Maybe you’re not a fan of the wild SEMA Show cars built by Fox Marketing. Even then, it requires a certain level of heartlessness to not shed a tear when seeing these photos.

Built for Lexus for SEMA over the years the Fox Marketing Lexus IS-F and IS350C have seen better days. They might look like theft recoveries, but sadly it’s worse than that – they’ve been wrecked on purpose.

Fine machines in their own right, both cars were kitted out with tens of thousands of dollars in top-grade modifications ranging from superchargers to wheels, tires, suspension kits and brakes. And let’s not forget about the custom body kits, interiors and wild paint colors. Some parts appear to have been removed from the cars, although Brian Fox of Fox Marketing has confirmed the high-powered engines had to remain in the vehicles.

Built as “dollar cars” for the show circuit, the life of these two luxury machines has now expired and due to legal reasons they must be disposed of in a way that will ensure Lexus won’t wind up with a lawsuit some time down the road.

When contacted, Fox informed AutoGuide that more photos and even video was on it’s way, so we’ll be sure to update this story. Check back later this week, if you can stomach it.

GALLERY: Fox Marketing Lexus Models Headed to Crusher

With the launch of the Lexus LFA and Toyota GT 86, Toyota seems to be back in the sports car game. And now the Japanese auto giant is proving its cars are more than just fun-to-drive and shiny sheetmetal, with each car winning its respective class at this weekend’s Nurburgring 24 Hour Race.

Partnered with Gazoo Racing, this is hardly the Lexus LFA’s first trip round the Green Hell, though while several past efforts proved disastrous, the luxury marque appears committed to erasing any memories by amassing trophies. Competing in the SP8 Class, the Gazoo Racing Lexus LFA topped the podium and finished an impressive 15th overall.

As for the Toyota GT 86 team, car No. 166 placed first in the SP3 class and 46th overall, with the second car placing sixth in class and 65th overall. In addition, another Toyota GT 86 from Toyota Swiss Racing managed a 78th place finish and first overall in the V3 class for stock vehicles.

GALLERY: Toyota GT 86 & Lexus LFA Nurburging 24 Photos

Traditionally Lexus and Toyota have followed a different path when it comes to implementing hybrid technology into their cars, but that’s about to change.

Historically Toyota has opted to use the gasoline-electric mix to deliver maximum fuel economy above all else – take the Prius as an example. Lexus, however, has instead used electricity as an added boost to its gasoline motors, providing additional power while retaining modest fuel economy. The result are cars like the GS450h, which delivers performance equal to that of a V8, but with V6 fuel efficiency. As well, there’s the flagship LS600h, with a 5.0-liter V8 engine mated to an electric motor and a total output of 428 hp. This car, boasted Lexus at the time, was intended to deliver V12 power but with V8 fuel economy.

The problem says Lexus ES and LS product planner Ketan Renade is that sales are extremely slow. “We did studies and focus groups and people said, ‘hybrid equals mpg’”, says Renade. “Cars with 400 and 500 hp are great, but no one is buying them.”

The new ES300h is the first product to result from the new hybrid philosophy at Lexus. Unlike the recently revealed GS, which uses an electric motor to boost performance, the ES300h mates a 4-cylinder with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system to deliver 200 hp and 39 mpg combined. That’s well below the gasoline V6-powered ES350, which delivers 268 hp, although it’s also a 50 percent improvement in fuel economy.

The ES isn’t the exception either, but the new rule, with Renade nearly confirming a decision to axe the LS600 in favor of a less-potent hybrid powertrain. Speaking with AutoGuide at the recent ES launch, he said that,  “If we did a future hybrid Lexus LS, it would go V6 hybrid.”

Will Lexus deliver a future LS hybrid? Most certainly, especially as Lexus only sells hybrid models in Europe where it’s trying desperately to win over buyers from the German brands. That said, look for an LS450h in the not-to-distant future.

GALLERY: 2013 Lexus ES300h

We were well aware that Gazoo Racing was working on a pair of Toyota GT 86 race cars and a Lexus LFA for the upcoming Nürburgring 24 Hours race, and now Toyota Swiss Racing Team will be joining it with another pair.

