August 03, 2020
Lexus holds on with makeovers and hybrids
New Toyota Motor North America CEO Ted Ogawa says he wants to change the product cadence and powertrain options at Lexus to boost the Japanese luxury brand. However, the scope of his plans is unclear as the brand recovers from the COVID-19 production shutdown.
Lexus buyers are getting older, and Ogawa would like to attract a younger demographic. For now, however, the brand's lineup is expected to remain static, with makeovers of its current lineup of sedans, crossovers and SUVs and a further spreading of hybrid technology to boost performance. Ogawa could look to broaden Lexus offerings with models currently available in China, but no expansion of the Lexus lineup has been confirmed.
However, given the state of sedan sales, even in the luxury segment, look for Lexus to pare down plans to spend on its sedans while it focuses on improving its crossovers.
IS: With luxury sedan sales dipping, Lexus chose to reengineer the Lexus IS compact sport sedan in 2020 instead of a full redesign. When it arrives at dealerships this year, the 2021 IS will offer improved handling and responsiveness with an upgraded suspension, in addition to newly enhanced safety and infotainment functions. The IS 350 will come equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 delivering an uptuned 311 hp and 280 pound-feet of torque, with an eight-speed transmission in the rear-wheel-drive model and a six-speed transmission powering the all-wheel-drive model.
ES: The seventh generation of the midsize sedan went on sale in 2018 and will receive minor tweaks until a full freshening in 2024.
LS: Before arriving in the first half of 2021, the large sedan will undergo a major freshening that will include the rollout of a Level 2 automated driving-assistance feature called Lexus Teammate. The system is expected to use lidar technology developed partly with Denso Corp. that will enable the LS to automatically change lanes, follow lanes and pass vehicles in highway driving.
RC: The low-volume performance coupe is unlikely to receive more than minor touch-ups before a full freshening now planned for 2024.
LC: Redesigned in 2017 and joined by a new convertible this year, the LC is unlikely to receive much more than minor upgrades until at least 2025.
UX: The UX compact crossover will be due for a midcycle freshening in 2023, given Lexus product cycles.
NX: The NX compact crossover is due for a full redesign in the second half of 2021, when it will be moved onto Toyota's global luxury platform. Improved driver-assistance and safety systems will be added, as will an upgraded infotainment system and an improved hybrid powertrain.
RX: The brand's top-selling crossover is due for a redesign onto Toyota's global luxury platform in 2023, when the midsize RX will be outfitted with an improved hybrid powertrain, the latest safety and driver-assist systems and upgraded infotainment.
GX: Lexus dealers would like a larger, more luxurious three-row GX midsize SUV when it is redesigned onto the GA-F platform in 2024. Look for a more muscular, performance-driven offering from a powertrain boosted by Toyota's hybrid technology, along with the latest suite of Lexus safety, driver-assist and infotainment offerings.
LX: The LX large SUV gets a full redesign onto the luxury GA-F body-on-frame platform in 2022, following the trail blazed by the Toyota Land Cruiser. The new platform will improve its technology and safety offerings, as well as its ride comfort, and make it more competitive among big three-row luxury off-roaders.
New Toyota Motor North America CEO Ted Ogawa says he wants to change the product cadence and powertrain options to boost the Japanese luxury brand.
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