Lexus new compact SUV
Lexus Compact Crossover Spotted?
Shortly after the announcement that Lexus would debut a new concept car at this month’s Paris Motor Show, Leftlane News posted spy photos of what they claim is a camouflaged Lexus compact crossover.
The only problem with the theory? The mystery crossover strongly resembles a previously spotted Toyota RAV4 prototype:
Despite the similarities, there are some noticeable differences:
•The headlights, the fog lights, and the slope of the hood line are all very similar, but appear to have different proportions.
•The side mirrors on the mystery crossover are door mounted — a common Lexus design characteristic. The RAV4 are window mounted.
•There’s been significant effort to cover the rear door shape and hide the rear profile of the mystery crossover.
•The trunk doors and the entire rear bumpers are distinct from one another — the RAV4 rear door drops deep into a thin bumper, where the mystery crossover door has a more CT-like shape.
•The mystery crossover has dual exhausts.
Add in the fact that the mystery crossover was out testing with a Range Rover Evoque and an Audi Q3, and it makes for an interesting puzzle. One thing’s for sure, if Lexus was testing a compact crossover, there would be no better disguise than mirroring an already-photographed RAV4 prototype.
The only problem with the theory? The mystery crossover strongly resembles a previously spotted Toyota RAV4 prototype:
Despite the similarities, there are some noticeable differences:
•The headlights, the fog lights, and the slope of the hood line are all very similar, but appear to have different proportions.
•The side mirrors on the mystery crossover are door mounted — a common Lexus design characteristic. The RAV4 are window mounted.
•There’s been significant effort to cover the rear door shape and hide the rear profile of the mystery crossover.
•The trunk doors and the entire rear bumpers are distinct from one another — the RAV4 rear door drops deep into a thin bumper, where the mystery crossover door has a more CT-like shape.
•The mystery crossover has dual exhausts.
Add in the fact that the mystery crossover was out testing with a Range Rover Evoque and an Audi Q3, and it makes for an interesting puzzle. One thing’s for sure, if Lexus was testing a compact crossover, there would be no better disguise than mirroring an already-photographed RAV4 prototype.
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Poll
The RX crossover has served Lexus well as its only car-based SUV offering, but with the brands like BMW and Audi introducing entry-level crossovers, should the Japanese brand consider adding a smaller crossover to slot beneath the venerable RX?
As we previously reported, Lexus might already be planning such a vehicle. Rumored to be called the Lexus CX, the new crossover would be based on the 2013 Toyota RAV4’s platform and could face off with the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. If a small Lexus crossover is on the way, expect it to arrive in the U.S. no sooner than fall of next year.
But does Lexus need a sub-RX crossover? Through September, year-to-date sales of the RX were up 18% from the previous year with a total of 67,048 units sold in the 1st 9 months. The next-best seller during the same period is the Lexus ES, with just 36,134 units sold. Based on those numbers, there’s clearly no shortage of RX buyers. In our recent test of the RX 350 F Sport, we found a few of the intended sporty touches to be a bit overdone, but the spindle grille face-lift and revised interior a success. The RX’s appeal hasn’t waned, but the $40,205 starting price of the front- drive model could be too steep for some crossover shoppers. That’s where an entry-level model could come in.
Does Lexus need a compact crossover or would such a model cannibalize sales of the already successful RX? Vote in our poll below and share your thoughts in the comments section.
^ I don't think it's a matter of should. It's a matter of when? RX is just too "midsized" any more. It's not a small vehicle. I'd vote add a sub RX model, offer the RX in both 5/7 seating options, do away with the GX (unless switched to a unibody 7-passenger still leaving the RX 5) and carry on with the LX
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http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...116-2csey.html
Lexus is readying itself for battle against the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Range Rover Evoque with a new small SUV.
Drive learnt of the news at the Detroit motor show, as Kazuo Ohara, executive vice president of Lexus International, told of an SUV smaller than the current RX which is currently under "serious consideration".
