LexFather

Lexus hot for ultrasedan segment

There will be no Lexus minivan or pickup truck, says general manager Denny Clements, but the upscale Toyota brand is planning two exotic additions to its popular luxury lineup - coming this fall, the hybrid-engine RX 330 SUV and an ultra-sedan in the $100,000 price range somewhat later.

Confirmed in an Automotive News interview (May 3) by Toyota Motor Sales USA chief Yuki Funo, the six-figure Lexus would join a growing segment of ultra-sedans and coupes. It would presumably be longer and more powerful than Lexus' LS 430 sedan, Funo indicated, boasting a V-10 or V-12 engines, as compared to the V-8.

The as-yet unnamed ultra-sedan will become Lexus' flagship, says Funo, giving tradeup owners of the LS 430 a Lexus to acquire instead of a competitor like Mercedes Maybach or the projected Cadillac V-12 sedan.

Funo disclaimed any intention of copycatting the Maybach, which has separate showrooms and a far higher suggested retail price than $100,000. But Lexus dealers, who endorse the super Lexus program as an owner "keeper," feel that if properly executed, the deluxe Lexus will give the 15-year-old brand a "halo car" the Japanese have lacked and one the hoi polloi in Palm Beach and Palm Springs will aspire to own as they have a Rolls-Royce Phantom or Mercedes S600.

Of course, the Cadillac sedan would hopefully be a similar gotta-have for the ultras, if and when GM turns it loose. The numbers are small in the gestating ultra segment, but the battle for supremacy among the crème de la crème will be fun to watch. -Mac Gordon

http://www.thecarconnection.com/inde...&sid=173&n=156

jet864

Bout time. Guess all our assumptions were correct. Now will this be the kinda strange looking convertible thats been around the forums recently?

James

Overclocker

Wowzers, it's actually gonna happen!

I wonder if it's going to be the Century?

SC400-V8

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, and hopefully the V12 will have more than 280 horsepower like the century's has.

Overclocker

That was a self-imposed limit on HP in Japan for the Japanese market. I think they’ve gotten over that limit and that engine had and has a lot more in it.

LexFather

All new car. NOTHING like the Century. Think new LS 430 x2.

retrodrive

Not a Century I hope...that is one ugly Toyota

-J-P-L-

Look at what the LS430 is doing to the competition and it starts at only $56,000!

A $100,000 LEX will destroy the $125,000 S600 and 760 sedans. There won't even
be a need to compare them.

Hameed

Now we just need to see a similar confirmed thread on the AMG/M competitors that Lexus is developing.

D-MAN63

woo hoo!!

mmarshall

This, in my opinion, begs the question.......if you already have an LS430, one of the finest luxury cars in the world, why would you WANT anything else...even if it has a V10 or V12? I think that for Lexus to spend all that time, money, and engineering on a car like this is unnecessary...the LS 430 is ALREADY such a wonderful luxury car that what would really be gained by doing so? The resources would be better spent in three areas. First, more AWD systems for existing Lexus sedans and coupes (the new AWD GS is a good start) to increase their practicality in Snow Belt states. Second, a V8 IS430 to compete with the BMW M-cars and Mercedes AMG's. Third, higher-mileage drivetrains ( possibly diesels ) to address the growing problem of expensive gas. Again, the hybrid RX330 is a good start.

-J-P-L-

You do have good points. However, even with the supurb LS430, Lexus needs a halo car
that finally tells the Mercedes and BMW people that Lexus is easily at the same level (even
though we know that Lexus is already on a higher level). Although the perception of the Lexus
brand is quite prestigous, there are still people who say they're just Toyota's with added luxury
(which kind of pisses me off). A $100,000 model will help change this once and for all.


Also, anyone have any guesses on what letter designation this model may carry. Lexus
seems to have used up all the good ones in the alphabet. It has to end in "S" for sedan.
CS600
TS600
BS600...no, that's no good
VS600
RS600...to common
DS600

It's a tough call

LexFather

I see what your saying but the competition is offering some great new products and the competitons quality is improving. This 100k sedan will seperate Lexus totally from the Lincolns, Acuras, Infinitis, Volvos etc (especially as they love the down market).

People will have no choice but to think Benz, BMW, Lexus (what the current media and auto experts see as the big 3).

MGS4

the current Toyota Century has been selling in the market since 1996. I believe Toyota is building a new Century which is going to be offered in the North American market.

EvgeshaIS300

what about SS600 Super Sedan