More Thoughts on the Lexus LF-1 Limitless Flagship Crossover Concept

Posted by Kevin on December 7th, 2017

This week, Lexus revealed the first teaser image for a new concept debuting at the Detroit Auto Show: The LF-1 Limitless crossover.

Right from the name, it’s clear this vehicle will have some significance in the Lexus lineup. This will be the first time Lexus has used a single numeric designation for one of its concepts, and it’s a #1 at that — a pretty strong signal that the LF-1 will be no ordinary debut.

And then there’s the second part, Limitless, which is defined as “without end, limit, or boundary”. Why add this to the name if it wasn’t important?

Here’s my theory: Limitless refers to the LF-1’s powertrain. Could it be full-electric, powered only by batteries? Depending on how it’s generated, electricity is an almost limitless power source. From a branding perspective, Limitless could also be a play-on-words regarding EV range anxiety.

At the same time, the reasons above could work equally as well for a new gas-electric hybrid or even a fuel cell vehicle — Limitless could refer to any multitude of things, so I’ll keep my guess to some new powertrain.

And then there’s the badge:

Lexus LF-1 Badge

Lexus hybrids have always had a blue badge accent, which would suggest the LF-1 could be gas-electric. Only trouble with that theory — the fuel-cell Toyota Mirai also has a blue-tinged badge.

The press release also provided some insight, explaining that the LF-1 Limitless is “a flagship crossover that redefines the boundaries of luxury”.

Lexus has classified the LS sedan, LC coupe, and LX SUV as its flagship category, and it’s doubtful the LF-1 is a preview of the next-generation LX. Instead, this could signal plans to add a fourth flagship model to the mix. This would put the LF-1 up against the Range Rover Sport and Porsche Cayenne, a performance crossover at the upper edge of luxury. A completely new model, likely with a completely new name.

This is backed up by an easter egg included in the teaser image, hidden in the rear seat entertainment system:

Lexus LF-1

The overall profile looks nothing like any existing Lexus, though it could be argued that it’s the LS nose merged with the RX rear. The long hood and short front overhang point to the LF-1 Limitless being the first Lexus rear-wheel drive crossover.

The LC & LS have started a revolution of sorts at Lexus, standing above the rest of the lineup in stature and craftsmanship — it feels like every other Lexus model needs to catch up.

Even so, the LC & LS are both cars at a time when SUVs and crossovers are straight dominating the automotive landscape. If this new concept can transfer that elevated flagship quality to a crossover, then the sky may be the only limit for the LF-1 Limitless.

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Comments
bogglo
At this point in lexus SUV line up I agree with Krew, only a RWD would make sense to me.
Lexus Cohen
RWD Lexus crossover? I'm in, guess I'll stop drooling over the current RX FSport.
L
Finally an alternative to the X6, X4, GLE Coupe, GLC Coupe and Macan, which I potentially consider the best and most purposeful crossovers.

SUVs (unibody) remain the most useless vehicles. And FWD crossovers are just as useless. Lifted RWD based AWD cars make alot of sense.
Joaquin Ruhi
Lightening up and zooming in on that teaser photo was..um...illuminating.

The tallish, chunky proportions of the original dark picture led me to believe I was looking at a teaser for an "RX coupe" on the GA-K (ES/RX large FWD) architecture. One look at the rear monitor side view picture promptly changed my mind. The short front overhang and generous gap between the front fender's rear edge and the forward most edges of the windshield and front door shout out GA-L quasi-front-mid-engined architecture.

It seems that interior screens prematurely or unexpectedly revealing unwanted styling clues are a thing now. Lamborghini's Urus SUV was prematurely revealed via such an interior monitor screen grab almost a week before its official reveal.

