How likely is it for Lexus to come up with an F version of the NX or UX in the foreseeable future? The Macan is likely Porsche's best selling model, Audi (R)S3's and Golf GTI's and R's are fairly successful, too. What's stopping Lexus from aiming for that segment?

 

they're fwd for one thing

 

So's the GTI, the RS3 is fwd-based AWD. Shouldn't be the issue here since AWD variants of the NX are available, too.

 

Why do all that when they haven't even released another ISF, until they bring back the IS F who cares about those other cars.

 

I think one of the best performing cars is a fwd Honda Civic Type R.

 

well people care, but good point about the ISF. there's the RC-F and GS-F though although they're kinda long in the tooth.

but back to the original question:

Quote:

How likely is it for Lexus to come up with an F version of the NX or UX in the foreseeable future?

i'd say highly highly unlikely in the foreseeable future. i'd say more likely to see an electric version of one or both before that might ever happen.

 

To me it feels like Lexus released the LC, and since then, nothing really exciting has come out. I mean the ES F Sport doesn't count as exciting. Edit: Okay, so there was the RC F Track Edition... People can say it handles a lot better than the old one all they want, but it will never be as balanced as a proper RWD-based vehicle.

I think they'll continue the F Sport trims on those crossovers, but I doubt we'd ever see an F version, unless something like the LF-1 Limitless went to production.

 

Its not the chassis that are issues. Lexus makes some really great handling vehicles. Its their powertrain development thats been stagnant in the last 10 years. They are literally the absolute worst major car company in terms of performance powertrains. Dead last

 

Buick, Chrysler, Fiat, Mini, Smart...

 

I'm talking about access to powertrains from the whole company. Lexus = Toyota. What does Toyota have in its arsenal? the ancient V8

Buick = GM = a whole slew of insanely powerful engines

Chrysler and Fiat = FCA = 6.2L of supercharged goodness

Mini = BMW = The stuff Toyota couldn't do on its own so it used a BMW engine

Smart = Mercedes

 

I'm not sure if I really understand your references here, but I would not consider Mini or Smart to be major brands, at least in the U.S., They are basically small branches of BMW and Mercedes. Fiat, I'll grant you, is huge internationally, but only very small player here in the U.S.

As for Buick and Chrysler powertrains, Buick's are essentially no different from those of the other three GM divisions, and Chrysler has some of the largest and most torque-heavy V8 powerplants in the industry...especially at under 100K prices.

 

Parent aside, Buick, Mini, Fiat are International players, show me a performance powertrain in any of those makes. FCA has V8's via Dodge and Jeep, Chrysler does not. What's the most potent powertrain in a Buick? NA 3.6L, not a fire breathing LS-series engine.

I understand EZZ is a Tesla homer and loves his instant acceleration, but that is just silly to say Lexus is dead last. What about Acura? 1 performance powertrain = NSX. Infiniti 1 performance powertrain = Red Sport.

Toyota has a supercharged 3.5L that Lotus uses. Toyota has the bonkers street leagal GR Super Sport coming with the 2.4TT V6. LC F on the horizon..

 

OK, in that sense, I agree. I wasn't sure what your point was earlier, but that explains it some.

I agree it's silly to debate "dead last" on powertrains. And, as I have pointed out in earlier threads, those so-called "dated" Toyota and Lexus powertrains are noted for their reliability. There ARE advantages to keeping engines and transmissions in production long enough to perfect them.

 

What is with hate on Buick here? Buick is not a performance brand. I don’t understand

 

Last I checked, Infiniti = Nissan = GTR??? Acura has the NSX or Honda NSX in Japan. 2L turbo in the Civic Type R is gangbusters in a small car...lets compare that to the pathetic 2L turbo from Lexus. Infiniti = Nissan. I think the GTR has done fine and continues to do so performance wise. I can't tell you how many fast GTRs are here in so-cal. Chrysler still has that Hemi V8 and access Fiat Chrysler's lineup right? Last I saw, the Jeep Trailhawk was borrowing from Dodge Hellcat V8. Buick is GM and they share everything. Camaro shares most of its chassis lineage from Caddy and tell me Caddy doesn't borrow heavily from GM engines. Buick can have the same access if it needed the firepower. Lexus competes with BMW, Mercedes, Audi but doesn't have access to any performance engines outside of the ancient V8. Face it...Toyota has lagged behind in performance powertrain development and is dead last right now in that department. Criticism deserved