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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Paris Preshow: 2011 Lexus IS-F gets Euro 5 compliant V8 and new instrument panel

European fans of the Lexus IS-F rejoice; this is one sports car that won't be axed on the other side of the pond due to the introduction of the more stringent Euro 5 emissions standards. Unlike the current generations of the Ford Focus ST, Honda Civic Type R and Mazda RX-8 -just to mention a few, the IS-F will make it to the 2011 model year thanks to its tweaked 5.0-liter V8 that is now fully compliant with the upgraded Euro 5 norms.

The specification sheet says power remains unchanged at 423HP with the IS F being capable of accelerating from 0-100 km/h (62mph) in 4.7 seconds and on to an electronically governed top speed of 270 km/h (168mph).

Similarly to the rest of the 2011MY IS range, the flagship IS-F benefits from some subtle exterior and interior revisions. On the outside, the sports saloon gains revised headlamps with LED daytime running lights and a new optional finish named "Starlight Black GF".

On board, changes include new dark sliver fibre inserts, revised front seat design for improved driver support, blue instead of white stitching for the leather upholstery and last but certainly not least, a new instrument panel design that repositions the tachometer, speedometer and shift indicator within the binnacle. U.S. buyers should expect similar styling upgrades for the 2011MY (or 2012MY) version of the IS-F.

The 2011 IS-F will have its world premiere at the Paris motor show next month with sales in Europe to follow shortly after.

2011 Lexus IS with Minor Facelift Unveiled in Europe, comes with new 150HP Diesel

Carmakers continue to roll out product announcements ahead of next month's Paris Motor show. The latest is Lexus that revealed details on its revised for the 2011 model year, IS series for Europe, which benefits from some modest cosmetic tweaks, additional standard features and the introduction of a new diesel model.

Blink an eye, and you'll easily miss the styling changes on the sedan and coupe-convertible models, that include tweaked headlamps that gain LED daytime running lights, reworked rear light clusters, a revised front grille design, new exterior colors and alloy wheel designs. Interior revisions are limited to a

Meanwhile, the 2011 F-Sport trim level gets a new deep front spoiler with faired-in fog lights, new grille design and a rear spoiler with integrated stop light plus new 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, there are extra touches of titanium-effect trim and a new dark, anthracite roof liner.

Other revisions to the IS range include improvements to the SE-I specification with the addition of rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and new leather upholstery with heated front seats.

For the 2011 model year, there's a new IS 200d model powered by a 150-horsepower version of the 2.2-litre diesel engine of the 177HP IS 220d. In the UK, the IS 200d replaces the more potent IS 220d, but in other European markets such as Germany, the two diesel models will be sold together.

The IS 200d can accelerate from nought to 100km/h (62mph) in 10.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 205km/h (127mph). Combined cycle fuel consumption is 5.1lt/100km (55.4mpg UK or 46.1mog US) and CO2 emissions are 134g/km compared to 148g/km for the IS 220d.

There are also changes to the 2.5-liter V6 petrol engine featured in the IS 250 and IS 250C coupe-convertible with six-speed automatic transmission. According to Lexus, the V6 unit has been revised to meet future Euro5 emissions standards, achieving better fuel economy and CO₂ emissions.

While power and torque figures remain unchanged at 208HP and 252Nm, combined cycle fuel consumption drops from 9.1lt /100km to 8.4lt/100km (31.7 to 33.6mpg UK), with a concurrent fall in CO2 output from 209 to 194g/km.

The 2011 Lexus IS will be formally revealed at the Paris Motor Show next month with European sales starting shortly after.

Identity Crisis: A Honda Civic Sedan with Lexus IS Buttocks and Toyota Crown Fascia

To be honest, we are not sure if we should shake our head with a smile or applaud the owner of this latest find. What you see here is a latest generation Honda Civic sedan from Thailand with a Toyota Crown face transplant, and a Lexus IS350 rear end, modded in the so-called VIP style. What a mix... Apparently, Japan's "Junction Produce" tuning shop had something to do with the build. While the styling may not appeal to all, there's little to find fault with the execution. More pictures after the break.

Source: Stancenation / Thanks for the tip Mikhail!

Lexus F-Sport Accessories get Special Summer Pricing

Lexus's F-Sport accessory range is getting some price-cutting love from the big L. Over June and July, Lexus will offer special pricing for three packages that target owners of IS models and the rear-wheel-drive GS350.

Package 1 is the F-Sport suspension kit, consisting of lowering springs (for a 1 inch drop) and a rear chassis member brace. If a customer's model is RWD, they get front and rear sway bars (AWD models only get the rear sway bar). Price: $1,450 (Savings, according to Lexus: $549).

Package 2 builds on Package 1 by adding new wheels and tires. All RWD models get 19's wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 2s, while the IS250 with AWD gets 18s shod with Yokohama Advan all-season rubber. Price: $4,495 (Savings: $1,499).

Package 3 takes on a performance brake upgrade and some badges on the fenders. The front brakes get 14-inch discs "with patented internal fin design" and fixed, 6-piston calipers. Rear brakes get 4-piston fixed calipers and 13.6-inch discs. Price: $8,995 (Savings: $1,479).

By Phil Alex

Tokyo 2010: Lexus IS F Circuit Club Sport Concept

Lexus' offerings for the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon included a lightweight concept version of the firm's performance-minded sports sedan. Dubbed IS F Circuit Club Sport or CCS for short, the prototype Lexus comes in an attention-grabbing bright orange finish and more carbon fiber than a NASA warehouse.

And we're talking about a lot of carbon fiber as the lightweight material is used for the newly designed hood, rooftop, rear wing, exterior mirrors, trunk, front spoiler lips, right down to the rear diffuser.

The same material is also found on the Lexus IS F's engine cover as well as in the interior on the door panels, center and lower console, steering wheel trim, and the transmission lever.

Unfortunately, Lexus did reveal the weight gains from the extensive use of carbon fiber parts on the sports car.

Other mods include the forged magnesium wheels and sport tires, high-performance carbon ceramic brakes, sport suspension, new exhaust system with a titanium sports muffler and the two-tone bucket seats inside.

Lexus said that the standard IS F's 5.0-liter V8 engine with 423HP (in JDM spec) has been left intact.

Photos by Phil Alex with the help of friends Mike and Aaron