Production Lexus LF-1 Limitless Crossover Could Get Three Row Option


The production model of the Lexus LF-1 Limitless concept could have a three-row option, according to a WardsAuto interview with Lexus USA general manager Jeff Bracken:

In a hot CUV market, “we absolutely need this vehicle,” Bracken says of the LF-1.

“Utility vehicles were 65% of the U.S. market for the year and 72% in December, so they are going higher.”

The concept vehicle holds two rows and four seats. No decision has been made whether the automaker would fit a potential production version with three rows.

“We’d strongly evaluate those kinds of matters should we go down that path of production,” Bracken says.

Compared to the current LX 570, the LF-1 concept is 2.6 inches shorter, but with an extra 4.9 inches of wheelbase. There’s certainly enough room for a third row. In fact, Lexus is employing a new strategy with both the RX & LX by offering both a two-row and a three-row version.

(That said, I feel strongly that the production LF-1 deserves a similar setup to the concept, with four seats and plenty of room. It would be disappointing to see a bench backseat.)

Concepts
Comments
L
What a bold design? This concept look better than my friend's Infiniti Qx70. Lexus really stepped their game in design.
Looks great!! If it was designed with production in mind why will it take 3 years...love the look but they need to put a big engine in it!
Looks great!! If it was designed with production in mind why will it take 3 years...love the look but they need to put a big engine in it!
James
Looks great!! If it was designed with production in mind why will it take 3 years...love the look but they need to put a big engine in it!
That's exactly what I was thinking about from the moment I read this sentence
James
Looks great!! If it was designed with production in mind why will it take 3 years...love the look but they need to put a big engine in it!
That's exactly what I was thinking about from the moment I read this sentence
Should be available by 2024.
Should be available by 2024.
R
  • R
    RAL
  • January 15, 2018
The attention to detail and the sophistication of fit/finish is truly flagship evocative. If my instinct serves, "experience amazing" will be to see it in real life.

R
  • R
    RAL
  • January 15, 2018
The attention to detail and the sophistication of fit/finish is truly flagship evocative. If my instinct serves, "experience amazing" will be to see it in real life.

I think between the production-ready half of the clay model (nice catch there, @White Beach!) and their repeated invocations of the LF-LC that this is closer to production than they want to let on. Possibly late 2019/early 2020?
I think between the production-ready half of the clay model (nice catch there, @White Beach!) and their repeated invocations of the LF-LC that this is closer to production than they want to let on. Possibly late 2019/early 2020?
Gecko
Maybe it's the color, but I feel like this is what the Infiniti FX/QX70 should have turned into. That's not a rip on Lexus by any stretch - they took the idea an are running with it, but Infiniti really lost their way.
Wow it threw my back to the "bionic cheetah" a bit too based on color.... though this is a full class or two higher from what Lexus is saying.
Gecko
Maybe it's the color, but I feel like this is what the Infiniti FX/QX70 should have turned into. That's not a rip on Lexus by any stretch - they took the idea an are running with it, but Infiniti really lost their way.
Wow it threw my back to the "bionic cheetah" a bit too based on color.... though this is a full class or two higher from what Lexus is saying.
The front is a little over kill IMO. Everything else looks good tho.
The front is a little over kill IMO. Everything else looks good tho.
supra93
The front is a little over kill IMO. Everything else looks good tho.
Every time I look in the garage its overkill lol...but yea this is really out there..
supra93
The front is a little over kill IMO. Everything else looks good tho.
Every time I look in the garage its overkill lol...but yea this is really out there..
Truly amazing concept vehicle from Lexus. Looks great and futuristic. Some of the elements used in the interior look promising and provide some tangible benefits.

For example, the steering wheel has auto/P/R nearby as well as indicator of the drive mode along the rim of the steering wheel.

The details of the the steering wheel makes people think it is quite near to production ready, at least in terms of the exterior form factor.
Truly amazing concept vehicle from Lexus. Looks great and futuristic. Some of the elements used in the interior look promising and provide some tangible benefits.

For example, the steering wheel has auto/P/R nearby as well as indicator of the drive mode along the rim of the steering wheel.