Another random question: if LF-1 Limitless is a smash hit and Lexus decides to add it to its product line, what badge would it wear? Would the current 3-row body-on-frame two-model lineup (GX and LX) give way to a single BOF entry, thus giving the GX or LX badge to this newcomer? Highly unlikely. The coupe styling implies a "C", while crossover calls for an "X". But CX or XC prefixes are out, given their being trademarked by Mazda and Volvo, respectively. SX? That might work, but a number of carmakers (Kia comes to mind) use that as a trim level. TX? Toyota/Lexus do own that one, but I'm not sure if it's live or dead at this point.
mikeavelli
Levi
Finally an alternative to the X6, X4, GLE Coupe, GLC Coupe and Macan, which I potentially consider the best and most purposeful crossovers.

SUVs (unibody) remain the most useless vehicles. And FWD crossovers are just as useless. Lifted RWD based AWD cars make alot of sense.
They said Flagship and its LF-1 so I'm thinking based off the LC/LS and to fight the upcoming Q8....
Gecko
mikeavelli
They said Flagship and its LF-1 so I'm thinking based off the LC/LS and to fight the upcoming Q8....
Great catch. At first glance I was thinking something like GLC Coupe or X4, but Lexus does not unintentionally use the word "flagship." With that considered, I have to assume we are going to see something along the lines of a RR Sport, Cayenne, X6, Q8 and GLE Coupe competitor.... finally. If this is a flagship vehicle, I think it's presumable that the first letter of it's name could be "L" once it hits production.

LS
LX
LC

Could "LT" be out of the question? With CT, that stood for "Touring"... Luxury Touring? I don't really like "LT" but just throwing it out there as a thought.

Regardless, I love where this is going.
C
  • C
    CIF
  • December 5, 2017
So....this is an RX-sized vehicle possibly going on GA-L? Interesting. I think it would have to be properly differentiated enough from the RX (as well as GX and LX) to be a viable production model. Also if we get a production model of this, would that mean the RX will never get a full F version? Hypothetically if this debuts on GA-L as a production model, then chances would be much higher than this would be getting an F version.

We already have a flagship Lexus SUV with the LX. If this is added as a production model, would Lexus further differentiate the LX as an off-road specialist, and this as an on-road performance flagship SUV? I wonder.

All of this assuming of course that Lexus adds this as a production model. If they do, I'll give them credit, as that would indicate them listening more to market demand. In today's hot market for CUVs and SUVs, not everyone wants small, cheap crossovers. A totally other segment of buyers want luxury and/or larger SUVs and crossovers.
S
Gecko
Great catch. At first glance I was thinking something like GLC Coupe or X4, but Lexus does not unintentionally use the word "flagship." With that considered, I have to assume we are going to see something along the lines of a RR Sport, Cayenne, X6, Q8 and GLE Coupe competitor.... finally. If this is a flagship vehicle, I think it's presumable that the first letter of it's name could be "L" once it hits production.

LS
LX
LC

Could "LT" be out of the question? With CT, that stood for "Touring"... Luxury Touring? I don't really like "LT" but just throwing it out there as a thought.

Regardless, I love where this is going.
LF?

Seems like luxury version of LS/LC? If so, I think it would not compete with LX at all, except for maybe pricing? But in general, where LX sells well is where this LF would likely not sell at all.
OlFius
Finally, I have been waiting and hoping for this for along time.
Lexus will do it anyway, this real concept ! the 'flagship crossover' is the beginning of something new. :yum
Bring it on ! I am "enthusiast" !
meth.ix
I'm thinking a proper X5 competitor, RWD and more emphasis on performance with higher power figures.
OlFius
Oeps, that's a strange curve on the roof.View attachment 2659
N
Does the blue badge indicate that it's a hybrid? I really hope it is!
krew
Nouvel
Does the blue badge indicate that it's a hybrid? I really hope it is!
Forgot to mention this in my post -- good eye! Maybe the 500h powertrain?
N
krew
Forgot to mention this in my post -- good eye! Maybe the 500h powertrain?
Yes, I think you are right. And I think there are almost production ready vehicle already built and just waiting to be released. Same as with the LS relatively shortly following the LF-FC.
OlFius
And I do not believe that this Limitless Crossover concept is an SUV.
This is also a crossover for example ... (look at the roof)
https://electrek.co/2017/10/24/nissan-all-electric-autonomous-crossover/
S
meth.ix
I'm thinking a proper X5 competitor, RWD and more emphasis on performance with higher power figures.
X5 is not a flagship by any means... it will be positioned higher.
S
OlFius
Oeps, that's a strange curve on the roof.View attachment 2659
seems like all glass roof that meets hatchback glass without any metal pieces and then a roof spoiler thats split in the middle to show that all glass roof.
M
A flagship RWD CUV? Quite a bold move! Let’s just hope they don’t take 5 years to go from concept to production model like with the LC. Lexus needs to get on the “Move Fast” culture of the tech world.
L
Profile reminds me Infiniti FX45 crossover (which is not a bad thing, as I like it very much).

