Lexus USA general manager Jeff Bracken shared some Grade-A information in an interview with Laurence Iliff of Automotive News:
“In 2018, we’ll have 14 new products to talk about,” Bracken said. “Whether it’s a concept or a next-generation [model] or a vehicle that we’ve never revealed before, special editions, anniversary editions. There will be 14 vehicles that we have never spoken about or are hitting the market.”
And here we start with an enthusiast’s favorite game: Future Model Bingo, with 14 being the target number. The only problem, we don’t know what classifies as “new” which adds an extra level of challenge.
Here’s my shot at winning — I’ve chosen to ignore separate engines and F SPORT variants because it’s more fun:
- 1 & 2 – There are a couple easy ones: the new LS flagship and the LF-1 Limitless concept that debuted yesterday.
- 3 & 4 – Depending on when they’re released, the two-row LX 570 and the three-row RX L could be included.
- 5 & 6 – Bracken mentions “anniversary editions”, which could mean Lexus USA will receive the F anniversary RC F & GS F special editions.
- 7, 8, & 9 – The LC will be getting a limited edition Inspiration Series release in the Spring, and Lexus announced “a succession of Inspiration Series vehicles… for each of its flagship models.” It’s a stretch, but maybe the LS and LX could get similar releases.
- 10 – All signs point to a production model UX at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
- 11 – Next-generation ES prototypes have been spotted multiple times over the past few months, which suggests the next-generation ES could be released next year.
- 12, 13 & 14 – The current RC & RC F will be four years old in 2018, and in line for a mid-cycle refresh. Also, late next year seems like a good time to give the RX an update.
There’s some wiggle-room in my guesses to account for off-the-board releases like the LF-1 yesterday — I’ll have to come back to my list at the end of 2018 and see how I did. See something I missed? Have a list of your own? Post your own **Future Model Bingo* card in the forums.
Special thanks to Joaquin for posting this earlier this week.
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