Tuesday 21st October 2008
Lexus Compact
New small Lexus confirmed
Plans by Lexus to launch a new competitor for the BMW 1-series and Audi A3 have been officially confirmed by the company’s European MD Tadashi Arami.
Speaking to the German media, Arami told reporters that Lexus needs smaller and more efficient vehicles to meet Europe’s increasingly tough CO2 emissions regulations, although he didn’t confirm the new model’s release date.
The new baby ‘exec’ model will be positioned below the current IS to help Lexus reach its European sales target of 150,000 units by 2015.
However, Arami did not confirm earlier reports that the widely predicted new model will use an existing front wheel drive Toyota platform, nor that a 4WD model using a version of the RX’s hybrid drive is also planned.
Either way, expect BMW and Audi product planners to be listening carefully for future revelations.
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corcoran
Original Poster
222 posts
143 months
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the scene: Lexus Executives all gathered around a large oak table.. suddenly all realising they've been asleep for the last five years and have missed the boat.
again.
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niva441
1,346 posts
100 months
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There was talk about a Lexus BS a few years ago, perhaps they are starting to do something about it now. Or is this the same vehicle actually close to launch.
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abdulaziz
656 posts
62 months
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BS 
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SystemParanoia
8,525 posts
67 months
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maybe a new hatchiroku bring on the rear drive goodness 
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abdulaziz
656 posts
62 months
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Looks like a 1 series to me 
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smellyantz
44 posts
58 months
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that looks hideous. looks like a cheap Hyundai or something.
but i expect if they do do one it will be just as good as the rest of the range.
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SleeperCell
5,591 posts
111 months
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I'd be amazed if it was RWD. It'll probably just be a Corolla, Impreza or god forbid, Prius with extra luxury kit and lexarse badges.
VW does quite well selling poshed up Golfs as FWD A3s and noone seems to have noticed that they are not RWD or even particularly good value, so Toyota will want a slice of that pie, but without the effort of creating a whole new platform.
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mat205125
14,766 posts
82 months
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Can someone tell them that just cos merc and bmw make ugly babies, they don't HAVE to follow to join the club
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Frimley111R
4,210 posts
103 months
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I really don't get what Lexus are doing. They begin with an amazing car (LS) and then slowly add models half heartedly. The ranges are all small, minimal models in each range, the IS220 is a token diesel effort and there's not estate or coupe. The CC version of it looks s  te and the SC430 is older than Japan itself. It really needs someone with balls to get on with it all! Don't even mention the worlds oldest supercar that was never released Then again, when you're owned by Toyota which has the UK's dullest range of cars....
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DeadMeat_UK
3,053 posts
151 months
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In order to make this a success, they need to distance it a little from it's upmarket cousins.
I wonder if they could launch another brand for it.
Naming would be difficult, it would need to sounds a bit Japanese, to fit with that segment, and exude smallness, lightness. Toy appeal.
Something like Toyona perhaps.
Nah, it'll never work.
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abdulaziz
656 posts
62 months
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The CLC, 1 series and A3 all sell well so why not I suppose, none of the cars I have mentioned are good looking either, I can however forgive them as they produce the IS - F
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Essex Exile
390 posts
62 months
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abdulaziz said: Looks like a 1 series to me Looks better than a 1 series to me.
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Mr Gear
8,501 posts
59 months
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That is very clearly a nasty photoshop and nothing to do with the Lexus design studio.
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eein
179 posts
134 months
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I'd like to see a Lexus iQ
It would help get their average CO2 down. Although I'm not too sure there is much space in it to add the extra 200Kg of Lexus 'luxury'. And to improve the eco aspects they could put their 400h hybrid engine into it.
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bobthemonkey
3,539 posts
85 months
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I guess its going to be a reskinned Pious with a lexus-ified interior.
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Stig
9,957 posts
153 months
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Mr Gear said: That is very clearly a nasty photoshop and nothing to do with the Lexus design studio. Precisely.
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BlueCello
6,151 posts
76 months
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abdulaziz said: Looks like a 1 series to me Clearly just an IS thats been 'shopped around.
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trampagne
1,211 posts
59 months
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smellyantz said: that looks hideous. looks like a cheap Hyundai or something. Definitely a Lexus then.
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Spam
1,067 posts
60 months
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Bit Z3M Coupe from this angle...
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sidesauce
170 posts
87 months
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Frimley111R said: I really don't get what Lexus are doing. They begin with an amazing car (LS) and then slowly add models half heartedly. The ranges are all small, minimal models in each range, the IS220 is a token diesel effort and there's not estate or coupe. The CC version of it looks s te and the SC430 is older than Japan itself. It really needs someone with balls to get on with it all! Don't even mention the worlds oldest supercar that was never released Then again, when you're owned by Toyota which has the UK's dullest range of cars.... Mate, if you've ever spent any significant time in the US you'd know that Lexus has a more models then you'd ever see over here (do you know about the Lexus GX or LX SUVs or the ES sedan for example?) and that generally that is their biggest market. Why then would they really care if they've only got a couple diesel models in the UK? As for the CC version looking s te - well again, it's not made for the UK, that's for sure... That also explains why there are no coupe variants, Americans in general like a "trunk" on their cars, mass market coupes generally don't do that well (with a few notable exceptions). Once you realise the respect these cars get in the 'States (particularly the LS/LS Hybrid) for their reliability amongst other things then you'd not be so quick to make those comments, trust me.
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