Lexus plotting luxury light-car
Japanese luxury brand to reveal all-new sub-CT200 B-segment concept at Geneva and new RX at New YorkLexus appears likely to produce a direct rival for Audi's smallest model, the A1, following news that it will reveal an all-new B-segment concept at the Geneva motor show next month.
The pint-size Lexus show car will be the first evidence that it plans to extend its model range beneath the CT 200h, itself due for renewal within two years.
It's unclear what form the first Lexus light-car will take, but we expect it will be a five-door hatchback based on the Toyota Yaris platform.
A senior Lexus official last October confirmed the company's intention to reveal a fresh small-car concept at Geneva. Then we understood it would be a sedan based on the CT, which shares its platform with the Toyota Corolla and Prius.
Now Lexus sources have revealed to motoring.com.au that the concept will in fact be smaller than the CT, previewing the car-maker's first step down into the Light car segment.
If the model is approved for production, it will be released globally around 2018, after the second-generation CT.
motoring.com.au has also learned the next-generation RX crossover will be revealed at the New York show in April. As previously reported the new RX will grow to include seven seats for the first time.
The XL RX, which has been spied in testing was a 'no show' after being tipped to debut at the Detroit show last month.
Due on sale in Australia next year, it will be positioned further upstream of the new NX mid-size crossover in terms of size.
Due on sale later this year is Lexus' GS F sports sedan which was revealed in concept guise at Detroit.
A replacement for the IS 250C convertible, as previewed by the LF-C2 concept at Los Angeles in November, will also be released locally in 2016.
In addition to adding the GS F to its line-up the other late-2015 Lexus release will be a modestly facelifted version of the LX 570 luxury SUV.
What's coming from Lexus:
RC F – February
LX facelift – Late 2015
GS F – Late 2015
New RX – 2016
RC convertible – 2016
New CT – 2017
Sub-CT – 2018
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