Lexus Announces LFA Luggage Collection, Tens of Buyers Rejoice

Traveling in the Lexus LFA will soon get a lot better for some of the vehicle's owners, thanks to a new dedicated line of travel cases designed to fit perfectly in the boot area of the $375,000 Japanese supercar. Created in partnership with Tumi, New Jersey-based manufacturer of travel bags and suitcases, the two-piece luggage set will accompany the LFA in select markets, including the US and Europe.
The Tumi cases are styled using components that are directly related to the appearance of the LFA, such as aluminum and carbon fiber-like materials. Each bag will be inscribed with the vehicle identification number (VIN) corresponding to the owner's LFA.
Lexus said each case is designed with a distinct purpose - the smaller piece sized to fit the "essentials for track racing, including gloves and shoes, or items for a quick getaway", and larger one, for longer trips.
The first deliveries of the 552HP V10-powered Lexus LFA will be begin January next year. Production will be limited to a total of 500 units worldwide, with around 20 cars scheduled to be built each month.

Identity Crisis: A Honda Civic Sedan with Lexus IS Buttocks and Toyota Crown Fascia

To be honest, we are not sure if we should shake our head with a smile or applaud the owner of this latest find. What you see here is a latest generation Honda Civic sedan from Thailand with a Toyota Crown face transplant, and a Lexus IS350 rear end, modded in the so-called VIP style. What a mix... Apparently, Japan's "Junction Produce" tuning shop had something to do with the build. While the styling may not appeal to all, there's little to find fault with the execution. More pictures after the break.

Source: Stancenation / Thanks for the tip Mikhail!

2011 Lexus IS with Minor Facelift Unveiled in Europe, comes with new 150HP Diesel

Carmakers continue to roll out product announcements ahead of next month's Paris Motor show. The latest is Lexus that revealed details on its revised for the 2011 model year, IS series for Europe, which benefits from some modest cosmetic tweaks, additional standard features and the introduction of a new diesel model.
Blink an eye, and you'll easily miss the styling changes on the sedan and coupe-convertible models, that include tweaked headlamps that gain LED daytime running lights, reworked rear light clusters, a revised front grille design, new exterior colors and alloy wheel designs. Interior revisions are limited to a
Meanwhile, the 2011 F-Sport trim level gets a new deep front spoiler with faired-in fog lights, new grille design and a rear spoiler with integrated stop light plus new 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, there are extra touches of titanium-effect trim and a new dark, anthracite roof liner.
Other revisions to the IS range include improvements to the SE-I specification with the addition of rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and new leather upholstery with heated front seats.
For the 2011 model year, there's a new IS 200d model powered by a 150-horsepower version of the 2.2-litre diesel engine of the 177HP IS 220d. In the UK, the IS 200d replaces the more potent IS 220d, but in other European markets such as Germany, the two diesel models will be sold together.
The IS 200d can accelerate from nought to 100km/h (62mph) in 10.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 205km/h (127mph). Combined cycle fuel consumption is 5.1lt/100km (55.4mpg UK or 46.1mog US) and CO2 emissions are 134g/km compared to 148g/km for the IS 220d.
There are also changes to the 2.5-liter V6 petrol engine featured in the IS 250 and IS 250C coupe-convertible with six-speed automatic transmission. According to Lexus, the V6 unit has been revised to meet future Euro5 emissions standards, achieving better fuel economy and CO₂ emissions.
While power and torque figures remain unchanged at 208HP and 252Nm, combined cycle fuel consumption drops from 9.1lt /100km to 8.4lt/100km (31.7 to 33.6mpg UK), with a concurrent fall in CO2 output from 209 to 194g/km.
The 2011 Lexus IS will be formally revealed at the Paris Motor Show next month with European sales starting shortly after.