Lexus UK Winters-up RX 450h with New SE-I Special Edition

A new special edition model has been added to the UK range of the Lexus RX450h hybrid crossover. Named the SE-I, the new model sports a host of accessories said to be suited for those "who love the great outdoors" - always according to Lexus.

On the outside the so-called Lifestyle model adds roof rails and a rear bumper protect, plus front and rear under-run plates. Interior features of the package include a tough boot liner, claimed to be designed to cope with muddy boots, and a warm / cold storage box.

Lexus says that if these features were to specified individually, it would cost buyers up to £1,500, but brought together for the new RX 450h SE-I Lifestyle they add just £499 to the on-the-road price of the crossover for a total of £48,899.

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Toyota Prius Tops Corolla's 1990 Record as Japan's Best Selling Model in 2010

The Toyota Prius has set a new sales record in Japan as the automaker delivered more than 315,000 units (final figures will be released by the Japan Automobile Dealers Association in mid-January). of the gas-electric hybrid model in 2010, overtaking the Corolla for the first time in two decades. The previous annual record was held by the Corolla which sold around 300,000 units in 1990.

The record was achieved despite the fact that new vehicle sales in Japan aren't expected to surpass the 5 million mark in 2010, compared to around 7.8 million units delivered in 1990 when the Corolla set the previous record.

However, it should be noted that sales of the Prius were partially boosted by the Japanese government's subsidies and tax incentives for the purchase of eco-friendly cars, which lasted through September 2010.

As of December 2010, the Prius has remained Japan's top-selling model for 19 consecutive months.

Noblesse Wings Up Honda CR-Z Hybrid Sport Hatch

Japanese tuner Noblesse has been steadily releasing numerous aftermarket bits and pieces for the new CR-Z ever since Honda launched its hybrid sport hatch . Among other parts, the company has developed a ground aero-kit with front and rear bumper aprons, side skirts, a rear diffuser and a large roof wing. These can be complemented by a lightweight carbon fiber hood, underbody aero parts, larger alloy wheels and a sport exhaust system. You can check out photos of Noblesse's Honda CR-Z offerings along with a video of a test car doing a circuit round right after the jump.

Source: Noblesse , Via: Farm of minds

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New Honda CR-Z JCOTY Memorial Award Edition Shows off with Special Paint...and that's About it

To commemorate its "Japanese Car of the Year" award, Honda will release a limited edition of its CR-Z sport-hybrid hatch in Japan. Billed as a "Memorial Award Edition", the car will be coated in a hue called Pearl Deep Sapphire Blue and will roll on unique Dark Pewter Gray 16-inch rims.

Add a sticker/label on the driver's side quarter glass, and that's about it for external spruce-ups. Inside, the 1,000 Memorial CR-Zs get a Medium Gray interior, aluminum pedals, and a standard navigation system. Numbers still come in at 122 horsepower and 123-128 lb-ft of torque (CVT/6-speed) from Honda's IMA-backed 1.5-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder.

If you're over Japan way, the cars will be sold from the start of 2011. Price of admission will be a cool 2,794,000 Yen after the consumption tax (or approximately $34,200).

By Phil Alex

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Audi to Invest €11.6 Billion in New Products, Technologies and Human Resources Over the Next Five Years

In the next five years, Audi will invest approximately €11.6 billion in new products and technologies, production facilities and human resources, the Ingolstadt based manufacturer announced today.

“With this investment, we are laying the foundation for sustained, profitable growth, and supporting our claim to leadership in the premium car segment”, said Axel Strotbek, Board Member for Finance and Organization of AUDI AG.

More than €9.5 billion, or about 80 per cent of the total investment, will go into developing new products and technologies, including electric and hybrid powertrains that will be used by models like the Audi R8 e-tron or Q5 Hybrid. Part of this amount will also go into further improving the new A6’s line-up and launching the Q3 crossover.

In the same period of time, €5 billion will be spent on upgrading the company’s production facilities in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm.

“In addition to our foreign sites, the German sites will also profit greatly from the Audi brand’s good worldwide prospects for growth, especially in China,” Strotbek said.

Last but not least, Audi is going to hire new personnel, seen as a key asset for further expansion.

“Innovation requires people”, said Thomas Sigi, Member of the AUDI AG Board of Management for Human Resources. “For this reason, we want to hire around 1,200 experts in 2011 who will primarily bolster our electromobility and lightweight construction fields of competence, as well as the implementation of our growth strategy”.

By Csaba Daradics

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BREAKING: Toyota to Debut Prius Concept Alongside New Prius Minivan at Detroit Show

[Updated] It's going to be all about the Prius hybrid family at Toyota's 2011 Detroit Motor Show stand, as the Japanese automaker revealed today that in addition to the current third-generation Prius and Prius Plug-in vehicle (PHV), the first all-new addition to the Prius range, the as-of-yet unnamed compact minivan seen in the teaser above, will debut along with a new Prius-branded concept model.

The company is keeping details on the prototype model under wraps for now, but with the Detroit Show just around the corner, it won't be long before we find out what it's all about. In the meantime, hit the break to check out two new teaser photos of the Prius MPV's dashboard and interior space.

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