Lexus RX 240? Lexus LS 450h?

Posted by Kevin on July 26th, 2010

The Bangkok Post has some engine variation rumors regarding the RX & LS:

Later this year, Japan’s top nameplate is set to offer a third engine variant of its RX sport-utility vehicle in the guise of RX270 with 2WD. For the first time, the new entry-level RX would be getting a four-cylinder petrol engine currently used in the Toyota Fortuner and Land Cruiser Prado.

Such a move would help widen the RX customer base, which currently has only two pricey options including the V6-powered RX350 and hybrid-driven RX450h, both of which are priced at over B5m due to 50% excise tax.

Earlier, Lexus had pledged to not build a four-pot motor for the RX in the form of RX240 (Toyota Harrier-style) fearing a diluted image.[..]

For long, Thai product planners have aspired for a six-pot unit for the flagship LS saloon which its parent firm in Japan refused to develop.

Sources say it is possible the next-generation LS could see a V6 option alongside the V8 (LS460) and hybrid (LS600h) so it can compete with the BMW 730i and Mercedes-Benz S300 on the B8m front. A hybrid version using the V6 petrol/electric combination of the RX450h and GS450h is also possible.

A RX 240 wouldn’t be entirely out of the question, after all, the ES 240 has been available in China since last year — however, I’m sure Lexus will wait to see how the RX 270 is received before making any decision.

As for the LS V6 rumor, it’s an older rumor, and it certainly makes sense given the import taxes placed on big V8s in some countries. More interesting is the thought of using the hybrid/V6 from the RXh, which would turn a V6 flagship sedan into something with much larger potential appeal.

LS 450h, anyone?

[Source: The Bangkok Post]

Comments

W
WorldofLuxury
July 26, 2010

The Prado can run on 4-pot?! aha It sounds like they're smoking pot or something. Anyways, let them have those cars; just don't bring them to the US. Still, it would be very unfortunate if the attempts to refine the small engines aren't rewarded by sales. Seriously though... I want to see Lexus run some prototypes and mules right NOW! Oh, and considering what we have to deal with here in America, especially in LA, I don't think smaller engines would be all that efficient, so that's an immediate no from the US. (Apparently there are some people who like to call Lexus vehicles slow even though they don't understand the point of big engines in mainstream luxury vehicles.) I'm sorry; I'm digressing all over the place...

L
LFAaddict
July 26, 2010

LS hybrid = Unnecessary. People with the money to buy the LS600hL literally do not care about gas mileage like other hybrid owners (like the souls doomed with the Prius curse.) They simply buy it for the power, exclusivity, etc. Making an 80 grand hybrid is just unsensible. A 30 grand RX hybrid is somewhat better...but seeing as the RX450h sales aren't up there with the RX which is only about 7 grand more tells me 7k less won't boost sales that much either. The best solution would be an ES hybrid. P.S. @krew Is the good news coming out this week by any chance? Please :-D?

L
LFAaddict
July 26, 2010

@WorldofLuxury: Exactly, here in Glendale (which is in L.A.), you almost never see luxury hybrids. Why? 5 or 6 mpg isn't going to make all the difference to a 5 or 6 figure monthly paycheck (Very common in these parts). A Prius to somebody who doesn't care about cars and doesn't want a waste of money is the better buy.

W
WorldofLuxury
July 26, 2010

@LFAaddict: ooo... uh... We're not really on the same track. As much as I'm not a big fan of Lexus hybrids' accomplishments, I wasn't really bashing them. I was bashing tiny, 4-cylinder engines. There's a lot of Lexus hybrids in my suburban area, right on the border of LA, right next to Orange County (I hear Disney fireworks every night - I'm far enough to like them instead of being disturbed by them) lol Anyways, I digressed, again. Two key points bugging me right now: - The Lexus dealership in my city is in the world's biggest auto square in the world in terms of number of dealers. And I hate how it resembles nothing like that of a Lexus dealer. - Secondly, THE CT 200h DRIVING EVENT in LA HAS BEEN DELAYED!!!

E
emptystreets130
July 26, 2010

I wouldn't mind seeing a couple of 4 banger in the Lexus lineup. MB and BMW are downsizing their engine and puting FI on a majority of them to make more power than their 8 cyl or even their 6 cyl engine that they are replacing. It would be Lexus best interest to follow the market. Toyota already has some good DI technology on their 4 and 6 cyl. It just time for them to step it up a notch and add a FI, that way they can cater to all markets without spending more time and effort in creating different engines for different markets.

