New Lexus Model Every Year Until 2020?

Posted by Kevin on July 17th, 2014

New information today about the Lexus coupe based on the LF-LC concept — from Autocar:

The dramatic LF-LC was first seen at the Detroit motor show in 2012, and [Lexus Europe’s vice-president Alain] Uyttenhoven said that company boss Akio Toyoda “doesn’t want the production car to look any different from the concept”. Uyttenhoven said that the LF-LC concept was anything between 90 and 100 per cent representative of the production car, which he has seen.

“The production LF-LC will not be huge volume [car] for Lexus, but it will bring huge emotion,” said Uyttenhoven. “Every year [until 2020] there will be a new model for Lexus, either a volume car like the NX or a model to boost brand image [like the LF-LC].”

While a production LF-LC has been confirmed for some time, there are two major pieces of information in this quote — namely that the production LF-LC design is done, and that Lexus will be releasing a NEW model every year up to 2020.

The article sets the timeline with the NX this year, the RC next year, and the LF-LC in 2016. In North America, both the NX & RC will be released this year.

Regardless, it means at least four new models before the decade ends — this might be a slower pace than Lexus’ German competitors, but it’s still an accelerated pace compared to the new product pipeline over the past few years.

What do you think Lexus needs in the lineup? Seven-seat SUV? Small sports coupe? Ultra-luxury sedan? Leave your thoughts in the comments and let’s get discussing.

[Source: Autocar]

Comments

M
matisse
July 17, 2014

Aligned with a new models It just needs more powerful turbo engines, as for example twin turbo 3.0 (Porsche)

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Wojtek
July 17, 2014

To boost up sale in Europe we don't need image models. We need AWD in IS and GS. We need 2.0t engine in IS with AWD. Majority of AUDI salles are Quatro with TSI engine, BMW with Xdrive and turbo petrol engine, Mercedes have thier 1.6 liter turbo engines is A,B,C class and they are selling very very well. These are probably just my, salesman dreams - but who knows...

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Сафиуллина-Мохамед Рамазанов
July 17, 2014

i said this before you ;)

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Carmaker1
July 17, 2014

"Freeze period"? Not true for the SC and possibly not for the next LS. The next RX should be in design patents/design registrations already and was completed in 2013. However, the next LS design process is likely concluding with design development of a chosen proposal or just reached the design freeze, being that mid-2016 is likely start of production. The SC was reported to be, barely being built in full-scale this year, so that still has at most 1 year left to go before an production engineered design is approved. Your theory about all 3 being finished is somewhat questionable, when only one of them certainly is.

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Сафиуллина-Мохамед Рамазанов
July 17, 2014

the info i have is that all the 3 in design freeze now as i been told that the LS maybe introduced at December 2015 or January 2016 so the best guessing is Tokyo if December (which will be matching with the LF-SH) or NAIAS if January (which will be matching with the LS460)

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Carmaker1
July 18, 2014

Thank you and I apologize greatly for that wrong assumption of mine. Doing some research before reading your reply, I made a terrible mistake and did not read the krew's article fully. I usually try not to be so lazily in that manner, but was out celebrating my sister's birthday and quite distracted. Seems that Toyota has increased the production development phase to 3 years now on RWD-based models, seeing how the SC design was finalised 3 years ahead of 2017 production. If this year for the SC, then it means the LS was done last year.

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Сафиуллина-Мохамед Рамазанов
July 18, 2014

congratulation to your sister

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Carmaker1
July 18, 2014

Thank you! Not sure who this was, but I have an idea though. Quite polite of you and we appreciate it. Drove for 2 hrs down to London from Birmingham with her RX450 yesterday morning and then back. She's more of a Lexus enthusiast than me!

C
Carmaker1
July 18, 2014

And I clearly didn't read the article. He is correct. The next RX and LS production designs would've been frozen in 2013, with the 2017 SC the newest design development at Lexus R&D.

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codenamejanrei
July 17, 2014

RX is not based on Toyota Highlander. It is based on the Toyota Harrier.

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ydooby
July 18, 2014

No, the RX *is* the Harrier, which does share the chassis with the Highlander.

