus sedans will need to become sportier if they’re to battle back against the growing consumer … [Read more...] about Lexus sedans must be sportier to battle SUVs, says brand boss

Latest Lexus seat design is no April Fool trick, not this time

September 19, 2016 by Alastair Sloane

The last time Lexus talked about revolutionising seat technology was on March 31 this year, when it unveiled the Variable-Load Coupling Rear Orientation (V-LCRO) system for its high-performance RC-F coupe. It said it was working with the makers of Velcro material to produce special V-LCRO car seats. The material would be introduced in 2020 and pretty much glue occupants in … [Read more...] about Latest Lexus seat design is no April Fool trick, not this time

Lexus RX adds style and oomph to luxury nameplate’s SUV range

December 10, 2015 by Alastair Sloane

The continuing dominance of SUVs on the motoring landscape in New Zealand is nowhere more apparent than in the way Lexus is looking at the number of vehicles it expects to sell in 2016. The luxury nameplate’s planners are aiming for 650 sales – 475 of which will be SUVs. That’s around 73 per cent SUVs, 27 per cent the rest. Whichever way you cut the projections, three … [Read more...] about Lexus RX adds style and oomph to luxury nameplate’s SUV range

At the wheel: Lexus gives mid-sized IS sedan a powertrain to shout about

December 1, 2015 by Alastair Sloane

Buy a Lexus and ‘thank you’ gifts start arriving in the mail. There might be a special edition book, a collection of music CDs, perhaps a gift from cutting edge NZ furniture and lighting design company, Resident. Customers at Lexus Auckland get VIP parking at the domestic and international terminals. There is always a gift. The customer care programme began with the first LS … [Read more...] about At the wheel: Lexus gives mid-sized IS sedan a powertrain to shout about

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The Good Oil

French carmaker Renault has won the 2025 European Car of the Year award with the all-electric R5 supermini (pictured). It’s the brand’s second win in a row, following the new Scenic’s gong in 2024. The R5 led the vote count from start to finish from the 60 jurors in 23 countries. It received 353 points, beating the Kia EV3 (291 points) and the Citroen C3/e in third place with 215 points. It’s Renault’s eighth win in the 62-year history of the Coty award. The R5 goes on sale in the UK this month. There are two main drivetrains: a 90kW motor/40kWh battery model with a 300km range, and a 112kW/52kWh example with a 400km range. The R5 starts in price at £22.995, or $NZ50,000.

EU carmakers seek trade deal with Trump

BMW and Mercedes-Benz are among carmakers urging the European Union to get a favourable trade deal with US President Donald Trump. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) wants to keep open trade with both the US and China. It fears Trump, who promises heavy tariffs on Chinese imports to the US, will look unfavourably on countries that continue to trade freely with Beijing. Ola Kallenius, president of the group and chairman of the management board of MB, said in a letter to EU leaders:  “Overall, it is essential to recognise that trade with China and the US is most vital for the prosperity of the European economy.The EU should seek a grand bargain with the US and attempt to avoid a potential trade conflict.”

Diesel fuels EV concept for US military

A  go-anywhere EV concept for the US military uses an onboard 12kW diesel generator to top up the batteries on the move.  The all-wheel-drive has 800-volt technology and a 200kWh battery pack to power three electric motors, two in the rear and one up front. Claimed output is 745kW/15,590Nm, or 1000hp and 11,500 ft-lb of torque.  The four-seater was developed by the defence division of General Motors and is based on the platform of the Hummer SUV. It rides on Fox performance shock absorbers and 37-inch tyres and comes with “exceptional” approach and departure angles for off-road mobility. Maximum range using the generator to keep things ticking over is said to be around 500km.

We are the World

The outside temperature in Midland, Texas, was 40.5C when staff at the local office of the US National Weather Service set out to show the cabin of a closed car can literally get baking hot in summer. They mixed up a batch of chocolate chip cookies and laid them on the car’s dashboard – the surface of which showed a temperature of 87.7C. A little over four hours later the cookies were ready to eat. “Even though ours weren’t golden brown, we can confirm that they are done and delicious,” the staff wrote on Facebook.

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Electric G-Wagen takes you for spin

https://youtu.be/NwHbJ7HN1sU

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