Lexus LF-1 Limitless Crossover on Display at DesignMiami/ Conference

Levi

G Class is closer to LC70 than LC200.

If you take a holistic, international point of view and factor in all the more humble, less-equipped Geländewagen variants sold outside North America, then, yes, you're right. But here in the U.S., where all they offer is upmarket trims with no less than 8 cylinders, I'd say the LX comparison is a fair one.

https://lexusenthusiast.com/forums/...over-concept-gets-aftermarket-treatment.4174/

Oh yes!!!

Fullsize CUV Would Fill Missing Spot in Lexus Lineup, Exec Says
2018 North American International Auto Show
Jan 16, 2018Steve Finlay | WardsAuto

“We have to build this vehicle,” says an enthusiastic Jeff Bracken, group vice president and general manager of Lexus in the U.S.



DETROIT – On stage introducing the Lexus F-1 Limitless concept CUV at the North American International Auto Show, Jeff Bracken addresses his boss sitting in the audience.

“We have to build this vehicle,” Bracken, general manager of the Lexus in the U.S., tells Yoshihiro Sawa, head of Toyota’s luxury brand overall.

Bracken is quick to qualify. “I’m not saying that as an announcement,” he tells the audience as he stands next to the striking concept vehicle at center stage.

His enthusiasm remains unabated as he talks with a few journalists after the vehicle debut. “We couldn’t be happier if we turned this into a production vehicle. It clearly is one of the most gorgeous concepts we’ve revealed.”

Created at Toyota’s Calty Design Research in California, the F-1’s “design visualization fuses the organic shapes of liquid metal with the sharp edges of a traditional Japanese sword,” Lexus says in a press release.

But more than aesthetics fuels Bracken’s enthusiasm. He says on the sidelines the fullsize CUV would fill a missing spot in the lineup.

“We clearly have a gap at the high-end premium cross-utility segment,” he says.

“So we are motivated. This would be a huge addition for us in the cross-utility segment. When you think of the volume we are missing, there’s a high-end gap for us.”

If the LF-1 makes it into production, the vehicle would weigh in above the midsize RX, currently the Japanese luxury brand’s biggest CUV to date.

Lexus also offers the LX and GX SUVs, but those are truck-based. A production LF-1 would rest on a car platform, likely that of the brand’s LS fullsize sedan.

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.

Lexus would sell the vehicle globally, including Europe and China, the world’s biggest vehicle market. The U.S. represents nearly 50% of the brand’s sales.

But Lexus has lost market share in the U.S, selling 305,132 units last year, down 7.9% from 2016.

The RX saw 2017 sales of 102,606 units, a 1.8% decrease from the year before.

Lexus seems overly dependent on the RX, auto analyst Rebecca Lindland of Kelley Blue Book says here.

But Bracken tells WardsAuto: “The RX is the No.1-selling luxury vehicle in the industry. We would never walk away from it.”

http://wardsauto.com/2018-north-ame...v-would-fill-missing-spot-lexus-lineup-exec-s

I absolutely love the LF-1 concept, just as much as I did the LF-LC. If Lexus puts their strong A-game with the LF-1 production vehicle like they did with the LC 500, they will have a huge, critical hit on their hands. Lexus needs to strengthen their lineup in the upper price ranges. I also love that they hear people's pleas of a next-generation LFA.

Can I just say that I LOVE the interior and steering wheel? It's the first Lexus steering wheel design that I've loved since the LFA.

that steering wheel looks production ready almost.

The Lexus LF-1 Limitless Concept: First Impressions

Thinking about the flagship crossover.

View the original article post

krew

The Lexus LF-1 Limitless Concept: First Impressions




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Great read KREW. For whatever reason your last sentence made me think that this is truly what Lexus needs along the LS. As we all know sedan sales continue to drop, why offer just one "flagship". Offer multiple "Flagships". Their L_ lineup really would be awesome with this addition.

For my edification.What is a crossover ????

Spunky D

For my edification.What is a crossover ????

Off-road car that can't go off-road.

One aspect of LF-1 Limitless worth commenting on is the exterior rose gold/copper color, inspired (per one account) by high-end, copper cookware. I'm a big fan, and Mikeavelli correctly noted in another post that it could be construed as a contemporary Lexus take on the signature Liquid Copper hue from the original, seminal "bionic cheetah" Infiniti FX.

