Lexus Considering a Compact Crossover Below the NX?

I see what you're saying and plus the NX mule was a RAV4 with a Lexus steering wheel, mirrors, and a few other Lexus things. So, this CT could be something else.

Yep, shockingly enough Lexus has other plans contrary to previous statements. They would not go through this trouble, especially if it can be done at personal/corporate testing grounds in Aichi. That testing method allows for rejected secret models to be tested, without anyone ever knowing they existed. In public and in mainland Europe with competitors, means that such a vehicle will eventually be produced. Based on professional experience, Jaguar Land Rover does not even authorize non-production intent models to be tested, unless part of development project, model redesign programme or a concept show vehicle.

I have actually read in an article that Toyota is going to build a B-SUV in the Turkish plant. Maybe a model based on Toyota B-Segment SUV? I think I've pointed that out when these pictures were first posted here. Plus I don't think Lexus would test NX against Nissan Qashqai and Skoda Yeti.

It might be related to the B-segment model, good observation. Are you referring to the point you made elsewhere concerning the NX? I'm assuming you are, otherwise that is not what I said. I am not referring to the NX one bit, as the only test mules for that were RAV-4s in 2012 and 2013. The vehicle above is Lexus related, especially with a Q3 being benchmarked. I had an argument 2 years ago concerning RAV-4 mules that clearly had misfit body panels in comparison to actual 2013 RAV-4 prototypes, that I believed were a Lexus CUV in disguise. Those mules were caught testing with the Evoque, Q5, and BMW X3. Many people, including Lexus and Toyota personnel debunked my claims. I was 100% right in the end and they were bold informed liars and dead wrong based on willful ignorance.

Yes I meant a comment in another post some time ago about these pictures being of NX mules. I agree with you the misfit RAV4 prototypes were for NX and this probably for a smaller SUV.

Oh okay, thanks. Wasn't really sure, as I try to be as accurate as possible.

well, the A1 is decidedly more premium than other offerings its size, i.e. Fiesta, Yaris, Polo, Ibiza, etc.

you are amazing same idea in my mind but i am in much more extreme by mot even killing the CT but also the ES and RX and turn the NX to IS chassis and built a new big CUV aka TX as LEXUS trade name this and make it on the GS chassis, then send the LX & GX to be under a unified Land Cruiser name with the addition of the NG-SC, NG-LFA, the trio of TOYOTA SUPRA & BMW Z?? add also the RC then you will have the most amazing fabulous line-up in the world clean up job will make LEXUS much more premium

yes, i forgot the ES, kill it! mature the RX as NX. the toyota logo as is it is very respactable, luxury cars like the CT can go under the toyota name and still be very respactable. Lexus should go extreme altra and hyper luxury holding nothing back. right now they are moving way too close to what should be a toyota and the problem with that, toyota is respactable and trusted on its own right

can't agree more finally i find someone agree with me in my view about LEXUS TOYOTA even have a pair of cars that was the answer of sport and luxury from 1950 until 1990 (global) or even until now (Japan) aka MARK & CROWN

Exactly, Toyota mass FWD/AWD with transverse engine, Lexus high-end-luxury-performance RWD/AWD with longitudinal engine.

I completely disagree with the idea that Toyota can compete in the small prestige market. Here in the UK Toyota is known for bland, plasticky, buzzy little runabouts. The brand has ZERO kudos in a very label-conscious market. Toyota/Lexus are giving tens of thousands of sales away to MB, BMW and Audi by not serving that market. Remember, outside of N America small does NOT necessarily mean cheap. Car tax rates are going up in many countries, so a small, beautifully engineered Lexus (not a trumped-up Prius) would mean ££££ for Toyota.

honestly look at Hyundai even in UK before and after Genesis & it's new design everyone start make Hyundai even higher than Toyota

Yes, I agree and understand the UK market as well. Toyota is not even seen on the same level as Honda in some cases. Investment in smaller, yet well-engineered vehicles is key. JLR has understood this and we've developed the X760/61 range accordingly, the 2015 XE sports compact saloon/estate. Not the same comparison, but just an example.

