FutureRumorsUSA

Lexus Trademarks TX 350 & TX 500h Nameplates

Posted by krew on September 14th, 2020

Lexus has registered trademarks for the TX 350 and TX 500h with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, suggesting a new model could be on the horizon.

In the name of pure speculation, the brawny TX nameplate could be the answer to U.S. dealership requests for a large three-row SUV — this quote from an Automotive News interview with Lexus USA dealer council chairman Carl Sewell III says it all:

Sewell said Lexus could use a Cadillac Escalade fighter — a big, three-row luxury SUV — but there are other considerations beyond what dealers want, such as how vehicles fit into the brand’s regulatory plans.

“I think every dealer would raise their hand for that product, certainly,” Sewell told Automotive News last month. “One of the big things we’ve been working on over the last two years on council is our premium luxury utility vehicle lineup for the future. Right now, we’ve got a really strong sub-$50,000 lineup. But when we look above that, we’ve got some great product today, but what do those products look like for the future?”

(This is not the first time Lexus has trademarked TX, originally registering the nameplate in 2009 before abandoning it in 2017.)

JapanLexus IS: Third GenerationRumors

New Lexus IS F Coming in November?

Posted by krew on September 3rd, 2020

Lexus IS F New

A new Lexus IS F will have a surprise debut in November, according to a report from Japanese magazine Best Car. The car is said to be powered by the same 5.0L V8 engine as the original IS F, which debuted way back in 2007. Lexus has recently trademarked the IS 500 nameplate in several markets including the USA.

Lexus recently announced a second refresh of the current IS, bringing a more modern look to the seven-year-old sedan.

2020.03.26
Lexus ES: Seventh GenerationTechUSA

Toyota Announces Lexus ES 250 AWD with 203 Horsepower

Posted by krew on August 20th, 2020

Lexus ES 250 AWD

All wheel drive is finally coming to the Lexus ES sedan, with the 203 horsepower ES 250 AWD set to arrive at dealerships later this year. The ES 250 AWD is powered by a 203 horsepower 4-cylinder engine, with an estimated fuel economy of 28 combined MPG. A F SPORT package will also be offered.

Lexus ES 250

Here’s the Lexus press release explaining the new AWD system:

Dynamic Torque Control AWD can provide effective traction for inclement and slippery weather while minimizing AWD’s typical drag on fuel economy. The system can direct up to 50 percent of engine torque to the rear wheels, in response to acceleration from a start or slippage at the front wheels.

When AWD isn’t needed, the electromagnetic controlled coupling on the rear drive axle can disengage the propeller shaft to help prioritize fuel efficiency. The AWD is designed to re-engage in an instant, when needed, and its operation is transparent to the driver and passengers.

EuropeFutureRumors

Lexus Files LBX Trademark in Europe

Posted by Joaquin Ruhi on August 13th, 2020

On August 5th, Toyota registered a European trademark for LBX . What really placed it on our radars is the discovery, a few days later, of a corresponding Lexus LBX trademark filed the same day in Israel. Notably, it has yet to be filed in the U.S.

What could a Lexus LBX be? Several of our forums members suggested it might be a new infotainment system, perhaps a successor of sorts to the outgoing Lexus Enform system. However, the original trademark filing for Lexus Enform was verbose and detailed, whereas the LBX trademarks are simply for “automobiles and structural parts thereof”.

A future concept vehicle is also possible, perhaps a Lexus Battery eXperimental or Lexus Battery crossover as a possible offshoot of Toyota’s e-TNGA initiative. Earlier this year, it was rumored Lexus was preparing a small crossover based on the Toyota Yaris Cross, with plans to call it the BX.

AustraliaEuropeEVsFutureRumorsUSA

Lexus Trademarks the RZ 450e Nameplate in USA & Europe

Posted by krew on August 12th, 2020

Lexus RZ 450e

Lexus has registered the RZ 450e in the USA, Europe and Australia over the past two weeks, suggesting both a new model and a new powertrain could be on the way.

Of course, there is the matter of figuring out what exactly the RZ 450e nameplate could be — considering the current market, it’s a safe assumption this new model will be a crossover of some description. The engine is an even safer bet, as Lexus has adopted the letter e as their battery electric designation.

Key to this puzzle is the Z, as it essentially guarantees a new model. The R is also interesting, because the two other Lexus vehicles to share the letter are a crossover and a coupe, a combination that’s more and more common among luxury manufacturers.

Toyota announced that it would release six battery electric vehicles by 2025, with the first to debut in 2020. The UX 300e kicked things off, launching in China earlier this year, and it’s clear another Lexus EV is on the horizon.

(With nothing but letters to go on, it’s hard to make a guess at what the RZ 450e. A possibility is a crossover coupe, perhaps something like this recent Toyota concept:

Lexus RZ 450e

FutureJapanRumors

No V8 Engines for Future Lexus Models

Posted by krew on August 9th, 2020

Lexus LC F Cancelled

According to a new Mag-X report out of Japan, Toyota has cancelled all V8 engine development in favour of turbo V6s and electrified powertrains.

If true, this move throws the future of the Lexus F brand into doubt, as next-generation F models were believed to center around a 600+ horsepower twin-turbo V8. This engine was to power a LC coupe in this year’s 24 Hours of Nürburgring race before COVID shut everything down.

RacingUSA

Lexus Scores Third Consecutive Victory in IMSA GT3 Racing

Posted by krew on August 3rd, 2020

Lexus RC F GT3 Winner

Townsend Bell and Frankie Montecalvo finished first in the #12 Lexus RC F GT3 at Sunday’s IMSA race at Road America, marking a third consecutive victory for the AIM VASSER SULLIVAN team.

Along with the win for the #12 Lexus, Jack Hawksworth and Aaron Telitz recorded their third straight podium finish in the #14 RC F GT3 with a third-place result. Hawksworth and Telitz came into Sunday’s race with back-to-back victories at Daytona International Speedway and Sebring International Raceway.

This is the fifth victory for AVS in their second year of IMSA competition and the third career IMSA win for Bell, the first for Montecalvo and their first win behind the wheel of the Lexus RC F GT3. Lexus currently leads the manufacturer championship points in both the overall and Sprint Cup standings.

Lexus and AIM VASSER SULLIVAN compete next at Virginia International Raceway on Saturday, August 22 at 1:40 pm ET.