JapanLexus LF-1: Concept VehicleRumors

Lexus LF-1 Flagship Crossover Arriving in 2022 with Two New Engines

Posted by Joaquin Ruhi on May 26th, 2020

Lexus LF-1 Limitless Production 2022

According to the latest report from Japanese magazine Best Car, the production model Lexus LF-1 Limitless will debut in 2022 squarely aimed at the Porsche Cayenne.

The article outlines the LF-1’s tentative dimensions:

  • Wheelbase: 2990mm (117.7”)
  • Length: 5005mm (197”)
  • Width: 1980mm (78”)
  • Height: 1595mm (62.8”)

This aligns closely with the new Porsche Cayenne Coupe, with the LF-1 2.8” (71mm) longer, 3.2” (81mm) lower, and a 3” (76mm) increase in wheelbase.

Best Car also outlines the potential powertrains, starting with a Dynamic Force 4L twin turbo V8 that will replace the current 2UR-GSE 5L V8 used in the LC 500. Considering this engine is also expected to power a high-performance LC F model, it’s possible we may see a range of horsepower options.

There’s also mention of a Dynamic Force 3L twin turbo V6 hybrid, which would be the first-ever Lexus turbocharged hybrid engine and presumably replace the currently 3.5L V6 hybrid used in the LC & LS flagship models.

Lexus LM: First GenerationPhotochops

Imagining a Lexus Sienna Minivan

Posted by krew on May 24th, 2020

Lexus Sienna Rendering

Photochopper Sugar Chow has envisioned a Lexus minivan based on the all new Toyota Sienna, and it’s a fun thought exercise given the model’s stellar redesign. Here it is in full resolution:

Lexus Sienna Full Size

The 2021 Sienna was announced last week, and it’s yet another indicator that the Toyota product renaissance is in full swing. (Fun fact, the Sienna has 18 cupholders, which works out to 2.25 cups per passenger.)

Lexus LC: First GenerationRacing

Lexus Pulls LC Prototype from 24 Hour Nürburgring Race

Posted by krew on May 21st, 2020

Lexus LC Prototype Nurburgring

For the first time in 13 years, Lexus will not participate in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. The race had been rescheduled to September, and an LC prototype was expected to participate — from the press release:

…the global spread of COVID-19 has resulted in travel restrictions and the [Toyota GAZOO Racing] team did not have enough opportunities to conduct driving tests in the Nürburgring on track, and this has had a substantial impact on the development of the race car.

This year, the team was planning to run a new engine and peripheral technologies in the Lexus LC. In the present circumstances, however, and given how demanding the 24 Hours of Nürburgring is for race cars, it would have proven more difficult for the team and the race car to complete the 24 hours race in a safe manner.

The LC race car was to be powered by a new twin-turbo V8 engine, presumably in development for a production LC F model. Lexus expects to be back at next year’s Nürburgring race.

Lexus RX: First GenerationReviewsUSA

Car & Driver Review: The 1998 Lexus RX 300

Posted by krew on May 20th, 2020

Lexus RX 300 1998

Car & Driver has republished its original review of the 1998 Lexus RX 300, and it’s a trip through time. This passage in particular was an interesting insight:

The RX300 is motivated by Lexus’s new aluminum 24-valve, 3.0-liter V-6. Variable intake-valve timing (or VVT-i in Lexus parlance) helps it crank out an invig­orating 220 horsepower—five more than the ML320, with its 18-valve V-6. Working through a four-speed automatic of impeccable smoothness, it hauled our four-wheel-drive, 4020-pound RX300 to 60 mph in just 8.2 seconds. In the inevitable Rodeo Drive stoplight drag, the 4443-pound Mercedes, at 9.8 seconds to 60 mph, doesn’t stand a chance. On a roll, the Lexus outruns the Benz, too.

This engine is one of the best parts of the RX300. It revs eagerly, and with near­ sports-car-like smoothness. The result is a healthy dose of excitement in what is nor­mally a blasé driving experience.

