Category Archives: NEW CARS

NEW CARS

Alfa Romeo 4C Collezione GT “Nicola Larini”: A Bridge Between Heritage and the Future

At the test track of the Alfa Romeo Historical Museum in Arese, history repeated itself—if only for a lap. Nicola Larini, the man who etched Alfa Romeo’s name into the annals of motorsport with his 1993 DTM title aboard the 155 V6 TI, slid back behind the wheel. This time, however, he wasn’t driving a fire-breathing touring car but something altogether more intimate: the first Alfa Romeo 4C Collezione GT “Nicola Larini,” a limited-run tribute built under Stellantis Heritage’s Reloaded by Creators program.

This wasn’t just a ceremonial handover. When Larini guided the compact coupé around Arese’s asphalt before handing its keys to the car’s new custodian, the gesture was steeped in symbolism. A champion of Alfa’s past delivering a torch to the present—a seamless connection between racing heritage and modern craft.

A Special 4C, Three Times Over

The 4C has always carried the reputation of being one of Alfa’s purest driver’s cars. Mid-engine layout, lightweight carbon-fiber chassis, and reflexes sharp enough to embarrass bigger, more powerful rivals—it’s the kind of machine that makes agility and feedback its headline act.

For this project, Stellantis Heritage is crafting just three Collezione GT examples. Each will wear its own distinctive color scheme: the inaugural “Giallo Ocra” car shown here, followed by “Verde Pino” and “Rosso Prugna.” Each build is signed, sealed, and certified authentic by Alfa Romeo Classiche, ensuring their status as rolling heirlooms.

Design Cues That Tell a Story

If the standard 4C was already a modern classic, the Collezione GT trim elevates it into collector-grade territory. The livery, developed by Centro Stile Alfa Romeo under designer Alessandro Maccolini, draws a straight line back to the brand’s golden age—the Giulia GTs of the ’60s and ’70s.

The result is subtle yet evocative: tone-on-tone paint finishes, matching wheels, and Larini’s autograph appearing not just on the hood, but also on the dashboard plaque and embroidered into the seats. It’s a detail that blurs the line between artifact and automobile.

Inside, function meets heritage-inspired style. Black microfiber covers the dashboard to cut glare, and the racing vibe extends to the seats, which blend body-colored inserts with grippy microfiber bolsters. Even the steering wheel gains a sightline marker—a small but welcome nod to Larini’s racing toolkit.

More Than a Tribute

In some special editions, the exclusivity feels like a veneer. Here, it feels genuine. Stellantis Heritage isn’t simply producing a badge-engineered commemorative car; they’re weaving a narrative. Each of the three cars will wear a slightly altered Alfa crest on the hood, making every example unique within an already tiny production run.

It’s not just about nostalgia either. This program demonstrates a willingness to celebrate Alfa Romeo’s greatest hits without turning the 4C into a static museum piece. These are fully road-ready sports cars, certificates of authenticity in hand, prepared for collectors who value history they can drive.

Legacy on Four Wheels

For Alfa Romeo, the 4C Collezione GT “Nicola Larini” isn’t simply an exercise in design—it’s an act of storytelling. The handover at Arese was a carefully staged moment, yes, but it felt authentic. Larini’s championship victory in 1993 is still remembered by fans as proof of Alfa’s underdog tenacity in the DTM, and seeing him climb out of a modern Alfa coupé carried a resonance that statistics alone can’t capture.

This is what Stellantis Heritage seems to understand: heritage is only alive if it’s in motion. And with two more cars yet to join the fold, the story is still being written.

Source: Stellantis

NEW CARS

The Lexus LS 500 Heritage Edition: A Farewell Ode to the Original Japanese Flagship

For nearly four decades, the Lexus LS has been the quiet disruptor in the luxury sedan hierarchy. When the original LS 400 debuted in 1989, it rewrote the rules of refinement, leaving Europe’s aristocratic sedans scrambling. Thirty-six years later, the LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition arrives as both a tribute and a coda—a limited-run, mono-spec model meant to honor the sedan that put Lexus on the map. Only 250 examples will be built, priced from $99,280, and they’ll land in dealerships this fall.

