When behind the wheel of a great car can you’ll often find it stimulates the senses and quickens your heartbeat. Now Lexus has created the world’s first vehicle that directly translates the driver’s heart patterns into a striking visual display across the bodywork.
The one-off RC F high-performance coupe is the result of collaboration between Lexus Australia and the creative agency M&C Saatchi. Different technologies have been integrated into the car to monitor the driver’s heartbeat and use the data captured to send an electric charge through the bodywork. The body panels are finished in an electro-luminescent paint, produced by the US specialist Luminor, which reacts to the charge with an intense glow, pulsing in the same rhythm as the driver’s heart rate.
Sean Hanley, Lexus Australia Chief Executive, said: “This latest concept follows other innovative projects we have developed this year, including smart outdoor advertising billboards that respond to the car you’re driving and the fantastic new Lexus Hoverboard.
“The heartbeat car also links to another key part of Lexus – high performance vehicles – via our F marque models, and the emotional responses a machine like the RC F can inspire in a person.”
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Lexus has announced it is to add another new vehicle to its growing stable of high performance models. The new F-designated car will be premiered at the Detroit motor show on 13 January, which is fitting since the recently launched RC F high performance coupe was first revealed at the 2014 Detroit motor show.
Details from the Lexus camp have been scarce – releasing only a couple of teaser images of the new model – however there has been much speculation about the new model being the GS F.
From the pictures we can see the car has a very similar front end to the RC F – dominated by the oversized grille – and its huge breaks suggest that the new car will pack a punch and could well be a 5 door super sports saloon version of the RC F.
The intakes seem to be larger than those on the RC F and a new headlight design adorns the front bumper – complemented by daytime LED running lights.
Is this Lexus’ answer to the likes of BMW’s M5 and Audi’s RS6?
If so, this car would more than likely be powered by the same 500bhp 5.0-litre V8 first seen in the RC F coupe – and it is likely that there will be a huge amount of interest in a super sports saloon from the Lexus camp. Rivals should be worried!
Luxury car maker Lexus has released details of the new Lexus RC F, which they say will be a thoroughbred performance machine powered by a new V8 engine. The high performance coupe will look to take on rivals such as BMW’s M4 and Audi’s RS5.
It will be the most powerful V8 Lexus has ever produced for a road-going car, and they say its engineered “to deliver an exhilarating experience, from the moment the driver presses the throttle.”
The 5.0-litre V8 engine has evolved from the lump that featured in the previous IS F model, but has been reworked to improve upon the power output, performance and driveability.
Specific measures were taken in the engine’s design to raise engine rpm, including the use of titanium inlet and exhaust valves, new high-strength forged connecting rods and new main-bearing materials.
This has increased the power to 471bhp (351kW) and raised the rev limit from 6,800 to 7,300rpm – all of which is controlled via an 8 speed automatic gearbox.
Thenew higher, 12.3:1 compression ratio boosts torque across the entire rev range, with maximum output rising to 530Nm, available from 4,800 to 5,600rpm.
The high spec coupe has an official top speed of 168mph and a zero to 62mph time of just 4.5 seconds – and a 400m sprint from standstill takes 12.5 seconds.
“The RC F has been designed to deliver exception driver rewards in terms of grip, handling and involvement.” Say Lexus.
The RC F is available to order now, two versions are on offer: the standard RC F which will set you back £59,995, and the range topping RC F Carbon which comes in at £67,995 – and comes with the Torque Vectoring Differential and Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic composite bonnet, roof and rear spoiler as standard.
Order books are open now with customer deliveries expected from January 2015.
]]>1. Audi Allroad Shooting Break Concept
First off is the Audi Allroad Shooting break concept, although the name may still need a little work the car itself looks to be a close to production vehicle.
The car looks to be a mash up of the entire audi production line. It’s like a sporty two door jeep with hints of a saloon car and hatchback. While I think it looks visibly appealing, I’m not sure what market this car is targeted at, perhaps a sporty off roader that Audi see as a competitor for the likes of the Range Rover Evoque?
2. 2015 BMW M3 Sedan & M4 Coupe
BMW announced their plans for the M3 Sedan & M4 Coupe, with the latter causing much controversy as it is set to place the previous M3 2 door Coupe.
Both vehicles will not only be lighter than their predecessors but both will receive a power boost in the form of a twin-turbo inline 6-cylinder engine producing 425 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed manual or 7-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission is available.
3. 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
If you’re a fan of american muscle then this car is for you, the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is one of the more impressive cars to be unveiled at Motor City this year and it has the power to back up those menacing looks. The supercharged V8 lurking under its sculpted and vented bonnet makes at least 625 horsepower, putting up there with the last-generation ZR1. It will come with either a 7-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission and is set to go on sale early next year.
4. KIA GTA Stinger Concept
One of the more interesting cars for me at the Detroit motor show this year was KIA’s GTA Stinger Concept. The Korean company have been working hard over the last decade to strengthen their brand in the marketplace and bringing a successful sports car to the game will go a long way in making a big impact in the car industry. Kia’s tagline is “The Power to Surprise and they’ve certainly done that with this car. The car was designed at the California Design Center America and for their first proper sports car I think it looks pretty impressive. The car comes equipped with turbocharged 2.0-liter engine produces an impressive 315 horsepower. Kia claims to have no plans to put this car into production though with the reception it received at Detroit, these plans may change.
5. 2015 Lexus RC-F Coupe
Although its official unveiling was at the Detroit Motor show, details of the RC-F were released prior to this and they can be found from our article on the car here…
6. 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG
The new GLA45 AMG was first debuted as a concept last Autumn at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but it was Detroit that got to see the final production model.
The impressive crossover boasts the most powerful series-production 4-cylinder engine in the world, a 2.0-liter turbo four that puts out an impressive 355 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. This power is transferred to the road via a 7-speed automatic and the performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC AWD system and the GLA45 will hit 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds.
7. MINI John Cooper Works Concept
As previously mentioned by us here…http://motacarblog.wordpress.com/2013/12/18/new-mini-john-cooper-works-to-premiere-in-detroit/ the new John Cooper Works Concept was finally unveiled.
8. 2014 Porsche 911 Targa
Porsche first introduced the Targa on the 1965 911, though in this latest up to date model, the 911 Targa features an innovative folding cloth top that stores behind the rear seats, preserving the cars instantly recognizable roofline. Porsche says the new 911 Targa’s top takes just 19 seconds to open and close while the car is stationary.
9. 2015 Subaru WRX STI
The STI version of the Subaru takes an already improved WRX and adds more power and grip. The 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer 4-cylinder engine produces 305 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque and is teamed with an improved 6-speed manual transmission. A special Launch Edition, limited to only 1,000 units, will be available exclusively and features WRX Blue paint and comes equipped with gold BBS forged alloy wheels.
10. Toyota FT-1 Concept
Last but not least in our top ten picks from Detroit is Toyota’s unveiling of their FT-1 Concept. This awe inspiring car was probably the most talked about car that was revealed at Motor City and there has been a wave of speculation and rumours that have followed in regards to whether or not this car will be the next Supra. Toyota say the FT stands for future Toyota so lets hope this car will go in to production. The FT-1 is a creation of Toyota’s CALTY design studio, and helps celebrate the studio’s 40th anniversary. Kevin Hunter, president of Toyota’s CALTY design studio, made this comment to journalists at the Detroit motor show: ‘We always like to see our concepts as having a purpose.’
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