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

Lexus & Laufey Collaborate On New “100 Miles” Musical Project

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 17, 2026

Lexus & Laufey Launch A New Musical Project

A celebrated young artist known for blending genres and mastering composition, vocal performance, and instruments, Laufey has enjoyed a blossoming career, and the latest move from the Icelandic-Chinese musician is a collaboration with Lexus, the Japanese luxury automotive manufacturer. That collaboration is a musical event that celebrates the centenary of Miles Davis, a pioneering jazz artist, with a livestream on Twitch and the debut of “Blue In Green,” a Davis song reimagined by Laufey. However, the event doesn’t just premiere a new song; a one-of-one Lexus has also been created as part of the collaboration. Regarding the event, Laufey said, “Partnering with Lexus to bring this celebration to life felt natural. They get how creativity and innovation can move people, just like music does.” The event and premiere of the song will take place on March 27 at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT. The one-off Lexus that will be revealed is the Blue In Green Edition Lexus RZ, a vehicle customized with personal touches from Laufey combining jazz tradition and luxury craftsmanship with the futurism of the all-electric Lexus model. Celebrating what would have been the 100th birthday of a revolutionary jazz legend, Laufey and Lexus are coming together for an exciting collaboration that is both digital and physical. View All Lexus For Sale Image Source: Lexus

Three sleek, dark Lexus sports cars are partially illuminated under spotlights, with red accent lights on their rear sections visible through the darkness—hinting at a reveal on December 5th.

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 02, 2025

Lexus Hints at What Comes Next for Its Sports Cars on Dec...

Mark your calendars! For longtime Lexus fans, the brand’s performance lineup has always felt like deliberate exceptions rather than constant repeats. Models like the IS F and GS F took the scene quietly and earned their reputations the long way, while the LC proved that Lexus could still prioritize design and driving feel in an world drifting toward anonymity. Then there’s the LFA, arguably the most unlikely supercar ever built by a brand better known for restraint. Sure, it was fast and rare, but it was also obsessive in a way that still resonates with car lovers today. That context matters heading into December 5, when Toyota Motor Corporation will live stream an “All-New Sports Models” world premiere, a phrase that feels vague and oddly promising at the same time. Details are scarce. Lexus performance has never been about rapid-fire launches or chasing trends. When Akio Toyoda appears alongside Toyota’s top executives for something like this, it usually signals something truly special. Past debuts suggest that Lexus takes a long-term approach, engineering cars to age well and feel timeless years later, rather than just impressing at first glance. Whether this reveal points to a new halo car, a rethinking of where models like the LC sit in today’s market, or an entirely new approach to sports cars, it lands at a pivotal moment. More than anything, this moment is an opportunity to see whether Lexus still believes there’s room for sports cars built with patience, character, and real-world longevity. If Lexus’s past performance cars were defined by restraint and confidence, December 5 may give us a clearer picture of how that mindset translates into the next decade. All Lexus Inventory " width="680"> Source: Lexus

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 14, 2025

How to Buy: Malbon Golf x Lexus' All-New Capsule Collection

Following up its collaboration GX550 from earlier this year, the duo is back with a collection of styles suited for the golf course. The game of golf keeps evolving as its popularity grows, and a younger generation of athletes is looking to take on a lifetime sport. While country clubs still hold tight to their traditional rules and dress codes, the game itself has started to adapt with modern times, and nowhere is that more visible than in fashion. Malbon Golf has been leading the charge, creating styles that respect the old-school dress code but bring a fresh, imaginative edge to the course. And this shift isn't just happening at the local level, it's showing up on the sport's biggest stages, with PGA and WPGA stars like Jason Day and Charley Hull stepping in as proud brand ambassadors. Malbon Golf is continuing its course takeover with its all-new capsule collection in collaboration with Lexus. After debuting a customized Lexus GX 550 Malbon Edition at the start of 2025, the duo has been hard at work designing and testing its newest line of golf gear for both the weekend warrior and the pros looking to secure a top spot in the standings. The collection's color palette centers around rich earth tones and subtly stealthy black tones that tie in some of the vibrant touches from Lexus' history as a pioneer in the automotive space. For both him and her, the head-to-toe looks include tops, bottoms, baggage, and accessories to keep you looking good and playing well throughout the round. Whether you're searching for a crewneck for the cooler morning tee times or want to upgrade your gear with an all-leather golf bag, Malbon and Lexus have you covered. The all-new Malbon Golf x Lexus Collection is now available online and in-store at select Malbon locations around the U.S. Shop all looks, and some of our top picks, from the collaboration by scrolling and clicking the links below. Shop Malbon Golf x Lexus Our Top Picks Performance 1/4 Zip Shell Pullover Shop Now Malbon x Lexus Golf Bag Shop Now Tech Hat Shop Now Poly Perforated Crewneck Shop Now Racing Wind Jacket Shop Now Source: Malbon Golf

