Really interested to know how close to production the concept is. It looks more production ready than the LC concept. Turbo V8 does fit this car, with it mid-engine layout, I also wonder it the production car will also be that way. If yes it might be the first mid-engine CUV. Except (Jeep Wrangler and Land Cruiser 70, SUVs are not mid-front). I then wonder how will Lexus solve the AWD issue with such a mid-front layout. I expect the Ferrari CUV to have a similar looking car, a lifted FF/GTC4 with two more door and mid-front engine. They also have to solve the AWD issue. Maybe the new BMW M850xi will show a breakthrough (though BMW usually disappoint tech-wise). With the long wheelbase, I expect the LQ also to have AWS as every car in this category.
Has anyone noticed the frameless doors? Do you think the production car will get them too? As of now, without counting old Subarus, there are only two CUVs that have frameless doors: The Maserati Levante and the pair Lamborghini Urus/Audi Q8. (Urus is basically a rebadged/rebodied Q8). One negative of frameless doors is the increased noise. I do not know if this issue has been completely mitigated compared to framed doors. But frameless doors are cool when windows are down and doors open.
I expect the LQs main rival will be the Q8 and Urus, which will be powered by V8 turbos and a probably plug-in version. Given the flop of the second generation R8, which is at least on the magnitude of the new NSX (my favorite supercar right now), as there will be no third generation, the Q8 will quite likely take the flagship role at Audi (with 2.0 TFSI engine to increase sales? lol), until its BEV cars arrive (if Tesla does not go bankrupt). Audi really lost it with the arrogant refusal to use the new RWD based platform. The A6 and A8 only out will have to live a whole generation on the old FWD based platform. Not to forget that the SUV platform is also still FWD based, in other words, nose heavy.
I also expect reviews mentioning how much more trunk volume the Q8 has, and saying how it is "more off-road capable with all the off-road tech it has, even though on track the LQ handles better and is faster, but who drives such CUVs on track?". I should probably start a satire car review website...