Latest news with #LexusLS
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Nine cars confirmed for discontinuation in 2025 – including two iconic convertibles & beloved hot hatchback
A saloon that's run for some 35 years has also reached the end of the road INTO THE SUNSET Nine cars confirmed for discontinuation in 2025 – including two iconic convertibles & beloved hot hatchback Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WE'RE almost at the halfway point of 2025 in what's been a whirlwind six months or so in the motoring world. The UK is in the midst of a transition to electric vehicles which comes with new regulations and economic pressures, while the industry continues to adapt to changing consumer behaviour. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up Elsewhere, the Ford Puma remains the nation's favourite motor, Tesla's favouritism is beginning to dip and Nissan's problems are going from bad to worse. We've also had some exciting car releases, from the Alpine A290 hot hatchback and Dacia Bigster SUV, through to the outrageous Aston Martin Valhalla. We've also learned of the demise of some of our favourite models - ready to drive off into the sunset. Here are some of the biggest nameplates reaching the end of their production runs in 2025. Lexus LS 7 Lexus LS 500h Credit: Lexus After some 35 years on sale, the ultra-luxury Lexus LS saloon has finally reached the end of the road after a sustained period of poor sales. Once described as a game-changer when it hit dealerships in 1990, the LS helped establish Toyota's plush sub-brand as a challenger to the elite carmakers of Europe and America. Marketed with a cheaper starting price, four further generations followed, with the final one, the LS 500, launching in 2017 before it was updated in 2020. Before it was removed, the LS range's price tag began at £101,000, rising to £128,000 for the Takumi version. However, just 39 of the hybrid V6-powered saloons have been purchased since 2020, of which just three were sold last year. Mazda2 7 Mazda 2 Hybrid Credit: Matt Vosper After 10 years on sale, Mazda confirmed back in February that its Mazda2 supermini can no longer be ordered. A brief history of the Mazda MX-5 Often praised for being fun to drive, the petrol-powered and mild-hybrid versions of the hatchback have seemingly been replaced by Mazda2 Hybrid - essentially a rebadged Toyota Yaris. Despite two face-lifts in 2019 and 2023, which both added extra tech to the compact car, the car's near ten-year run in UK sales has finally come to an end. Mazda did not explain why the vehicle was cancelled, but a spokesperson told Autocar: "As we move towards increased electrification of our cars, the Mazda 2 Hybrid meets consumer demand in the B-segment and is a step in our journey to ensure all our cars have some form of electrification by 2030." Mazda MX-30 7 Mazda MX-30 Credit: Mazda Mazda also called time on the MX-30 - its first and only electric car - after just a four-year run. Criticised throughout its existence for its limited range and cramped cabin, the subcompact crossover SUV - offered as an EV or plug-in hybrid - was launched in the UK in 2021, with a view of taking on the likes of the Kia Soul EV and Peugeot e-2008. But it was never a popular choice among drivers, largely because of its modest range of just 124 miles. This was down to its smaller battery size, which was chosen to reduce the car's weight - and while this improved its handling and lowered its CO2 emissions during production, it also resulted in persistent range anxiety among drivers. While the fully electric MX-30 has been axed, the plug-in hybrid version remains on sale in the UK. Porsche Boxster/Cayman 7 Porsche 718 Cayman Credit: Posrche Porsche has officially announced the long-anticipated news that production of the petrol-powered 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman will come to an end. While no replacement for the iconic models has been announced, it's assumed an electric counterpart will eventually be released - though details remain scarce and no release date has been confirmed. For now, production is scheduled to continue until October 2025, including for the UK market. Frank Wiesmann, product communications manager for Porsche Cars North America, recently told Road & Track: 'Production for all current 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman variants, including RS models, is scheduled to end in October of this year.' In Europe, sales of the 718 Boxster and Cayman stopped in summer 2024 due to new EU cybersecurity regulations - although the UK market remained unaffected by these EU rules post-Brexit. This led to Porsche's head of production, Albrecht Reimold, confirming in an interview with Automobilwoche that the petrol-powered 718 models will end production globally by October 2025, except in markets already affected by the EU regulations. Nissan GT-R 7 Nissan