This is further proof of how Lexus has regained its "exterior color" mojo after nearly a decade lost in the wilderness. From the eye-popping (in a good way) original IS color palette of Absolutely Red, Auburn Sky, Solar Yellow and Spectra Blue Mica, the marque settled into an unremarkable palette of meh colors until the turn-of-this-decade Ultrasonic Blue (in both its original and 2.0 iterations). Also worth noting is the ne plus ultra of automotive silvers: the 2014 award-winning Atomic Silver, Infrared, the limited-edition Structural Blue, Autumn Shimmer and Flare Yellow. This rose gold/copper (has Lexus even given it a name yet?) is a worthy addition to that pantheon.

Joaquin Ruhi

One aspect of LF-1 Limitless worth commenting on is the exterior rose gold/copper color, inspired (per one account) by high-end, copper cookware. I'm a big fan, and Mikeavelli correctly noted in another post that it could be construed as a contemporary Lexus take on the signature Liquid Copper hue from the original, seminal "bionic cheetah" Infiniti FX.

Everyone seems very impressed with the copper paint, but I struggle personally due to color blindness.

It reminded me of a much-improved version of the Daybreak Yellow that was offered with the CT -- this illustrates my issue, as these colors are likely very different from each other. :joy:

krew

Everyone seems very impressed with the copper paint, but I struggle personally due to color blindness.

It reminded me of a much-improved version of the Daybreak Yellow that was offered with the CT -- this illustrates my issue, as these colors are likely very different from each other. :joy:

It's not as far out from Daybreak Yellow as you might think, but it's definitely distinctly different from it. Lexus should send you some of those color blindness correction glasses to make sure you're getting the full effect of their paint colors :)

Joaquin Ruhi

One aspect of LF-1 Limitless worth commenting on is the exterior rose gold/copper color, inspired (per one account) by high-end, copper cookware. I'm a big fan, and Mikeavelli correctly noted in another post that it could be construed as a contemporary Lexus take on the signature Liquid Copper hue from the original, seminal "bionic cheetah" Infiniti FX.

This is further proof of how Lexus has regained its "exterior color" mojo after nearly a decade lost in the wilderness. From the eye-popping (in a good way) original IS color palette of Absolutely Red, Auburn Sky, Solar Yellow and Spectra Blue Mica, the marque settled into an unremarkable palette of meh colors until the turn-of-this-decade Ultrasonic Blue (in both its original and 2.0 iterations). Also worth noting is the ne plus ultra of automotive silvers: the 2014 award-winning Atomic Silver, Infrared, the limited-edition Structural Blue, Autumn Shimmer and Flare Yellow. This rose gold/copper (has Lexus even given it a name yet?) is a worthy addition to that pantheon.

I agree, they need more unique color options in their lineup and the rose gold/copper would be perfect. Browsing through the options for the LS/LC (at least in the US), you're really only limited to black and white with 3 shades of silver/gray in between, brown, red, and blue...

Video: The Lexus LF-1 Limitless in Detail

The new concept is ready for its close-up.

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krew

Video: The Lexus LF-1 Limitless in Detail




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Nice and visually informative as that video is as far as LF-1, I can't help but wonder what the point is of having the last 2 minutes or so showing nothing but the house it was filmed in...

Joaquin Ruhi

Nice and visually informative as that video is as far as LF-1, I can't help but wonder what the point is of having the last 2 minutes or so showing nothing but the house it was filmed in...

Must have been one of the conditions of its use. :D

Joaquin Ruhi

This rose gold/copper (has Lexus even given it a name yet?) is a worthy addition to that pantheon.

This photo from the Motor Trend article suggests it might. Champagne Titanium, anyone?

senar

By the way, a good size/price comparison for the LF-1 may actually be the Maserati Levante. The dimensions are close (197″ L x 77.5″ W x 66.1″ H + 118.1 wheelbase) to the LF-1 (197.4" L x 78.2" W x 63.2" H + 117.1" wheelbase), both are RWD with long hoods, and I can imagine the MSRP will be similar to its $74K.

Bingo! Give the man a prize! Another photo from the Motor Trend LF-1 article includes comparisons to its RX and NX FWD-centric crossover siblings, the Jaguar F-Pace... and the Maserati Levante. :D Notably, nary a mention of the Germans...

A random thought: If LF-(chronological number) (Blank)less becomes the new naming protocol for Lexus concepts, will LF-1 Limitless be followed by LF-2 Boundless and LF-3 Peerless?

