Is Major Lexus-Model Name Change on the Horizon?
CLUB LEXUS EXCLUSIVE: Recent revelations signal new BMW and Mercedes-like tactic for the first time in luxury brand’s history.
Since its inception, Lexus has taken a different approach from the competition when it comes to naming its vehicles. While BMW and Mercedes use established numbers and letters to signify models like the 3-Series and C-Class, Lexus has long used them to mirror engine displacement. Every model lineup starts with a two letter acronym, but the number that follows has historically changed as engine size changes.
But two recent Lexus model name changes have us wondering if the luxury automaker is getting ready to join the competition. Neither has caused much of a stir in the press, for whatever reason. But if Lexus is indeed getting ready to change its model-naming strategy for the first time in company history, it’s certainly worth discussing.
Just days ago, Lexus coyly made another major change when they rolled out the refreshed NX. It too wears a badge that breaks from longstanding tradition.
It all started when Lexus rolled out the all-new LS at the Detroit Auto Show back in January. When their flagship sedan debuted in 1990, it was dubbed the LS 400, because it has a 4.0 liter V8 under the hood. The switch to a 4.3 liter V8 also brought forth a change in the model name, to the LS 430. And later, the LS 460 sported a 4.6 liter V8.
But now, the latest Lexus flagship, with a 3.5 liter V6 under the hood, has been dubbed the LS 500 (like the new LC 500). But no one batted an eye, despite the major shift in both engine technology and model name. And then, just days ago, Lexus coyly made another major change when they rolled out the refreshed NX at the Shanghai Auto Show. It too wears a badge that breaks from longstanding tradition.
Just take a look at how Lexus sneakily worked the change into their press release for the 2018 NX. “Powering the NX 300—formerly called the NX 200t—will be Lexus’ powerful and fuel-efficient turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4, while the NX 300h’s hybrid drivetrain will continue with a 2.5-liter inline-4 combined with a pair of electric motors.”
With the previous generation of compact crossover, we knew that the NX 200t was powered by a 2.0 liter turbocharged engine. And now, the NX 300 is powered by, uh, a 2.0 liter, turbocharged engine. So, do these two changes signify that Lexus plans to change its entire model-naming strategy? It sure seems that way.
When you say you drive an LS 400, Lexus fans know exactly what gen it is. If such a change is coming, we’ll have to start using model years like everyone else. Ugh.
The real question is, how will fans of the brand take this news? There are quite a few folks out there that like being able to easily differentiate between models. When you tell a fellow Lexus enthusiast that you drive an LS 400 or an LS 430, they know exactly what generation LS you own. If Lexus is indeed planning such a change, we’ll have to start using model years like everyone else. Ugh.
Regardless, it’s probably simpler for automakers to use this sort of strategy. And since Lexus, like most automakers, is downsizing engine displacement across all models, the brand likely doesn’t want to make its newest models sound like inferior (or older) vehicles by comparison. So even if we don’t necessarily like the change, it does make a lot of sense, at least in the automotive world.
What do you think about Lexus’ name changes?
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