Lexus has taken the limelight at the year’s first motor show with a potential rival for the Range Rover and its likes.
Lexus LF1 Limitless
Lexus hopes to cash in the growing SUV market with a potential flagship crossover sitting above the RX. The bold-looking LF1 Limitless concept is said to be able to accommodate fuel-cell, plug-in hybrid or all-battery propulsion. Pundits believe there’s a good chance Lexus is investigating a rival for the BMW X6 and Range Rover Velar.
Infiniti Q Inspiration
Nissan’s upscale brand has shown a stylish fastback encompassing several things: new design language, next-level autonomous driving technologies, variable compression turbo engine and human-centric interior. The Q Inspiration could also provide Infiniti with an answer to the Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 4-series Gran Coupe.
Acura RDX
Although still billed as a prototype, the RDX is virtually production-ready to take on the likes of the Lexus NX. Acura’s mid-size SUV comes with a 2.0-litre petrol-turbo engine and 10-speed automatic. Even if Honda’s luxurious badge is not sold in Thailand, such technologies could eventually come to the CR-V in the future.
Nissan Xmotion
Nissan has an array of SUV currently on sale in world markets, but that hasn’t stopped them from looking into another model. This time, they’re exploring a three-row 4+2 model featuring a front end that evolves the V-Motif grille further. The basic shape has also been inspired by Nissan’s latest baby SUV called Kicks, rumoured to be coming to Thailand to indirectly replace the aging Juke.
Honda Insight
The hybrid-powered Insight is back after a four-year hiatus. In the usual Honda fashion, it’s being shown in “prototype” form before sales start toward the end of the year. The third-gen Insight is based on the Civic but is said to use a two-motor hybrid from the Accord Hybrid. The Thai Honda office is reportedly not keen in building dedicated hybrid-powered cars in the country due to lack of economies of scale.
