Lexus

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 09, 2022

The New 2023 Lexus RX Improves The Luxury Crossover And A...

The revolutionary luxury crossover from Lexus continues to build its legacy. The Lexus RX changed the entire automotive world with what was at the time a completely unique style of vehicle: a luxury SUV that had the driving characteristics of a luxury car. After the RX’s introduction to the market in 1998, the luxury crossover segment blossomed into what is today one of the most popular, competitive, and lucrative markets that an automotive brand can participate in. After 24 years, the five generations of the RX have remained popular and excellent in the market, and now the 2023 RX is prepared to carry the legacy of the luxury crossover into its 25th year and beyond. The new version of the car builds on its predecessors, adding more electrification than ever, and a new all-wheel-drive system that provides an entirely new driving feel, as well as an improved new platform that makes the vehicle lighter and more agile. MUST READ: Check The Spec: One-Owner 2012 Lexus LFA For Sale The new platform offers a 200-pound weight saving, as well as a lower center of gravity that allows for better rigidity and more comfortable driving, and a new range of powertrains makes that driving experience truly special. For the first time, the Lexus RX will be available as a plug-in hybrid, with the RX450h+ that will be available in the U.S. at a later date. The hybrid system is partnered with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and allows for strong performance and full-time all-wheel drive. However, for the driver seeking a performance-oriented luxury SUV, Lexus is offering the Lexus RX with an F SPORT Performance variant for the first time. The 2023 Lexus RX 500h F SPORT Performance AWD uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an electric drive system to generate a total of 366 horsepower and 406 lb/ft of torque, and with the new DIRECT 4 all-wheel-drive system, driving is easy, fast, and fun. Over two decades after it revolutionized the automotive industry, the new 2023 Lexus RX is ready to keep innovating. View All Lexus RX For Sale Source: Lexus

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 14, 2022

Lexus Honors 100 Thieves' LCS Championship Win With A Cus...

A custom Lexus commemorates an epic esports win. Esports team 100 Thieves won big, earning their first championship title in the LCS Championship. To commemorate the win, Lexus created a custom THIEVES NX, based off of the 2022 NX 350 F Sport Handling AWD, and it honors the 100 Thieves victory from bumper to bumper. The “Champion Print” on the car references the signature geo-print of 100 Thieves with a Lexus spin, showing a literal map to the team’s victory. The pattern was the result of Lexus taking raw player data and transforming it into a design that shows where the players went and where each of the 11 playoff matches was won. MUST READ: The New Lexus RZ 450e Is Lexus’s First All-Electric Offering Along with it, 100 Thieves logos are embossed in the headrests of the seats, embroidered on the floor and cargo mats, featured in the puddle lamps, and door sills, and referenced in the ambient illumination. Akin to the team’s strategy and talent, the THIEVES NX shows off some of the most advanced Lexus features, like a 14-inch touchscreen, Intuitive Parking Assist with Automatic Braking, Hey Lexus, and more. View All Lexus NX For Sale Source: Lexus

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By Tyler Rampersaud – May 18, 2022

The New 2023 Lexus RX Will Be Revealed May 31

Lexus’s incredibly popular crossover is evolving. The Lexus RX is one of Lexus’s most popular models, and for good reason. For nearly 25 years, the RX combined the poise and comfort of a luxury sedan with the practicality and capability of an SUV, and customers fell head over heels. Since then, the ethos and design of the Lexus RX have spread to competitor brands throughout the industry, and crossover SUVs with the Lexus RX’s ethos blossomed into a popular and fiercely competitive segment in the automotive industry. MUST READ: The New Lexus RZ 450e Is Lexus’s First All-Electric Offering Lexus intends to stay on top, which is why a new generation of the RX has been announced, and Lexus will unveil it on May 31 at 8:00 PM Eastern Time. Thus far, the only look we have at the car is of a new take on the Lexus Spindle Grille that seems to fade into the rest of the car. The popularity of the Lexus RX means that this new generation of the SUV has high expectations to live up to, but as we know by now, Lexus usually delivers. Source: Lexus

