Lexus considering even smaller SUV
Japanese luxury brand could build a sub-NX baby SUV to rival the Benz GLA, Audi Q3 and BMW X1The lead designer of Lexus’ razor-sharp LF-NX concept SUV said the luxury car-maker could go one size smaller, creating an SUV to rival the Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW X1 and Audi Q3.
A baby Lexus SUV would land smack bang in the middle of a compact SUV boom, which is led by premium crossovers and predicted to continue until at least the end of the decade.
Like the mid-size (D-segment) Lexus NX, which will be a direct rival for the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Merc’s new GLK, a new small (C-segment) Lexus crossover could be based on the same flexible Toyota Modular Platform that underpins a range of models, from the Toyota Corolla, Camry, Prius, RAV4 and Kluger to the Lexus CT and even the large RX.
During a round-table interview with Australian media at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show, LF-NX lead designer Takeshi Tanabe was quick to respond to questioning about a smaller luxury SUV, which could be priced as low as $30,000.
“Why not,” said Tanabe. “Things are getting smaller and smaller right now. If you look at the Mercedes GLA, that's even smaller.”
Lexus has so far reacted slowly to the booming compact SUV segment, having only just released a concept version of a small SUV that is yet to be confirmed for production.
Lexus seems to be more interested in sports cars than SUVs, and its next all-new production model will be the RC coupe but the premium Japanese brand’s answer to the BMW 4 Series isn't likely to be on sale until at least the third quarter of 2014.
On the subject of new sports cars, Tanabe said a model smaller than the mid-sized RC, potentially based on the Toyota 86, was not on the drawing board, despite its technical feasibility.
He said it would be a “challenge” to develop a small Lexus coupe and, given the choice, he would prefer to see a production version of the LF-NX, which would attract significantly higher sales.
“The same as the VW and Audi group, we can share some core components between Toyota and Lexus, but right now there is no plan for the small Lexus sports car.
“We have to create cars for more established markets like US and China and Russia, so RX and ES core-volume vehicles are our focus.
“Personally speaking, if there's a chance [to produce an additional Lexus model], I'd rather do the LF-NX.”
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