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Carmaker1
July 18, 2014

The RX isn't the Harrier anymore, especially since the introduction of Lexus to Japan.

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Carmaker1
July 18, 2014

No it isn't. The Harrier is related to it, but not based on it nor should it hint to anything 4RX.

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Lexus Cohen
July 20, 2014

I think the Harrier and Kluger are on the same platform, the GX and the Prado same platform. Not sure about the fortuner and the hilux.

A
alex
July 17, 2014

Hope all future F performance cars could have distinct exhaust note like LFA, which would be truly unique to Lexus Hope to see Lexus IS estate at facelift, and SC replacement hardtop convertible aimed at SL and California

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Pikester
July 17, 2014

1) GS-F; 2) BMW JV coupe; 3) TX : 7 Seater SUV; 4) SC (LF-LC) and maybe a SC-F that will be great (twin-turbo V8)

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Сафиуллина-Мохамед Рамазанов
July 17, 2014

-the F or F sport is not a new or separate model -TX will not be at least until this moment instead the next RX will have 5 or 7 seats

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Alex
July 17, 2014

They need to come out with their F cars now. You need the LSF and GSF (not to mention new ISF) and the new SC which seems like it is coming! And I agree with the 7 seat and another ultra luxury LS. I mean Benz and Audi and BMW all have their flagship car $150,000 or above. Lexus needs to follow and make it even better! Great things are coming from Lexus!

С
Сафиуллина-Мохамед Рамазанов
July 17, 2014

F version for the next generation LS is confirmed from year ago by AKIO himself and it will be power by the 5.0 twin turbo 650 TMG, also this will be the same engine powering the SC F

A
Alex
July 17, 2014

So how fast is the LSF 650 TMG going to be? Will it match up to the Germans in performance?

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Сафиуллина-Мохамед Рамазанов
July 18, 2014

honestly you can read the review here http://lexusenthusiast.com/2013/09/12/evo-reviews-the-twin-turbo-lexus-ls-tmg-ts-650-super-sports-sedan/ this is what they succeed to do with the current chassis + honestly if 650 horse power is not enough for 630hp Mercedes S65 AMG 585hp Mercedes S63 AMG 520hp Audi S8 510hp BMW Alpina B7 550hp Jaguar XJR or even 523hp Maserati Quattroporte 550hp Panamera Turbo S 470hp Aston Martin Rapide if the next LS F with the new chassis and this amazing engine fail to face all those big guys with it's 650hp so no lexus will do

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abed
July 20, 2014

not exactly, lexus cars have no problems with 0-60 times its more of handling, and 650 hp is a lot but if it cant handle like the germans then thats it, its dead, the LS is not made for sport driving so it will have a hard time competing with the germans which are made to be sporty, i mean 7 series and jaguar xjr....

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Сафиуллина-Мохамед Рамазанов
July 20, 2014

read EVO review and you will have the answer on your handling question here http://www.germancarforum.com/community/threads/super-lexus-ls-tmg-edition.39753/page-2#post-659542 or here http://imgur.com/a/kRvsn

J
Jake
July 18, 2014

I thought the LC (SC?) would be powered by a hybrid engine delivering over 550 HP, had no idea it was going to be a gas one.

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Сафиуллина-Мохамед Рамазанов
July 18, 2014

SC F will get the same Engines and same chassis as SC, LS and LS F

J
Jake
July 21, 2014

So the LF-LC will be "SC" instead of "LC"? LC sounded pretty cool as it matched with LS. L stands for Luxury and C for Coupe.

