Lexus LF-Gh Concept
Although not technically making its debut until the 2011 New York auto show next week, these are the first official images of the Lexus LF-Gh Concept — a preview of what Lexus’ next grand touring sedan and corporate design la
nguage may look like.
The car previews the next generation Lexus GS sedan (expected to launch in time for the 2013 model year) and showcases a number of new design elements that will proliferate across the Lexus lineup in the coming years. Most notable is the spindle-shaped grille that dominates the front fascia, which is flanked by full LED headlights with L-shaped LED running lights. The rest of the design — particularly its character lines, roofline, and proportions — borrows heavily from Lexus’ flagship LS range.
Lexus says that the interior will be a meticulously designed and engineered cabin using the highest quality materials. It has “re-examined every detail of the interior, with the aim of making [it] driver-focused.” We’ll have to take their word for it, for the automaker has refrained from releasing any images of the concept car’s interior.
While we don’t know much more about the LF-Gh Concept yet, we do know that it will be powered by some version of Toyota/Lexus’ hybrid drive system, sending its power to the rear wheels. Expect further details on the LF-Gh Concept to emerge closer to its official debut at the 2011 New York auto show next week. Read the rest of this entry »
Nissan Leaf Nismo RC
The Nissan Leaf Nismo RC is 3.9-inches shorter, 0.8-inches longer, 6.7-inches wider and a staggering 13.8-inches lower than the garden-variety 2011 Nissan Leaf. At 2.4-inches, its ground clearance is just high enough to pass over a New York-sized cockroach. And in case you’re wondering, “RC” doesn’t stand for “remote control” — at least not in this application. Nissan designed this trac
k-attacking EV with “Racing Competition” abilities, much like it did with the recent R35 GT-R RC
Underneath the Leaf RC’s carbon fiber body resides a monocoque set inside a custom chassis built by Nismo, Nissan’s in-house performance division, in conjunction with Nissan’s Global Design Center. For ideal weight distribution, Leaf RC’s 80 kW AC synchronous motor, lithium ion batteries, and inverter are mounted mid-ship.
Forged aluminum 18-inch wheels wrapped in Bridgestone slicks attach to front and rear control-arm suspension. Rear-wheel drive replaces the production Leaf’s front-wheel drive layout. There is even an adjustable rear wing for optimum aerodynamic setup on a variety of tracks. Weighing just 2068 pounds, the RC is 40-percent lighter than the road-going Leaf.
The powertrain remains the same, however, producing 102 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. Nissan says the Leaf RC can hit 60 mph in 6.85 seconds and a top speed of 93 mph. Of course, going full bore has its limits: in racing situations, the RC lasts a maximum of 20 minutes. Read the rest of this entry »
2012 Subaru Impreza Design
Subaru executives readily admit that their “anywhere, any time” all-wheel-drive rides aren’t always the prettiest. Nevertheless, the little automaker from Tokyo, Japan, has been on a tear.
In 2010, it posted its best-ever sales figures in the United States, an increase of 22 percent over 2009 for a total of 263,820 vehicles. In the last three years, as the rest of the auto industry struggled with double-digit sales declines, Subaru
was the only automaker that posted consecutive sales increases.
The key to this windfall? Subaru says that it’s attractive pricing and ideal vehicle sizing. So it makes sense that the company opted to stay the course on price and size for the fourth-generation Impreza, but to focus on improving two other vital characteristics of its best-seller.
“With the 2012 Impreza, we’re heavy up on style, and we’re heavy up on fuel efficiency. That’s where we go next,” says Michael McHale, Subaru’s head of corporate communications.
At the 2010 Los Angeles auto show, Subaru demonstrated its emphasis on style with the Impreza Concept. Like the Legacy Concept shown in 2009, the Impreza prototype demonstrated an athletic physique characterized by an aggressive nose and aerodynamic rear. Its profile was slim with a steeply raked windshield.
Many of the show car’s design elements were translated into the striking 2012 Impreza. The hexagonal grille has wings flanking a prominent badge. The wide-set, hawkeye headlamps rotate and set off a strong shoulderline and creased hood, both cribbed from big brother Legacy. Read the rest of this entry »