Over the past few years Lexus has been referred to as a Japanese Buick, with the number one reason being the ES front-drive luxury sedan a car that drew direct comparisons with the not-quite-Cadillac GM premium brand. To erase those comparos the new 2013 ES gets a more stylish exterior with a GS-themed front nose and a profile more like the flagship LS.
Swapping its Camry underpinnings for an Avalon platform it has, however, grown even more in size a notable Buick trait. Plus, to challenge the eAssist mild-hybrid LaCrosse, there's finally now an ES300h hybrid system getting 39 mpg average.
It might not get the billing of the Detroit or LA shows, but the NY Auto Show is always host to numerous important world premieres. This year's event will showcase the all-new Viper, launched under the newly-founded SRT brand. Also look for the reveal of the all-new Nissan Pathfinder, Hyundai Santa Fe, Acura RL and Mercedes SL63 AMG.
See our preview below with live coverage starting April 4th.
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It certainly deserves a spot on the list of Top 10 Geneva Motor Show cars. Many would also agree it also deserves the last possible spot. And so here it is, the Bentley EXP 9 F concept.
Rather than a Continental GT styled swoopy looking crossover, Bentley's SUV concept is big, bold and brutish, taking styling from the brand's flagship Mulsanne, including a massive flat-fronted prow and some of the largest fog lights ever fitted to a vehicle.
Still, there's little doubt that it's excellently crafted and by all accounts appears near to production. Regardless of what it looks like, it's what it is that makes the EXP so important. If Bentley is to grow as a brand, especially in emerging markets, an SUV is what it needs.
Despite criticism, don't look for major changes to a production model. We overheard Bentley reps surveying numerous VIP guests about the car and all responded that they'd buy one right away.
Ahead of its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show tomorrow, we have the very first photos of special, special edition Lotus.
Caught uncovered on the show floor, the Lotus F1 Limited Edition Evora GTE is a unique example of a car that's already in limited supply. No specific details about this particular model have been revealed, but it's easy to see that the car's most obvious trait is its complete carbon fiber body.
That should help this street legal race car shed even more weight, an incredible feat when you consider the standard GTE model (think of its as the Lotus version of a Porsche GT3), already weighs over 200 lbs less than a conventional Evora S. Making it look even more imposing are dimensions borrowed from the endurance car car with a width that is several inches greater, plus a substantially longer nose.
It may be neutral ground, but each year automakers bring out the heavy artillery in Geneva, showcasing some or the world's most exotic, and powerful machines. Big debuts for this year's Swiss show include the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster, the Ferrari F630, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster, Infiniti Emerg-E plug-in hybrid spots car and plenty more.
See below for our preview of all the debuts and look for live coverage starting March 6th.
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