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 20, 2022

The New Lexus RZ 450e Is Lexus's First All-Electric Offering

Lexus has entered the electric segment with the sleek new RZ. Lexus has debuted an all-new battery-electric vehicle platform and promises to start a new era of electric vehicles, with an electric option being available in all of the brand’s segments in 2030 and goals for 100% electric sales by 2035. The new electric-specific platform opens the doors for Lexus to create new electric vehicles, and eventually expand to having a fully formed electric lineup. With its new electric drivetrain, Lexus has the opportunity to revolutionarily change the way its cars drive and work, and the RZ is the first example of this new era. MUST READ: The New 2022 Lexus LX 600 Revealed It starts with the new DIRECT4 all-wheel-drive, the new precise system that allows for power to be distributed completely to the front or back if need be. It analyzes cornering information and adjusts as you drive to provide solid dynamics and a pure, confident steering feel. Regenerative braking helps efficiency even more, and a compact profile to the electric system makes cargo space more efficiently allocated than ever. An optional steer-by-wire system will also debut, revolutionizing steering with electronic control to make it easier and increase driving visibility. Going on sale by the end of 2022, the Lexus RZ is a Lexus through and through, and with electric capabilities, it’s even better. Source: Lexus

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 11, 2022

The New 2022 Lexus LX 600 Revealed

Lexus’s new flagship SUV features a massage function, dual displays and more. The Lexus LX SUV has been Lexus’s top-of-the-line SUV offering for decades. Its large size, luxurious appointments, and glamorous looks have always made it an impressive offering in the luxury SUV segment. However, the new 2022 Lexus LX may well be the best one yet. It’s powered by a 3.5-liter V6 with two turbochargers, resulting in both increased efficiency and increased towing capacity, and with the new Ultra Luxury grade that comes for the first time ever in the new Lexus LX 600 for 2022, Lexus goes all-out with its flagship SUV. VIDEO REVIEW: Lexus UX250h The Ultra Luxury Lexus LX600, as Lexus says, “provides special attention to the passenger experience.” This is done with second-row seats that are able to recline up to 48 degrees, and include a massage function. These functions are controlled with a touchscreen in the center armrest. However, the driver is not to be left out. With large dual touchscreens featuring an intuitive Lexus Interface, along with plush appointments, a panoramic roof, and a new platform, the 2022 Lexus LX 600 is a luxury SUV that everyone will enjoy. Source: Lexus

By Gabriel Vega – March 17, 2022

Lexus Performance Driving School At Laguna Seca: A Quick ...

