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Pros: The venerable Lexus RX, the brand's top seller, proves solidly built, smooth, comfortable, and very reliable. Cargo capacity is right at the top of the compact luxury CUV segment, and in RX 450h trim, fuel efficiency is remarkable. What's more, customer service at Lexus dealerships usually eclipses the one you're going to get with German makes.

Cons: The battery pack is an older-design, nickel-metal-hydride unit. While plush, the seats lack side support.

Photo: Lexus

2015 Lexus RX 450h Price: Making things simple for buyers, Lexus offers a single trim level, and it starts at $62,650.

2015 Lexus RX 450h Fuel Economy: Based on Natural Resources Canada's new 5-cycle testing procedure to determine fuel consumption ratings, expect to burn 8.0L/100km in the city and 8.5L/100km on the highway with your 2015 RX 450h.

Improvements and Changes: Now officially called “RX 450h SPORTDESIGN,” this luxury crossover's powerful presence is made stronger and more aerodynamic by a newly sharpened front bumper, more angular headlights, an even bolder interpretation of the Lexus Spindle grille design, and standard 19” alloy wheels.

Also new for 2015 is a “One Push” confirmation that makes the Lexus Remote Touch controller easier and more intuitive to operate.

2015 Lexus RX 450h Powertrain: A smooth 3.5L V6 teams up with a pair of electric motors as part of the Lexus Hybrid Drive system. Together, they put out 295 net horsepower and a massive amount of torque. A specifically calibrated CVT handles power delivery to all four wheels. Choose Normal, ECO, EV, or Sport drive mode to optimize efficiency or performance to suit your mood and driving conditions.

Cargo Capacity: You can expand the cargo area from 1,133 to 2,274 litres by folding the rear seats in the 2015 Lexus RX 450h. By the way, these numbers are equal to the gas-powered RX, so the battery makes no difference here.

Safety: Standard features include stability and traction control, disc brakes with ABS, brake assist and electronic brake force distribution, as well as smart stop technology, which automatically cuts engine power and allows the brakes to take precedence over the accelerator when both pedals are pressed at the same time. Let's not forget the 10 airbags and available technologies like adaptive cruise control, a blind spot monitor, intuitive parking assist, and head-up display.

Comparing the 2015 Lexus RX 450h: Direct competitors are limited to the Audi Q5 Hybrid and Infiniti QX60 Hybrid. Don't sleep on the diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz GLK 250 BlueTEC, though.

From GMM

World champion Sebastian Vettel is not sure Red Bull can catch up with Mercedes by 2015.

Red Bull boss Dr Helmut Marko said at Silverstone last weekend that, "In 2015, we want to be on par with Mercedes."

After taking part in the post-British grand prix test on Wednesday, German Vettel said: "The gap to Mercedes is very big.

"Until the beginning of next season we will try to catch up," he is quoted by Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport, "and I hope that we are able to improve and get closer."

Vettel is also quoted as saying by Speed Week: "While we have made significant progress since the winter, the opponents also are not sleeping.

"We expect to make further steps over the coming months, and towards the end of the year we should be in a better position to judge where we stand for 2015."

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, at Silverstone. (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

Talks about Carlos Sainz jr immediately replacing a Caterham driver for the German grand prix and beyond took place at Silverstone last weekend.

Multiple Spanish sources are confirming the news, although they disagree about his chances.

According to El Mundo Deportivo, it is a very real "possibility", following talks between Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko, Sainz's father Carlos Sainz, and new Caterham 'advisor' Colin Kolles.

Speculation says talks took place about forgiving Caterham's outstanding gearbox bills to Red Bull if Sainz, the latest cream of the energy drink company's junior programme, stepped in immediately to replace Kamui Kobayashi.

"Nothing is final, nor is it the only option," the newspaper quoted a source close to 19-year-old Sainz. "Currently, Carlos is focused on this weekend's round of the Renault world series, and then we will talk and see."

Caterham CT05-Renault. (Photo: WRi2)

The Spanish sports daily AS admits that a Hockenheim debut for Sainz was initially a possibility, but a deal between Red Bull and Caterham was not agreed.

"So now the intention of Red Bull is that Sainz will step into the Toro Rosso on a Friday this year, and next year he will be a race driver," the report said.

From GMM

Jules Bianchi staked a claim on a Ferrari race seat on Wednesday, setting the pace at the post-British grand prix Silverstone test.

Drafted in by Ferrari to replace Kimi Raikkonen after the Finn's high-speed crash last Sunday, Frenchman and Marussia driver Bianchi looked as impressive as Fernando Alonso had been in practice last weekend in the same F14-T car.

Moreover, Bianchi's 1 minute 35.2 laptime was more than a second faster than Raikkonen - who has notably struggled in 2014 - had managed in Silverstone practice.

