Cars

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Mini Cooper range gets special variants

A hybrid all-wheel drive people mover with a cult nameplate: Is Nissan missing a trick by not bringing the Elgrand to our shores?

Skoda's large SUV goes PHEV at a sharp price.

An EV that is coming to Australia has broken a world record.

Toyota reveals new ultra-high-end brand.

You know it’s motor show time when a brand whips out a six-wheeled vehicle alongside a single-seater autonomous vehicle.Lexus has pulled out all the stops at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, revealing a total of five concepts.The company has also used the motor show to announce it is repositioning itself even further upwards in terms of luxury. This is despite Century now having been spun out from Toyota as a flagship ultra-luxury brand.The LS sedan was Lexus’ first vehicle back in 1989. The current, fifth-generation version is on its last legs and is slated to be axed soon.At this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, the company has shown off a number of different interpretations of what this vehicle or vehicle series could morph into in the future.LS historically stood for ‘Luxury Sedan’, however, Lexus is now calling it ‘Luxury Space’.One of the wildest concepts at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show is simply called the Lexus LS concept. It’s a six-wheel people mover which has larger front wheels and two sets of smaller rear wheels.Lexus claims the six wheels allow for maximised interior space and comfort.The second and third rows can be configured to allow for sitting forward or facing each other.It’s clear the LM people mover has been successful as Lexus sees potential for an even higher-end people mover.Conversely, Lexus has also revealed the LS Micro concept which takes all the elements of the full-blown six-wheeler LS concept but puts it in a single-seater fully autonomous vehicle.This three-wheeled autonomous vehicle concept is essentially a pod with a business class lounge seat. It’s designed for point-to-point driving in urban areas where larger cars won’t fit.The front door opens like a jewellery box, allowing you to climb in. There’s also a cargo area at the back that opens, revealing space for special Lexus carry-on baggage.Additionally, the company also revealed the LS Coupe concept which is a high-riding sedan crossover of sorts. It’s claimed to offer sporty, dynamic looks, with a luxurious and expansive interior space.The driver’s seat has been created to prioritise a sporty feel with prominent bolsters, whereas the passenger seats prioritise comfort.Inside the driver has stacked screens that act as the digital instrument cluster and multimedia system, plus a yoke-style steering wheel.Second-row passengers can interact with screens on the back of the front seat backrests.Externally there is a drone built into the roof that can be deployed, as well as a pull-out draw for the boot.Another concept Lexus unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show is a further iteration of its Sport concept. This was first revealed earlier this year at the Quail as part of Monterey Car Week in the US.This latest concept, however, features updated exterior aerodynamic detailing, while the interior features an overtly driver-centric two-seater cockpit.Lastly Lexus unveiled its autonomous Catamaran concept which the company is using as an expression of another version of ‘Luxury Space’.At this stage it’s unclear whether Lexus will put any of these concepts into production.

Infiniti has revealed a new luxe SUV with the heart of a supercar and the underpinnings of a Nissan Patrol.It’s the 2026 Infiniti QX80 R-Spec, and it’s a one-off concept built for the 2025 SEMA Show, featuring aggressive design elements and the engine from a Nissan GT-R.It’s a more extreme follow-on from the 485kW QX80 Track Spec concept the brand showed off at Monterey Car Week, taking inspiration from the model that loaned the QX80 R-Spec its engine: the GT-R T-Spec Takumi Edition.The QX80 R-Spec features a hand-built GT-R R35 VR38 engine, the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 putting out as much as 1000hp (746kW) in the one-off SUV. The QX80 usually has a smaller and much less powerful 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6, albeit still related to that of the GT-R.Infiniti says the high output was achieved through “custom turbochargers, intercoolers, exhaust manifolds and an upgraded fuel system”, while GT-R carbon ceramic brakes take care of brushing that speed off.A lower, wider body kit, custom coilover suspension and a set of huge 24-inch bronze wheels (wrapped in 315/35R24 Yokohama Parada Spec-X tyres) help give the QX80 that ‘Need for Speed: Underground 2’ look (remember trying to race a Hummer H2?), along with the pearlescent-like purple wrap that nods to the R34 GT-R’s iconic Midnight Purple.The QX80’s custom exhaust exits, rear diffuser, and other elements like its fog lights complete the GT-R T-Spec Takumi Edition-inspired looks.Infiniti didn’t detail the QX80 R-Spec’s interior, but we can assume it’s not been completely redone to mimic the inside of a GT-R.