Ford Explorer Rear Center Emblem 2003 on 2040-parts.com

Lexus reveals 2013 GS sedan, launches new styling direction

Lexus on Thursday pulled the wraps off the redesigned 2013 GS sedan, revealing a sharper look that was previewed last spring with the LF-Gh concept car. The 2013 Lexus GS rides on a new rear-drive platform, although the car's wheelbase and exterior dimensions are nearly identical to the current car. Under the hood is a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 306 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque--marginally better than the output of the current Lexus GS 350.

Volkswagen XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle (SEV) spy video

Volkswagen XL1 caught on video The Volkswagen XL1 – a super efficient diesel hybrid – caught on video winter testing and undisguised. The VW XL1 arrived at the Qatar Motor Show in 2011, a two-seater diesel-electric hybrid with a design that looks like it came from a 1920s view of the future, and claims of a gazillion miles to the gallon. At the time VW debuted the XL1 we reckoned there was as much chance of it going in to production as McLaren’s latest Formula One car making it in to a showroom, and that the XL1 was just a test bed for all the future tech that might just find its way in to Volkswagen’s road cars.

Smart for-us

The latest addition to the Smart conceptual range is the for-us pickup, which follows on from the forspeed convertibe of Geneva, and the forvision hatchback that was unveiled Frankfurt, delivering another twist on the iconic city car platform. Despite the increase of size to 3547mm in length, traditional Smart iconography such as the tridon safety cell, three-spoke wheels and product-like execution – such as the inner lamp graphics – retain the brand identity. Squarer lamp and grille graphics and knobbly rocker surfacing add a twist of robustness.