The details of the the steering wheel makes people think it is quite near to production ready, at least in terms of the exterior form factor.
R
The proportions are classic and certainly a first for a crossover - a long hood cab back styling ending with a sloping rear.
R
The proportions are classic and certainly a first for a crossover - a long hood cab back styling ending with a sloping rear.
supra93
The front is a little over kill IMO. Everything else looks good tho.
This is how I feel as well. Since 2005, we've seen many iterations and evolutions of L-Finesse and overall, I am happy with Lexus' progress. I think that the LC and LS are proof that the company is now hitting it's stride and the best is ahead of us.

One area for improvement IMO remains the front end - not the spindle itself, but the overall integration of grill, bumpers, headlights and sheetmetal. The LC is the only one that really nails it for me: it's clean, simple and beautifully matches the rest of the car (which is also clean, aggressive, elegant and futuristic). The LS is 80% of the way there for me... it's strange how the main grill has the 3D mesh, but the two side air inlets on either side just have horizontal slats. It doesn't match. In addition, on either side of the indentation point on the grill, there are unnecessary body lines that should have been just smoothed into the grill surround, like the LF-FC. What I really like about the LF-FC is how simple but aggressive and elegant the front end was... production LS is just not "there."

Looking at the LF-1, I see another instance where the overall design is clean, organic, elegant and futuristic, but the front end looks designed for a different vehicle entirely. I know it's just a concept and every OEM takes design cues to the extreme on concept vehicles, but I really hope Lexus has a fitting front end in the works for when the LF-1 hits production.
supra93
The front is a little over kill IMO. Everything else looks good tho.
This is how I feel as well. Since 2005, we've seen many iterations and evolutions of L-Finesse and overall, I am happy with Lexus' progress. I think that the LC and LS are proof that the company is now hitting it's stride and the best is ahead of us.

One area for improvement IMO remains the front end - not the spindle itself, but the overall integration of grill, bumpers, headlights and sheetmetal. The LC is the only one that really nails it for me: it's clean, simple and beautifully matches the rest of the car (which is also clean, aggressive, elegant and futuristic). The LS is 80% of the way there for me... it's strange how the main grill has the 3D mesh, but the two side air inlets on either side just have horizontal slats. It doesn't match. In addition, on either side of the indentation point on the grill, there are unnecessary body lines that should have been just smoothed into the grill surround, like the LF-FC. What I really like about the LF-FC is how simple but aggressive and elegant the front end was... production LS is just not "there."

Looking at the LF-1, I see another instance where the overall design is clean, organic, elegant and futuristic, but the front end looks designed for a different vehicle entirely. I know it's just a concept and every OEM takes design cues to the extreme on concept vehicles, but I really hope Lexus has a fitting front end in the works for when the LF-1 hits production.
[​IMG]

Production(ish) on the left, concept on the right?
[​IMG]

Production(ish) on the left, concept on the right?
S
  • S
  • January 16, 2018
If true, it looks like the production headlights and grill will be similar to current spindle grill designs. The hood crease also looks less aggressive (more sloped) and I'm guessing the black two tone line will be gone. Overall, I like the exterior design and hopes it reaches production quickly as a 2020 or 2021 model. I'm certainly ready to buy.

Things on my wish list are side view and rear view cameras. It would be nice if they kept the side view cameras/screens in addition to traditional mirrors for regulatory purposes. After trying out Honda's LaneWatch camera system, I much prefer the wide angle view (encompassing blind spot) that a camera can provide versus a traditional side mirror. Having a combo rear-view mirror/camera like Cadillac is also something I desperately wish Lexus would copy, especially in a big SUV with reduced rear visibility.

On the powertrain side, a hybrid with solid state batteries (if ready) and somewhere along the lines of 40+ mpg combined would be my wish. I would actually prefer a PHEV or BEV, but I doubt Lexus will have something ready within the next few years. The multi-stage hybrid system in the LS/LC sounds like an advancement in driving dynamics, but mpg in the 20s is still a bit low for my tastes.

S