Same thing happening at Subaru.
Well my friend, Subaru isn't really up there and nothing they do surprises me. It wasn't really a criticism by me, just an interesting observation I have noticed recently. As a past Jaguar engineer, I found it interesting how the 2003 X350 XJ was all-new, yet deemed evolutionary based on styling. New platform and everything, yet the so-called revolutionary XJ was the 2010 X351, which uses the same aluminium chassis with improvements.
I am just comparing the night and day differences between the 2006-2012 K Platform ES XV40 and 2012-2018 XV60, against new 2019 model. Ditto for Avalon, more than anything. The 2012 Avalon looks ancient compared to the 2013, despite being mechanically identical in ways. The 2019 Avalon looks similar, yet is essentially 99.9% new.
Indeed, I think when it comes to the design, since ES is so established and sells well for them, they are less willing to experiment in design compared to other new models or models that are not leaders in sale. Case in point new UX for instance, which is really out there, more so than any other Lexus model I remember.
When it comes to the engines, there are many rumors from Asia about 2.5t, did you hear anything about it? or AWD?
It's not really what I meant, but a good point nonetheless. Similarly based on sales success, BMW refused to make that mistake with the 2005 E90 3-Series and facelift Gen 1 E53 X5 (planned for late 2003 / MY2004) very last minute.
They stopped ﹰChris Bangle in his tracks in early 2002, just months after the 2002 7-Series was revealed during summer of 2001 to exreme derision, before signing off on the final E90 exterior by designer Joji Nagashima (of 90s BMW fame) in March 2002. As late as early 2003, even more changes were ordered to the E90 taillights to simplify them ahead of December 2004 Job 1. Result wasn't as extreme as the 7-Series and 5-Series of that era.
Other than the ES, what Lexus model needs a conservative/evolutionary approach, to protect sales? I can only say, the RX. Ironically, the extreme AL20 RX jumped in sales to extreme heights for 2016 (best ever?)
, despite vocal hatred of the avant-garde design. I am thinking the IS will be the styling revolution, since the GS won't be debuting the new design language after being put on ice. Think LS+ in design, 5GS-F rendering. LS+ Concept was a look at the new IS, using LS body and also future LS changes.
Naturally the new ES was supposed to take after the 5LS design, but because the XF50 LS was designed so long ago (early 2010s), a new design language was already brewing, expected to be seen on 5GS next year.
Problem was, UX at the entry end couldn't debut it entirely and anything else isn't really a redesign (GX facelift) over the next year. Meaning, 2021 model year will introduce the new design language. Either with 600X code NX, 4??? code IS, or 650B code L? flagship CUV. The next LX is reportedly Job 1 of January 2020.