Killing the Lexus ES is a senseless idea, if Toyota were to authorize that. It is their moneymaker and essentially funds any aspirational models (F performance) and covers any minimal profit from other models (LX, GS, LS). That will not be happening anytime soon, unless a truly viable alternative can be executed.

true, it would be very hard to kill the ES now since it doing so well. but just because the car is doing well does not always mean it right for that brand image. but i trully get what you saying, ES can not be killed

I always wished Lexus would turn the ES into a four door coupe (its almost there). I have always loved the ES (I own a 2005) so I'd hate to see it die but yes, it needs to be more premium.

ask anyone related to cars about ES, RX & CT he or she will answer you do you mean Camry, Highlander & Prius those 3 are the main reason why a lot of people look to LEXUS as just a tarted up TOYOTA honestly if LEXUS didn't delete them or the new disaster aka a smaller car than the NX i will start thinking that LEXUS / TOYOTA board member have schizophrenia 1) how dare they didn't sell MARK-Xs & CROWNs outside Japan and selected markets for the reason they will interfere and in the same time they already keep interfering LEXUS with TOYOTA. 2) how dare they have 30 billion USD with nothing to do by even put them financially, and they are not taking the path of VOLKSWAGEN to stay always big and stable, i am not talking about buying another corp, i am talking about ASTON MARTIN when Dr. Bez was there, or Proton to have all Malaysian market by both PREDOUA & PROTON and also have LOTUS or even Tata. sorry why they never continue those 51% of DAIHATSU, or the 19% of SUBARU or talking MAZDA as long long rumoured. we are in a fierce business times right now, simple look at NOKIA the one that got around 80% of mobile phone share in 2 year in row, or even in Auto market look at FORD with around 12 car brand and if they was just good in management they may have all of them until now. i want all of you as TOYOTA manager to read the history well and see the size of VOLKSWAGEN before entering the fight with BMW on ROLLS ROYCE, simply was nothing, and everyone in the whole world even in Germany was looking at the VOLKSWAGEN brand as even less than budget cars, same as FIAT but just after they got BENTLEY and then LAMBORGHINI & BUGATTI suddenly VOLKSWAGEN become a premium cars even they just make s**t until now. so bottom line LEXUS must delete all the FWD cars and go up, TOYOTA must do as HYUNDAI with EQUUAS & GENESIS by CROWN & MARK-X, and do like VOLKSWAGEN by buying another mainstream brands to relief some pressure from only one mainstream brand, and some or even one British or German car maker, without this everyone will still look at LEXUS as a tarted up TOYOTA even after million years.

some people are even puting HYNDAI higher then LEXUS & toyota, so the ppl that think these no way toyota can be seen premium, think again, in the middle east, the toyota LC is the car/truck to be seen in. In these days LEXUS & TOYOTA are confusing each other big, styling and material wise. I see toyota toning down the styling and quality materials of toyota cars, just so it stays lower and it dont be better then lexus or match it. Look at the Auris compare it to VW golf if the CT was the toyota Auris, it would be top selling, the new RAV4 is toned down purposely to give room to this new NX. this is a problem in many countries where lexus is not popular because ppl in those countries dont understand why toyota is getting beaten by companys such as HYNDAI, styling and material wise. for me LEXUS should move up to give room for the mother brand TOYOTA. I agree with you, I always wished toyota takes Aston Martin. BMW's engineers are afraid of this fact. if you put two similar looking coups one with the toyota badge the other with BMW logo, the toyota will win. same case with the BRZ and the ft86. the bashing of toyota is just anger and a cry of the good old days when toyo gave us the supras. im trying to prove a point toyota can sell a good premium looking car faster then everybody else but they should move lexus "UP'

YES! haha I want to see more supercars from Lexus and even affordable coupes! But maybe not kill the CT; It does well and can just get a better design to still be a classy Lexus.

Yes, but it should really be very different, not like a 4 door coupé but more like a 4 door supercar. A7 and GranCoupé do not differentiate enough from A6 and 5/6 Series.

The fact that a shapelier L10 resembling 4-door test mule was spotted in late 2013, points towards a 4-door coupe. The GS is not receiving a redesign (new generation) anytime soon, so whether that is a new variation of it is another question.

You have already seen test mules in a modified L10 body, so that tells you what is planned or been attempted.

Lexus sould aim competing against Porsche, Jaguar, Maserati, not that overpriced overrated so called premium-trio.

before Lexus can't even think about competing with those storied marques. Lexus, globally seen, lags miles behind even the German Three in terms of brand equity. This is, by the way, something acknowledged by Lexus when they explained their decision not to produce in China. The lack of brand equity forces Lexus to sell on reliability.

Lexus does not really compete with Jaguar outside of the XJ-Series. Only recently have some of our developments, borne similarities to the GS and IS. The SC would easily cover this though, as we invest in a future XK replacement, after ditching our X151 program.