It looks like 2012 will be a great year for Lexus, as the buzz of the LF-LC concept car spreads across the media like wild fire, and now they give us a glimpse of their one-of-a-kind LFA Roadster concept. The stage was set up at the Tokyo Auto Salon to showcase the capabilities of the brand new Toyota 86, known as the Scion FR-S here, but Lexus threw in a huge surprise for the audience. It is hard to decide what was more breathtaking, to see the LFA Roadster in real life, or the fact that it starts to drift around upon entering the mini-circuit. This drop-top concept is the only one in existence right now, and these types of antics can only happen in Japan. Click after the jump to check out the full video of the LFA getting sideways.

After having its images unceremoniously leaked on Road & Track‘s iPad edition, Lexus is finally letting the cat out of the bag with its LF-LC Concept. Designed at its Calty Design Research center in California, the LF-LC Concept will not just be a mere eye candy at upcoming auto shows. Much like another Lexus concept, the Lexus LF-Gh Hybrid Concept, the LF-LC will serve as a design anchor to future Lexus performance vehicles. Originally there was much buzz about its hybrid powerplant as well. But details and specification have since been omitted for unspecific reason. Perhaps officials are waiting till next week’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit for a complete unveiling.

Lexus was hoping to keep much of its new LF-LC concept under wraps until the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, but after a pair of official teaser photos dropped, the excitement couldn’t be contained leading to a leaked photo of its profile. Created in Lexus’ California design studio, the new LF-LC looks to have a targa top rather than a fully retractable hard-top and, unlike its predecessor, designers slipped in a second row of seats. The LF-LC’s smooth lines and aggressively styled grille have also been paired with Lexus’ hybrid technology (notice the label near its rear wheel), meaning the LF-LC looks to be Lexus’ take on the future of high-end luxury coupes.

There are still a lot of questions left unanswered about the Lexus LF-LC that will have to wait until for its official unveiling in Detroit on January 9, but you can still get a good look at it after the jump.

Little details are known about this Lexus LF-Lc concept car, however we have some sneak preview of the slick sports car. The aggressive face shows a resemblance to the LFA and the Lexus GS, sleek triangular headlights are paired on the side of a large hour glass shaped front grille. Elongated, aerodynamic hood draws a line straight out to the cabin of the coupe, then widening out at the rear. Huge five spoke rims wear wide, low profile tires and these would serve to help translate the power onto the ground. If this concept design is anything to go by, Lexus is well on its way to making jaws drop at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. via: autoblog

The announcement of LF-Gh hybrid concept earlier this year marked the start of Lexus’ new direction in design. Come next month, the luxury car maker is elaborating on that new design theme at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), more commonly known as the Detroit Auto Show. For a taste of what is to come, Lexus released a teaser today. More curvacious than previous models by its design studio at Newport Beach, CA, there is no designation from Lexus at this time except as Lexus Concept Vehicle. The car is to make its worldwide debut on January 9th, 2012 at Detroit’s Cobo Hall.

A major highlight for the Lexus exhibit at this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas is its head turning CT 200h tuned by Five Axis. The sporty hybrid hatchback is given a custom wide-body kit featuring new front and rear bumpers and side sills, with upgraded Stop Tech big brake kit and TEIN Flex coilover suspension, all supported by 19-inch FIVE:AD forged wheels with Yokohoma Advan Sport tires. The exterior is painted in striking JDSU “Dark Passage,” while the interior is nicely appointed with custom seats laser etched with Ultrasuede EcoDesign inserts and upholstery by Turinmodel. Click through for more looks.

In an effort to develop a totally brand new vehicle, Lexus took on the task of producing the LFA from scratch as a blank canvas. We’ve featured the LFA numerous times before, yet Lexus has compiled this most comprehensive history, from the birth of LFA to its tremendous achievements on the race track. This vehicle chronicles the usual state-of-the-art technology expected from Lexus, such as the super- lightweight carbon fiber body, made completely in-house. The LFA also proved to be a feisty fighter on the Nürburgring race track by claiming the class win at the 24 Hour race. On top of that, the LFA Nürburgring Edition became the fastest production vehicle, with a lap time of 7 minutes and 14.64 seconds, proving its true high performance nature. Watch the full documentary after the jump to find out the history of this magnificent vehicle.

