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Lexus IS (2013) more details of new 3-series rival

Lexus has pulled the cloth back on the all-new Lexus IS at the 2013 Detroit motor show, and announced more details of its new hybrid 3-series rival. This will be the first hybrid Lexus IS, and UK sales will start in summer 2013.  What do we know about the new hybrid Lexus IS?  The IS300h combines an electric motor with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. The torque output is yet to be confirmed, but there's 217bhp and Lexus is aiming for a sub-100g/km CO2 output and fuel consumption of at least 65mpg. Figures like that are likely to grab the attention of fleet managers, as Lexus hopes to close the gap on rivals like the BMW 3-series, Mercedes C-class and Audi A4.  There's a non-hybrid model too, but this IS250 will be powered by a 204bhp 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine. It won't be a fleet favourite.  The IS250h has a six-speed automatic transmission, the IS300h has a CVT gearbox, and both cars are rear-wheel drive.

Wet T-Shirt Video – but not quite what you’d expect

On the face of it this wet T-Shirt video from a paint sealant company is a blunt way of getting a sales message across. But it has a twist. We get sent lots of videos from companies with car-related products to flog who hope we’ll run their masterpiece and get a bit of a buzz going to boost sales.

Rojas to drive in La Carrera Panamericana

Three-time Rolex Daytona 24 and four-time (so far) Grand-Am champion Memo Rojas Jr. will return to his native Mexico Oct. 25-31 to race in the historic La Carrera Panamericana.