Now that Toyota (through Lexus) will have a luxury crossover and Toyota is doing quite well with non luxury crossovers, I can't wait to see what they will do with the next Land Cruiser, and hope that this Lexus crossover will allow the Land Cruiser to be an even better off-road car (powerful, solid, reliable, 'simple'), as it will no more have to compete with others for road handling. IFS and IRS with three lockers would be really nice on the new Land Cruiser. The same aged Pajero is a very modern yet capable car (IFS and IRS, unibody, 2WD and 4WD and two lockers, low range). It is really sad how the market for real off-roaders got replaced by fake crossovers. Imagine if all women had fake...

Joaquin Ruhi

This photo from the Motor Trend article suggests it might. Champagne Titanium, anyone?





Bingo! Give the man a prize! Another photo from the Motor Trend LF-1 article includes comparisons to its RX and NX FWD-centric crossover siblings, the Jaguar F-Pace... and the Maserati Levante. :D Notably, nary a mention of the Germans...

A random thought: If LF-(chronological number) (Blank)less becomes the new naming protocol for Lexus concepts, will LF-1 Limitless be followed by LF-2 Boundless and LF-3 Peerless?

Good eye! So based on that picture, next genre means a lineup of lifted wagons starting with the flagship LW-500? ;)

http://www.autonews.com/article/20180127/OEM03/180129788/lexus-may-ride-lf-1-to-higher-ground

Lexus may ride LF-1 to higher ground

DETROIT — The LF-LC sports car concept Lexus unveiled at the 2012 Detroit auto show was mostly a styling exercise. Reaction was so positive that the concept made it to production as the stunning LC 500 halo coupe that went on sale last year.

At the introduction of the LF-1 Limitless crossover concept at this year's Detroit show, Lexus' U.S. team wasn't waiting for audience input to push for headquarters to send a production version — immediately, if not sooner.

"Sawa-san," Lexus General Manager Jeff Bracken said — addressing Yoshihiro Sawa, president of Lexus International — during the concept's debut, "we have to build this vehicle."

Bracken's eagerness to add an exotically designed "flagship crossover" at the top of Lexus' lineup signals the direction he'd like to take the brand as it slips farther from the luxury sales crown it owned for more than a decade. Rather than follow Mercedes, Audi, BMW and Jaguar into less-expensive, entry-luxury territory to boost sales volumes, he aims to stake out more ground in the upper tiers of luxury, where Lexus has only a thin presence.

It's a logical progression from the LC 500 flagship coupe, which can easily crack $100,000, and the redesigned LS flagship sedan that goes on sale next month at a starting price of nearly $76,000 with shipping.

"If you think about where so much of our volume comes from, it's more in the $35,000-to-$55,000 range," Bracken told Automotive News. "And so that higher-end market in the luxury industry has been ... an area where we haven't been in as much as we'd like to be in."

The LF-1, should it be made, "could be another halo product for us, not only from a standpoint of styling but price positioning," Bracken said on the sidelines of the Detroit auto show.

That doesn't mean Lexus has given up on its quest for sales growth. But the priority will remain on brand image, dealer throughput and the customer experience, Bracken said.

German competitors each have a hundred more U.S. dealerships than Lexus and are pushing into price tiers where Lexus won't go, lest it encroach on its full-line partner, Toyota.

If German brands "dip below $30,000 MSRP or even transaction price, there's a lot of volume there," Bracken said. "And since our strategy is not to go below $30,000, it just makes it a more competitive environment in the luxury industry as we try and fill more premium gaps."

Lexus cut its entry-level hybrid, the CT hatchback, in the U.S. last year as volume dwindled. To take its place, Lexus is developing a small crossover based on the UX Concept vehicle, although Bracken wouldn't give any details.

Lexus also finally introduced a three-row version of its best-selling RX midsize crossover in November. The RXL now trickling out to dealers should add around 15,000 in new sales this year, Bracken said.

With 71.7 percent of Lexus' product mix going to crossovers and SUVs in December, investing in a production version of the LF-1 could be a needed pivot upmarket as the brand matures, analysts said.

"They need to stretch the brand in this direction, and the LC 500 was a great first step," said Karl Brauer, a senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book. "The LF-1 Limitless would be a great follow-up, particularly because as beautiful as the LC 500 is, it has a big flaw: It's a car."