R35 GTR Credit: Getty We're cheating here a little, because in the UK, the mighty Nissan GT-R has been unavailable to buy for a little while now. The GT-R R35 was first unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2007 before being updated and facelifted many times, most recently in 2023. However, in February, Nissan announced production of the iconic motor was to end in Japan - meaning it had lost its final market. Nissan had already discontinued deliveries of the R35 in Europe and the UK in March 2022, while Australia and New Zealand lost them even longer ago in October 2021. North America was the second-last to fall, with production wrapping up there in October last year. Furthermore, with Nissan facing financial difficulties recently, plans to have the GT-R's successor be a fully electric model could be derailed. Audi A1 & Q2 7 Audi A1 Credit: Audi We were stunned back in March when Audi revealed they were axing the incredibly popular A1 and Q2 models next year. Both cars, which are big sellers for the German brand - especially the A1 hatchback - are also the two cheapest among their range, but they now reached the end of the road with Audi ready to launch a new entry-level electric car as an indirect replacement. Claimed to sit beneath the top selling Audi Q4 e-tron, the upcoming EV will serve as an alternative to the A3 hatchback and Q3 crossover. Gernot Dollner, Audi's CEO, revealed they "will end production of the A1 and Q2" in 2026 "and there definitely will be no successor for the A1." He added the brand 'will have models in the lower A-segment" and that 'we will also see the car that will enter production next year in Ingolstadt, which will be our entry BEV in the A-segment". Ford Focus ST 7 Ford Focus ST Edition Credit: Ford After 23 years, the Ford Focus ST has been taken off sale in the UK - with production of the hot hatchback set to end in November. The Focus ST had been open for orders as recently as April, but has seemingly disappeared from dealer price lists in an update issued on 26 May. Many of the other variants of the Focus are still available to order, but the ST is no longer one of those - as clicking on the Ford UK's configurer leads to a dead end. Later confirmed by Ford UK to Autocar, there is - at the time of writing - still stock parked up in dealerships across the country. In a statement, the Blue Oval said: 'There are no new factory orders available for the Focus ST at the moment, but there are around 170 built and unsold currently available within the UK dealer network. 'This includes 30 of the special ST Edition variant in Azura Blue.' Better get in fast.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Nine cars confirmed for discontinuation in 2025 – including two iconic convertibles & beloved hot hatchback
WE'RE almost at the halfway point of 2025 in what's been a whirlwind six months or so in the motoring world. The UK is in the midst of a transition to electric vehicles which comes with new regulations and economic pressures, while the industry continues to adapt to changing consumer behaviour. Advertisement Elsewhere, We've also had some exciting car releases, from the Alpine A290 hot hatchback and Dacia Bigster SUV, through to the outrageous Aston Martin Valhalla. We've also learned of the demise of some of our favourite models - ready to drive off into the sunset. Here are some of the biggest nameplates reaching the end of their production runs in 2025. Advertisement Read more Motors News Lexus LS 7 Lexus LS 500h Credit: Lexus After some 35 years on sale, the ultra-luxury Lexus LS saloon has finally reached the end of the road after a sustained period of poor sales. Once described as a game-changer when it hit dealerships in 1990, the LS helped establish Toyota's plush sub-brand as a challenger to the elite carmakers of Europe and America. Marketed with a cheaper starting price, four further generations followed, with the final one, the LS 500, launching in 2017 before it was updated in 2020. Advertisement Before it was removed, the LS range's price tag began at £101,000, rising to £128,000 for the Takumi version. Most read in Motors Breaking However, just 39 of the hybrid V6-powered saloons have been purchased since 2020, of which just three were sold last year. Mazda2 7 Mazda 2 Hybrid Credit: Matt Vosper After 10 years on sale, Mazda confirmed back in February that its Mazda2 supermini can no longer be ordered. Advertisement A brief history of the Mazda MX-5 Often praised for being fun to drive, the petrol-powered and mild-hybrid versions of the hatchback have seemingly been replaced by Mazda2 Hybrid - essentially a rebadged Toyota Yaris. Despite two face-lifts in 2019 and 2023, which both added extra tech to the compact car, the car's near ten-year run in UK sales has finally come to an end. Mazda did not explain why the vehicle was cancelled, but a spokesperson told Autocar: "As we move towards