Carmaker1
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Whoa the IS? LOL I am not touching that. Before I returned to the United States, I was upset that we could not update our Mk II 200 V8 to a Mk III 2016 version, because it was discontinued in the UK.I guess a LC buyer doesn't have a lot more choices... All of my acquaintances that own a LC (won't mind which one), they are the most passionates owners around... They just love them... Even if they try other brands/models a LC will find it's way "home" again.
Honestly, I won't mind lacking some more updates around LC's if we get more updates on the IS thread
Sure it was a huge vehicle to be driving around Birmingham, Coventry, and into London vicinity. But I loved it.
Most people drove around Range Rovers and G-Classes, but I loved the times I took 2.5 hour drives down to London, to pick up friends and back up to my family B'ham metro area residence.
In Africa they are my go-to vehicle next to the LX570. So I am very invested in them being their best and as modern as possible because I benefit from the great reliability and airconditioned comfort, plus security of it not letting me down in the midst of intense heat and sometimes risk.
I think everyone who drives one of these has that belief. It will not let you down, in an emergency nor delay your schedule with silly issues.
The biggest issue I have today is, where it stands competitively.
Back in 1998-1999, the 100 series was top of its class and was also high tech from having a class-leading interior next to the Range Rover and also had a GPS touchscreen navigation system, plus offroad hardware that bested many.
Even the Mercedes Gelandewagen didn't have the best interior at that point until later updates in the 2000s. It was dated by comparison.
The 200 series tried to aim in that direction, but quickly fell behind. No one had any reason to criticize the interior of the 100 as "dated", because the Americans were nothing remarkable (save for Jeep), the ML was crappy, BMW didn't appear until very late in 1999, and no one else was competition worth paying mind to.
This alone sold so many of them because it was unmatched. The most luxurious 8-seater utility vehicle in the world, that could go anywhere at the close of the 20th century. That no longer holds true, unless you go aftermarket and spend tens of thousands of euros.
Based off what I've been told, I'm going to try and summarize and just state:
The Sequoia is the biggest, but not necessarily a flagship. Targetting Expedition, Suburban, and Yukon.
Instead of being a luxury ute, the respected nameplate vehicle will lose some seating capacity and become more of a really nice toy, with less sticker shock in the states.
Global versions probably will just evolve to new frame, still ranging from bare bones UN spec to decked out VX Limited or etc flagship variants.
LX will remain BOF, but no longer will have internal competition from TLC. This one will seat 7-8 people, plus a 5 seater version and ultra-luxury 4-seater.
I really don't believe that Lexus USA will get what they want in terms of a body-on-frame Escalade ESV competitor. However I don't work for them, so anything can happen though.
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