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Сафиуллина-Мохамед Рамазанов
July 21, 2014

LEXUS renewed there use for SC name and it will be total logic as the name take a lot of awards in the past the role of SC is the same role as RC but bigger -RC is little shorter than IS but with GS width as a standalone nameplate neither GS coupe nor IS coupe -SC is little shorter than GS but with LS width as a standalone nameplate neither LS coupe nor GS coupe *the exact direct competitor are (Mercedes S class coupe, Maserati GT, Bentley Continental GT, Aston martin Vanquish) this is of course plus LEXUS will 100% have there own version of the 911 killer trio BMW/TOYOTA/LEXUS plus the next LFA so in 2017 or 2018 at most you will have a real standalone 4 coupe nameplates in LEXUS line-up the last thing the SC won't be in small limited numbers as posted before but it will be in whatever they can sell RC share chassis with IS & GS SC will always share chassis with LS ?C the trio car will be always with the trio LFA always be in limited production and always have it's own unique chassis

L
Lexus Cohen
July 17, 2014

As I said, a performance SUV, the RX should have a F variant. Where is the GS 460 or F? Where is the LS F and the new IS F? X5m, Ml63 amg and no RX F? Come on Lexus, if I had the money I would buy a S65 amg and the m6 gran coupe. What does Lexus offer to compare to those? We need more F's Lexus.

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Сафиуллина-Мохамед Рамазанов
July 17, 2014

wait until the next RX appear you will like what you will see, promise you :) GX will be a GL direct competitor as to leave the space for LX to be more Lux. niche

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Lexus Cohen
July 17, 2014

Okay buddy, I'll wait patiently to see what happens. Also, I would choose the GL over the GX, the front end on the GX is stunning, but the rear end is too bland.

C
Carmaker1
July 18, 2014

That's interesting regarding the GX. I got the impression that the were keeping it body on frame, but that was one idea I thought would work. The new NX and 2016 RX will likely each replace both of my sister's RXs (2008 400h [US-spec] and 2013 450h SE-L [UK-spec]). Which one will be for the US or the UK is the question, since she lives in the US and the UK vehicle will be under my care.

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Сафиуллина-Мохамед Рамазанов
July 18, 2014

yes i do heard a lot about the 300-Series and frankly speaking i was sad honestly, why they didn't take the real and logic step to make the Land Cruiser a standalone Car Brand the Land Cruiser is amazing, reliable, real anywhere niche SUV why they don't collect all Land Cruiser chassis SUVs and Trucks with all there generations and sizes Prado 4 Runner Innova Avanza Fortuner Hi-Lux Tacoma Seqouia Tundra Land Cruiser GX LX all of these amazing names in there markets in one off road luxury Car Brand anyway we are now waiting the new generation of approximately all of them

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assort
July 18, 2014

I have actually thought about this like what you mentioned, making Land Cruiser an independent brand. Under the Land Cruiser brand, they should re-create series like FJ, LC 70, Prado and LC series to rival Jeep, Defender and Discovery series. At the same time the Lexus GX and LX series to cater to Range Rover Sport and Range Rover series, meaning to be more luxurious. Also, they should consider making LFA an independent brand for supercar/hypercar to rival Lamborghini, Ferrari, Pagani, etc.

C
Carmaker1
July 21, 2014

Well, that is another interesting proposition. The required investment in Lexus, rather made it difficult for Toyota to do such a thing. Superficially product, overlap would occur with Toyota-branded CUVs and Land Cruiser variants. I do not think the public would be very respectful of that regarding accusations, especially due to Land Rover. Only they know their limits truly.

C
Carmaker1
July 21, 2014

That is very interesting proposition, but would require years and years of investment. Unfortunately, the SUV segment isn't in its infancy anymore, as it was during the mid-late 20th century. Working for Land Rover (ironically), we have no full-line direct competitors in my opinion. Only Jeep, a mainstream brand, does the job and Land Cruiser sub-brand.

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Сафиуллина-Мохамед Рамазанов
July 21, 2014

but ironically it will make Toyota as a corp gain much more respect now a lot of people respect Hyundai more than Toyota!!!!!! Toyota must change this (MUST)

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thegreatkingissafe
July 17, 2014

Luxury Hybrid Van, RR Ghost competitor, Z4/SLK/Boxter, NX F like SQ5, GS 200t, FSPORT Hybrid in North America. 4 door RC.

K
knox_sportx
July 17, 2014

4 door RC, or stretched IS with liftback (similar to the 4-series gran coupe)

0
00E2I_2UX3J
July 17, 2014

HELL NO

D
DDas
July 17, 2014

So please pardon my "stupidity" but does this mean a new model as in a new named model like LC, TX...or does it mean new as in a new RX, LS...or is it a combination of both? Thanks!