Regardless if you spend most of your time on the road commuting or driving supercars for a magazine, it's easy for all of us to create a false sense that our driving skills are much higher than they truly are. In my case, driving six-figure rocket ships weekly certainly creates that feeling. However, we seldom have a place to put those skills to the test and learn from the pros on how to become that driver we imagine ourselves to be. Enter the Lexus Performance Driving School. When the representatives from the Japanese carmaker reached out for me to attend their school hosted at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, I jumped at the chance. The idea is simple, for a fee of $995, you get a day at the track running through various driving exercises and classroom time with professional instructors. After a day driving the best parts of Lexus' current lineup at speed, it's clear that this school is a proper quick path to better driving. My time with Lexus began well before I ever reached the track. Instead of flying, I drove a 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance from Los Angeles to Monterey. With five hours on the road to get there, I got an excellent chance to get familiar with the platform, and its incredible 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8. Once at the track, I checked in and went straight into a room with breakfast and refreshments on offer ahead of the first briefing. Part 1: Autocross After a quick introduction to the program and a brief discussion about safety, my group went into the first classroom. While our first exercise of the day would be the autocross course, the folks at Lexus took the time to give us a quick overview of some fundamentals of fast driving. From weight transfer to optimal braking points, this brief chat with our instructors set up the group nicely before getting in the cars. Once out on the autocross course, I was surprised to learn that Lexus upgraded last year's group of IS 350s to the brand-new IS 500. These cars were so new that the one I drove had just three miles on the odometer when I got behind the wheel. The course was short, simple, and tons of fun. Each driver gets three runs through the timed autocross course. Thankfully, we revisited this exercise after lunch, where we got three timed runs. Since all of the driving took place in a controlled environment, all of the drivers in my group truly began to push the IS 500. While knocking over cones added precious seconds to our runs, figuring out how close you could get to them at speed was a rewarding experience. After many attempts, I managed to snag the quickest time in my group. However, before we finished with the autocross course, professional racing driver Scott Pruett took me for a spin around the course, dropping valuable bits of driving knowledge along the way. Part 2: Skidpad After completing our run through the tight and technical autocross course, it was time to test our car control skills with the skidpad. As its name suggests, the skidpad is a flat open section of asphalt coated with water, allowing a rear-drive car to slide effortlessly. The Lexus RC F stepped into the ring for this second and perhaps most rewarding exercise. Like with the autocross exercise, our team got more classroom time going over the fundamentals of drifting and how to initiate and maintain a slide. However, this time we had radios in the car so instructors could watch from afar and give us tips. Despite how difficult it seems on paper, sliding the RC F on the skidpad was surprisingly simple, simultaneously teaching us proper steering wheel and throttle manipulation. It's one thing to slide a car briefly, but maintaining a slide as you go in circles indeed requires focus. As I bounced off the rev limiter for minutes at a time, I wondered how these RC Fs survived this type of abuse and whether they needed particular maintenance schedules. To my surprise, my instructor confirmed that despite running the program for multiple years, they had never lost a car due to a mechanical fault. Unlike the autocross exercise, we didn't get a second go at the skidpad. However, the day was flying by in all fairness, and there genuinely wasn't enough time for another round. Regardless, learning to control a slide consistently can have serious real-world benefits, especially in case of a loss of control due to rain or snow. Part 3: Track Driving The best part of the day was the on-track driving across two sessions. This meant taking the stunning Lexus LC 500 through various laps around WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Thankfully, this was the bulk of the day. However, as with the other exercises, we got plenty of classroom time. There was even a representative from Michelin to walk us through the tire tech and their limitations. Our first time on track saw the group practicing lead/follow driving and hard braking scenarios. Since the program's coordinators kept track of who the fastest drivers were, they split the group based on speed. This meant going out on the track with one instructor per three attendees. Given my performance on the autocross course, I ended up in the fastest group, which allowed us to get on the track and get some fast laps in. As my instructor in the Lexus GS F in front noticed I was still on his back bumper, he kept pushing harder. This is a great setup because the instructor can tailor the experience based on your driving level. These LC 500's never missed a beat like the RC F. Even after multiple hot laps, their brakes retained most of their performance, despite getting a bit smokey. Final Thoughts On paper, $995 may seem like a lot for a day of fun. However, given all of the exercises we had a chance to experience combined with the excellent hospitality and knowledge on offer, that price is a bit of a steal. The best way to do this program is with close friends. That way, you can race against one another and even go on track together. However, going by yourself has its benefits. I managed to connect with various Lexus owners and get a sense of the ownership experience. After completing driving school, the fun doesn't stop. Lexus also offers an elevated driving program called Master Class. This second program is only available after completing the first and dives much deeper into handling dynamics while spending more time at the track. As a result, there's something for everyone at the driving school, regardless of skill level. Given the chance, I would do it again in a heartbeat. See All Lexus LC 500s For Sale

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By Tyler Rampersaud – March 17, 2022

The New Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series Is Beautiful, Lux...

