Lexus HS 250h: Let The Strip Tease Begin! [Detroit Auto Show]

Rumors come and go, but as we told you back in August, this one has merit. Lexus is slowly letting the cat out of the bag about the HS 250h, its new dedicated-hybrid model.

We told you back in August that Lexus was developing its own dedicated hybrid model to sell alongside Al Gore’s favorite ride, the Toyota Prius. Months ago this was only rumor but now the Japanese giant has made the news official, by launching a new section on its consumer site this week. The site offers little detail about the new hybrid other than it will be called Lexus HS 250h and it’ll go on sale in the Fall of 2009.

If you can’t wait to get your hands on a luxury dedicated hybrid until then, don’t fret. Lexus will debut the HS 250h at the Detroit Auto Show on January 11th. While little detail is actually known about the earth-saving Lexus, we’re willing to bet our mother’s soul that it’ll be built upon the same platform and feature the same next-generation Hybrid Synergy Drive as the next-gen Prius – also set to debut in Detroit. Toyota will soldier on with the nickel-metal hydride battery packs until the lithium-ion battery packs are validated, but will change the packs as a mid-cycle refresh rather than wait for an all-new vehicle.

We’re curious how the Lexus HS 250h will hold up against the much rumored Cadillac EFLEX that’s also making its debut in Detroit next month. Until then, we have an image of what the Lexus HS 250h could look like below.

[via Lexus, Hybrid Cars]

Related posts:

• AutoblogGreen for 01.02.09
• Top 10 Least Stolen Vehicles in 2008
• EPA Releases Best and Worst Mileage List
• Saturn Prices Aura Green Line Hybrid Sedan
• The Hyundai Genesis Is Officially 5-Star Safe, Still 5-Star Boring

Related posts:

• All-New 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser is Officially Unveiled
• Jenn Thomas: Not Settling For Less
• The Jalopnik Top 20 Vintage Toyota Commercials [Classic Ad Watch]
• Adam Carolla And Eric Stromer Tell Top Gear US Adventure Story
• Former General Motors CEO Roger Smith exits life at 82

Read More!

Mercedes Gullwing Spy Photos

We have seen a fair amount of spy photos of Mercedes’ upcoming new super car, dating back to August 2007 in the US desert. Rumours about the car are various, ranging from plausible (Mercedes-Benz SLR replacement) to wild speculations (Maybach Coupe). Today we show you pictures of then new Gullwing undergoing some handling test at Germany’s famous Nurburgring.

In July 2007 a press release was issued by Mercedes stating that their co-operation with McLaren would come to an end in regards to developing a SLR follow-up model and that Mercedes would keep the development internal. In-house performance branch AMG was appointed with the task, who in turn contracted HWA Racing (Mercedes’ DTM partner) to produce the car.

The SLC prototypes may be using Dodge Viper body panels, but rest assured that the similarities end there. The prototype uses a 106-inch long wheelbase, which happens to closely match the SLR’s wheelbase and in the process debunks any rumours about a smaller SLR based on the R230 SL-Class platform. The new Mercedes turning into a mid-engined car seems very distant now too.

What the car will be called is uncertain, just like which engine will be powering the car. So far we have been calling it the Mercedes Gullwing or SLC while the 500hp 6.2 liter AMG V8 seems a likely candidate to become its engine. But only time will tell, until then just enjoy the photos and dream away…



[Source: WorldCarFans.com]

Related posts:

• Fiat unveils another special little Panda
• EPA Releases Best and Worst Mileage List
• VIDEO: Top Gear say "Bah, Humbug!" to hypermiling, finds most efficient supercar
• 2009 Mercedes-Benz GLK Spy Photos...The GLK is Going to Take on the X3
• BMW Hydrogen 7 goes All-Gas. Hydrogen, that is.

Related posts:

• Dodge Caliber SRT-4 set for launch this Fall
• Angry Goes West: Day 3
• Top 10 Cars You Should Never Drive on a First Date
• Widebody Challengers From Classic Design Concepts Debuting at SEMA [Sema]
• Hennessey Dodge Challenger

Read More!

Murcielago-Replacing Lamborghini Jota Mule Spied Lapping The Nurburgring [Lamborghini Jota]

Despite the Finciapocalypse, it appears that Lamborghini is feverishly working on a replacement for the $313,000 Murcielago supercar. Tentatively named the Lamborghini Jota, don’t expect it to look like the test mule captured here — when released, the car will likely sport entirely new bodywork. Early indications are that it’ll run a wider track than the Murcielago, facilitated by the extensions on this development car’s fenders. Thanks to Audi ownership, it looks like Lambo will be switching its next flagship’s chassis away from steel tubes mixed with carbon extensions in favor of an aluminum space frame. The body will, of course, be carbon fiber. Expect a revised 6.5-liter V12 using direct injection to deliver something north of 700 HP. [via WCF]

Related posts:

• Vertu & Ferrari Launch Limited Edition Phone
• GM struggling to recruit engineers for advanced projects
• 2007 Nissan Sentra: First Drive

Related posts:

• More on the Audi R8
• If you cannot get enough of Audi, then the Audi TV channel will be right ...
• Audi plans to unveil in January at Detroit two new products with remarkable ...
• Audi R8 Hydroplanes Into Moscow Freeway Wall [Audi R8]
• Audi Integrates the iPhone on Most of its Vehicles

Read More!