Tag Archives: Lexus

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Toyota is developing a new engine

Toyota engineers are working intensively on the development of a new engine that could become more popular than the powerful 2JZ straight six. It is an engine that will power Toyota and Lexus cars.

The new engine is part of a family of 1.5- and 2.0-liter inline-four engines, each of which will be optimized for hybrid or plug-in hybrid assistance and compatible with alternative fuels, which could give them a chance to live long after of traditional internal combustion engines that are disappearing due to restrictions. In addition to the 400 hp four-cylinder engine, a 300 hp version will also be available, meaning Toyota will have a great choice of powertrains ready for the upcoming MR2 and Celica models.

Also, a Lexus RC coupe powered by this 600 hp (441 kW) engine, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, is currently being tested. Although Lexus has not released any information about this car, the first information came from a Japanese journalist, who had the opportunity to see the IS sedan equipped with a version of the same engine, but with 400 hp (294 kW) and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Engineers claim it’s only a motorsport project, but it seems possible that Lexus could fit the new engine into the production coupe. Whether a manual gearbox will also be installed in the new cars remains to be seen, as Lexus is not known for such gearboxes. However, a simulated manual transmission system for electric cars has been tested, so perhaps there is hope.

Source: The Drive

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New EV battery plant for Lexus cars

Toyota has big plans when it comes to selling EVs with a focus on hybrids but also improving the production of Lexus cars. That is why the Japanese manufacturer announced the construction of a special factory for the production of batteries for cars of this luxury brand.

The world’s second largest car manufacturer plans to build a factory in the Fukuoka region, making the island of Kyushu a central part of the electric vehicle supply chain and an export base for the Asian market. On that island, Toyota owns a factory where Lexus cars are produced, and it is through this brand that Toyota strives to achieve a larger share of the world electric car market.

Toyota aims to sell 3.5 million electric cars each year by 2030, of which just under half will be produced locally by the BEV Factory. It would sound very ambitious, but since Toyota sold only 104,000 EVs last year, they are aware that this is not enough to catch up with the competition. This refers primarily to the largest Asian and world producer of electric vehicles, China.

It was previously known that the Japanese manufacturer will introduce next-generation battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from 2026, and the new factory will be operated by Primeearth EV Energy, a company specializing in the production of batteries for EVs.

Source: Reuters

News

2024 Lexus LBX

The Japanese automaker has unveiled a new crossover, the Lexus LBX, which will be powered by a hybrid powertrain. With this car, Lexus is trying to fill the void created by the discontinuation of the CT model. The start of production is expected by the end of the year, while the first deliveries are expected at the beginning of 2024.

Lexus LBX is powered by a 1.5L three-cylinder gasoline engine with 134 hp (100 kW) and 136 lb-ft (185 Nm) of torque. That’s enough power to push this tiny 1280 kilogram car to 60 mph in 9.1 seconds. It will be offered as FWD and AWD, and the electric motor will be mounted in the back.

In the construction of the car, lightweight materials were used to reduce weight. Thus, the wheel arches are made of resin, the rocker arms and the lower parts of the doors, while the hood is made of aluminum. The car has a wheelbase of 2580 mm (101.5 in), and is mounted on 18-inch wheels.

Inside, the LBX is equipped with a 13-speaker sound system with subwoofer (by Mark Levinson) and a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster with optional head-up display and 9.8-inch touchscreen. The version with front-wheel drive has a cargo capacity of 332 liters, while the space will be slightly smaller in the version with AWD due to the additional equipment that will be placed in the back.

Gallery:

2024 Lexus LBX

Source: Lexus