New Toyota Recall, this time for Toyota Avalon and Highlander, and Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350

Toyota has announced a voluntary recall of some 740,000 vehicles in the United States to address a potential leak problem with a seal in the brake master cylinder. The models that are being recalled in the U.S. are the 2005-2006MY Toyota Avalon, 2004-2006MY Highlander (non Hybrid) and Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350. Another 600,898 vehicles were recalled in Japan and approximately 200,000 in China for the same issue.

According to the company, there's a possibility that a small amount of the brake fluid could slowly leak from the brake master cylinder, resulting in illumination of the brake warning lamp.

"If the brake warning lamp has illuminated and the vehicle continues to be operated without refilling the master cylinder brake fluid reservoir, the driver will begin to notice a spongy or soft brake pedal feel and braking performance may gradually decline," said the automaker.

Toyota said it will begin notifying owners of the involved vehicles through mail beginning in early November 2010. As with all recalls, Toyota and Lexus dealers will replace the brake master cylinder cup with a newly designed free of charge.

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Lexus Prices U.S. Spec 2010 GS and GS450h Hybrid Facelift Models

Unveiled for the first time at last month's Frankfurt Motor Show, the Lexus GS 450h hybrid has received a minor cosmetic facelift as well some added features for 2010 while it's gasoline-only siblings, the GS 350 and GS460 that are powered by a 303HP 3.5-liter V6 and a 342HP 4.6-liter V8 respectively, get new colors and technology enhancements for the new model year. Despite the upgrades, Lexus has not increased prices over the 2009MY GS models.

The 2010 GS 450h benefits from a few exterior enhancements that were made to distinguish it from the gas-only models, including a revised front grille, clear tail lamp covers and unique 18-inch alloy wheels. The rear-wheel drive hybrid model combines a 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine with a compact electric motor that collectively produce an output of 340 horsepower.

For 2010, the GS 350 and GS 460 receive two new exterior colors, Deep Sea Mica and Satin Cashmere Metallic, while Black Sapphire Pearl, Verdigris Mica, and Golden Almond Metallic are discontinued. Furthermore, the Parchment-colored interior replaces Cashmere.

The standard Lexus Premium Sound System on both the gas-only and hybrid GS models has been enhanced for 2010 with the addition of iPod/USB connectivity, streaming audio via Bluetooth and an integrated satellite radio receiver. Moreover, the optional Lexus Navigation system has been updated to a new hard disk drive based system with Voice Command casual-language voice recognition and Bluetooth phonebook download capability.

Prices for the 2010 GS range from $45,875 for the GS 350 to $57,425 for the GS 450h (both including a delivery, processing and handling fee of $875). Lexus said that the 2010 GS sedans will arrive at U.S. dealerships later in October.

2010 LEXUS GS450h

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2010 LEXUS GS

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SEMA: Five-Axis' Stealthy Lexus GS 460

After the sinister-looking Project IS F that made quite a splash at last year's SEMA show, Troy Sumitomo and his Five Axis automotive returned to Sin City with a fresh take on the Lexus GS 460. Sporting a titanium matte paint finish, a widebody conversion with concept-like styled bumpers and black-colored 20-inch alloy wheels in 245/30 ZR20 rubber up front and 295/25ZR20 at the rear, Five Axis' GS 460 is a stealthy proposal for those that like their cars shaken, not stirred.

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Lexus LF SS Concept by Jin Hee Kim

Lately there seems to be an abundance of concept proposals all over the net from independent designers -professional or amateur. The most recent one to fall upon our hands is the Lexus LF SS which is a somewhat futuristic study for a next-generation Lexus GS created by Jin Hee Kim. According to the designer, while the premium sports sedan concept features the same wheelbase length as the current GS, the two vehicles differ significantly in their styling, drivetrain and packaging. -Continued

Jin Hee Kim supports that the LF SS has been designed to accommodate a hybrid drivetrain that comprises a V8 petrol engine and an electric motor backed up by a dye-sensitized solar cell which is a relatively new type of low-cost solar cells.

Taken as a whole, we'd say that Jin Hee Kim's styling proposal for the new GS ain't so bad but if we had a say in it, we'd tell him to completely rework the concept's front end as it looks like a swollen belly about to burst.

Via: diseno-art

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Lexus Bringing GS 460 by Five Axis to SEMA Show

For its second appearance at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas Lexus has joined forces once again with tuning specialists Five Axis to prepare a tricked out GS 460 Sedan. The Japanese luxury automaker did not release any specific details, but as you can see in the teaser sketch above, the GS 460 by Five Axis will feature among other things, an aggressive bodykit with new bumpers, side sills and a set of 5-spoke alloy wheels. -Continued

Lexus SEMA booth on Tuesday, November 4 will also host the Project IS F that returns to Las Vegas with a newly (and heavily) modified V8 engine bored and stroked to 5.75 liters filling the space under the hood as well as four unique IS F project cars created by Fox Marketing/Artisan Performance, Import Tuner Magazine/TEIN Suspension, 0-60 Magazine and MotorworldHype. Lexus will also display a special LX 570 created by ICON 4x4 Design.

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