increased electrification of our cars, the Mazda 2 Hybrid meets consumer demand in the B-segment and is a step in our journey to ensure all our cars have some form of electrification by 2030." Mazda MX-30 7 Mazda MX-30 Credit: Mazda Advertisement Criticised throughout its existence for its limited range and cramped cabin, the subcompact crossover SUV - offered as an EV or plug-in hybrid - was launched in the UK in 2021, with a view of taking on the likes of the Kia Soul EV and Peugeot e-2008. But it was never a popular choice among drivers, largely because of its modest range of just 124 miles. This was down to its smaller battery size, which was chosen to reduce the car's weight - and while this improved its handling and lowered its CO2 emissions during production, it also resulted in persistent range anxiety among drivers. Advertisement While the fully electric MX-30 has been axed, the plug-in hybrid version remains on sale in the UK. Porsche Boxster/Cayman 7 Porsche 718 Cayman Credit: Posrche Porsche has officially announced the long-anticipated news that production of the petrol-powered 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman will come to an end. While no replacement for the iconic models has been announced, it's assumed an electric counterpart will eventually be released - though details remain scarce and no release date has been confirmed. Advertisement For now, production is scheduled to continue until October 2025, including for the UK market. Frank Wiesmann, product communications manager for Porsche Cars North America, recently told Road & Track: 'Production for all current 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman variants, including RS models, is scheduled to end in October of this year.' In Europe, sales of the 718 Boxster and Cayman stopped in summer 2024 due to new EU cybersecurity regulations - although the UK market remained unaffected by these EU rules post-Brexit. This led to Porsche's head of production, Albrecht Reimold, confirming in an interview with Automobilwoche that the petrol-powered 718 models will end production globally by October 2025, except in markets already affected by the EU regulations. Advertisement Nissan GT-R 7 Nissan R35 GTR Credit: Getty We're cheating here a little, because in the UK, the mighty Nissan GT-R has been unavailable to buy for a little while now. The GT-R R35 was first unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2007 before being updated and facelifted many times, most recently in 2023. However, in February, Nissan announced production of the iconic motor was to end in Japan - meaning it had lost its final market. Advertisement Nissan had already discontinued deliveries of the R35 in Europe and the UK in March 2022, while Australia and New Zealand lost them even longer ago in October 2021. North America was the second-last to fall, with production wrapping up there in October last year. Furthermore, with Nissan facing financial difficulties recently, plans to have the GT-R's successor be a fully electric model could be derailed. Audi A1 & Q2 7 Audi A1 Credit: Audi Advertisement next year. Both cars, which are big sellers for the German brand - especially the A1 hatchback - are also the two cheapest among their range, but they now reached the end of the road with Audi ready to launch a new entry-level electric car as an indirect replacement. Claimed to sit beneath the top selling Audi Q4 e-tron, the upcoming EV will serve as an alternative to the A3 hatchback and Q3 crossover. Gernot Dollner, Audi's CEO, revealed they "will end production of the A1 and Q2" in 2026 "and there definitely will be no successor for the A1." Advertisement He added the brand 'will have models in the lower A-segment" and that 'we will also see the car that will enter production next year in Ingolstadt, which will be our entry BEV in the A-segment". Ford Focus ST 7 Ford Focus ST Edition Credit: Ford After 23 years, the Ford Focus ST has been taken off sale in the UK - with production of the hot hatchback set to end in November. The Focus ST had been open for orders as recently as April, but has seemingly disappeared from dealer price lists in an update issued on 26 May. Advertisement Many of the other variants of the Focus are still available to order, but the ST is no longer one of those - as clicking on the Ford UK's configurer leads to a dead end. Later confirmed by Ford UK to Autocar, there is - at the time of writing - still stock parked up in dealerships across the country. In a statement, the Blue Oval said: 'There are no new factory orders available for the Focus ST at the moment, but there are around 170 built and unsold currently available within the UK dealer network. 'This includes 30 of the special ST Edition variant in Azura Blue.' Advertisement Better get in fast.
ArabGT
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- ArabGT
The Lexus LS Is Here to Stay!
