LS coupe?
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Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Lexus Town, USA
LS coupe?
Why is there no LS coupe to compete with the Mercedes CL (soon to be renamed as S class coupe) and BMW 6 Series? In certain areas, these 2 door flagships sell very well. Lexus could pick up more of the market with an LS coupe or even an LS C convertible. If people want a high end coupe or convertible right now, the closest thing Lexus has is a severely dated SC430 (doesn't even offer keyless ignition!)
What do you think?
What do you think?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,695
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From: CA
I would be very interested in a possible LS coupe, but I think a new SC is the priority along with an IS coupe at Lexus. But for sure, IMO the LS coupe would be the ultimate in luxury and be a real competitor to the CL.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Sakon Nakhon
High end coupes are notorious for bleeding automaker's bottom lines. They just don't have much market appeal here. The customers they would appeal to could barely muster enough cash to make the downpayment, and the snob appeal factor in this sector is so much stronger. Even in the Toyota realm, there are a lot of noteworthy coupes that have fallen by the wayside. In essence, it's a very small overcrowded market that I doubt a prudent investor like Toyota/Lexus would venture in, especially with its flagship.
Now, if they were available with a manual, I'd be first in line.
But it'll never happen on this side of the pond, I can guarantee that. The only reason they are available from BMW/M-B is because they already produce them for their more demanding home market. The same can be said about diesel.
Now, if they were available with a manual, I'd be first in line.
But it'll never happen on this side of the pond, I can guarantee that. The only reason they are available from BMW/M-B is because they already produce them for their more demanding home market. The same can be said about diesel.
i am sure it will capture some market, but keyword is some. imho lexus is not big and strong and stable enough to crank out all these low volume cars to compete with bmw and mb head to head yet (especially mb with their huge heritage).
imho before they hit cars like LS coupe to face off with mb CL, they need
- new sc, a more solid seller in the coupe segment
- gsf. i see more m5 and e63 and even cls63 than cl
- is coupe, a better one, and not convertible
- a gs that's stronger in the market
my 2 cents
imho before they hit cars like LS coupe to face off with mb CL, they need
- new sc, a more solid seller in the coupe segment
- gsf. i see more m5 and e63 and even cls63 than cl
- is coupe, a better one, and not convertible
- a gs that's stronger in the market
my 2 cents
Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,695
Likes: 2
From: CA
High end coupes are notorious for bleeding automaker's bottom lines. They just don't have much market appeal here. The customers they would appeal to could barely muster enough cash to make the downpayment, and the snob appeal factor in this sector is so much stronger. Even in the Toyota realm, there are a lot of noteworthy coupes that have fallen by the wayside. In essence, it's a very small overcrowded market that I doubt a prudent investor like Toyota/Lexus would venture in, especially with its flagship.
I agree, in principle, in order to build credibility with coupes in general, the SC and IS coupes are key. A GS/GS-F could also be indirectly helpful, and on a similar front the LS Sport or a future LS-F also could bridge the way towards an LS coupe. However, it's possible that the 3SC (rumored now as SC 600h) could also take more LS cues (luxury, refinement, styling, hybrid).
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CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Canada
I think they should think about a GS coupe AND a new SC convertible first before a LS coupe(no chance IMO).
The market will be larger for smaller coupes and convertibles than a large coupe like a CL (very slow seller even when newly redesigned).
A GS coupe would be like a continuation of the 1SC, and new SC would be a continuation of the 2SC.
The market will be larger for smaller coupes and convertibles than a large coupe like a CL (very slow seller even when newly redesigned).
A GS coupe would be like a continuation of the 1SC, and new SC would be a continuation of the 2SC.
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I think they should think about a GS coupe AND a new SC convertible first before a LS coupe(no chance IMO).
The market will be larger for smaller coupes and convertibles than a large coupe like a CL (very slow seller even when newly redesigned).
A GS coupe would be like a continuation of the 1SC, and new SC would be a continuation of the 2SC.
The market will be larger for smaller coupes and convertibles than a large coupe like a CL (very slow seller even when newly redesigned).
A GS coupe would be like a continuation of the 1SC, and new SC would be a continuation of the 2SC.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 48
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From: delaware
LC Coupe
MB just came out with an E Class coupe, it is sweet. The SC seams to be an ofterthought. It doesn't look like the engineers put a lot of thought into the exterior design. It looks to round as opposed to sleek. I'm over 6' and TRIED to get into the SC - yea right. If Lexus is going to make a coupe/convertible, make it and don't fake it IMO
Lexus Champion
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From: CA
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I don't know worldwide figures but Benz only sells 30-80 CLs a month here. It simply isn't a big market and the Bentley Continental really is a strong proposition here (hell used they are easily under 100k).
I believe Benz is going back to calling it the S-class coupe as well and dropping the CL name.
That said I believe coupes are needed for Lexus to continue to fight its staid image, even if its a nice big comfy coupe.
Related...Audi had an A8 coupe concept in 1997
I believe Benz is going back to calling it the S-class coupe as well and dropping the CL name.
That said I believe coupes are needed for Lexus to continue to fight its staid image, even if its a nice big comfy coupe.
Related...Audi had an A8 coupe concept in 1997
they need to extend that bottom chrome strip (or just take it out) and give that rear quarter a diet