Tuesday, 27 October 2015

Lexus LF-LC Spied Testing Near the Nurburgring

Lexus LF-LC Spied Testing Near the Nurburgring

Lexus LF-LC Spied Testing Near the Nurburgring

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The Lexus LF-LC is getting ready for testing at the world famous Nurburgring.

Spy photographers have caught the production Lexus LF-LC close to the Nurburgring, but, unfortunately, they haven't seen it doing laps yet. It was rumored that the production Lexus LF-LC would revive the SC nameplate for the brand as a luxury performance coupe, but Lexus has also trademarked the LC badge, so we'll have to wait and see what the automaker decides to do.

Regardless of what the model will be called, Lexus is definitely preparing a sports coupe that will sit above the current RC in the automaker's lineup. Expect it to closely resemble the LF-LC concept that debuted at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, albeit toned down a bit.

SEE ALSO: Lexus SC Spied Again Looking Production Ready

Unfortunately, it's unclear what engine Lexus will use to power this new model, but a candidate is the same 5.0-liter V8 found in the current RC-F but tuned for more performance. A hybrid V6 model is also a possibility, while an LC-F could see a twin-turbo version of the V8. Our spy photographers also said that the LF-LC has been seen testing alongside a BMW 6 Series, Porsche 911 and Maserati Gran Turismo, hinting at the competition Lexus is gunning for when the model heads to dealerships.

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Ram 1500, Jeep Cherokee Recalled to Address Safety Hazards

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Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has recalled its Ram 1500 pickup and Jeep Cherokee SUV.

The recalls are for two separate issues with the first one affecting 65,760 Ram 1500 pickups from the 2015 and 2016 model years. The affected trucks were built between mid-June and late September 2015 and dealerships will inspect and replace the rear-axle shafts or rear axles as necessary. According to the American automaker, it discovered that a supplier may not have properly heat-treated the axle shafts, potentially causing them to have increased wear. As a result, they would overheat enough to "illuminate a vehicle's Anti-lock Brake System warning light."

FCA is aware of potentially one related non-injury accident and has recommended customers whose ABS warning light illuminates to contact their dealer. Most of the affected vehicles are still in dealer inventory.

SEE ALSO: More Than 1M Ram Trucks Affected by 3 Different Recalls

The other recall affects 75,364 Jeep Cherokee SUVs so the automaker can inspect and potentially replace the air conditioning lines. The voluntary recall is the result of an investigation that was opened after two complaints were filed to federal regulators of smoke and flame in the engine compartment. Following an internal investigation, FCA found that the air conditioning lines on some Cherokee SUVs could have been installed too closely to the engine's exhaust manifolds, posing a fire risk. The company is unaware of any injuries or accidents related to the defect.

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Watch Toyota’s Tokyo Motor Show Reveals Live Streaming Here

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Toyota is live streaming its 2015 Tokyo Motor Show press conference.

Highlights from the Japanese automaker's presence at this year's Tokyo Motor Show include the new 2016 Prius, C-HR concept, S-FR, FCV Plus, Kikai and a non-automotive Kirobo Mini robot. While we've already seen the all-new Prius and C-HR concept, the S-FR has our interest serving as a baby FR-S model that will unlikely ever head to the U.S. if it gets produced. Measuring at 157 inches long, the S-FR is roughly 10 inches shorter than the Scion FR-S but it is slightly taller and about three inches narrower.

SEE ALSO: 2015 Tokyo Motor Show Coverage

Check out everything Toyota has to show off at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show by watching the live stream below. It will kick off on Tuesday, October 27 at 10:00 PM PT or on Wednesday, October 28 at 1:00 AM ET.

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GM Recalls 1.4M Older Cars to Fix Fire Risk Again

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GM is recalling 1.4 million older cars dating as far back as 1997 to fix an issue that was supposed to be addressed in two previous recalls.

The affected cars are from the 1997 to 2004 model year, and can leak oil due to degraded valve cover gaskets and possibly catch fire. The leaking oil can fall onto the exhaust manifold under hard braking and catch fire. This is the third recall for this issue in seven years.

This recall affects mostly cars in North America an includes the following cars with 3.8-liter V6 engines: the 1997 to 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix and Buick Regal, the 2000 to 2004 Chevrolet Impala, the 1998 and 1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, and the 1998 to 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

GM hasn't come up for a fix for this issue yet, but it is in the process on contacting owners. To see if your car is affected, you can check here.

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Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport Pricing Leaked

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Pricing for the Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport has been leaked, and the track-only car will allegedly start at $165,000.

A standard, street-legal Cayman GT4 starts at $84,600, so the stripped-down Clubsport model will likely demand a more than $80,000 premium.

The Clubsport will be powered by the same 3.8-liter flat six with 385 hp, but at a light 2,866 pounds, the track car will be much lighter than the regular Cayman GT4, so acceleration times will likely be faster. Very little information about the Clubsport model is available; we don't even know what it looks like yet (the standard GT4 is pictured above).

ALSO SEE: 10 Exotic Cars the Porsche Cayman GT4 Beat Around the Nürburgring

We do know the coupe gets a double-clutch transmission with paddle shifters (so far the regular GT4 is only available with a manual), a mechanical rear-axle locking differential, a lightweight suspension strut front axle system taken from the 911 GT3 Cup, a welded-in safety cage, a racing bucket seat, and a six-point harness. The car also gets bigger 380-millimeter steel brake discs.

The Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport will make its public debut at the L.A. Auto Show in November, and according to the leaked pricing document, will go on sale in February 2016. More information and photos will be available at launch.

[Source: Automobile]

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Mazda Confirms Sports Car Concept Will Be Rotary-Powered

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Mazda will be bringing a new sports car concept to the Tokyo Motor Show this week, and the Japanese automaker has confirmed that it will have a rotary engine.

Seemingly answering enthusiasts' prayers, Mazda has told Autocar that the new rotary engine in what will likely be the RX-9 concept will be called the SkyActiv-R.

"People think rotary cannot meet modern Eco demands," Kiyoshi Fujiwara, the company's head of research and development, said to the publication. "The SkyActiv engineers worked on rotary and have it cutting edge tech. It is an essential part of our DNA and it just be passed onto future engineers. It is synonymous with the brand. Some time in the future it will return and be called SkyActiv-R"

ALSO SEE: Is This the Mazda RX-9 Sports Car We've Been Dreaming Of?

The concept is a low-slung, two-door, two seater that was previewed in the leaked image/render seen above. There is no official launch date for the next Mazda sports car, but 2018 will be the 40th anniversary of the original RX-7, which would be a prime time to debut an RX-9.

Stay tuned, as AutoGuide.com will be covering the Tokyo Motor Show live, and will bring you more information on this Mazda concept when it becomes available.

[Source: Autocar]

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