Lexus has announced the unveiling of the all-new 2013 GS 350 with F Sport package at next week’s Specialty Equipment Market Association Show in Las Vegas. The package includes 19-inch wheels, F SPORT tuned Adaptive Variable Suspension, thicker anti-roll bars, new bushing and bigger front brakes with high friction pads. Rear-wheel drive models will receive Variable Gear Ratio Steering. Inside, the vehicle is equipped with a new driver’s seat, F Sport-exclusive trim and available Cabernet Red leather. While the 3.5-liter V6 engine of the original GS 350, delivering the same 306 horsepower, remains unchanged, the F Sport edition is much more agile. It features a streamlined aero kit with new aggressive front bumper and rear lower valence, rear lip spoiler and new mesh grille. Click through to check out more looks. via: Autoblog

Lexus today announced special edition models for its 2012 LS 460, ES 350 and CT 200h. Starting with the last one first, the CT 200h F Sport Special Edition gets a sport suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels and F-Sport Package featuring upgrades like front mesh grille, larger rear spoiler and aluminum sport pedals. Also included are Navigation and Premium Audio Packages. MSRP for the vehicle is $37,995. The 2012 ES 350 Touring Edition receives upgrades in the form of heated and ventilated front seats, HDD Navigation System and leather and wood interior trim. Retail is set at $40,475. Finally, the LS 460 Sport Edition is improved with Brembo brakes, sport-tuned air suspension with variable ratio steering, sport front seats with climate control and 19-inch rims. MSRP is $77,000. The CT 200h Special Edition will arrive at dealerships in October, the ES and LS Special Editions in November. Click through for more looks.

Ask any driver for the definition of “performance” and you will likely to receieve hundreds of explanation, each a variation. The same goes when you ask for the definition of “luxury”. Something curious happens, however, when you re-word the question for the definition of “performance and luxury”. You will get only a handful of answers, usually pegged with real-life samplings like the BMW 5-Series, the Audi A6 Model, and the Mercedes E-Class. Finally, you will get the “black sheep” of the pack, Lexus, which broke through the cozy German performance sedans fraternity with its GS edition.

Now in its fourth generation and an ever crowded field of competitors, Lexus unveiled its all-new GS 350 for model year 2013. With Lexus Group Vice President Mark Templin and Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda on hand, an presentation at the iconic Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance venue in California gave the public a first look at new addition. With its Lexus LFA super car as an inspiration, designers at Lexus created a more rigid platform with a wider stance with almost 2 inches added on. Its 3.5-liter V6 plus a dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) control is capable in producing 306 horsepower and propel the GS 0 to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds. Full customizable, the Lexus Drive Mode allows the driver to dial in 4 driving experiences, including an all-wheel drive option for tough road conditions No Lexus will be complete without its slew of amenities for both driver and passengers. With this revamp, Lexus added 25% more space to the trunk compartment for storage, in comparison to the current GS 350. An almost seamless dashboard design accentuates the available space inside. It also highlights the large 8-inch center console information display and the new analog clock, the interior focal point. Other new features include LED lighting in both exterior and interior, a new braking system, a class-leading safety element with 10 air bags, and seamless connectivity from Bluetooth to Pandora music service.

With a launch date set in early 2012, Lexus will follow up with detailed announcement later this year with other GS variants, including a hybrid model and one with Lexus F Sport performance package.

In part to grab some initiatives from its chief European rivals, luxury auto maker Lexus today announced it will unveil the new GS performance sedan at this year’s Parc du Concours in Pebble Beach, 4 weeks ahead of Frankfurt Motor Show. For those who attended this year’s New York Auto Show, however, much of the new Lexus GS 350 was already apparent. Mainly because large part of its design DNA was from the Lexus LF-Gh Hybrid Concept that made its debut in the Big Apple. Apart from cost cutting deductions like LED-lit marquee, side view cameras and other inevitable tweaks, expect this new 4th generation GS sedan to have much semblances with the LF-Gh Hybrid Concept. The new Lexus GS 350 is set for unveiling on Thursday, August 18th.

Event Date: August 18th, 2011 (Thursday)

The occasion of a royal wedding is always heralded by extravagance and pageantry, and in the case of Prince Albert of Monaco’s upcoming nuptials, this tenet definitely applies to the wedding limo. On July 2, after Prince Albert exchanges vows with Charlene Wittstock, the happy couple will be chauffeured in a bespoke Lexus LS 600h Landaulet built specifically for the wedding. The most striking feature of this one-off Landaulet is the roof over the back seat: a transparent one-piece bubble with no reinforcements or pillars, made from the canopies of helicopters and fighter jets. Working closely with Lexus, the conversion was handled by Belgian coachbuilder Carat Duchatelet in a process that reportedly took over 2,000 hours. In keeping with the prince’s strong environmentalist stance, the car will operate mostly in its full electric mode with zero emissions.