North American International Auto Show

The 2020 Toyota GR Supra Makes Its World Debut in Detroit

The Supra Returns

It’s been 21 years since the last Supra. Toyota had a unique FT-1 Concept five years ago. Today, Toyota officially revealed its new sports car. The model debuts with more buzz around it than ever before. The new GR Supra is well worth the wait and the hype. It’s the first Toyota GAZOO Racing global car.

The car is the fastest Toyota-badged vehicle to date with a 0 to 60 time of just 4.1 seconds. It has a limited top speed of 155 mph. It has a 3.0-liter turbocharged straight six-cylinder engine that makes 335 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. The engine connects up to an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

Its low center of gravity and 50:50 weight distribution should help make it a true performer on a racetrack or twisty road. It has double-strut spring front suspension up front and multi-link suspension in the rear, standard 19-inch wheels with Micheline Pilot Super Sport tires, and Brembo brakes.

Unique for the Supra is the Adaptive Variable Suspension that’s standard. The car comes with a Normal driving mode and a Sport driving mode. That should help you select the way you want your Supra to perform for any given road.

What Kinds of Features?

In addition to the drive modes and all the things listed above, the car gets keyless smart entry, dual automatic climate control, rain-sensing windshield wipers, power folding mirrors, and plenty of safety features like emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, and forward collision warning.

The car gets a 6.5-inch display standard and an 8.8-inch display in the Premium trim level with a rotary-style controller. It has wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay, navigation, and Supra Connect telematics services.

The Supra will come with a starting price of $49,990. Toyota will also build 1500 versions of the Launch Edition for the U.S. market and it will start at $55,250. The Launch Edition features exclusive aesthetic touches that set them apart from the standard models. This special edition version of the car will be highly sought after.

January 14, 2019 / Comments Off

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Lexus Unveils the 2020 RC F With Track Edition Leading the Way

Now A Serious Contender

At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Lexus unveiled the 2020 RC F lineup. At the top of the RC F line is the Track Edition Lexus has already teased.

All versions of the RC F for 2020 feature less weight, stiffer suspension, revised styling, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires designed specifically for the car, and better aerodynamics. The new car gets more power, too. It has the same 5.0-liter V8 but the power is now 472 horsepower and 396 lb-ft of torque. Also, due to stiffer engine mounts more of that power makes its way to the wheels.

The standard RC F can make a 0-60 mph sprint in just 4.2 seconds. The RC F Track Edition can do it in a quicker 4 seconds. Both the regular RC F and the Track Edition get electronic Launch Control as standard equipment.

The RC F Track Edition doesn’t get more horsepower or torque, but it does get larger 19-inch BBS alloy wheels, a lot more carbon fiber throughout the car, carbon ceramic brakes, titanium muffler, new front splitter, and large fixed rear wing. Inside, the Track Edition gets red leather, Alcantara, and carbon fiber to sportily spruce up the cabin.

Lexus managed to remove 176 pounds from the Track Edition version of the car over the previous version of the vehicle. That’s a ton of weight. It should be evident in the turns as well as in straight line performance.

Lexus will start production of the new RC F models in 2019. Pricing for the cars has not yet been announced.

January 14, 2019 / Comments Off

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Lexus Reveals LC Convertible Concept

Set to Make Its Debut In Detroit

Lexus’s LC coupe is a truly unique car and one that’s well-loved by critics and consumers alike. Now, the company will unveil an LC Convertible Concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Calling this car a concept is a bit of a stretch. Lexus already makes the LC. Chopping the top off couldn’t have been that hard. I wouldn’t imagine a production version of the car to be that far behind.

In fact, Tadao Mori, chief designer of the LC Convertible concept even mentions the possibility of a production version in the press release for the car. Here’s what was said:

A production version of this concept would be exhilarating in many different ways. You would see its dynamic lines as you approach, hear its engine when you started it up and feel everything around you once on the road. It would engage the senses in a way that is unique and exciting every time you got behind the wheel.

Lexus showcased the LF-LC Concept seven years ago in Detroit. That concept car became the LC coupe. It wasn’t changed all that much. I expect Lexus will pretty much take the feedback from the LC Convertible Concept, make a few small updates to it, and then start building it.

Withholding the Details

There’s no word yet on how the top works or how much weight it adds. Lexus also withheld the powertrain details. I doubt Lexus would use anything but the LC coupe’s engine and transmission options available.

The drop-top version of the LC would compete directly with the BMW 8-Series Convertible, Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet, and Porsche 911 Cabriolet. I think it would likely give potential buyers of those 2+2 drop tops a reason to think twice. The LC coupe is extremely unique and well-crafted. A production version of this LC Convertible Concept would likely be the same.

January 11, 2019 / Comments Off

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