Toyota’s upscale nameplate expands its SUV lineup; another new crossover to be shown in concept form in Detroit next month.
Is Lexus hungry for the XC90’s success?
You could say so, now that Lexus has made a seven-seat version of the RX SUV to rival the Volvo XC90 and its likes. The so-called RX L is making its world debut at the ongoing Los Angeles auto show.
What Lexus did was lengthened the RX’s rear by 110mm and inserted a steeper tailgate so that third-row passengers can enjoy proper leg and head room. There’s also the option of specifying a two-seat matrix in the second row.
There are only two engines to choose from in the RX L: 290hp 3.5-litre V6 petrol motor in the RX L 350 and 308hp 3.5-litre V6 petrol-electric hybrid in the RX L 450h.
We hear that the Thai Lexus office is not planning to sell either model of the RX L since both will be penalised by maximum excise tax due to their engines exceeding 3,000cc.
Are they eying the LX monster SUV then?
Not really. The LX was never sold officially in Thailand due to its gas-guzzling engine. The LX570 comes with 383hp 5.7-litre V8.
The interesting thing, though, is that Lexus also used the LA motor show to debut a five-seat version of the LX, which was previously only available in seven-seat configuration. The two-row LX is aimed at users needing lots of luggage space.
Nevertheless, the LX (and the smaller GX) won’t pop up on the radar screens of Thai Lexus product planners. Both are based on Toyota’s Land Cruiser models using chassis-on-frame underpinnings and are aimed primarily at the North American and Middle Eastern markets.
That’s acceptable. What’s with that new SUV concept coming soon?
Just this week, Lexus has announced that it will premiere the LF-1 Limitless concept vehicle at the 2017 Detroit motor show next month.
Although details are still scarce, the sole teaser picture below reveals a raked tailgate possibly pointing to a new car-based SUV (with a monocoque platform, like in the RX and NX).
And as Lexus has mentioned “flagship crossover”, there’s a good chance that it might preview a sporty SUV competing with the likes of the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.
Last year, Lexus also revealed its intentions of building a new baby SUV sitting below the NX. The UX Concept is most likely to make way for a production version based on the Toyota C-HR to compete with the Audi Q3 and BMW X1.
It appears that Lexus is preparing an onslaught of SUVs in the coming years as the trend for such vehicles continue to be on the rise.
