Lexus Mulls Small Crossover
#1
G35x - RWD/AWD goodness
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Lexus Mulls Small Crossover
TOKYO — Toyota's upscale Lexus brand, as part of an ongoing expansion of its product portfolio, plans to introduce at least one more luxury crossover and is considering the addition of a smaller near luxury crossover based on the recently redesigned RAV4.
The proposed compact Lexus CUV would be positioned as a smaller sibling to the popular RX 330 and would be targeted at Acura's Accord-based RDX, which goes into production this summer. Sources familiar with Toyota's plans say the company could bring the smaller Lexus, which as yet has no name, to market as early as 2008.
The compact Lexus crossover would be built on Toyota's new MC global midsize platform, which also underpins the '07 Camry and '07 ES 350 sedans. The same platform will be used as the foundation for the 2009 RX 350, which replaces the current RX 330 in fall 2008.
Supplier sources say Toyota is also studying a proposal to consolidate production of the three Lexus vehicles — the ES 350, the RX 350, and the new compact crossover — at its new plant in Woodstock, Ontario, in 2008-'09.
The Lexus brand is planning to add a high-end crossover vehicle, based on its 2003 HPX concept, in 2008. The all-wheel-drive CUV, which will share its underpinnings with the IS sedan, will be imported from Japan and will be positioned to compete with the Infiniti FX.
What this means to you: Lexus continues to expand its lineup of people movers.
Source: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...cleId=109352#2
#3
Lexus Fanatic
Wow...so in the end Lexus will have 3 crossover SUVs and 2 truck-based SUVs while its competitors have at most 2. I hope Lexus would extend the same spirit to its car lineup.
#4
Speaks French in Russian
Originally Posted by XeroK00L
I hope Lexus would extend the same spirit to its car lineup.
#5
Super Moderator
I went in to pick up a new key cover for my Lexus this morning, & I talked to a salesman who told me that a 2 door IS coupe (non-convertible) is in the drawing board, & that it should be available by summer next year. Not sure how reliable this info is, but he told me he heard it from a product specialist from Lexus Canada.
#6
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Everybody laughed at me, but I will receive my comeuppance!
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ight=lexus+suv
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ight=lexus+suv
#7
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I've been wondering for a while if/when this would happen. The compact luxury CUV market seems to be the segment that everyone is trying to get a piece of and Lexus usually likes to be in on the action.
The segment would compose of:
MB MLK
BMW X3
Audi Q5
Acura RDX
Infiniti CX
Lexus ??
The segment would compose of:
MB MLK
BMW X3
Audi Q5
Acura RDX
Infiniti CX
Lexus ??
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#8
Speaks French in Russian
Originally Posted by LexArazzo
I went in to pick up a new key cover for my Lexus this morning, & I talked to a salesman who told me that a 2 door IS coupe (non-convertible) is in the drawing board, & that it should be available by summer next year. Not sure how reliable this info is, but he told me he heard it from a product specialist from Lexus Canada.
#9
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Originally Posted by jrock65
I've been wondering for a while if/when this would happen. The compact luxury CUV market seems to be the segment that everyone is trying to get a piece of and Lexus usually likes to be in on the action.
The segment would compose of:
MB MLK
BMW X3
Audi Q5
Acura RDX
Infiniti CX
Lexus ??
The segment would compose of:
MB MLK
BMW X3
Audi Q5
Acura RDX
Infiniti CX
Lexus ??
#10
Speaks French in Russian
^^^Yep and so is Volvo. They are to be built off of the same platform. Freelander and XC50. Should be put into production 2 years from now last time I heard.
#11
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Originally Posted by magneto112
^^^Yep and so is Volvo. They are to be built off of the same platform. Freelander and XC50. Should be put into production 2 years from now last time I heard.
#12
Out of Warranty
Driven by the latest spike in gas prices many manufacturers are taking a hard look at the CUV as an alternative to yet another econobox. Drivers have proven to prefer many of the SUV features, the higher seating position for easier entry/exit, the sporty appearance more flexible cargo space not rigidly devoted to passengers, and as George Carlin claimed, it gives a way to carry our "stuff" with us.
I really like the rendering of the little Lexus. If based on the successful new RAV-4, it won't be THAT much smaller than the RX. I know that renderings ALWAYS look longer and lower than the production article (from the drawing it approaches the height of a civic), still very nice indeed.
Aviation buffs will recognize that reversed shark fin of an antenna as a steal from the Mooney!
I really like the rendering of the little Lexus. If based on the successful new RAV-4, it won't be THAT much smaller than the RX. I know that renderings ALWAYS look longer and lower than the production article (from the drawing it approaches the height of a civic), still very nice indeed.
Aviation buffs will recognize that reversed shark fin of an antenna as a steal from the Mooney!
#14
Speaks French in Russian
Originally Posted by Incendiary
Dude, you live in N. Philly? Whereabouts are you? I've heard horrible things, like it's almost worse than E. Baltimore...
#15
Lexus Test Driver
maybe the GS300's new 3.0L V6 doesn't have to go to waste after its dumped for the 3.5 soon. Or do you think this will be using a version of the new 3.5 as well?