Edmunds has more spy footage of the Lexus RX prototype booting its way around Nürburgring (click on the image below to be taken to the video):

In their analysis, Edmunds points out the elimination of a portion of the rear side windows, which I had missed. Here's a visual comparison:

There's definitely little deviation from the current model, but I really like the improvements.

(Thanks Jarrett!)

Speaking of the Project IS-F concept, I've been meaning to post this photo from Flickr user artistmg for some time now:

I would have thought I'd be long past posting images of this car, but every once and a while an image jumps out at me. The Project IS-F looks especially wide here, and all the more like a set piece for the new Batman movie.

When I started watching this video interview with 5Axis founder Troy Sumitomo, I wasn't really expecting to learn anything new about his company's Project IS-F concept, but it turned out to be pretty interesting, especially the insight into design inspiration:

Note: This is potentially NSFW, Bikinis abound.

It's very easy to picture the concept car exactly as Sumitomo describes it, you can definitely see traces of a jet fighter all through the bodywork.

My least favorite German car magazine Auto Motor Und Sport has scooped up some footage of the next-generation Lexus RX making its way around Nürburgring:

Can't say this was something I would have ever expected to see, an RX on the 'ring. One thing's for sure, I don't ever want to see an RX going that fast again. The whole time on the track, and all I was worried about were the kids in the back seat.

In all the excitement of the just-seen Lexus RX prototype running the 'Ring in Germany, I missed that Leftlane News have their own spy coverage of the next-gen crossover. I love the revised stance of the vehicle:

The reduction of the rear bubble has done a lot to update the look of the RX, but I'll admit to some worry about the visible front-end:

Eddie in the comments hit it right on the head, there's too much Toyota showing through (I thought immediately of the previous generation Toyota Matrix). Still, remove all the camouflage and it could very well look like an IS-F.

Be sure to check out Leftlane News for more photos.

A set of mildly-camoflagued Lexus RX prototypes have been spotted at Nürburgring in Germany, and the design is looking to be a successful merger of the current model and the LF-Xh concept shown at last year's Tokyo Motor Show.

The most obvious element taken from the LF-Xh is the smoother, more flowing shape, looking lower and longer than the current model, let's et's compare and contrast:

I find the streamlining to be very attractive, eliminating my biggest complaint about the current RX's styling. I think the front-end needs some reworking though. While I'm relieved the Ford Edge style grille of the LF-Xh was dropped, the resulting nose is looking rather ordinary.

To see the full image set, check out Jalopnik's gallery.