In the NewsUSA

Lexus Struggles with “Cadence, Product, and Powertrain”

Posted by krew on May 18th, 2020

Lexus LC Convertible

Automotive News has published its full interview with new Toyota North America CEO Ted Ogawa after posting an except last month, and it’s a fascinating read from start to finish. Of course, we will focus on the Lexus-specific information:

Ogawa: I have no worries about the Toyota lineup, but in the case of Lexus, the cadence is an issue. So for this year, the LC convertible is new. Profitwise, it may be OK, but in this sense, the Lexus dealer body wants to see more product sooner.

AN: How will you change that within Lexus?

Ogawa: We need to change the cadence and the product and the powertrain. Cadence is a planning concept, so that’s a No. 1 priority. And then product, next to the powertrain, right now is a second order.

On a day when Toyota announces two all-new vehicles (the Sienna and Harrier/Venza), this is an especially poignant statement. With only the LC Convertible for Lexus this year, how can the brand maintain any positive momentum?

There’s more from the Ogawa interview:

AN: What do you think ails Lexus? Where is the weak point? Is it something that can be fixed with product?

Ogawa: Yes, product and the cadence, and No. 2 is the cost competitiveness. Aggressive incentives from German brands in particular are impacting the market. So we need to change the luxury market, which has been tough for us.

Customers rely on the quality of our products, but dealers have issues with cadence. I can improve product and cadence because those are in my hands. But I cannot control the market, so that’s very difficult, and I don’t have the right answer yet for that.

It’s refreshing to see an executive speaking so candidly about the issues surrounding the Lexus brand, and it’s an accurate portrayal of the current situation. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear there are any easy fixes, nor is there any solution on the immediate horizon.

ChinaRumors

Lexus Planning BX Compact Crossover?

Posted by krew on May 13th, 2020

Autohome in China is reporting that Lexus will release a compact crossover based on the freshly announced Toyota Yaris Cross, giving it the BX nameplate.

Google Translate is imperfect, but it appears this smaller-than-UX crossover could be released in 2023. It’s likely this model would only be offered in China and Europe, as the market for this type of vehicle in North America is minor.

  • (There is some confusion as to the source of this information — Autohome cites “foreign media sources”, but the only other stories on this topic point back to Autohome. A grain of salt, perhaps?)

Thanks Den!

Lexus IS: Third GenerationRumors

Lexus IS Sedan to be Updated, No Next-Generation Model Coming?

Posted by Joaquin Ruhi on May 11th, 2020

Lexus IS 2021 Update

It’s now Motor Trend’s turn to weigh in on the 2021 Lexus IS sedan. They broadly agree with Mag-X that we’ll see a second facelift on the current IS instead of a next-generation model.

Motor Trend reports the updated IS will receive an exterior refresh alongside an upgraded chassis, a thoroughly reworked suspension, a more luxurious interior with reworked dashboard and an updated infotainment system. Powertrain options would remain unchanged.

On the subject of the IS 500, however, Motor Trend states that “Lexus product planners are still deciding if this model makes sense, so you definitely won’t see it at launch”. Should the IS 500 come to fruition, Motor Trend believes it would use the LS 500’s 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 rather than the 5-liter V8 suggested by Mag-X. There is still no IS 500 trademark in the USA as of this writing.

(Although this extensive IS refresh could conceivably debut during the rescheduled New York Auto Show in late August, a standalone virtual online reveal during the summer seems more likely.)

EuropeEVsLexus UX: First Generation

Lexus UX 300e Will Get 10 Year Battery Warranty

Posted by krew on May 10th, 2020

Lexus UX 300e Europe

The batteries in the Lexus UX 300e full-electric crossover will have a 10-year (or 1 million kilometre/620,000 mile) warranty when it goes on sale in Europe.

More specifically:

Lexus is offering a 10-year (or 1,000,000 km) service warranty on all functional defects of the BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) main battery and capacity degradation below 70%, provided that the owner respects the regular health checks foreseen in the maintenance program.

Lexus UX 300e Battery Pack

The UX 300e is powered by a newly developed 54.3 kilowatt-hour high-capacity battery which over 300 km. The model is already on sale in China, and will be coming later this year.