Chicago Preshow: Lexus CT 200h Concept Tune by Five Axis

Lexus will be showing off a wilder CT 200h prepared by parent company Toyota's tuning partner Five-Axis at the upcoming 2011 Chicago Auto Show, which runs for the public from February 11 to 20. The highly-modified Five Axis Project CT will be dressed in a custom made wide body kit with hybrid's bad-boy appearance further enhanced by the JDSU “Dark Passage” paint, the lowered ride height (thanks to a TEIN Flex coilover suspension system), and custom 19-inch FIVE:AD forged alloy wheels.

No word on any powertrain improvements, but the CT 200h concept study will get a bespoke interior treatment and a Stoptech High Performance Big Brake Kit on the front.

The Five Axis Project CT will be joined by numerous Lexus models including vehicles from last year’s SEMA Show such as a customized LS600h L by VIP Auto Salon and a revamped RX 450h courtesy of tuner Paul Tolson, EST Styling, plus the full range of production models like the 2012 LFA sports car.

Scion Reveals iQ Concept 'pimped' by Five Axis in New York: Gallery with 70 High-Res Photos

What you see here is in essence a tuner-modified version of Toyota's iQ minicar that is already sold in Japan and Europe, and it officially confirms the Japanese automaker's interest in importing the 3+1 seater in the States under the Scion moniker. Toyota's goal with the presentation of the modified iQ that would seem more fit for a show like SEMA than New York, was of course to demonstrate the vehicle's potential for personalization which is a typical feature of all Scion models.

"We believe the Scion iQ micro-subcompact concept is the future of transportation," said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. "If it should join our future line-up, I think it could reach iconic status like our xB. Its styling will attract attention and if it's a Scion, you know it'll be easy to personalize."

The concept's design is the work of California-based tuner, Five Axis. Among other things, Five Axis 'decorated' the iQ with a wide bodykit, custom 18-inch wheels with a nickel finish and high-intensity LED driving lamps. Interior upgrades includes illuminated door handles, iridescent green and gray honeycomb upholstery covering the door panels and seating areas along with a 10-inch panel LCD screen on top of the center cluster that serves as the main entertainment console and navigation system interface.

For whatever reasons, Toyota decided to hold back on any mechanical upgrades with the iQ concept retaining the production version's 1.3-liter four-cylinder VVT-i petrol engine that produces an output of 100HP.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com