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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.

McLaren 650S Sprint revealed – debuts at Pebble Beach

The McLaren 650S Sprint arrives to hit the track The arrival of the McLaren 650S in February (and the end of the 12C, unless it’s being replaced by the McLaren 625C) meant, in all probability, that the various hardcore versions of the 12C would be replicated for the 650S. We’ve already has the new McLaren 650S GT3 at Goodwood this year, and now we get the car that fills the gap between the 650S and GT3 version for McLaren owners to take to the track – the McLaren 650S Sprint. The 650S Sprint – which we assume replaces the 12C Sprint – keeps the 650S’s 641bhp V8 but adds a hefty dose of track specific updates to make the Sprint more focused and with sharper responses.

Subaru improves EyeSight for 2014

Subaru has updated its EyeSight system for future models. The system integrates adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking and vehicle lane-departure warnings. The pre-collision system can detect a vehicle in or entering a car's path, and if the driver hasn't applied the brake, the system will do so.