Jules Bianchi, Ferrari F14 T, Silverstone. (Photo: WRi2)

Although clearly part of Ferrari's future plans, the 24-year-old played down the significance of his Silverstone speed, insisting differing wind conditions between the race weekend and the test played a significant role.

"But it's always good to do some good laptimes and to be consistent. Obviously it is much better to do a good job and a good laptime," he admitted.

Nonetheless, Raikkonen is firmly under contract for 2015, and Bianchi acknowledged that a race seat with the Maranello team "is not the plan for next year".

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton left Silverstone without making a single comment to the media after testing on Wednesday.

He might have been advised to steer a wide course around the 'Nico Rosberg is not German' controversy.

But there could be another issue he - and Mercedes - were keen to swerve.

The FIA's Charlie Whiting has dropped a bombshell on F1 teams, warning them in writing that systems mimicking illegal active suspension - commonly referred to as 'Fric' - probably are in fact illegal.

The concept has become so widespread that it is believed every single 2014 car features it.

"It came as a surprise. It's not based on any team action. It's an FIA action," McLaren team boss Eric Boullier told reporters on Wednesday when asked about Whiting's intervention.

Before Boullier's comments, it might have been assumed that a rival team complained to Whiting about Fric, because the iteration aboard Mercedes' ultra-dominant 2014 is considered to be more advanced than most others.

"I hear the Mercedes system is very complicated, so it could affect them more," Marussia driver Max Chilton told Britain's Sky at Silverstone.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG W05. (Photo: WRi2)

For the moment, the FIA is not actually banning the system, but in the technical directive, Whiting warned that teams could theoretically begin to lodge protests against their rivals, starting at Hockenheim next weekend.

So some teams might simply dodge the controversy by removing 'Fric'.

"We thought we might as well try the car and see what we could do without it," Chilton said after Wednesday's test action, "in case it goes that way."

The Briton said the backmarking Marussia did not feel too different with 'Fric' off the car.

But that could be because the Marussia system is not as "extreme" as some.

"I think some teams may have been extreme. This is maybe why the FIA is questioning the legality of this system," agreed McLaren's Boullier.

"I don't know the secrets of the designs of the other teams. I think for most of the teams it would not be a game-changer. There is maybe a couple of teams who have been extreme and obviously who could be potentially in trouble to switch back to a non-connecting system," said Boullier.

Theoretically, the 'Fric' issue could be good news for Mercedes' rivals, and very bad news for the ultra-dominant German team.

"After what the FIA has said," Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel is quoted by Speed Week, "I can surmise that some cars will be more affected than others if there are any possible changes."

Mercedes' big gap, however, is probably safe, according to Michael Schmidt, the respected correspondent for Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"Mercedes may have to give up some of its advantage, but the gap to the chasing pack is so big that the Silver Arrows is not in trouble. Especially as Red Bull has a similarly-good system," he said.

News 9 Jul, 2014

Bentley is weighing up possibilities for a bespoke division, building one-offs at the request of its wealthiest clients

GAMCO Asset Management, the largest institutional shareholder of aluminum wheel supplier Superior Industries, today unveiled its slate of board nominees it wants shareholders to elect at Superior's annual meeting next month.

Penske Logistics, the lead logistics provider for Ford in North America, plans to shut down a site south of Detroit in September and cut 183 jobs.

With only a few months until its September debut, Mercedes-Benz has taken most of the form-altering

WASHINGTON -- Volkswagen has ordered U.S. and Canadian dealers to not sell about 800 units of its new

Jaguar Land Rover has revealed further details of the Ingenium four-cylinder engines which it will begin manufacturing in early 2015.

News 10 Jul, 2014

We explore the UK's top hot hatch contenders in the countdown to the Auto Express New Car Awards on July 15th

Ford's European operations are sharing in the industry's modest sales recovery this year, but Ford of Europe President Stephen Odell warned today that some of the region's underlying economic weaknesses still pose a threat.

Ford's European operations are sharing in the industry's modest sales recovery, but Ford of Europe President Stephen Odell warned that some of the region's underlying economic weaknesses still pose a threat.

News 12 Jul, 2014

The aerodynamic miracle that is the golf ball could give a fuel economy boost to cars of the future

News 10 Jul, 2014

New details from Jaguar Land Rover on upcoming technology. We go behind the scenes to see into the future

The European Commission is probing state aid to Audi to expand its plant in Hungary. The commission approved aid to Porsche and BMW to expand their factories in Germany.

The European Commission is probing state aid to Audi to expand its plant in Hungary. The Commission approved aid to Porsche and BMW to expand their factories in Leipzig.

MG is working on a new two-seater, according to Auto Express.