The race takes place this weekend starting on May 17, held at the infamous track that played an important role in the development of both Toyota models. Gazoo Racing’s LFA will compete in the SP8 class while the two GT 86s will participate in the SP3 class. Toyota employees from the Japanese automaker will be part of the team personnel in order to gain further data on both models to bring feedback directly into future models.

“The momentum of our team is very good. Our target for the 24 Hours Nürburgring race is to maintain a steady pace, in line with the way we have chosen to set up the vehicles. Nevertheless, we have run at good speed and confident we will be full ready before the 24-hour event,” Gazoo Racing driver Akira Iida recently said after the team’s most recent race.

The Toyota Swiss Racing Team GT 86s will be competing in the V3 competition class for production models. The team’s participation is part of Toyota Switzerland’s grassroots motorsport program with the GT 86 to help encourage a new generation of racing and sports car enthusiasts.

Slow sales prompted Lexus to end production of the HS 250h, which never found the same level of success that the CT 200h has. 

In 2010, the HS 250h sold a total 10,663 units, but quickly dropped off the radar, selling only 2,864 in 2011.

The CT 200h, which was introduced in 2010 as a 2011 model, is thought to be the main reason behind the HS 250h’s lack of sales. Most see the CT 200h as a much better looking vehicle, which offers the same engine and performance as the HS, at a much better price point. The CT 200h undercut the HS 250h in price by about $8,000, a major factor in the sales slump that led to the discontinuation of the model.

The 2012 ES 300h is coming to dealerships soon, though it will not replace the HS, it is simply the next car that is receiving Toyota’s hybrid system which the company hopes to introduce to all models across the lineup.

[Source: Inside Line]

Set to arrive next year, the third-generation IS sports sedan from Lexus will move further into the sporty realm to help it better compete with the segment leading BMW 3 Series.

“I have driven an early prototype and it’s amazing,” said Ketan Renade, Lexus product planner for the ES and LS sedans.

“On the IS we realized it needs to be more focused,” he continued, pointing out a unique advantage Lexus has in this area. While rivals have carefully balanced the hard-edge performance wants with luxury ride quality, “The IS doesn’t have to play a comfort role for us,” he continued. Instead, Lexus offers the ES350 (as well as the new ES300h) to suit that demand.

When pressed about how far Lexus will push the performance envelope on the next-generation IS Renade would only say that a sport model will be offered, “maybe an F Sport”. He stopped short of confirming an next-generation IS-F, though it does without saying that such a car is necessary to keep Lexus relevant in the segment.

As for how it will look, expect to see a more engaging design, as we’ve seen Lexus considerably beef up its aesthetics as of late with new products like the GS and now the ES too. The brand’s large spindle grille design is certain to dominate the front of the car.

Speaking with other product planners over dinner at a launch event for the 2013 ES, they were surprised by the new Cadillac ATS, describing the styling as “conservative”, a strong hint that Lexus will go a more dramatic route. In fact, product planner Ben Mitchell confirmed that the dash of the 2014 IS will take inspiration from the brand’s LFA supercar.

Lexus is announcing a voluntary recall of about 650 GS 350 F Sport sedans because the steering system might not perform predictably. 

For those of us that played the Nintendo 64 gaming console, this should be a familiar problem. If the steering wheel is left off center when parked, an affected vehicle could misalign the wheels and steering positon when the car is turned back on, just like that obnxious joy stick on the N64 controller.

Unfortunately, the consequences would almost certainly be more serious if someone’s car keeps driving in the wrong direction than  their character in Mark Kart.

Owners driving affected cars might already know about the problem, but according to Lexus it happens when a car is turned off then immediately restarted.  GS 350 F Sports from the early 2013 model year are apparently experiencing the problem, and owners can expect a notification in their mailbox in early June to come in for service.

The repair should take about 30 minutes and involved retuning the car’s electronic control unit for the variable gear ratio steering. Service will be free of charge at any authorized Lexus dealer and no other Lexus or Toyota models are covered under the recall.

