Photo: Lexus/edited by autoevolution
Currently, Lexus relies on the North American market to push most of its 500,000 unit annual sales. But that is about to change, as Toyota’s luxury brand is currently adapting its fleet to be more European compatible. The NX is the first example, and the automaker said it won’t stop here, planing to take out a new model every year until 2020.
Although it’s not on sale yet, the Lexus NX will make a hit in Europe, where buyers’ demand for crossovers is higher than ever. And since that’s only the equivalent of a BMW X3 or Audi Q5, Lexus plans a rival for smaller rivals too.
Lexus Europe’s vice-president Alain Uyttenhoven told Autocar that a small SUV makes sense for the brand and is doesn’t sound impossible at all. The new car has not been a hundred percent confirmed for production, but further comments suggested a car the size of the BMW X1 or Mercedes-Benz GLA priced under €40,000 is what the company needs for further diversifying its range.
Well, bring it on; that new 2-liter turbocharged engine should feel awesome on something smaller than the NX.
On the other hand, the same Uyttenhoven said a production LF-LC is part of the one-new-car-every-year project as well. According to what he disclosed, the car should fit into the range as a 2 + 2 grand tourer wearing the LC badge.
But what’s even more interesting is the fact that the new coupe is said to look almost the same as the concept. And since redesigning for production won’t be a problem anymore, with the concept being 90 percent conceived for production, the new luxury coupe could arrive as soon as 2016.
The down side of the story is that you’ll have to get the cash for it until the moment it will launch, as Uyttenhoven said the car won’t be sold in a big volume. Which also hints this will be some sort of a 500-unit LFA successor.
Lexus Europe’s vice-president Alain Uyttenhoven told Autocar that a small SUV makes sense for the brand and is doesn’t sound impossible at all. The new car has not been a hundred percent confirmed for production, but further comments suggested a car the size of the BMW X1 or Mercedes-Benz GLA priced under €40,000 is what the company needs for further diversifying its range.
Well, bring it on; that new 2-liter turbocharged engine should feel awesome on something smaller than the NX.
On the other hand, the same Uyttenhoven said a production LF-LC is part of the one-new-car-every-year project as well. According to what he disclosed, the car should fit into the range as a 2 + 2 grand tourer wearing the LC badge.
But what’s even more interesting is the fact that the new coupe is said to look almost the same as the concept. And since redesigning for production won’t be a problem anymore, with the concept being 90 percent conceived for production, the new luxury coupe could arrive as soon as 2016.
The down side of the story is that you’ll have to get the cash for it until the moment it will launch, as Uyttenhoven said the car won’t be sold in a big volume. Which also hints this will be some sort of a 500-unit LFA successor.
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