A green Lexus SUV is parked on a stone driveway in front of a modern house with large windows and stone walls.

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 29, 2025

Lexus Announces 2026 LX Updates

Lexus updates its flagship SUV for the 2026 model year. For the Japanese luxury titan, the LX SUV plays an incredibly important role as the brand’s flagship SUV. Especially since the manufacturer announced that the 2026 model year of the flagship LS sedan would be a single-spec “final year” limited edition, the LX is one of the most important vessels for Lexus’s most luxurious features, elegant design elements, and engineering feats. For 2026, Lexus has updated the Lexus LX thoroughly, with new colors, changes to the off-road-oriented Overtrail grade, and advanced safety features coming standard across the model’s lineup. Starting at $107,950 including delivery, processing, and handling, the new 2026 Lexus LX now offers an F Sport Appearance Package, which is exclusively available for LX 700h F SPORT Handling model. Meanwhile, the Overtrail grade, which adds on off-road ready tweaks, is available for the Lexus LX 700h, in both two and three-row configurations. For 2026, the LX 600 and the LX 700h are both available, with the former powering all four wheels with a twin-turbocharged V6 and the latter adding a hybrid system to the mix. Both powertrains are capable of towing up to 8,000 pounds. For the entire LX lineup, the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite of safety features is now standard for the 2026 model year. This includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, emergency steering assist, road sign assist, intelligent high beams, and more advanced features. With cutting-edge technology, off-road capabilities, performance-oriented design, and flagship-level luxury, the 2026 Lexus LX is taking on the important role of representing the top of the line for Lexus. View All Lexus LX 600 For Sale

A black Lexus sedan is parked in a studio setting with a gray gradient background, viewed from a front side angle.

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 26, 2025

New "Final Year" 2026 Lexus LS Heritage Edition Unveiled

Is Lexus bidding farewell to the car that started it all? Almost forty years ago, Toyota introduced a new luxury marque to the automotive world, bearing the name of Lexus, and it completely shook the luxury car arena to its core. The car that was responsible for doing that was the LS, a full-size luxury sedan that offered impeccable engineering and sumptuous luxury at an undercutting price. An instant hit, the Lexus LS sedan made way for an entire lineup of Lexus models that would not only be popular luxury cars but write chapters of automotive history of their own, like the RX crossover, the LFA supercar, the IS sports sedan, the GX off-road-ready SUV, and many more. Being the car that took the first steps in blazing the trail of Lexus’s legacy, the LS is an incredibly special and important model for the brand, and also a celebrated flagship that has continued to personify automotive luxury excellence over the years. However, for the 2026 model year in the United States market, the Lexus LS is being offered in a single spec: the new 2026 Lexus LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition, which is limited to only 250 units in the US, and is described by Lexus as “a final year tribute to the car that launched the brand.” That sounds like a farewell, and if it is, the Lexus LS is going out with a bang, with the 2026 Lexus LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition paying tribute to the LS’s important role in bringing the vision of Lexus to life. It’s finished with a Ninety Noir exterior, a color that is being introduced to the Lexus palette for the first time for the model, with a Rioja Red interior that is being used in the LS for the first time in the Heritage Edition. In accordance with a special edition of a luxury sedan flagship, standard features include a panoramic glass roof, Laser Special Black premium wood trim, heated rear seats, a power lift-up buckle, and a Mark Levinson sound system with 23 speakers. With plush features, stunning design, and a loving tribute to the car responsible for starting everything for Lexus, the 2026 Lexus LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition, if it is a farewell for the LS, is a proper one. View All Lexus For Sale Image Source: Lexus

