I hope the production model retains the more classic LS/LC grill. The concept grill reminds me a bit of the LF-SA grill, which I don't care for as much. I agree, the Avalon grill looks totally out of place on that car though.
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I hope the production model retains the more classic LS/LC grill. The concept grill reminds me a bit of the LF-SA grill, which I don't care for as much. I agree, the Avalon grill looks totally out of place on that car though.
mikeavelli
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I think I am starting to miss the understated luxury apsect of previous Lexus. Now every car has a recognizable front, all have the same gaping hole, be it Audi, Mercedes, Hyundai, or whatever I can think of, be it a luxury brand or mainstream brand. Even BMW is now getting a huge kidney grill.
#smallgrill
Recently what opened my eyes was having my son and influencing him into cars. He is 3 years old. In the past few months he has stunned me naming vehicles I never taught him. The other day a basic BMW X5 in silver drives by and he says "its a BMW". The only X5 I might have ever showed him was a X5 M briefly. It showed me the power of design cues. The badge is too small to see at this point so even at 3, he has figured out what brand is what brand just by seeing similar design cues. This will last most of his life. Ironically we can relate this to most adults because most of the buying public cannot tell cars apart and if they can tell them apart they don't know the brand without seeing a badge.
The 2001 or so MMC was a great update to the ES..sadly though I remember how the #1 thing detractors would say is "looks just like a Camry". And not to instigate but this was happening at the time...
Now obviously the new Camry has a big grill like a Lexus but its less confusing and the two don't look nearly as similar.
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Even more than the way the LF-1 looks, I feel that the concept is perfectly Lexus.
I know that the timing is off -- the LF-1 should probably already be in the lineup as a production model. And yet, this is exactly how the NX played out. Remember how long we waited to even see the LF-NX concept? I was writing about Lexus making a RAV4 subcompact crossover ten years ago.
I know that the timing is off -- the LF-1 should probably already be in the lineup as a production model. And yet, this is exactly how the NX played out. Remember how long we waited to even see the LF-NX concept? I was writing about Lexus making a RAV4 subcompact crossover ten years ago.
mikeavelli
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Crazy to think now the X1 and X2 slot below the X3 now. So much has changed in ten years!
I do think this LF-1 is a bit ahead for a change. There really isn't a true flagship coupe SUV. I assume the Q8 will beat this out to production. The other Germans are mid class based. The Cayenne wouldn't be a true competitor as its roomier.
It seems the LF-NX concept was unveiled in September 2013 and went into production August 2014 so there's still a glimmer of hope the LF-1 will be released next year as a 2020 model. The demand will certainly be there like the NX.
I'm also glad they decided not to give the LF-1 a sloping coupe SUV roofline like the GLE or X6.
Do you mean the Cayenne is roomier or the LF-1? I see the 2018 Cayenne dimensions as 191.1" L x 78.7" W x 67.4" H + 114" wheelbase while the LF-1 is 197.4" L x 78.2" W x 63.2" H + 117.1" wheelbase. The LF-1 is longer, but not as tall so interior room may be close.
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mikeavelli
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Looking at interior packaging (mind you it is a concept) the LF-1 seems to be more coupe like whereas the Cayenne is more of a traditional upright SUV.
Thanks for listing the dimension comparison.
Hi Guys,
Wild theory, not sure if speculated on before, but I think this car will be the next generation LX.
The new LS and LC are grounds up pure Lexus cars, while the current LX is a redone Toyota Land Cruiser. The LF-1 if it becomes the next gen LX will then be the pure flagship Lexus crossover.
As for the utilitarian/hauling/dune bashing aspect and capabilities of the current LX, well, not many other CUV's do that right now either as a full time responsibility. So losing those capabilities in the new LX might not be something that disappoints the current and future owners that much.
Wild theory, not sure if speculated on before, but I think this car will be the next generation LX.
The new LS and LC are grounds up pure Lexus cars, while the current LX is a redone Toyota Land Cruiser. The LF-1 if it becomes the next gen LX will then be the pure flagship Lexus crossover.
As for the utilitarian/hauling/dune bashing aspect and capabilities of the current LX, well, not many other CUV's do that right now either as a full time responsibility. So losing those capabilities in the new LX might not be something that disappoints the current and future owners that much.
They should just call the new model the SX as it sure looks sexy
I imagine they will want to choose a new name and continue selling the LX, as it's still quite popular in parts of the world.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.
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As a purist, thinking of what the Lexus lineup should be, I'd agree with you. In practice, though, the Toyota bean counter/accountant types would disagree. Taken individually, each Lexus LX is surely even more profitable than the already money-making Toyota Land Cruiser. Yet, the pricier LX handily outsells its Toyota-badged sibling in the U.S. I guess more people than not figure the longer factory warranty and the added prestige of the "Circle L" badge are worth the extra $$$. On top of that, the upcoming less-expensive 2-Row LX is bound to further cut into Land Cruiser sales.
Bottom line: I see Lexus taking a dual-prong LX body-on-frame SUV / L? (production LF-1 Limitless) crossover strategy akin to the way Mercedes has both G-Class and GLS atop its SUV offerings.
Ian Schmidt
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The new LS has often been compared to the Quattroporte, so using the Levante as a point of reference for LF-1 seems exactly right.
G Class is closer to LC70 than LC200.
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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.
mikeavelli
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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.
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.
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mikeavelli
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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.
Off-road car that can't go off-road.