In talking with Mike Levine of PickupTruck.com yesterday about the F-150 diesel, some interesting tidbits—actually nothing more than rumors at this point—came to light about Toyota's upcoming diesel plans.

As I'm sure you're aware, Toyota recently introduced a new DOHC 4V 4.5L V8 twin-turbo diesel in Australia in the Land Cruiser 200 (here). Well that engine, or a variation of it, is coming here. That's not a surprise. What is a surprise is that it likely will be offered with three transmission choices.

The current 6-speed automatic is pretty much a given, that's tranny # 1. Tranny # 2 is likely a 6-speed manual. The big question is what is tranny #3? We're guessing it's a CVT, and likely based on the very powerful Lexus LS 600h, which uses a CVT—but beefed up for truck-duty.

So, if the Tundra gets this diesel I think it's safe to assume that it will also find a home in the Toyota Sequoia, Land Cruiser and the Lexus LX560 (probably to be re-named the LX450d).

Again, this is all rumor and speculation at this point—but check back in a year or two, and see if we're right!

Audi chose the 2008 Beijing Auto Show to debut their new Q5 crossover, further signifying how important the Chinese market is becoming. The Q5, which will be pitted against the BMW X3, Infiniti EX35, and Lexus RX350, will come with Audi's 3.2L V6, a 6-speed automatic, and AWD when it comes Stateside in 2009.

Here's Inside Line's take: 2008 Beijing Auto Show: 2009 Audi Q5

As most of you know Inside Line also conducts long-term tests on vehicles that they purchase. Usually the vehicles are kept for one year, but in this case, because it's a hybrid and they wanted to get a true long-term evaluation of how it is, they've kept the vehicle for two years.

The results are disappointing, to say the least. Oh, the car performed okay, but the gas mileage over two years (30,000 miles) is not nearly what Lexus claimed for the RX400h. The EPA sticker on this vehicle is 31 city and 27 highway. What Edmunds ended up with is:

Best: 28 mpg

Worst: 16 mpg

Average: 20 mpg

Besides the disappointing gas mileage, this clearly points to just how valuable these long-term tests can be. There's nothing like living with a vehicle for a long time to see what its true colors are, and in this case it's more red than green.

2006 Lexus RX 400h: 2 years and 30,000 miles

No press conference, no announcements, no nothing. Apparently Lexus thinks the LF-A Roadster is interesting enough to stand on its own. There’s no doubt there’s something to it, but we’re not quite sure what that something is just yet.





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Well, here's a new marketing twist: If you own a Lexus, and frequent the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia for sporting events, you will have access to "reserved parking." So I guess that means you can now get your doors dinged by other like owners, and not just some lowly Kia.

Press release after the jump.



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To see how the status of the LA auto show has changed due to the change to a November date, all you need to do is look at the quality of the manufacturer displays.

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Inside Line put together five of the top sport sedans.

Can the Cadillac CTS, Infiniti G35 Sport, Lexus IS 350 or Mercedes C350 Sport knock the BMW 335i off its pedestal?

Read the Sport Sedan Comparison Test on Inside Line.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

 

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Flat black paint makes just about anything look a little tougher. Take this 2008 Lexus IS-F for instance. It was built by Five Axis and although it’s far less shiny that the IS-F that participated in our recent comparison test, we like the looks of this one much better. Part of the credit goes to its wide body conversion kit and the 20 inch wheels, but it’s the Satin Black Pearl paint that really makes it. Don't expect to see any of its upgrades available as factory options anytime soon.

We throw the new 416-hp Lexus IS-F hot rod into the ring with the reigning champ among sport sedans, the 420-hp Audi RS4.

Find out how they scored on the road and at the test track.

Read the Audi RS4/Lexus IS-F Comparison Test on Inside Line.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

Lexus enters the high-performance arena with the limited-production IS F and Inside Line has the first test numbers.

It's equipped with a 416-hp 5.0-liter V8 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Read the Lexus IS-F Full Test on Inside Line.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor