Lexus Enthusiast Live at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show

Posted by Kevin on January 15th, 2018

The Detroit Auto Show opens today, and Lexus Enthusiast is here to bring you all the latest news from the show floor.

The centerpiece of the Lexus display this year is the LF-1 Limitless crossover concept, which will debut bright and early at 8:35pm ET/5:35am PT. Lexus will be live steaming the reveal, and you can watch it here:

For live coverage, we recommend following the Lexus News Live Twitter account, Instagram, and Facebook. All tweets will also appear below for easy reading.


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Comments
L
If it takes 5 years for Lexus to bring a car, the LF-1 better be electric, or it will be the only premium brand to not have any BEV in its lineup for 3 years, given that Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Jaguar will have one in 2020, 2023 being 5 years from now.
mikeavelli
I think Lexus realizes they are missing out on the sporty SUV market. No matter if its a "4 door SUV coupe" or a Cayenne/X5 type. I can only hope this is RWD based with AWD from the LS/LC.

In Miami in particular the GLE Coupe is everywhere. Even when I was in Atlanta recently I was shocked at how many I saw. It is a huge huge hit. It is a topic of conversation all the time here and with other people. Oddly the X6 isn't even though it started the genre but it is older.

The new Cayenne will sell but looks very similar to the old one. From Japan (I guess technically America) the Acura ZDX was a disaster and for whatever reasons the FX/QX70 is barely limping along. The FX could be credited with creating the 4 door SUV segment but Infiniti didn't market it as such. Credit the Germans here for creating that terminology.

My hope is Lexus doesn't stop at one and brings two sporty RWD SUV coupes. Hopefully the LF-1 would preview a possible GF-1 (though no idea whats going on with the GS or GX lol).
mikeavelli
I think Lexus realizes they are missing out on the sporty SUV market. No matter if its a "4 door SUV coupe" or a Cayenne/X5 type. I can only hope this is RWD based with AWD from the LS/LC.

In Miami in particular the GLE Coupe is everywhere. Even when I was in Atlanta recently I was shocked at how many I saw. It is a huge huge hit. It is a topic of conversation all the time here and with other people. Oddly the X6 isn't even though it started the genre but it is older.

The new Cayenne will sell but looks very similar to the old one. From Japan (I guess technically America) the Acura ZDX was a disaster and for whatever reasons the FX/QX70 is barely limping along. The FX could be credited with creating the 4 door SUV segment but Infiniti didn't market it as such. Credit the Germans here for creating that terminology.

My hope is Lexus doesn't stop at one and brings two sporty RWD SUV coupes. Hopefully the LF-1 would preview a possible GF-1 (though no idea whats going on with the GS or GX lol).
OlFius
mikeavelli
I think Lexus realizes they are missing out on the sporty SUV market. No matter if its a "4 door SUV coupe" or a Cayenne/X5 type. I can only hope this is RWD based with AWD from the LS/LC.

In Miami in particular the GLE Coupe is everywhere. Even when I was in Atlanta recently I was shocked at how many I saw. It is a huge huge hit. It is a topic of conversation all the time here and with other people. Oddly the X6 isn't even though it started the genre but it is older.

The new Cayenne will sell but looks very similar to the old one. From Japan (I guess technically America) the Acura ZDX was a disaster and for whatever reasons the FX/QX70 is barely limping along. The FX could be credited with creating the 4 door SUV segment but Infiniti didn't market it as such. Credit the Germans here for creating that terminology.

My hope is Lexus doesn't stop at one and brings two sporty RWD SUV coupes. Hopefully the LF-1 would preview a possible GF-1 (though no idea whats going on with the GS or GX lol).
I can follow you completely. The same story, but in a different segment, is the UX. Hopefully it will not take so long for the LF-1 and certainly also for the GS successor because it is coming. They have to take a step up at Lexus ....
OlFius
mikeavelli
I think Lexus realizes they are missing out on the sporty SUV market. No matter if its a "4 door SUV coupe" or a Cayenne/X5 type. I can only hope this is RWD based with AWD from the LS/LC.

In Miami in particular the GLE Coupe is everywhere. Even when I was in Atlanta recently I was shocked at how many I saw. It is a huge huge hit. It is a topic of conversation all the time here and with other people. Oddly the X6 isn't even though it started the genre but it is older.

The new Cayenne will sell but looks very similar to the old one. From Japan (I guess technically America) the Acura ZDX was a disaster and for whatever reasons the FX/QX70 is barely limping along. The FX could be credited with creating the 4 door SUV segment but Infiniti didn't market it as such. Credit the Germans here for creating that terminology.

My hope is Lexus doesn't stop at one and brings two sporty RWD SUV coupes. Hopefully the LF-1 would preview a possible GF-1 (though no idea whats going on with the GS or GX lol).
I can follow you completely. The same story, but in a different segment, is the UX. Hopefully it will not take so long for the LF-1 and certainly also for the GS successor because it is coming. They have to take a step up at Lexus ....
L
mikeavelli
I think Lexus realizes they are missing out on the sporty SUV market. No matter if its a "4 door SUV coupe" or a Cayenne/X5 type. I can only hope this is RWD based with AWD from the LS/LC.

In Miami in particular the GLE Coupe is everywhere. Even when I was in Atlanta recently I was shocked at how many I saw. It is a huge huge hit. It is a topic of conversation all the time here and with other people. Oddly the X6 isn't even though it started the genre but it is older.

The new Cayenne will sell but looks very similar to the old one. From Japan (I guess technically America) the Acura ZDX was a disaster and for whatever reasons the FX/QX70 is barely limping along. The FX could be credited with creating the 4 door SUV segment but Infiniti didn't market it as such. Credit the Germans here for creating that terminology.

My hope is Lexus doesn't stop at one and brings two sporty RWD SUV coupes. Hopefully the LF-1 would preview a possible GF-1 (though no idea whats going on with the GS or GX lol).
The Cayenne 'Coupe' is also in the plan, based on the idea of what will be the Audi Q8 (Q7 'Coupe'), which is first known as the Lamboghini Urus. However, it is possible that the Cayenne 'Coupe' will be electric, the Porsche version of the e-Tron Sportback/Allroad/Quattro or whatever its name. Quite glad Lexus Crossover indicates a flagship model, much needed besides the GX and LX.
L
mikeavelli
I think Lexus realizes they are missing out on the sporty SUV market. No matter if its a "4 door SUV coupe" or a Cayenne/X5 type. I can only hope this is RWD based with AWD from the LS/LC.

In Miami in particular the GLE Coupe is everywhere. Even when I was in Atlanta recently I was shocked at how many I saw. It is a huge huge hit. It is a topic of conversation all the time here and with other people. Oddly the X6 isn't even though it started the genre but it is older.

The new Cayenne will sell but looks very similar to the old one. From Japan (I guess technically America) the Acura ZDX was a disaster and for whatever reasons the FX/QX70 is barely limping along. The FX could be credited with creating the 4 door SUV segment but Infiniti didn't market it as such. Credit the Germans here for creating that terminology.

My hope is Lexus doesn't stop at one and brings two sporty RWD SUV coupes. Hopefully the LF-1 would preview a possible GF-1 (though no idea whats going on with the GS or GX lol).
The Cayenne 'Coupe' is also in the plan, based on the idea of what will be the Audi Q8 (Q7 'Coupe'), which is first known as the Lamboghini Urus. However, it is possible that the Cayenne 'Coupe' will be electric, the Porsche version of the e-Tron Sportback/Allroad/Quattro or whatever its name. Quite glad Lexus Crossover indicates a flagship model, much needed besides the GX and LX.
Ian Schmidt
Same in Baltimore, GLE dominates, X6 is invisible.
Ian Schmidt
Same in Baltimore, GLE dominates, X6 is invisible.
maiaramdan
So , if this formula can fail in a lot of automakers as you said yourselves Acura , Infiniti & BMW why we are sure it will succeed in Lexus ? Hence we also will have Audi and Lamborghini with the same exact design language
maiaramdan
So , if this formula can fail in a lot of automakers as you said yourselves Acura , Infiniti & BMW why we are sure it will succeed in Lexus ? Hence we also will have Audi and Lamborghini with the same exact design language
S
2019 Toyota Avalon, Lexus LF-1 Limitless concept to be revealed at NAIAS

S
2019 Toyota Avalon, Lexus LF-1 Limitless concept to be revealed at NAIAS

maiaramdan
Great
So the ES will missed NAIAS
maiaramdan
Great
So the ES will missed NAIAS
Joaquin Ruhi
For me, the most significant bit of the video that supra93 posted above comes at the 6:55 mark, when Toyota North America's Executive Vice President of Sales (and Toyota USA President of Sales) Bob Carter says:

"Today, we have a flagship coupe, the LC. We just saw outside our flagship sedan, the LS, and today we have a flagship SUV, which is the LX. LX does extremely well for us, but it's still a traditional SUV where it's built on a body-on-frame manufacturing process. So, the concept that we're going to reveal, we call it the LF-1 Limitless, and what it is it's an execution, a concept of what if Lexus had a flagship CUV.
There have been rumblings that the production version of LF-1 might replace LX, but Mr. Carter's words suggest that there's room at Lexus' flagship level for both a traditional body-on-frame SUV and a car-based crossover.
Joaquin Ruhi
For me, the most significant bit of the video that supra93 posted above comes at the 6:55 mark, when Toyota North America's Executive Vice President of Sales (and Toyota USA President of Sales) Bob Carter says:

"Today, we have a flagship coupe, the LC. We just saw outside our flagship sedan, the LS, and today we have a flagship SUV, which is the LX. LX does extremely well for us, but it's still a traditional SUV where it's built on a body-on-frame manufacturing process. So, the concept that we're going to reveal, we call it the LF-1 Limitless, and what it is it's an execution, a concept of what if Lexus had a flagship CUV.
There have been rumblings that the production version of LF-1 might replace LX, but Mr. Carter's words suggest that there's room at Lexus' flagship level for both a traditional body-on-frame SUV and a car-based crossover.
maiaramdan
So we will have 4 Ls in the near future
LS
LC
LX
L?
maiaramdan
So we will have 4 Ls in the near future
LS
LC
LX
L?
Joaquin Ruhi
maiaramdan
So we will have 4 Ls in the near future
LS
LC
LX
L?
You raise an interesting conundrum. It makes sense that all flagship Lexus models start with "L", doesn't it? Yet, as it currently stands, Lexus naming protocols use an "X" as a second letter for both body-on-frame SUVs and car-derived crossovers. At this point, my prediction is that the production LF-1 Limitless will break with the L? pattern and be badged with the still-live trademark (last time I looked) TX prefix, and call it a "Touring Crossover".
Joaquin Ruhi
maiaramdan
So we will have 4 Ls in the near future
LS
LC
LX
L?
You raise an interesting conundrum. It makes sense that all flagship Lexus models start with "L", doesn't it? Yet, as it currently stands, Lexus naming protocols use an "X" as a second letter for both body-on-frame SUVs and car-derived crossovers. At this point, my prediction is that the production LF-1 Limitless will break with the L? pattern and be badged with the still-live trademark (last time I looked) TX prefix, and call it a "Touring Crossover".
Michael
Maybe it be called LTX : Luxury Touring Crossover or if Lexus decides to keep the LX name, but changes it to a CUV platform it should be called the LX 500h and the LX 500 or the LX 500t ( twin turbo 5 liter V8).
Michael
Maybe it be called LTX : Luxury Touring Crossover or if Lexus decides to keep the LX name, but changes it to a CUV platform it should be called the LX 500h and the LX 500 or the LX 500t ( twin turbo 5 liter V8).
L
Michael
Maybe it be called LTX : Luxury Touring Crossover or if Lexus decides to keep the LX name, but changes it to a CUV platform it should be called the LX 500h and the LX 500 or the LX 500t ( twin turbo 5 liter V8).
No more 't' for turbo engines. Could also just be called LA (Luxury All-Purpose Vehicle), which it basically is: style of LC, luxury of LS, practicality of LX.
L
Michael
Maybe it be called LTX : Luxury Touring Crossover or if Lexus decides to keep the LX name, but changes it to a CUV platform it should be called the LX 500h and the LX 500 or the LX 500t ( twin turbo 5 liter V8).
No more 't' for turbo engines. Could also just be called LA (Luxury All-Purpose Vehicle), which it basically is: style of LC, luxury of LS, practicality of LX.
bogglo
Levi
No more 't' for turbo engines. Could also just be called LA (Luxury All-Purpose Vehicle), which it basically is: style of LC, luxury of LS, practicality of LX.
hahahaha. So I will just drive to LA in my LA
bogglo
Levi
No more 't' for turbo engines. Could also just be called LA (Luxury All-Purpose Vehicle), which it basically is: style of LC, luxury of LS, practicality of LX.
hahahaha. So I will just drive to LA in my LA
Joaquin Ruhi
Levi
Could also just be called LA (Luxury All-Purpose Vehicle), which it basically is: style of LC, luxury of LS, practicality of LX.
I like that! :thumbsup:

Other possibilities along those lines are LM (Luxury Multipurpose) and LT (Luxury Touring).
Joaquin Ruhi
Levi
Could also just be called LA (Luxury All-Purpose Vehicle), which it basically is: style of LC, luxury of LS, practicality of LX.
I like that! :thumbsup:

Other possibilities along those lines are LM (Luxury Multipurpose) and LT (Luxury Touring).
Michael
I like the LT, LM, and the LA but, I think Lexus should discontinue the GX and the LX and use the RX L as their flagship SUV by extending the RX wheel base and adding the 5 liter V8.

M