Over the past few years Lexus has been referred to as a Japanese Buick, with the number one reason being the ES front-drive luxury sedan a car that drew direct comparisons with the not-quite-Cadillac GM premium brand. To erase those comparos the new 2013 ES gets a more stylish exterior with a GS-themed front nose and a profile more like the flagship LS.
Swapping its Camry underpinnings for an Avalon platform it has, however, grown even more in size a notable Buick trait. Plus, to challenge the eAssist mild-hybrid LaCrosse, there's finally now an ES300h hybrid system getting 39 mpg average.
If there's one car that we've been looking forward to seeing at this year's New York Auto Show, more than any other, it's the next generation Viper. Very nearly sold off during Chrysler's turbulent years under Cerberus, like any great icon, it managed to endure.
Not only that, but even before the last fourth generation SRT 10 examples were rolling out the door, a plan was underway to introduce a new one; an American super car re-imagined for the 21st century. Now it's been revealed to the world for the first time.
Ralph Gilles, President and CEO of Chrysler's Street and Racing Technology Brand perhaps summed it up best. "Beyond being the flagship for the new SRT brand, the launch of the 2013 Viper proves that we simply would not let the performance icon of the Chrysler Group die," he said to raucous reception. Indeed.
The all new SRT Viper was revealed today at the 2012 New York Auto Show, along with an announcement from Chrysler that a race focused GTS-R will be returning to the American Le Mans racing series in 2012.
The GTS-R will be a non-street legal Viper, and will be backed by an SRT factory team in the Le Mans series. "Racing has been a significant part of the illustrious history of Viper not only with wins on the track, but also in the continued development of the street cars and our new 2013 SRT Viper models are proof of those lessons learned," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO of SRT.
Two identical Viper GTS-Rs will compete in the production-based GT class, and four drivers have already been confirmed for the SRT factory team.
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