Rumors

Autocar is reporting that the next-generation Lexus IS will be offered as a wagon—and will be hybrid-only:

...while the original model did offer an estate variant, called SportCross, the current car - introduced in 2005 - has never been available in a wagon.

Lexus insiders now admit that this policy has hurt sales of the car in Europe, where it must face the 3-series Touring and A4 Avant.

The next IS is also likely to only be available as a hybrid, fitting in with the firm’s current push towards this technology.

With its position well established in the US, Lexus is focusing more and more on the European market. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a wagon version of the GS some time in the future, as well.

As for the IS going hybrid-only, that’s likely just a marketing decision in Europe similar to only offering the RX 450h in the UK. I wouldn’t expect this to happen in the North American market.

Other tidbit in the article—the next-generation IS should appear in 2011. Not a big surprise, but nice to hear regardless.

[Source: Autocar]

Included as part of Motor Trend‘s Lexus GS-F rumor coverage was this Holiday Auto Magazine rendering of a possible look for the next generation SC:

This sketch manages borrows all the right elements from the existing lineup and puts together with some real potential, and the windshield-to-IS-F-air-vents is just brilliant, but I can’t imagine for one second that SC will be sporting the same grille as the current LS hybrid.

Motor Trend also elaborated on the rumor first spotted in Autocar:

The other star attraction in the upcoming Lexus lineup will be the next generation SC 600h, which is due to be unveiled in mid-2014. While the current SC is scheduled to go out of production in July of this year, the new SC coupe will resurface powered by a 5.0-liter V-8 hybrid system that drives the rear wheels. Set to lock horns with the Mercedes SL, the new luxury two-door is also expected to employ the GS’s rear-wheel torque split unit.

It’s a safe bet that the next-generation SC will be offered with the same engine options as the LS, which would naturally mean using the LS 600hL’s 5.0L hybrid system—still, I can’t believe that the next-generation SC won’t be available until 2014.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Among the numerous media reports covering the launch of the CT 200h, some interesting details about the new Lexus hatchback’s platform have emerged—Autocar reports (emphasis added):

The CT200h is 4320mm long, 1765mm and 1430mm high, meaning it is longer, wider and taller than the A3 and 1-series. Its 2600mm wheelbase is only eclipsed by the 1-series’ 2660mm and its 345-litre boot is bettered only by the A3’s 350-litre capacity. [...]

Although not confirmed, a small SUV and three-door CT200h are set to be spun off this platform.

A similar article was filed by Car and Driver regarding a possible new CT-based crossover:

We’ve also learned that the car is based on a new platform that isn’t shared with any other Lexus or Toyota products, featuring a wishbone rear suspension and struts up front. The architecture may be used in future Lexus products such as a small crossover, in which case it would use electric motors for an all-wheel-drive setup like that of the RX450h hybrid crossover.

It certainly would be interesting to see what a 3-door CT 200h would look like.  A small ‘cute-ute’ Lexus crossover has also been rumored for quite some time, although Lexus USA executives have questioned the suitability of such a model for the US market. In Europe however, a small hybrid crossover could build on the CT 200h’s foothold in the compact luxury segment. It appears that following Lexus’ decision to produce a model specifically engineered to the tastes of European luxury buyers, an expanded lineup of related Euro-focused compact models may be a genuine possibility.

[Sources: Autocar and Car and Driver]

Autocar is reporting that the Lexus GS-F is on deck for 2013 and will be powered by the LFA’s V10:

Lexus engineers are working on reducing the engine’s capacity by around 200cc to 4.6 litres and power to 450bhp. The idea is to improve low-range torque, although even with the reduced power output the GS-F will become the most powerful road-going Japanese saloon ever built.

The GS-F will be fitted with Toyota’s first torque vectoring differential. Similar to the diff used on BMW’s M cars and the likes of the X6 SUV, the ‘torque split unit’ actively apportions drive between the rear wheels to aid handling. A similar system is also expected to be fitted to the new SC.

The GS F has been long rumored, and at the Detroit Auto Show, even Lexus representatives were whispering about the possibility. The timeframe seems reasonable, and it wouldn’t surprise me to hear that Toyota was working on torque vectoring technology.

***

Also mentioned in the article is the next-generation SC:

The new SC will be unveiled in mid-2014, although the current car is due to finish production this July, leaving a four-year gap between the two cars. However, the next model will be a hybrid, powered by a 5.0-litre V8 and an electric motor driving the rear wheels only.

Can’t see the SC going on a four-year hiatus, even if it’s dependant on GS-F technology. That would be a long time for Lexus to go without a true sports coupe.

[Source: Autocar]

Edmund’s Inside Line is reporting that the new Lexus CT 200h may not be coming to the USA:

The curious got a first glance at the Lexus CT 200h on Friday via a teaser shot of the car’s cat’s-eye taillight, ahead of the full hybrid compact’s debut at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show in March. But U.S. consumers are unlikely to see this Lexus in their driveway anytime soon, Toyota told Inside Line.

“There are no plans, at present, to bring this vehicle to the U.S.,” said Toyota spokesman Curt McAllister in response to an e-mail query from IL.

Knowing that compact hatchbacks don’t typically perform well with American consumers AND with the HS 250h already on sale filling the “entry-level hybrid” role in the U.S. lineup, it’s not that difficult to see Lexus USA’s reasoning, at least in the short term. The 1.8L I4 engine might also be figuring into the decision—I would wouldn’t be surprised to see Lexus USA waiting until the engine options are increased and something more powerful is available.

[Source:Edmunds]

Earlier today, Lexus released a teaser image of the upcoming CT 200h hatchback’s rear tail light—and now we have another photo, this time from the front and extremely blurry—I tried brightening it up a bit:

If this photo is accurate, the production model looks to have a more traditional grille and the Lexus Hybrid LED headlights, but manages to retain much of the LF-Ch styling. The front bumper in particular looks to be lifted directly from the concept.

Put together this image with the aforementioned teaser image released today and the spy photo from January, and we can definitely start forming a picture of what the full CT 200h will look like on the outside. The next mystery? What it looks like on the inside.

(Thanks chotabacha!)