Early reveal of LF-Gh previews Lexus' future

Illustrating the future of Lexus' design language, the LF-Gh concept debuts a week before its scheduled unveiling at the 2011 New York auto show.

(Credit: Lexus)

Lexus gave us a peak at the headlights and taillamps of its upcoming LF-Gh concept last week. The automaker must not have been satisfied with the underwhelmed response from the public and automotive press, because this week it has released more photos showing off the rest of the concept hybrid sedan.

Out back, we can see how the wrap-around taillamps work out on the tail end. Up front the changes from Lexus' current design language are more drastic. The headlamps now appear to be LED-based and feature L-shaped LED daytime running lamps--we expect at least the latter to make it to production vehicles within the next product cycle. Below the headlamps are vertically stacked LED fog lights recessed deeply into aggressively sculpted air inlets. In the center of all of this lighting sits the LF-Gh's spindle-shaped grille, which aggressively juts forward and outward, almost as thoeviews.cnet.comugh the car's metallic skin is being peeled backward. It's a bit odd-looking from certain angles, but overall it's an interesting take on the gaping maw look that sport sedan manufacturers have been gravitating toward for some time now.Between the A and C pillars, the LF-Gh isn't packing any surprises for anyone who's familiar with Lexus' current LS and GS offerings. However, at the front and rear ends things start to get interesting.

No drivetrain or cabin tech details have been revealed yet--aside from the fact that the car is a hybrid. It would seem that this is mostly a styling exercise, but we're hoping to learn more next week when the LF-Gh concept debuts in the sheet metal at the 2011 New York auto show.-reviews.cnet.com

BMW to show first U.S. bound 4-cylinder turbo model at NY Auto Show

BMW 2.0L 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo

At the 2011 New York Auto Show next week, BMW’s Joe Wierda, Product Manager, will debut and provide a in-depth look at the company’s new TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder engine.

Wierda will discuss the technical highlights which enables this all new engine to combine the performance of a normally-aspirated 6 cylinder with the efficiency of a 4-cylinder.

BMW will present the new engine along with the first BMW model to receive the engine in the United States this fall.

The new TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder has already made its debut in Europe in the 2011 BMW X1 xDrive28i. The 2.0L 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo with high-pressure direct-injection and BMW’s VALVETRONIC intake control produces 240-hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. That’s more than BMW’s naturally aspirated 3.0L inline 6-cylinder engine.-egmcartech.com

Audi S5 facelift spied

It's lights, camera, action for the new S5! These are the first spy shots of the facelifted coupe, undergoing high-speed testing at the Nurburgring.

The only visual changes have been applied at the rear, where the lamp clusters have been replaces with units similar to the A7 Sportback. The front end, with its deep front spoiler and chrome-rimmed fog lights remains unchaged. The same upgrades will be applied to the standard car, Cabriolet and Sportback models too.

Although it's impossible to tell from these pictures, our sources have revealed that the refreshed S5 will join the S5 Cabriolet by swapping its 349bhp 4.2-litre V8 for a 328bhp 3.0-litre supercharged V6. Although it's a drop in horsepower, the V6 matches the V8 with 440Nm of torque, so should deliver similar performance.-autoexpress.co.uk

Rolls Royce prepping MINI based Roller for Shanghai Auto Show

Aston Martin are preparing their Cygnet for a Chinese launch later this year, rumor has it that the Cygnet will be priced from 200,000rmb to 300,000rmb when launched in China making it a highly affordable Aston Martin indeed, but Rolls Royce have come back with their own mini car based on BMW’s MINI. On the outside it appears that the MINI has remained a MINI but the inside is most certainly seen the work of Rolls Royce’s interior decorators.

The Rolls-Bini will be having its premier at the Shanghai Auto Show next week, its seems that Rolls-Royce are aiming to leverage the ‘Royce name in Asia on smaller less expensive models in a bid to boost sales in rapidly expanding economies.-chinacartimes.com

Garmin Forerunner GPS watch gets a touchscreen (video)

Garmin has just announced the launch of a new GPS watch – the Forerunner 610, and it sports a touchscreen. Since it’s meant to be taken outdoors for serious running it won’t be just any touchscreen but a waterproof one. It is also responsive enough so that it can be operated with running gloves on. With features such as a pace, distance and time meter, a heart rate monitor, and the ability to race with friends who aren’t even in the same country, the Forerunner 610 is designed for the serious runner. It even packs a vibration motor to keep you updated about your heart rate, pace and distance – especially useful when you’re running in a noisy area or you have your own music playing through earphones. No word about when we’ll see it in stores or how much it costs but there’s a video demo after the break.-ubergizmo.com