Lexus apparently loaned an LFA supercar to skateboarding legend Tony Hawk for a few days, but after seeing the shenanigans that Hawk does with the rare Lexus, they may reconsider sending him another loaner vehicle.

Hawk must have had a lot of confidence in his stunt, since the LFA costs a whopping $375,000. Luckily he doesn’t ding it up. Hawk now joins an exclusive club of athletes (usually basketball players) that have jumped over a vehicle, rubbing elbows with the likes of Blake Griffin and Kobe Bryant.

Watch the video below.

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In the brave new world of automotive technology comes a safety feature from Lexus that will literally steer the car for you.

One of the important new features on the all-new 2013 Lexus ES350 and ES300h, Steering-Assist Vehicle Stability Control (S-VSC) takes conventional VSC systems a step further. Along with being able to cut throttle and add braking pressure in a turn if tire slip is detected, the new S-VSC system will actually correct the car’s steering angle, pointing the tires more in line with the car’s projected path if the driver has provided too much steering input, causing understeer or “pushing”.

Unveiled at the NY Auto Show, the 2013 Lexus ES sheds its conservative image for a more bold look, including the brand’s new trademark “spindle” grille. The changes are more than cosmetic, however, with the luxury model trading its underpinnings from those of the Camry to the larger Avalon. In addition, the Lexus ES for the first time gains a hybrid version, with the ES300h making 200 hp and delivering a 0-60 time of 8.1 seconds while being able to return 39 mpg combined.

Watch a video of the S-VSC system in action below in the 2013 Lexus ES:

GALLERY: 2013 Lexus ES

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Plus, watch AutoGuide’s first look video of the 2013 Lexus ES below:

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Lexus‘ new design language is catching attention. The spindle grille and more aggressive styling is serving to take what was becoming a bland-looking brand into a newly vital luxury line.

We originally saw the 2013 Lexus LX debut in Detroit last January, but there hasn’t been much else about the large SUV since then. That’s mostly because aside from the styling updates found across the board, there isn’t really anything new. The same 5.7-liter V8 making  383 hp and 403 lb-ft of torque and electronically-controlled six-speed automatic transmission send power to the wheels in the LX 570.

That is by no means a bad thing and doesn’t change the fact that the original LX, which debuted in 1996 as a Toyota Land Cruiser in a tuxedo, is still carrying its luxurious tradition of rugged capability and genteel style.

A couple of new videos featuring the LX just surfaced and while they don’t offer any new information, there’s some beautiful scenery on tap.

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You probably know what it means to play “chicken,” but the risks associated with the reckless schoolyard game take a more serious tone when cars are involved. That said, it’s a blast to watch. 

Hopefully no one that’s reading this has ever participated in such a game, but it appears that Lexus wanted to pit its newly-redesigned Lexus GS 350 against its LFA supercar in a friendly game of chicken. The outcome is not what you’d expect it to be, considering the commercial is supposed to help sell the GS 350 in China, but it does show off the new sedan’s Lexus Dynamic Handling (LDH) feature.

We think it would have been better if the LFA flinched first, proving that the GS 350 won’t back down from anything. But we can sympathize with the GS 350 driver too, we would hardly want to smash into a $375,000 supercar, or anything else for that matter.

Watch the video after the break.

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A car that drives itself might seem cool — until you realize it’s probably a Toyota Prius. What if you prefer something a more upscale automated chauffeur? It seems Google feels the same way by giving a Lexus RX450h the autonomous treatment. 

The vehicle was spotted testing in Southern California and seems to be sporting a different sensor than some other autonomous vehicles Google used in the past. This unit seems smaller and a little more aerodynamic.

“In the course of our work, we experiment with testing our algorithms on various vehicles to help us improve our technology,” Google told Wired, essentially saying they’re progressing to a variety of vehicles.

Who knows when autonomous vehicles start making their way into dealerships, but a bill passed last week has made California a bit more friendly to self driving cars.

[Source: Wired]