2010 Lexus RX350 Pricing Announced, Cheaper Than its Predecessor

More often than not, an all-new model comes to the market with a slightly higher price tag than its predecessor, but that's not the case with the 2010 Lexus RX350 that arrives at U.S. dealerships this month. The new gasoline-powered RX carries a base MSRP of $36,800 for the front-wheel drive (FWD) model and $38,200 for the all-wheel drive (AWD) version meaning that it is priced $900 lower than the outgoing RX350 that cost $37,700 and $39,100 respectively.

The 2010 RX 350 mates a revised 275-horsepower strong 3.5-liter V6 engine with an all-new six-speed Multi-Mode Automatic Transmission. The luxury SUV's standard equipment includes among other things, 10 airbags, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and SmartAccess keyless-entry.

Toyota & Lexus U.S. January Sales Sink 34.9 Percent

The first month of 2009 also brought bad news for Toyota that saw its U.S. sales fall to 117,287 vehicles, a decrease of 34.4 percent from last January. The Toyota division that includes the Scion brand, posted sales of 102,565 units, a decrease of 34.9 percent, while Lexus recorded sales of 14,722 units, down of 30.3 percent from the year-ago month. Toyota's passenger car sales were led by the Camry and Camry Hybrid, which posted combined sales of 20,782 units. The Corolla recorded sales of 19,238 units while the Yaris reported sales of 4,440 units for the month. The Prius hybrid posted January sales of 8,121 units.

Toyota's light trucks division posted January sales of 42,548 units, down 40 percent from January 2008. Light truck sales were led by the RAV4 compact SUV with January sales of 8,034 units.

As for Lexus, it's best selling model for January 2009 was the RX with sales of 6,520 units followed by the ES luxury sedan with sales of 2,971 units.

New Lexus RX 350 to Make Australian Debut at Melbourne Show

Lexus will stage the Australian debut of its new RX 350 at the 75th annual Melbourne Motor Show that runs from 27 February to 9 March at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. The 2010 RX-350 is fitted with an upgraded 3.5-litre petrol V6 engine that develops 204 kW / 275HP and is mated to an electronically controlled, sequential-shift, six-speed transmission which replaces the five-speed automatic of the previous model. Along with the RX 350, the Japanese automaker will also show its LF-A Roadster concept

Lexus Recalling 214,500 LS, IS and GS Sedans in the USA

Approximately 214,500 Lexus car owners in the U.S. are to receive a recall notification in their mail box over the next few weeks. The Japanese automaker determined that on certain 2006 through 2008 model year GS300/350, IS250/350, and LS460/460L vehicles, some ethanol fuels with a low moisture content may corrode the internal surface of the fuel delivery pipes. Over time, this condition could lead to the creation of a pinhole in the fuel delivery pipes resulting in fuel leakage. As one would expect, Lexus dealers will replace the fuel delivery pipes with newly designed components at no extra cost.

Video: Lexus HS 250h Hybrid Presentation from NAIAS

The Prius' success as a standalone hybrid model prompted Lexus to introduce its own dedicated hybrid, the all-new HS 250h luxury sedan. At 184.8-in / 4.693 long, its longer than the IS but shorter than the ES 350. Power comes from the same Atkinson-cycle, 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine used in the Toyota Camry Hybrid for a combined output (gasoline engine and electric motor) of 187HP. Lexus has not released EPA ratings, but it supports that the HS 250h will deliver more than 30-percent better fuel economy than the most efficient model in its current lineup. Hit the jump to watch the live presentation from the Detroit Show.

2010 Lexus HS 250h: Dedicated Hybrid Sedan with 187HP 4-Cylinder Engine

Revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the all-new HS 250h is Lexus' first dedicated hybrid model as well as the first to future a four-cylinder gas engine. Seeing the first photos of the HS 250h we couldn't avoid making a comparison - in terms of design- with the European market 2009 Toyota Avensis. The two front-wheel drive saloons share many design cues like the small, triangular shaped extension of the front window as well as the overall shape of the car.

Furthermore, they share the same wheelbase length (106.3-in.) and have similar exterior dimensions. And oh, they also get the same steering wheel. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not... Overall, the HS 250h isn't going to win any beauty pageants, which is a pity as Lexus had the chance to create a unique hybrid vehicle that would stand out from the crowd.

Slightly longer than the IS and taller than both the IS and ES, the Audi-A4 sized HS 250h fits between the IS luxury sport sedan and the ES luxury sedan. Power comes from Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system mated to Lexus' first four-cylinder gas engine, a 2.4-liter Atkinson-cycle unit, for a total output of 187 HP. As you may have already guessed, power is driven to the front wheels through an electronically controlled continiouslt variable transmission (CVT).

The Japanese automaker said that the HS 250h sedan's expected fuel efficiency will be more than 30-percent better than the most fuel-efficient model currently in the Lexus lineup.

Sales of the all-new 2010 HS 250h will begin in the States in late summer.