This is not just another trim package. The Heritage Edition is Lexus carefully curating the LS story into a single, distilled expression of what made the nameplate iconic: meticulous craftsmanship, serene luxury, and power delivered with whisper-quiet composure.

Dressed in Black, Red, and History

The exterior makes its intentions clear. A new paint finish, Ninety Noir, is an obsidian-like black that swallows light and emphasizes the sedan’s fluid proportions. Subtle darkened moldings and garnishes eliminate flash in favor of quiet menace. The 20-inch split-spoke alloys, now finished in Dark Gray Metallic, walk the line between elegance and aggression, and like all LS wheels, they’re engineered to hush road noise.

Step inside, however, and subtlety gives way to drama. The Rioja Red leather interior—an LS first—turns the cabin into a bold statement piece. Heritage Edition badging, etched into the center console and embroidered into the headrests, reminds passengers they’re sitting in something rare. Lexus also brings in its Laser Special Black wood trim, paired with Ultrasuede headliners and visors. It’s tactile theater—subdued where it needs to be, extravagant where it wants to be.

Technology Meets Tradition

As expected from Lexus’s flagship, the Heritage Edition loads on both tech and creature comforts. The panoramic glass roof and Mark Levinson 23-speaker, 2,400-watt surround system transform long drives into rolling sanctuaries. The Panoramic View Monitor and Advanced Park tech add ease to urban maneuvering, while heated rear seats and powered buckle lifters remind you Lexus never forgets about second-row passengers.

The infotainment suite runs through a 12.3-inch touchscreen, backed by the latest Lexus Interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is a Digital Key function that allows smartphone-based entry and sharing. Cloud navigation, Intelligent Assistant voice commands, and over-the-air updates ensure this final LS isn’t stuck in yesterday’s tech.

Safety remains paramount, with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite bundled in. Features such as Emergency Driving Stop, Curve Speed Management, and Left Turn Oncoming Vehicle Detection show just how far active safety has evolved since the LS’s conservative beginnings.

The Numbers Still Matter

Beneath the hood, the 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 delivers the same 416 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque as the standard LS 500, paired to a 10-speed automatic. All-wheel drive with a Torsen limited-slip center differential provides both security and composure. Lexus claims a 0–60 mph time of 4.6 seconds, proving this sedan still has the reflexes to back up its flagship status.

Drive modes range from Eco to Sport S+, but true to LS character, the emphasis isn’t outright aggression. Instead, Lexus engineers have fine-tuned the turbos’ wastegate control, piston design, and exhaust note for near-silent cold starts and seamless power delivery. It’s still a car more about silk than shock.

Why This Heritage Matters

The 2026 LS 500 Heritage Edition is not a revolution. It doesn’t try to outgun German V8s or chase the electric future head-on. Instead, it’s a carefully considered farewell—an homage to a sedan that once stunned the industry by proving luxury could be both uncompromising and rational.

For those lucky enough to secure one of the 250 units, the Heritage Edition isn’t just a luxury sedan—it’s a rolling time capsule, a nod to where Lexus came from, and a reminder of the craftsmanship-first philosophy that made the LS a legend.

And in the crowded luxury arena, that might be the most exclusive luxury of all.

Source: Lexus

NEW CARS

2026 Lexus LX: Hybrid Muscle Meets Flagship Luxury

Lexus doesn’t like to tinker much with its crown jewel, and for good reason. The LX has spent decades cementing its reputation as the brand’s ultimate expression of capability wrapped in luxury. For 2026, the LX receives subtle but meaningful updates that refine its formula rather than reinvent it—though this year marks an important milestone with the expanded availability of the hybrid-powered LX 700h.

A Trim for Every Taste

The 2026 LX lineup stretches from the “entry-level” Premium model at just under $108,000 to the indulgent Ultra Luxury grade, which now crosses the $140,000 threshold. Between those extremes, Lexus offers flavors for nearly every buyer: the sporty F SPORT Handling, the refined Luxury, and the Overtrail, a grade designed for those who actually intend to get their LX muddy.