Luxury and individuality is the name of the game for the Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series. The Lexus LC 500 is the brand’s current flagship coupé, a sweeping and uncompromising grand tourer with sumptuous appointments, advanced driving dynamics, and pure, traditional power coming from a 5.0-liter, naturally aspirated V8 engine. MUST READ: Lexus LFA Successor Teased As An Electric Supercar Using an excellent and luxurious car like the LC 500 as a canvas, Lexus added a healthy dose of exclusivity by creating the Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series, a limited edition spec available for both the coupé and convertible versions of the car. Only 150 will be made, coming to dealers in late spring 2022. But the Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series isn’t just rare, it’s beautiful. An Iridium Silver exterior is paired with exclusive, 3D machined, 21-inch wheels, and in the case of the convertible, a Dark Rose soft top. A serialized badge in the center console and scuff plate door accents that remind the owner of their rare limited edition Lexus serve as the introduction to the interior, which is fitted with Black Semi-Aniline leather seats and Dark Rose accents. The luxurious experience continues once the car is in motion, with a heads-up display, Mark Levinson sound system, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and more. The Lexus LC500 was already a dream car, and the Inspiration Series is nothing short of a fantasy. Source: Lexus

By Edward Jones – February 14, 2022

Lexus LFA Successor Teased As An Electric Supercar

We're one step closer to an LFA successor being a reality. It's crazy to think about, but the Lexus LFA ended production a decade ago in 2012. It was a sad moment in time knowing that there would be no more LFAs being produced, but after the sting was gone, everyone started thinking about what was to be the next Lexus supercar. Now, we have a better idea of what to expect thanks to the recent images released from Lexus of the BEV Sport concept (shown in this article). This new Lexus concept will be electric, as the name suggests (BEV = Battery Electric Vehicle) and the automaker says it will be "reviving the spirit of the iconic Lexus LFA." Lexus also notes that this model will have a 0-60 mph acceleration time in the low two-second range and it will have a range that could exceed 430 miles. As for when we will see a production-ready example of the LFA successor, that's unknown. Source: Lexus

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 14, 2021

Lexus Teases Electric Hypercar To Succeed LFA

The legacy of the LFA won’t just live on in legend. Toyota and Lexus have announced plans to develop and release an all-new group of electric vehicles, and the visions that they have for the future are big. In particular, they plan for Lexus to have electric vehicles for every product category by 2030, and for electric vehicles to account for 100% of their sales by 2035. The electric concept vehicles shown by Lexus include SUVs, sedans, and one very special sports coupe. Lexus calls it the Lexus Electrified Sport Coupe, and they say that while it has an electric drivetrain, it has the spirit of the LFA. The performance numbers that Lexus claims the car will have back this up, too. With a 0-60 time supposedly in the low two-second range, the Electrified Sport Coupe will be a worthy successor. MUST READ: Lexus Unveils Luxurious Off-Roader Powered by Hydrogen It isn’t just the LFA that the Lexus Electrified Sport carries the legacy of. The swooping, long, GT silhouette of the car evokes the Toyota 2000GT and Supra of the past, which means that this car has lots of names to live up to. If the new electric hypercar is going to be anything like its predecessors, however, the future for Lexus and the automotive world as a whole is bright. Image source: Toyota Image source: Toyota

By Edward Jones – December 03, 2021

Lexus Unveils Luxurious Off-Roader Powered by Hydrogen

And it looks good... Like, really good. The new Lexus ROV (Recreational Off-highway Vehicle) concept was recently unveiled as a zero-emissions off-roader that is powered not by batteries but by hydrogen. Its 1.0-liter hydrogen engine features a high-pressure tank for the compressed hydrogen that is delivered by a direct hydrogen injector. We're not exactly sure the power this engine provides, but it does put out zero emissions. In terms of the ROV concept's actual style, it's undoubtedly a Lexus vehicle. The angular design is on-brand for Lexus, as is the striking dark bronze paint finish. Inside the cockpit of the Lexus off-road concept is an area that's luxurious but does not go anywhere near overboard. In fact, the cockpit is very simple, but the use of real and synthetic leather and fine materials give off a lavish vibe. The layout is simple, as it should be, and the seats look quite comfortable. All-in-all, the looks like a fun vehicle to romp around in, but also cruise a small town's streets in. While there's no word of production, it certainly looks ready for it. Source: Lexus

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