W
WorldofLuxury
July 26, 2010

@emptystreets130: aha No doubt Lexus is going to give in. Cash flow have always been their biggest pride rather than pure reputation as a tier-1 chasing luxury automaker. I myself have a 730Li, and... I'm not proud of it. lol It's an E66, and I just really liked the looks of it. When I want to have fun, I take out my stock LS 400 lol

J
Jay
July 27, 2010

Sounds like a great idea for the next generation of Lexus hybrids. LS hybrid could remain as the power hybrid with increased power and efficiency. Would be nice to see an RX hybrid with the 2.7 liter engine making well over 200 hp and averaging 30-33 MPG. If they can do this and hit a price point starting in the low 30's Lexus will have a home run on their hands. Also an ES hybrid that would share a slightly modified version of the Camry hybrid engine would compliment the Lexus lineup greatly. If Lexus did this it should only have a $3k or so premium over a well equipped Camry hybrid. Honestly Lexus could save the money on R&D for the new HS by dropping it and replacing it with the ES hybrid.

S
Steven
July 27, 2010

Just in case people have forgotten, Lexus is a luxury brand under Toyota. I don't think Lexus is very concerned with sales because Toyota pretty much has that taken care of. Being a luxury brand, I think Lexus is more concerned with image so giving its flagship LS model a V6 engine would probably make it less prestigious and kinda cheap. The LS is known for premium luxury. A V6 version would not live up to the LS name. They should give the V6 to the other sedans in the lineup and leave the V8 with the LS at the top! Can't wait for the day when I get to drive one home!

W
WorldofLuxury
July 27, 2010

@Steven: aha From what I see, Toyota is very concerned with how much profit they make. They are concerned with image if it influences their business. Once the world starts to accept tiny engines again, Toyota might give in. I wasn't a big fan of Lexus vehicles going back to the 200s, especially in the American market (e.g.: HS 250h and CT 200h), but apparently, it's all necessary now that many Americans have forgotten about the benefits of large engines, especially their efficiency.

E
emptystreets130
July 27, 2010

@Steven: the opposite is true about bigger displacement engine. In most markets having a bigger engine means that it will fall under a certain tax bracket which makes it a little less appealing to most people. They could jump over to BMW, who has a smaller displacement engine that makes more power than what the other competitor has with a bigger displacement engine. Having a bigger engine does not mean more or less prestigious. What makes Lexus prestigious is it's customer service, quality, reputation and how they market the vehicles. It has nothing to do with engine size. For example, Japan, the Camry is actually more expensive and it doesn't sell well than the Mark X because of where the Camry is in their system. Even tho the Mark X is more luxurious and host a lot more features than the Camry, The Mark X is the better value. You get a .1 L advantage which makes more power than the Camry's 2.4L (which is still Japan's mainstream engine for the Camry), RWD vs. FWD, A GS sized vehicle which is tad more expensive than a fully loaded Camry.

W
WorldofLuxury
July 28, 2010

@emptystreets130: aha First, I'm not a big fan of turbos in today's BMWs, no matter what people say. Imo, large, naturally aspirated engines = status. lol And from what I understand, the Mark X engine is much more sophisticated than the Camry's... or maybe it's simply because the Mark X's engine was designed to burn fuel more quickly. It's not just the extra displacement. Just look at how little power gain the gas engine in the LSh has over the LS 460's.

E
emptystreets130
July 28, 2010

@WorldofLuxury: Anyways, you're missing the point. I wasn't talking about FI, I was simply talking about how smaller engine are making it's way into the premium luxury market.

W
WorldofLuxury
July 28, 2010

@emptystreets130: aha I see. Well, I'm not a big fan, but if necessary... lol here in the US, it's nothing much to see a V12 S-klasse or 7er. Interestingly, I pay more attention to S320 and the new 740Li.

F
FreeSpirit
July 28, 2010

i agree on LS450h but i wanna all hybrid lexus to take the new hybrid tech found in Your text to link here... if that tech spread in lexus logo we can see LS450h with 40MPG and 500hp the LS600h with 30MPG and 650+hp woow

Lexus RX 240? Lexus LS 450h?

Popular Stories

Comments