MENTION Lexus and the real car fanatic starts to salivate. It's a car that answers everyone's dream of reliability, comfort and sporting performance.

Later on this month, at the Paris Motor Show, Lexus will be looking into the future, albeit not too far, with its LF-C and unveiling its next generation GS models, as well as revealing its hybrid powered RX400h.

The new GS goes on sale next year, and is offered with a choice of 4.3-litre V8 or new 242bhp 3.0-litre V6 petrol engines. Both are matched to a new six-speed automatic gearbox with clutchless sequential shift. There is also the adaptive variable suspension, a system that allows the driver to choose between two settings to suit driving style and road conditions. If that is not enough there is also the vehicle dynamics integrated management system, which is designed to improve the performance, traction control and stability.

Joining the range next year, too, is the RX400h, the world's first performance hybrid sports utility vehicle, driven using petrol/electric power.

The system allows the vehicle to operate in petrol or electric mode alone, or in a combination of both, according to the driving conditions.

Such is the potency of the system, the car can accelerate from zero to 62mph in 7.6 seconds. Power comes from a conventional 3.3-litre V6 engine but with front and rear electric motors, which together produce a power output of 268bhp.

The SC430 is one of the UK's most sought-after luxury convertibles, the car continuing to command an eager waiting list more than three years on from its introduction. The good news for those customers awaiting delivery of their SC430 is that from September the model will benefit from a number of detail enhancements.

The performance of the SC430 has been fine tuned for an even better balance of comfort and sporting quality with the adoption of new shock absorbers which contributes to a natural and quick steering response and a flat, comfortable ride.

Lexus has also improved the performance of the DVD Lexus Navigator satellite navigation system with the addition of electronic traffic avoidance and voice command recognition. The voice recognition function also allows hands-free use of Bluetooth-compatible mobile telephones.

The navigation system constantly monitors traffic information sources through FM radio signals, even when the navigation and audio systems are switched off. If it detects any delays on a pre-programmed route, it can alert the driver and offer the option of automatic rerouting to avoid any hold-up.

With its electrically retracting hard top, smooth 282bhp 4.3-litre VVT-i V8 engine, the revised Lexus is £52,385 including metallic paint.

Finally, the concept LF-C. This is the third of a series of concept ideas, and is powered by a V8 engine. The main feature is a retractable hard top that can be moved at the press of a button through four different positions.

Updated: 11:19 Friday, September 03, 2004