New this year is an F SPORT Appearance Package, exclusive to the 700h F SPORT Handling. It adds body-color bumper accents, black mirror caps, and subtle aero tweaks that lean more toward style than substance.

The Overtrail: Where the Real Action Is

Among the lineup, the Overtrail trim remains the standout for enthusiasts who value function over flash. Think of it as Lexus’s way of acknowledging the growing crowd of overlanders who want leather seats but also a front skid plate.

The Overtrail wears 33-inch all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels, matte gray grille trim, and darkened exterior accents that play down the glitz. More importantly, it adds front and rear locking differentials, a 2,400-watt inverter, and a waterproof hybrid battery housing that allows for nearly 28 inches of water fording. Inside, semi-aniline leather in earthy hues pairs with Black Open-Pore wood to remind you this is still a Lexus, even if you’re climbing a rock garden.

Two Powertrains, Both Twin-Turbocharged

The LX continues to ride on Toyota’s GA-F body-on-frame platform, the same architecture underpinning the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series. The big news is the hybridized 700h, which pairs a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor and nickel-metal hydride battery for a combined 457 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. That’s a serious step up from the non-hybrid 600, which delivers 409 hp and 479 lb-ft from the same engine. Both engines pair with a 10-speed automatic and can tow 8,000 pounds.

The hybrid also adds some unique off-road tricks. In low range, the electric motor can deliver power independently for delicate throttle modulation over rocks or snow. Lexus even engineered a waterproof tray for the hybrid battery, complete with a sensor that alerts the driver if water somehow makes it inside.

Fuel economy improves slightly, with the 700h rated at 20 mpg combined—hardly Prius numbers, but meaningful in a 6,000-pound SUV.

Ride, Handling, and the Lexus Driving Signature

Lexus spent time tuning the LX’s ride for 2026, with new cab mount cushions designed to quell low-frequency vibrations. The suspension remains a mix of double-wishbone up front and multi-link in the rear, paired with Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and Active Height Control (AHC) as standard across the lineup.

The result? The LX still leans heavily toward comfort, but Lexus claims improved steering response and body rigidity that bring it closer to its so-called Lexus Driving Signature. We’ll reserve judgment until we sample it, but history suggests that “on-road agility” is relative in a 6,000-pound luxury SUV.

Inside: Massages, Screens, and Mark Levinson

Step inside, and the LX reminds you why it wears a six-figure price tag. Every grade features a driver-focused cockpit with dual touchscreens (12.3-inch upper and 7.0-inch lower), a head-up display, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

Opt for the Ultra Luxury, and rear passengers get VIP treatment: massaging seats with curved headrests, independent climate controls, and even a wireless charging pad in back. Lexus doesn’t skimp on audio either—the available 25-speaker Mark Levinson surround system is tuned specifically for the LX’s cavernous cabin.

Practical touches remain, too, including available power-folding third-row seating, a cargo shelf system in hybrid models, and a beefy 2,400-watt inverter that can power everything from a campsite to a tailgate party.

Safety and Tech

Every LX now comes standard with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which includes pedestrian detection, radar cruise with curve management, lane-tracing assist, and a host of collision-avoidance features. Tech-savvy owners also get cloud-based navigation, over-the-air updates, and the option to control certain features remotely via the Lexus app.

Pricing

  • LX 600 Premium: $107,950
  • LX 600 F SPORT Handling: $114,950
  • LX 600 Luxury: $116,950
  • LX 700h Overtrail: $116,685
  • LX 700h F SPORT Handling: $118,950
  • LX 700h Luxury: $120,950
  • LX 700h Ultra Luxury: $142,450

(All prices include a $1,450 destination fee.)

The 2026 Lexus LX isn’t here to rewrite its playbook. Instead, it sharpens its edges, adds capability where it counts, and introduces a hybrid powertrain that makes the SUV both more powerful and marginally more efficient. Whether you’re a boardroom executive, an overlanding enthusiast, or someone who simply wants the biggest Lexus with the plushest seats, the LX lineup continues to deliver on its promise: uncompromising luxury wrapped around serious off-road bones.

Source: Lexus