Specific details are still under wraps, but Ohara told Drive that the new SUV is a crucial model if the brand intends to increase its growth worldwide.
"Yes, we believe there is a need," Kazuo says. "Smaller than the RX – a smaller SUV is going to be a promising option for the global market."
"So we are looking into it," he says.
When asked whether the car would be based off the same platform as the boxy, urban-focused CT200h hatchback, Ohara replied with caution.
"It's still secret, but we are seriously considering [offering a car such as this]."
Kazuo confirmed that a concept vehicle will be uncovered this year, "maybe around Tokyo [motor show]", which falls in late November.
Possibilities for the next-generation small SUV from Lexus could include a revamped version of the new RAV4 from its parent company Toyota, or an all-new model that is expected to have edgy styling like the just-revealed IS sedan.
The aforementioned rivals have seen huge sales success in Australia, as well as globally. The Audi Q5 was the top seller in the segment last year, with 2830 sales in Australia, ahead of the BMW X3 (2500) and the Range Rover Evoque (2496).
Drive learnt of the news at the Detroit motor show, as Kazuo Ohara, executive vice president of Lexus International, told of an SUV smaller than the current RX which is currently under "serious consideration".
Specific details are still under wraps, but Ohara told Drive that the new SUV is a crucial model if the brand intends to increase its growth worldwide.
"Yes, we believe there is a need," Kazuo says. "Smaller than the RX – a smaller SUV is going to be a promising option for the global market."
"So we are looking into it," he says.
When asked whether the car would be based off the same platform as the boxy, urban-focused CT200h hatchback, Ohara replied with caution.
"It's still secret, but we are seriously considering [offering a car such as this]."
Kazuo confirmed that a concept vehicle will be uncovered this year, "maybe around Tokyo [motor show]", which falls in late November.
Possibilities for the next-generation small SUV from Lexus could include a revamped version of the new RAV4 from its parent company Toyota, or an all-new model that is expected to have edgy styling like the just-revealed IS sedan.
The aforementioned rivals have seen huge sales success in Australia, as well as globally. The Audi Q5 was the top seller in the segment last year, with 2830 sales in Australia, ahead of the BMW X3 (2500) and the Range Rover Evoque (2496).
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Yup, all the signs showed years ago that this was going to be a huge growing market. People in Europe are now ditching their sedans and manuals for SUVs and automatics. As the RX continues to grow there is room for a car below it.
On the other hand the RX sells 5-12k units every month and I hope it does not cause too much cannibalization of such a high selling and profitable model. Lexus is smart but they are slow to move.
Acura's new RDX is a CR-V based thing and consumers don't care, at the worst the new NX could be Rav-4 based, especially since it now offers torque-vectoring, which oddly the RDX lost.
The Q5, GLK, Evoque, X1, X3 are all selling like mad.
On the other hand the RX sells 5-12k units every month and I hope it does not cause too much cannibalization of such a high selling and profitable model. Lexus is smart but they are slow to move.
Acura's new RDX is a CR-V based thing and consumers don't care, at the worst the new NX could be Rav-4 based, especially since it now offers torque-vectoring, which oddly the RDX lost.
The Q5, GLK, Evoque, X1, X3 are all selling like mad.
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Yeah..Rav-4 has torque vectoring and the Nissan Juke of all things....
But my sources indicate the NX is going for the Evoque more so than the others..a real stylish mini SUV.. now with Lexus recent shift in style, I can believe that.
But my sources indicate the NX is going for the Evoque more so than the others..a real stylish mini SUV.. now with Lexus recent shift in style, I can believe that.
tall CTh? prob not since CTh was purpose built hybrid. or i could def. see it use the rav4 platform.
regardless, i have said for years that sedans don't really make any sense in today's world. they're terrible on space efficiency, and most don't really offer a more compelling drive than a cuv.
regardless, i have said for years that sedans don't really make any sense in today's world. they're terrible on space efficiency, and most don't really offer a more compelling drive than a cuv.
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