LexusSteve
I've never been excited for a crossover... UNTIL NOW!

(Didn't see this coming from Lexus, I am genuinely surprised.)
W
spwolf
LF?

Seems like luxury version of LS/LC? If so, I think it would not compete with LX at all, except for maybe pricing? But in general, where LX sells well is where this LF would likely not sell at all.
Very interesting point. I wonder if, rather than making true ‘F’ versions of the SUVs and crossovers in the lineup, Lexus just decides to make one super-crossover and call it the LFX.
M
That's a possibility.

LFA = Halo Supercar
LFX = Halo Crossover/SUV (LF-1)
LFS = Halo Sedan (LS+ Production Model)

Edit: With the rear window raked so far forward, this is probably a 4-5 seat flagship CUV with an option for executive rear seating ala LS. The "Limitless" name suggests a hybrid/high-capacity PHEV engine.
mikeavelli
Technically there is no real production flagship SUV Coupe. Just the forthcoming Audi Q8 concept. The X6 and GLS Coupe are not based off the X7 or GLS but the X5 and GLE.

If Lexus is hinting this as a flagship CUV Coupe, then I expect LS/LC based and a higher price-point than the X5/GLE. They will have to position is very very strongly so there is no confusion.
maiaramdan
I'm 100% sure that this will meant to be the GX not the LX
The LX will remain body on frame

I even just wrote from day or 2 in another thread that the next GS/GX/ Sport Cross batch will share the same GA-L with the LS/LC but will be like Subaru but with coupe style
One 4 door coupe
One CUV coupe
One Sport cross with style like the HPX
krew
krew

More Thoughts on the Lexus LF-1 Limitless Flagship Crossover Concept
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Major analysis of minor details.
View the original article post
OlFius
krew
More Thoughts on the Lexus LF-1 Limitless Flagship Crossover Concept

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View the original article post
Hi Kevin,
this is also about the way I feel it.
If we read the press release, we see a number of important words: concept, flagship, crossover, LF-1.
A real concept, immediately the top-range model, a crossover (take a good look at the "easter egg", it's not an SUV but rather something new, like the Panamera).
The concept name is difficult to estimate, but if we assume that it is a new lineup, then I think: 'L?': The 'L' because it is a 'flagship' (LS, LC, LX, L?), And for the '?' an 'R' or 'V' could be best, I prefer the latter.
Joaquin Ruhi
Although I very much agree with the broad consensus that LF-1 Limitless badge hints at some sort of powertrain electrification, wouldn't a vehicle combining LX/Land Cruiser levels of off-road prowess with on-road handling capabilities of an F-Sport or even F Lexus be describable as Limitless?
L
Joaquin Ruhi
Although I very much agree with the broad consensus that the LF-1 Limitless badge hints at some sort of powertrain electrification, wouldn't a vehicle combining LX/Land Cruiser levels of off-road prowess with on-road handling capabilities worthy of an F-Sport or even F Lexus be describable as Limitless?
Something the new Lamborghini Urus claims to be?
Michael
Could this also hint for a next generation GX?
Gecko
Based on the teaser image and the roofline - which seem to indicate 2 rows - I don't see how this could at all be related to the GX. Also, the GX has never been considered a flagship vehicle because it slots under the flagship LX.

I think we are seeing Lexus create something totally different here: LS/LC levels of technology, refinement and sophistication on a RWD/AWD crossover. In a sense, it will bridge the gap between the LS and LX.

G