By Khris Bharath – August 15, 2025

Lexus Sport Concept Debuts at The Quail

Lexus just dropped a surprise at Pebble Beach with its new Sport Concept. Finished in a two-tone gray over black, this two-door prototype appears to be a showcase of the design direction of the Japanese brand’s upcoming sports cars. With a low stance, a fastback profile, and sculpted bodywork optimized with functional aero elements in the bumper, along the front fenders, and behind the door, this prototype appears to be far more edgier and angular when compared to previous concepts and potential LFA successors. Besides the aggressive front-end with Lexus’ L-signature day-time running lights, the backlit Lexus badge, and the Y-Spoke alloy wheels, the rear is perhaps the most dramatic angle, with an aggressive diffuser, a full-width LED lightbar, and triangular mesh forms that are a nod to the V10-powered LFA. Some of the extreme design touches may not survive production, but the overall shape is likely close to what you’ll most likely see on the road. Lexus hasn’t revealed any details about what’s under the hood, but early reports indicate a front-engine, rear-drive layout with a twin-turbo V8, likely paired with a rear transaxle gearbox. Toyota engineers have reportedly benchmarked the Mercedes AMG GT R, so you can expect sharp handling and serious track capability. Could this be the long-awaited LFA successor in disguise? Lexus isn’t saying anything just yet, but your next chance to see it in action might be sooner than you think. View All Lexus LFAs For Sale Source: Lexus

A matte gray Lexus coupe is parked in a studio with a plain light gray background, viewed from the front left angle.

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 18, 2025

Lexus Announces 2026 LC 500 Updates

Lexus updates its flagship tourer for another year. Even though it’s been in the brand’s lineup since the late 2010s, the Lexus LC 500 still impresses in the market of grand tourers thanks to its stunning design both inside and out, as well as its commitment to its brawny powertrain: a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8, making the LC 500 one of the final bastions of pure, unadulterated V8, rear-wheel drive muscle on the market. While the RC F and the IS 500, Lexus’s other V8-powered offerings, are being sunsetted, the LC 500 soldiers on as the celebrated Japanese luxury manufacturer’s flagship tourer, complete with various updates for the 2026 model year. These include a new color, the return of the Inspiration Series, and more. Smoke Matte Gray is introduced to the color palette for the LC 500 for the 2026 model year, adding a sleek, modern matte finish that enhances the avant-garde silhouette of the grand touring coupe. The color is features on the new Inspiration Series model for the 2026 Lexus LC 500, a special package that is limited to only 200 units for North America. The package pairs Smoke Matte Gray with carbon fiber accents and a black-and-white interior treatment. Meanwhile, the 2026 Lexus LC 500 Convertible features the Bespoke Build option, allowing customers to create a unique configuration that perfectly appeals to their preferences. With its V8 providing a robust 471 horsepower without any forced induction, along with 398 lb/ft of torque, the 2026 LC 500 continues to combine luxurious elegance with a 4.4-second 0-60 time, making for another year of Lexus’s gracious yet formidable flagship performance model. View All Lexus LC 500 For Sale

Two SUVs drive on a city street lined with brick apartment buildings, bare trees, and some parked cars on a cloudy day.