As the crown jewel of Lexus' sedan lineup, the LS has long stood as a benchmark in the world of premium automotive engineering — seamlessly combining masterful craftsmanship, comfort, and advanced innovation. And despite swirling speculation about its fate, Lexus has confirmed that the LS isn't going anywhere. Instead, it's being refined to remain a central pillar in the brand's evolving luxury strategy. This reassurance comes on the heels of Lexus promoting the newly teased 2026 ES as a 'global flagship,' which led some to question whether the LS might quietly exit the stage. But its continuation is both strategic and symbolic. Why the Lexus LS Still Matters • Symbol of Brand Identity More than just a vehicle, the LS embodies Lexus' highest standards in design, engineering, and sophistication. Eliminating it would create a noticeable void in the brand's identity and undermine its longstanding commitment to luxury excellence. • A Platform for Electrification Lexus is steadily shifting toward an electrified future — and the LS is expected to play a vital role in that transition. Whether through advanced hybrid systems or full battery-electric powertrains, the LS is poised to evolve into a flagship of sustainable performance. • Enduring Appeal for Sedans Even with SUVs dominating sales charts, there remains a loyal market segment that values the refined ride, elegance, and prestige only a full-size luxury sedan can offer. The LS caters to this niche exceptionally well, ensuring its relevance. • Tech Leadership The Lexus LS often debuts Lexus' most advanced technologies — from cutting-edge driver assistance systems to sophisticated infotainment and semi-autonomous driving functions. This makes it a critical model for showcasing the brand's innovation edge. • Cultural Status Symbol In several regions — particularly across Asia — the LS transcends automotive utility. It's a symbol of accomplishment and stature. In markets like Japan, it's a favored choice among executives and dignitaries, giving it lasting cultural and aspirational value. • Competitive Pressure Lexus' German rivals — BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8 — continue to dominate the luxury sedan segment. Exiting the space would hand over market share and prestige to these competitors — a risk Lexus is clearly not willing to take. What Lies Ahead for the Lexus LS • Electrified Future In line with global sustainability goals and shifting customer preferences, upcoming LS models are likely to feature plug-in hybrid and fully electric variants — aligning with Lexus' vision of cleaner mobility without compromising performance. • Advanced Autonomy Future iterations could bring Level 3 autonomous driving to the LS, offering hands-off, eyes-off driving in select conditions — a major leap forward in luxury comfort, convenience, and safety. • Evolved Interior Experience Traditionally reserved in its interior styling, Lexus may break new ground with the next LS. Expect to see ultra-premium materials, eco-conscious finishes, and passenger-focused tech elevating every detail of the cabin experience. In a time when SUVs and electric crossovers are dominating headlines, the Lexus LS remains a quiet powerhouse — adapting, evolving, and refusing to fade. Its legacy is not being retired, but rather reimagined — ready to redefine what a luxury flagship sedan can be in a fast-changing automotive landscape.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
View Exterior Photos of the 2025 Lexus LS500 F Sport
Read the full review The Lexus LS helped launch the brand during the 1990 model year. Today, the nameplate faces strong competition from German and Korean sedans that simply outgun the Lexus in the luxury department. Although the original LS wore a nondescript exterior, the modern version goes for a bolder look. The LS500 F Sport we tested amped up the sporty look with Ultra Dark Gray Metallic wheels and an F Sport grille treatment. But the look doesn't match the Lexus's comfort-oriented road manners. A twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 powers the LS500 and makes 416 horsepower. Acceleration is decent; the LS500 F Sport hit 60 mph in 5.0 seconds at our test track. Our test vehicle featured optional all-wheel drive, but a rear-wheel-drive version is also available. Rival sedans from BMW and Mercedes-Benz can be had with V-8 engines, but the Lexus's V-6 should be powerful enough for most drivers. Fuel-economy is similar to V-8-powered rivals though, and while the Lexus outperformed its EPA rating in our highway fuel-economy test, the BMW and Mercedes still outperformed the LS500. Despite its fastback rear end, the LS's trunk space is generously sized. Keep going to check out even more pictures of the 2025 Lexus LS500 F Sport. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Simply Outgunned: 2025 Lexus LS500 F Sport, Tested