If Lexus wants to steal some real volume from rivals, it needs a crossover in that space, he said.

While the LF-1 is designed around the LS sedan platform, Brauer sees it conceptually as more of an extension of the LC 500, given its styling cues.

Kevin Hunter, president of Toyota's in-house Calty Design Research arm, said the LF-1's break from current Lexus styling toward a more liquid, exotic look eventually could trickle down to other segments.

"One of our key terms at Lexus right now is 'brave design,' " Hunter said at the Detroit show. "We want to take chances."

This Luxury SUV should be one of the next things to be made by Lexus (2020) please . It should go straight from concept to product . Even down to the navigation system layout . It's about time some one makes a SUV 4 seater that is designed beautifully.Lets not forget Rwd that could changed to all wheel drive too .

Production Lexus LF-1 Limitless Could Get Three Row Option

There's certainly enough room.

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Compared to the current LX 570, the LF-1 concept is 2.6 inches shorter, but with an extra 4.9 inches of wheelbase.

Yes, but that doesn't necessarily translate directly into extra overall legroom. Bear in mind that GA-L, like Nissan/Infiniti's FM platform, is kinda-sorta front-mid-engined, with a good chunk of the engine contained within the wheelbase and the front wheels placed further forward relative to the engine, thus lengthening the wheelbase.

I can't say that the front wheels are fully 4.9" further forward than they would otherwise be if LF-1 were built on the LX 570/Land Cruiser platform or even on its purported TNGA-F successor. By the same token, it would be inaccurate to predict that GA-L will automatically lengthen the interior by 4.9".

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.

Maybe there's enough room lengthwise for a 3rd row, but headroom would be abysmal if a production version hews closely to the LF-1 Limitless' sloped fastback roofline. A 3-row version would need a more upright roofline and probably more rear overhang à la RX L.

(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.)

I'd say a production LF-1 Limitless "Coupe" could, much like Lexus' own 4LS, Mercedes S-Class, Volvo S90 (among others) offer both 2-passenger individual and 3-passenger bench back seat options.

Once it looks good.... maybe something like reverse facing seats for kids....

Everyone has a 7-seat options at this class, so it's the natural thing to do no matter if it's practical or not.

This must be an additional model and in no way a replacement for the Current range of SUV i.e. GX and LX they will continue and are different from the Limitless. I like the name and hope it will become the LL and certainly hope that there will not be the usual Lexus delay to market.
The replacement for the CT is now well overdue and despite reports that it will be launched in March (next month) there is no leaked info around a bit troubling or maybe not if Lexus decide not to market a smallish car and to leave that to the Toyota brand.
I believe Lexus can move really upmarket and should do so and take on the big brands like Rolls Royce, Bentley etc and if they go that route then there is no need for a CT model at all.

Rob Grieveson

This must be an additional model and in no way a replacement for the Current range of SUV i.e. GX and LX they will continue and are different from the Limitless. I like the name and hope it will become the LL and certainly hope that there will not be the usual Lexus delay to market.
The replacement for the CT is now well overdue and despite reports that it will be launched in March (next month) there is no leaked info around a bit troubling or maybe not if Lexus decide not to market a smallish car and to leave that to the Toyota brand.
I believe Lexus can move really upmarket and should do so and take on the big brands like Rolls Royce, Bentley etc and if they go that route then there is no need for a CT model at all.

There will definitely be a delay.

Joaquin Ruhi

Those are some very interesting charts comparing the LF-1 to the rest of the Lexus lineup... the LF-1 is more wagon-like but also more car-like than the "X" models, sort of another reminder that crossovers are the future. And how it is very RWD biased/based(?) and also lower than the NX.

Do you have any other pictures of the other comparison charts?

meth.ix

Do you have any other pictures of the other comparison charts?

Unfortunately, no. That photo is part of Motor Trend's LF-1 Limitless article, and I'm not even sure Lexus bothered to make similar charts of its model lineup or other concepts. It'd be awesome if they did, though.

Yesterday I drove the following:
RX 350 F-Sport
LC 500 Performance pack
LS 500 F-Sport AWD

The order was LC, RX, LC then LS. Absolutely no disrespect to the RX, we own one, but the ride and handling of the LC and LS are so superior it made my head spin. It became immediately apparent that a SUV/LF-1 based on this same platform using the same principles of the LC/LS would be a grand slam.

Lexus build it and they will come!