2010 HS 250h PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

2010 HS 250h
Total Hybrid System Horsepower	187 hp
Engine	2.4-liter 4-cylinder
Transmission	Transmission Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission
Seating Capacity	5
Width (inches)	70.3
Height (inches)	59.3
Overall Length (inches)	184.8
Wheelbase (inches)	106.3
Driven Wheels	FWD
Wheels	17x7.0 w/ P215/55R17 or 18x7.5 w/ P225/45R18 (Optional)
Emissions Rating	SULEV

Lexus UK Launches New Limited Edition RX400hs

With the all-new Lexus RX just around the corner (UK sales begin this summer), Lexus is apparently trying to push out as many examples of the current model as possible. Release right after the New Year, the RX 400h Limited Edition and Executive Limited Edition promise to deliver an array of otherwise extra features at a competitive price. Beginning with the RX 400h Limited Edition that costs £35,995, it comes with luxury features including leather upholstery, heated electrically adjustable front seats, and the Lexus Multimedia system .

The RX400h Executive Limited Edition which is priced at £37,995, extends the standard equipment specification with electric tilt and slide sunroof, electrically adjustable steering wheel, memory settings for the driver's seat, steering wheel and door mirrors, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, entry lighting system and a power tailgate.

Both new RX 400h special editions come with a two-year/20,000-mile servicing package. Included in the on-the-road price, this covers all routine vehicle servicing during the stated period, with a customer value of around £360.

2010 Lexus HS 250h Dedicated Hybrid Sedan Confirmed for Detroit Show

We've been hearing rumors about Lexus' first dedicated hybrid model for quite a while now, but today, the Japanese automaker officially confirmed that the all-new HS 250h will make its worldwide debut at next month's 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Lexus has not disclosed any official information whatsoever on the HS 250h, but according to the grapevine, the dedicated hybrid sedan will be similar in size to the company's IS Sedan.

Sources also suggest that the HS 250h will be initially launched in 2009 with conventional nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries, but will switch to lithium-ion cells by the end of 2010. Stay tuned on Carscoop for more details on the highly anticipated Lexus hybrid model.

Pics: Mag-X

Toyota's U.S. Auto Sales Plunge 33.9% in November

Toyota's U.S. sales plummeted November as consumers continue to avoid dealer showrooms. The Japanese automaker sold a total of 130,307 vehicles, representing a 33.9% fall from the same month a year earlier (on a daily selling rate basis). The Toyota Division that includes the Scion brand posted November sales of 114,084 units, a decrease of 33.8% from last November while Lexus reported November sales of 16,223 units, a decrease of 34.7% from the year-ago month.

Toyota's passenger car sales were led by Camry and Camry Hybrid, which posted combined sales of 25,224 units. The best selling Scion vehicle was the xB with 2,161 units while Lexus sales were led by the RX luxury utility vehicle, which posted combined November sales of 5,850 units.

Lexus Rolls Out 2010 RX350 and RX450h at LA Show

In case you weren't sure, this is in fact the brand-new, third-generation Lexus RX that was revealed to the world for the first time at the 2008 LA Auto Show. Like its predecessor, the new RX will be offered in two flavors, the gasoline only RX350 and the gasoline-hybrid RX450h. The exterior of the all-new RX features a sort-of blink-and-you'll-miss-it bland evolutionary styling that combines the silhouette of the current model with a few modern knickknacks from Lexus design cupboard like sculpted lower part of the doors and 'L-Finesse' molding around the side windows.

Furthermore, the RX 450h hybrid receive its own unique styling features, including an different grille, hybrid badging with blue-trimmed Lexus logos, a restyled front bumper, a special 19-inch optional wheel design, blue-tinted headlamps and taillamps, and optional LED headlamps.

Inside, the 2010 RX gets a more modern dashboard full of swoops and curves and what Lexus calls, a "dual-zone cockpit design" with two different display systems. Despite the various rumors for a seven-seat version, the RX will be offered excursively as a five-seater. However, the larger overall exterior dimensions of the luxury crossover promise to better passenger space compared to the current RX.

At the heart of the new RX models beat two improved V6 powertrains. The range-topping RX 450h features an enhanced version of the company's Lexus Hybrid Drive system with a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine that crank out a combined output of 295HP, 27 more horsepower than the current generation RX hybrid. Lexus also added two new systems that improve the RX450h's efficiency. The first is an exhaust-heat recovery system that reduces engine warm-up time allowing it to stop earlier, more often, and for longer periods while the second is a cooled exhaust-gas recirculation system that reduces engine pumping losses, also helping to improve economy.

The entry-level 2010 RX 350 is powered by the same powerplant as the RX450h, sans the hybrid system. In this case, the 3.5-liter V6 engine produces an output of 275HP and is mated to an electrically controlled, sequential-shift six-speed transmission.

According to Lexus, the 2010 RX 350 will go on sale in the U.S. next February, while the 2010 RX 450h will reach dealerships nationwide in the spring. European will have to wait until next summer for both variants of the new RX.