Lexus GX 460 Makes Its First Appearance in China at Auto Guangzhou 2009

Lexus Press and News Toyota

2010 Lexus GX 460

Tokyo – TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces it will display 45 concept and production vehicles, in separate Toyota and Lexus brand booths, at the 7th China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition (also known as Auto Guangzhou 2009), to be held at the Guangzhou International Convention and Exhibition Center from November 23 to 30. The theme for the two booths is “The Environment, Safety, and the Future”.

The Lexus “GX 460”, a midsize SUV, will make its world premiere at a press briefing scheduled for November 23. The SUV is expected to have Toyota’s new 4.6-liter V8, which is rated at 310 horsepower and 327 pound-feet of torque in the Toyota Tundra and Sequoia. Also on display for Lexus will be the “ES 240” and other models. The Toyota display will include the new “Crown”, which will go into production and go on sale in China in December this year, the third-generation “Prius” and the “Camry Hybrid”.

The GX 460 is expected to arrive at U.S. dealers in December.

Furthermore, through the display of concept vehicles such as the short-distance, compact commuter “FT-EV”, hybrid sports car “FT-HS” and urban plug-in hybrid vehicle “Hi-CT”, TMC aims to present its proactive approach toward limiting CO2 emissions and addressing the diversification of energy sources.

Lexus ES 240
The ES series was first launched in North America after the birth of the Lexus brand in January 1989. Over the past 20 years, by following the “Elegant Sedan” design concept established at its inception, the ES series has been well recognized by virtue of its superb elegance.

The new ES 240 is equipped with the L4 DOHC 16-valve engine with VVT-i. It has a maximum 123 kW output at 6000 rpm and a peak torque of 224Nm at 4000 rpm. The maximum speed is 205km/h, and it is also capable of 0-100 km/h acceleration in 10.4 seconds. The ES 240 is intended for sale in the China market.

TOYOTA FT HS

Pairing a potent hybrid powertrain with essential sports-car fundamentals, the FT-HS is a mid-priced sports car that integrates ecology and emotion in a concept that addresses the question, “What is a suitable sports car for the 21st century?”

Boasting a powerful V6 3.5L engine, the FT-HS is coupled with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive® to produce a target power output of approximately 400 horsepower and a projected zero-to-60 acceleration in the four-second range. At a mid-priced market position, the FT-HS would be a true “attainable exotic” with 21st-century performance.

A sculpted front and rear remove mass around key functional components, while the roof has a distinctive scooped-out section designed to reduce aerodynamic drag and provide head room at the key areas.

TOYOTA FT-EV
The FT-EV concept shares its platform with the company’s minicar, the Toyota iQ. The iQ is larger than the quintessential minicar, the Smart Fortwo, but not by much. Its wheelbase is a little more than five inches longer, and on the whole, the car is only about a foot longer than the Smart—11.4 inches to be exact. The iQ is a four-passenger vehicle while the Smart only carries two.The electric version of the Toyota iQ, the Toyota FT-EV concept, offers driving range of 50 miles, according to Toyota.

According to the New York Times’ Green Inc. blog, Toyota isn’t planning on producing the FT-EV for “the conventional car market.” Instead, car-sharing services could get first crack at the all-electric city car because they offer a way to regularly charge the car and provide a parking space to urban dwellers who might shun car ownership precisely because parking is such a PITA. Some residential communities that currently rely on golf carts or GEMs might also be good venues for the FT-EV, Toyota’s Bob Reinert told the Times.

We see the FT-EV concept as a great vehicle for the urban commuter. It is ideal for someone who drives fewer than 50 miles a day, mostly on flat surface streets, and has easy access to recharging options, such as a personal garage or a recharging station on a city street. While this vehicle will be perfect for the urban setting, it might not be the best solution for the rural dweller. This is why we continue to look at various technologies, such as the compressed natural gas Camry Hybrid concept that was shown at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The FT-EV shares the platform of the Toyota iQ, a lightweight, 4-passenger micro-car that is on sale in Japan and Europe. This version is white with gold and silver design accents and a flared front and rear. With its lithium-ion battery, it will reach a top speed of 70 mph.

TOYOTA HI-CT
The Hi-CT aims to offer a new “coolness” and new ways to have fun as a departure from conventional vehicles-an edgy, urban vehicle inspired by the thinking and lifestyles of youth.

  • Offers a new kind of automotive “cool” and sense of enjoyment.
  • Has a new look unconstrained by conventional vehicle size (length 3,330mm x width 1,695mm x height 1,780mm).
  • Adopts plug-in hybrid technology, which allows it to charge from an external power source and gives it a greater driving range when running on its battery-powered motor; by placing the battery under the floor, achieves a highly efficient cabin with a higher driver position.
  • Comes with an AC100V accessory socket that enables stored electricity-made possible by plug-in hybrid technology-to be used for a variety of applications.
  • Features a removable rear trunk and a deck where surfboards, bicycles and other equipment can be loaded.
Photo credits:
Toyota Pressroom, Scholfield Autoblog and LexusEnthusiast.com
Click on any thumbnail to view the larger image.

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