Lexus commits to smaller SUV

Lexus is readying a smaller SUV model that will see it compete directly against the likes of Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Range Rover Evoque.

The sub-RX sized SUV will reportedly share its underpinnings with the recently released fourth-generation Toyota RAV4, and will likely be dubbed ‘NX’.

The Japanese luxury marque has previously applied for trademarks covering the NX 200t and NX 300h nameplates. In Lexus terms, the ‘X’ component of the nomenclature refers to the vehicle’s all-terrain capabilities, while the alphanumeric suffix denotes the powertrain specification.

Speaking at the recent North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Lexus’ executive vice president, Kazuo Ohara, told motoring.com.au that a compact SUV is a high-ranking priority.

“A smaller SUV is one of the options we are thinking about,” said Ohara-san. “[And] though it may not necessarily have a connection with the IS model, a smaller size SUV is a high ranking part of our priority list.”

Deducing what we can from the clues offered by the trademarked badges, engine selections will likely include the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol announced at last year’s Paris Motor Show, and a hybrid version of the manufacturer’s AR-series 2.5-litre four-cylinder. Unlike its German competitors, Lexus would not offer a diesel-powered option.

“We would like to expand our hybrid market a little bit more, but in Europe we have to think about currency issues, emissions issues, and we have to make sure the price is competitive compared to diesel cars,” Ohara-san commented.

In Australia, Lexus’ hybrid take-up accounts for almost one-third of total sales. With the aforementioned compact SUV rivals selling around 2500 units each annually, that would mean Lexus could likely expect similar numbers from its small SUV, including 830-odd hybrid variants.

Though Lexus was tight lipped on the timing of its NX crossover, the Tokyo Motor Show in late November (this year) could provide a timely launch pad.

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