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 18, 2025

Lexus Opens NYC "Curated By Lexus" Pop-Up Showroom

A new Lexus pop-up combines automotive luxury and art. New York City is one of the world’s premier hubs for culinary excellence, culture, fashion, and art, and the Meatpacking District of the city will be home to a new pop-up that combines New York’s reputation as an art capital with the automotive luxury and design of the latest Lexus lineup. Called “Curated by Lexus,” the new pop-up showroom in New York City brings the latest luxury SUVs, sports cars, and sedans from the celebrated manufacturer to a venue that pais them with beautiful work from local artists. The display of vehicles at the new pop-up include the new Lexus LX 700h, the new hybrid variant of the flagship luxury SUV from Lexus, the new Lexus GX 550, the body-on-frame, highly off-road capable luxury SUV with rugged styling, the Lexus LC 500 Convertible, the open-top grand tourer with ultra-luxe design and naturally-aspirated V8 power, and the IS 500 Special Appearance Package, a small sedan with the power of a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 with limited-edition tweaks to its looks. Along with the various range of Lexus vehicles, from off-roaders to sports machines, “Boundless Beauty,” an interactive artwork inspired by the natural beauty of Japan, is located in the back of the studio space. Local New York-based artists Alana Tsui and Sam Horine have a mural and a photography exhibition in the space respectively, both combining the aesthetics of Lexus and New York City. Until July, the new “Curated by Lexus” pop-up in New York City is a unique experience of a celebrated luxury manufacturer.

A blue Lexus SUV, the Surf LX Concept, is parked gracefully on the lush grass near the Hawaiian ocean, framed by swaying trees and crashing waves in the background.

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 29, 2025

Lexus Unveils New Surf LX Concept In Hawaii

Lexus brings a new custom creation to the shore. Known for its wide lineup of celebrated luxury vehicles, Lexus is renowned for a variety of beautiful, well-engineered, and well-appointed luxury vehicles, including luxury sedans, sports cars, and SUVs. Its current flagship SUV is the new Lexus LX. A new custom version of the new Lexus LX, unveiled at the 2025 Lexus Pipe Pro surf event on Oahu, Hawaii, the Lexus Surf LX Concept, showcases the versatility of the new Lexus LX and rings in a new multi-year partnership between Lexus and the World Surf League. In 2024, Lexus was announced as the Official Automotive Partner of the WSL in North America, but the new expanded partnership sees Lexus going to Fiji for the WSL Finals at Cloudbreak. At the 2025 Pipe Pro on Oahu, the new Lexus Surf LX Concept was introduced, and the season was kicked off with Lexus as a partner, where it will be a title partner for five marquee WSL events this year: the WSL Awards, Pipe Pro, Trestle Pro, US Open of Surfing, and WSL Finals. The Lexus Surf LX features custom finishes made to appeal to a coastal lifestyle. The one-off features a striking matte blue exterior, 33-inch tires wrapping 20-inch wheels, slide-out storage in the trunk, a surfboard rack, a built-in cooler, a waxing table, and a turf changing mat. A custom ladder also gives easy access to the roof rack. With its custom surf-ready setup, and Lexus’ strengthened partnership with the WSL, the new Lexus Surf LX concept is ready to hit the waves. View All Lexus LX For Sale Image Source: Lexus

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 22, 2025

How To Buy: Lexus x Revo's All-New Exclusive Eyewear Coll...

Revo and Lexus have teamed up to launch an all-new collection of sunglasses that combines style, performance, and craftsmanship. Featuring four designs—Crafted, Spindle, Podium, and Double Stint—this lineup is all about blending Revo’s advanced lens technology with Lexus-inspired design touches like carbon fiber accents and bold pops of color. The result? Sunglasses that are as functional as they are stylish. The collection includes two sporty styles and two lifestyle options. Crafted and Spindle lean into timeless elegance, offering features like stitched leather details and lightweight carbon fiber temples for all-day comfort. Podium and Double Stint take cues from Lexus Racing, adding vibrant colors and sporty shapes inspired by race cars like the Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3. Every pair also includes thoughtful details, such as engraved logos and accents that tie back to Lexus’ signature design language. Whether you’re after a sleek everyday style or something more dynamic for active pursuits, the Revo x Lexus collection delivers a fresh take on luxury eyewear with a sporty edge. Shop The Collection Our Top Picks Revo x Lexus Podium Shop Now Revo x Lexus Spindle Shop Now Revo x Lexus Double Stint Shop Now Revo x Lexus Crafted Square Shop Now

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