Lexus considering HiLux-based ute

It seems inconceivable, but Lexus admits it has been secretly studying the potential for a ute or pick-up vehicle.

Talking to motoring.com.au at the Australian launch of the new RX, Lexus' product planning project leader Makoto Tanaka admitted the company has been examining the possibility of a prestige ute.

"It's one of the study items so far we're looking at," he said via an interpreter.

Tanaka cautioned that the ute was "the least possible" of the vehicles Lexus is currently studying, which include a seven-seat RX and a compact SUV, but his confirmation that a ute is under consideration is significant.

Over the years there have been a few locally converted utes using the Toyota LandCruiser-based Lexus LX as their basis, plus a number of customised Holden utes powered by Lexus V8 engines, and BMW even turned an M3 into a ute for an April fool's gag a few years ago.

But so far no luxury car maker has had the audacity to produce a premium pick-up, although that will change when Mercedes-Benz releases its GLT-Class ute around 2019, based on the latest Nissan Navara.

In Australia and major markets like Russia, South America, Middle East, Thailand and, increasingly, North America, mid-size pick-ups are big business, and in Australia customers are regularly paying upwards of $50,000 for them.

So when the world's oldest and biggest luxury brand gets on the bandwagon, people in powerful positions take notice, and Lexus is in a better position to produce a premium pick-up than most of its rivals with a ready-made platform in the new HiLux.

Tanaka-san admits the priority is "very low" for a Lexus ute – at present – but with established European brands such as Renault and Fiat also joining the ute segment, it's clear the segment is appealing to an increasing number of unlikely car-makers.

It's unlikely we'll see a Lexus ute this decade, but if demand increases for the vehicles globally, and particularly if Mercedes' ute experiment is successful, the Japanese brand will be in a strong position to deploy its own ute – potentially with heated and cooled Nappa leather seats.

Is there a market for a Lexus ute that pushes the pricing envelope to $65,000 or more? And what's next – a VW Amarok-based ute from Audi or a Land Rover Defender-based Jaguar pick-up?

Image: Digitally manipulated by Rohan Miller