spwolf

A4 is FWD, nothing RWD about it.

This Lexus will be based on Rav4 platform that will be designed to have Lexus version. It is X1 and Q3 competitor.

Basing it on IS would be stupid for various reasons.

GoHuskers

The current Rav4 is a wonderful vehicle already and we don't know much about the upcoming Rav4 but many people here can tell it is a cheaply version and whatsnot. Make it available in hybrid and also add the SPORT version to it Lexus.

Lexuslvr91

Longitudinal engine, rear biased driving dynamics its funny how it makes most rear wheel drive cars in its class look bad and run circles around them including the IS.

So the Q5 being based on the A4/A5, XC60 and S60, X3 and 3-series, GLK and C-class, EX35 and G37 are all stupid ideas too right? Give me a break. Lexus doesn't need a "good enough" car they need a winner and that can't be had with more Toyota economy based products which is the complete opposite thing they said they were striving to do. That would be stupid.

Also how accurate is your information about a Rav4 based Lexus? Is it confirmed?

Sulu

What are you saying? For Audi (born VW), Volvo (sharing platform and components with common Mazda and Ford), Infiniti (born Nissan), Mercedes-Benz and BMW to build crossover wagons from their small sedans is acceptable but for Lexus (born Toyota) to build a small crossover wagon from an existing crossover (which is already car-based) is not? These are all ALL car-based crossovers and at the heart of it, really, what is the difference between a small luxury car and a small mass-market car? The availability of “exciting” electronic features such as iDrive, MMI and Comand, and some extra sound insulation?

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

I agree. They've got enough as it is.

mmarshall

Well, that's what the public wants. A lot of people like the all-weather security and interior-space that many SUVs provide.

Sulu

Americans like station wagons yet they don't like station wagons (they won't buy station wagons). The CUV / SUV is the modern station wagon.

I would prefer a real station wagon myself but if there is nothing available, I will settle for a car-based utility vehicle.

Lexuslvr91

What are you saying? The A4 is on the MLB Modular Longitudinal platform shared with the A5/6/7/8/Q5 and no matter how much you dismiss it that platform is very advanced sharing nothing with any sort of VW. The XC60 is based on the premium Ford Mondeo platform a car that has been tops in its class for a while. Please tell me what Nissan the EX35 is based on.

Mercedes-Benz and BMW to build crossover wagons from their small sedans is acceptable but for Lexus (born Toyota) to build a small crossover wagon from an existing crossover (which is already car-based) is not?

What kind of a question is this? Might I ask what is so wrong with putting an SUV on the sporty bones of the upcoming IS sedan? Really what is so wrong?

Haha wow really what is the difference between a small luxury car and small mass market car? Your questions are humorous. With this logic why does Lexus bother with an IS when they could have just made a Corolla based version like Honda did with the Acura ILX. Better yet why does Toyota even bother with a luxury division?

spwolf

i think you are humorous.

X1 is not built better than Rav4... Q3 doesnt have better AWD than Rav4. "Nothing with any sort of VW" is hillarious.

I have no interest in SUV that has no space in the back or in the boot, FWD based with intelligent on demand AWD is what is needed.

Lexuslvr91

If you are inferring that the Rav4 has better reliability than the X3(I don't know where the X1 reference comes from or the Q3 for that matter...) then you are correct but no Toyota product has a better AWD system than Audi's 40:60 quattro. How do you know an IS based crossover wouldn't have sufficient space anyway?

TF109B

Lexus doesn't need to have a better 4wd system than the Audi to sell. Look at the success of the RX! Basically every luxury sub SUV owes themselves to it. Now Lexus should and looks like it's going to get in the smaller than RX category. If it does somewhat near as good as the RX in terms of sales it's definitely worth it. Who cares what it's based off of. The RAV4 is a great platform, one of the best small SUVs there is. The next one is yet to be seen, but I doubt they'll take a step backwards.

LexFather

Thread become utterly terrible..

pri2lex

That was the rumor a couple years ago: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/05/l...based-on-rav4/

http://www.caradvice.com.au/127553/l...coming-rumour/

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

too many, or enough? what is the right number, and why?

right now they have huge (lx), mid-size / funky narrow (gx), mid-size 5 seat (rx). adding a cuv seems to make sense to me.

corradoMR2

I'm counting on a CX 300h based on the CT or RAV4 rumor mills out there. I love my RXh but I do want a smaller CUV with even better mileage to go alongside my CT.

In speaking with my Lexus Sales Rep a couple months back, he said he "knows about the CX rumor, that the outlook is good, and to stay tuned over the next 12 months". My gut tells me if not by end of 2012, but by a spring 2013 release as a 2014 model.

This is my breakdown of the the launch of 9 new or updated models to be released this year (plus 3 F-sport variants), as announced by Lexus Execs in Jan '12:

1. '13 GS
2. '13 RX
3. '13 LX
4. '13 ES
5. '13/'14 LS
6. '13/'14 IS
7. '13/'14 CT (300h) ?
8. '14 IS Coupe/Convertible ??
9. '13 or '14 CX???


Now if Lexus considers hybrid versions as new separate models, we may be in trouble as this number hits 9 perfectly as well as the 3 F-Sport from the GS, RX, and LS model lineups:

1. '13 GS (new) (F-Sport)
2. '13 GSh (new)
3. '13 RX (refreshed) (F-Sport)
4. '13 RXh (refreshed)
5. '13 LX (refreshed)
6. '13 ES (new)
7. '13 ESh (new)
8. '13/'14 LS (new?) (F-Sport)
9. '13/'14 LSh (new ?)

Hoping for the first scenario. Fingers crossed.