When your product is competing in a niche marketplace where alternatives are polished and unimpeachable, you absolutely must come correct. For the Lexus LS, that marketplace is flagship full-size luxury sedans, a segment that has contracted to include only the most excellent options as American drivers increasingly find their luxury behind the wheel of SUVs. Last redesigned for the 2018 model year, the fifth-generation LS is an elder among its peers, most of which have been revamped within the past two or three years, all with more up-to-date technology and a better sense of modern luxury. Our LS500 F Sport test car, by comparison, seemed past its expiration date. And it's not the first time we've thought that, given the LS500's last-place finish in a 2022 comparison test. The Lexus relies on its styling to turn heads, and both its exterior and its interior are an exercise in unfocused maximalism. Every surface is imbued with some sort of design flourish, and the result is an onslaught on the senses and a look that is out of sync with the LS500 F Sport's driving demeanor. By contrast, the original LS from 1990 was the definition of nondescript, but it let the driver and passengers focus on the luxury tenets that founded the Lexus brand. The current LS, despite its overwrought design, still excels at those tenets, with a quiet cabin, a comfortable ride, and a smooth-running powertrain. But the Lexus's rivals consistently one-up this flagship model. The Genesis G90 nails the quiet-comfortable-smooth brief and impresses with a more elegant curb appeal at a similar price. The Mercedes-Benz S-class delivers more overt luxury in a more svelte package, and the BMW 7-series overwhelms the LS's tech offerings and delivers more athletic road manners. The G90 is the Lexus's closest equal, but a comparison of features will make Genesis buyers feel like they're getting away with shoplifting. In this class, rear-seat comfort is often the focus, but the Lexus doesn't treat back-seat riders with expected features such as rear-seat climate controls, heated seats, or controls for the stereo unless you spec a near-$15,000 option package that isn't even offered on the F Sport trim. All of that is standard in the Genesis. The seats themselves are also not nearly as plushly cushioned in the LS, although legroom is generous in both of these land yachts. Like the Genesis, the Lexus is not offered with a V-8 engine option; instead, you choose between the LS500h's hybrid powertrain or the LS500's twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6 that makes 416 horsepower and is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Our LS500 F Sport test car also came with optional all-wheel drive; without it, this Lexus is a rear-wheel-drive sedan. While we prefer the twin-turbo V-8 engines in the pricier BMW and Mercedes, the LS500's force-fed six is plenty powerful. At the test track, the LS500 hit 60 mph in 5.0 seconds and managed a 13.3-second quarter-mile run with a 107-mph trap speed. Highway passing maneuvers are dispatched handily, with the LS500 jumping from 50 to 70 mph in just 3.8 seconds. Handling is fine, but hardly sporty, and while there's not one but two Sport (S and S+) drive modes, the alterations in the suspension are nearly imperceptible. The ride remains comfortable even in Sport S+, the most aggressive setting, and body roll is well controlled, but the LS500 F Sport never transforms into the sports sedan its aggressive exterior styling suggests. Rolling on Bridgestone Turanza EL450 RFT all-season rubber, our test car managed a respectable–but not particularly impressive–0.85 g on the skidpad and required a lengthy 183 feet to stop from 70 mph and 372 feet from 100 mph. The LS500 is happiest in its Comfort drive mode, and highway slogs are dispatched without a hint of fatigue. Other than some wind noise above 80 mph, the cabin remains placid. We recorded a hushed 67 dBA at a 70 mph cruise. In Sport S+, the LS is noticeably noisier, with an artificial growl permeating the cabin under wide-open throttle that contributed to an 83-decibel measurement, or eight more than in Comfort mode. Highway fuel economy is good too, as the LS500 recorded 28 mpg in our 75-mph highway test. That's 1 mpg more than its EPA estimate, but the BMW, Genesis, and Mercedes-Benz all outperformed it has to wonder if Lexus will try again with a sixth-generation LS. Will Lexus's flagship sedan, the car that launched the brand in 1989, fall victim to the shrinking market for conventional sedans? One thing's for sure, the current gang of full-size luxury cars is prepared for a gunfight. Unfortunately, Lexus currently only holds a knife. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