Y
ydooby
July 17, 2014

I suppose by "new" model they mean models that are not just the next-generation of an existing model, but a new model in a segment that Lexus has currently no model to compete in; otherwise there'll be no place for the next-gen RX and LS, both of which are in dire need of a redesign. As for which "new" models should come after the NX, RC and LF-LC, I think a 7-seat crossover that competes with the QX60 (that can actually seat 7 adults), a small sexy open-top 2-seat roadster a la the Z4 and the SLK, a proper GS-F, and an LFA II should all help Lexus tremendously.

L
Lasse J. Nordvik
July 17, 2014

I'd love to see a roadster akin to the BMW Z4.

C
Carmaker1
July 21, 2014

Very realistic aspiration, as that might be in the plans concerning a BMW Z4 successor.

B
Bobby
July 17, 2014

"Between 90 and 100 percent representative of the production car" Dang, okay awesome.

K
kr_metal
July 17, 2014

I'm very glad to hear that too.

F
farid
July 18, 2014

lexus have to build new LS (fifth generation)...for example new S mercedes...now lexus LS behind of S 2015 but lexus is stronger than mercedes...

L
Levi
July 18, 2014

Lexus/Toyota has to very carefully focus long-term, so that they could plan the right short-term steps, something Mercedes failed with their nomenclature for example. Toyota/Lexus don't have to fill in every useless niche. Long-term focus should be put on platforms and engines, but also on markets. If Lexus/Toyota can offer for the average customer a viable alternative for petrol/diesel engine through their hybrid cars, traditional performance cars (F Sport) for their US/EU customers and high-performance cars for their Middle-East, East and Asian customers, they have all markets covered with the right products. Toyota/Lexus strength is in sales (cash/financing) compared to German Premium leasing, and that is because a Toyota/Lexus is a better value, and it also holds its value. Toyota/Lexus new product now will be fuel cell, so we can say hybrid is standard, high-performance (F models) is a new but traditional high-end product. Focus on light-weight materials, that started with the LFA (think BMW i) is the next step. But for now, reliable turbocharged engines are the most important thing together with image models (F cars).

T
Thomas
July 18, 2014

A plug-in Hybrid Version of the IS With combined 300+ HP. The current IS hybrid is just too slow. The Audi A3 e-tron(plug-in) manhandles it, and I hate Audi. And ofcourse a New LS. Dont care much about the LF-LC or LFA.

S
sebisab93
July 18, 2014

They have to build eyecatchers like the LF-LC, a new LS which could be compared to a Panamera or a Rapide. Of course a LS Coupé! I would like to see more engine choices. Smaller diesel engines (about 200hp) would be good. In Europe, the 525d and the E 250 CDI are very popular cars. I also want estates for the IS and GS. Lexus needs a new LS. Now! The car gets more and more unpopular. And look at the RX and compare it to its rivals. You'll notice that the RX is an old car. And these nike-like LEDs look so not-premium, it looks unelegant and awful. And look at the spindle grille on the IS, it is a mess. Lexus, to get noticed, you don't have to design cars with hundrets of senseless angles, you have to build sleek, elegant cars like Jaguar does it. And how you did it before! Sorry for my bad English

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leopard08
July 18, 2014

desiels are a thing of the past. i believe toyota turbo engines that also switches to artkoson cycles are getting very close to desiel efficiency, pluss the toyota hybrids are getting better and better. soon you wont get the point of buying a desiel when these a hybrid available

S
sebisab93
July 18, 2014

Yes I know that they get close to diesel efficiency, but you must pay attention on the European market. Diesel is much much cheaper here than gas. I like hybrids, and the feel to drive one but I don't get the sense of a hybrid. Of course it makes sense in cities or in the whole world maybe-except here in Germany. We drive around 200+kmh on Autobahn and Hybrid cars consump more than diesel there. I won't get the point of buying a hybrid because it's sold as envoironmentally friendly but it isn't. You should find out how the battery is produced. I had this discussion about 3 times on Lexus Enthusiast, but you all won't get why Diesels are popular in Europe. The conditions here are very different. I will never be in a discussion about different drive concepts anymore, because a discussion like that is completely nonsense.

