Lexus shows off glut of SEMA hardware 2012

Specifications Modifications Image Review Informations Lexus shows off glut of SEMA hardware 2012
Lexus is headed to SEMA in Las Vegas with an arsenal of custom vehicles. A total of nine Lexus products will be in attendance, tuned by the likes of Five Axis, VIP Auto Salon and JT Grey Racing in addition to a line of factory-customized F-Sport offerings.

Five Axis plans to bring along both the CT 200h that the company unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show this year as well as a new GS F Sport project (seen above). The latter vehicle wears a full widebody conversion as well as custom paint, brake hardware from StopTech and a full AirRunner TC-5 air suspension.

VIP Auto Salon, meanwhile, plans to show off a special IS 350C with custom carbon fiber aero work, a Power Enterprise Rotex supercharger kit for a little bit more speed and a TsayaS upper shock tower brace.

But were most taken with the idea of the Lexus LX 570 by JT Grey Racing. Sadly, there arent yet any pictures of that beast, but Lexus says it has been built to be a full-blown off-road racer with 37-inch BF Goodrich Baja TA tires, 17-inch custom wheels, lots of off road lighting and Sparco race seats inside. Were always fans of airborne luxury SUVs... Read all about each vehicle in the press release after the break.

Lexus LX 570 by JT Grey Racing
Driver Joe Bacal and the JT Grey Racing team shows just how capable, reliable and durable the Lexus LX 570 is. The LX 570 has conquered rugged and extreme desert terrains and with its off-road mastery and powerful 5.7-liter V8, it is sure to be a winning combination.
Highlights:
• 37-inch BF Goodrich Baja TA race tires
• 17-inch F Sport forged off-road wheels
• Custom King Racing shocks
• Off road lighting with 70 watt carbon fiber HID
• Sparco race seats

  IS F by Lexus
As the first production model to wear the brand’s “F” marquee, the Lexus IS F offers a thrilling, fun-to-drive experience. Providing stimulating driving dynamics, the IS F is exclusively powered by a performance-tuned 5.0-liter V8 engine teamed to an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift transmission.
Highlights:
• 19-inch forged aluminum wheels manufactured for Lexus by BBS
• Bi-xenon HID, auto-leveling headlamps
• Distinctive F marquee styling cues
• Dual-polished stainless-steel exhaust diffusers
• Blue accents exclusive to “F” marque
source:lincah.com

Honda Accord Crosstour shows tiny problems in the IIHS rollover tests

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted rollover tests on several vehicles and the Honda Accord Crosstour was among those that didn’t do well.

Already, many observers expect this model to get an early refresh. The suggestions include a new face and a titanium-reinforced roof. In the latest tests, the IIHS didn’t exactly roll the vehicles. Rather, the IIHS pushed a metal plate against 1 corner of a roof at a constant speed. To get a good rating, a roof must withstand a force of 4 times the vehicle’s weight before reaching 5 inches of crush. To get an acceptable rating, the minimum strength-to-weight ratio that’s needed is 3.25. A poor rating is given to those that have lower than 2.5. Vehicles that did remarkably well are the Grand Cherokee, Highlander, Liberty, and Venza, which all withstood forces of almost 5 times their weights. The Crosstour can withstand 2.8 times its weight while the Endeavor and Pilot can endure only 3 times its weight.

Kia shows new Cross GT Concept in Chicago

The Kia Cross GT Concept made its debut Thursday at the Chicago Auto Show. The concept is the next version of the Kia GT that we saw in 2011.

The Cross was penned in the Kia Design Center America in Irvine, Calif., the same shop that drew up the Trackster, KV7 and Soulster concepts and the 2014 Kia Forte.

The Cross GT is a crossover with a long wheelbase, short overhangs and a wide stance. Kia says the Cross GT is of the same bloodline as the Sorento SUV, but with an additional 15.7 inches of wheelbase, 8.4 inches of length, and almost 5 inches of width. The roofline, though, is lower.

Read full article  Kia shows new Cross GT Concept in Chicago