L
Levi
July 19, 2014

Diesel is more toxic gases than petrol. The European car companies lobby so that diesel should not get any sactions/taxes like petrol gers based on CO² emissions. If as it has been proved, diesel is the cause of many cancers, and diesel private cars are sanctioned, European car manufacturers will have financial difficulties. Toyota quite the opposite.

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sebisab93
July 20, 2014

lol over 60% of the cars in Germany are Diesels and we don't have any "cancer" problems. And I said that this discussion is nonsense. So please..! A hybrid has more practical disadvantages than diesels. More weight, less trunk space. And this is also very important for Germany, almost every car is a company car there. And they are leased by efficiency, practicality and power. Funny how nobody has a hybrid here as a company car. God this forum is full of Hardcore Lexus-Fans... European car manufacturers, especially the Germans will NEVER have financial difficulties. You can hope as much as you want. You don't need to reply me.

L
Levi
July 20, 2014

FYI I'm from Germany, driving an Italian car whose company has only two outdated models.

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Jeff
July 18, 2014

They need to release a hybrid for every model in the lineup by the 2020 date.

J
Jake
July 18, 2014

My predictions: They are not in order. RC 2014 RX 2015 LS / GS F 2016 IS F 2017 LC (SC) 2017 Not to mention de new CT, ES.

A
Alex
July 18, 2014

ISF in 2017? They need it now. They don't need to get rid of it and bring it back. Unless your talking about a brand new one but they need one on the current body of the IS

C
Carmaker1
July 21, 2014

You have it a bit inverted. The SC may be tentatively due in 2016, as well as the IS F. The GS F is next summer, if no delays occur. That is not in prototype form, but in the form of test mules since December 2012. On your list, that is ahead of everything and parallel to the 2016 RX, which was seen as a test mule in August 2013.

H
Hamed Al Sayes
July 19, 2014

You know what I DREAM Lexus to do?! A Lexus that can be compared to (Rolls Royce & Maybach) [#Luxury) A Lexus that can be compared to (Bugatti, Zonda, Koenigsegg ... etc.) [#Super Sport) . Thats just a DREAM!!! but anyways Lexus is a WINNER!

M
MaryannG03
July 19, 2014

7 seat hybrid SUV.

J
Josh
July 19, 2014

I want lexus to make the LS more exclusive. I see way too many of them on the road. Or have an ultra luxury model thats about $100,000+ similar to the Maserati quattroporte

L
Lexus Cohen
July 20, 2014

This should be the lineup, Scion, Toyota, Lexus and their top of the the range brand should be called? L Finesse?

B
BlackDynamiteOnline
July 26, 2014

1. The GX is selling very well, so a redesign isn't needed soon, but the next one, called the TX, should be what the HPX Concept back in 2002 should have been. 2. I am worried about the rumors of a ultra-sporty Lexus LS. It needs to maintain it's identity, and I would restrict any personality changes to a LS Sport model, and not mess with the legendary success of the LS as a whole. 3. I am very interested in what they do with the next Lexus RX. 4. Glad to hear that Mr Akio Toyoda loves the LF-LC Concept as much as I do, and doesn't want speck on it's paint disturbed for production! Incredibly great news! 5. Add a manual transmission to one vehicle (with an engine that is worthy of a Lexus badge) BD

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Carmaker1
July 26, 2014

The HPX came out in April 2003, not 2002 for the umpteenth time. It definitely was underway in late 2002. A GX redesign will come "soon" and would've been just been finished design-wise already, so "soon" will be soon as in 2016. Whether it's L10-based or J180-based is the question. Or even on a new RWD-based modular platform. Quite obvious to everyone here, that the newly facelifted model would not be expected for an immediate redesign. Whether or not it's selling well doesn't matter, especially when it's currently dependent on the Toyota Prado (scheduled for 2016 redesign) and will parallel the Prado's life cycle.

W
Wawa
July 30, 2014

Will new SC launch in the future?

New Lexus Model Every Year Until 2020?

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