Gojirra99

Date posted: 12-01-2005

FRANKFURT — Lexus is planning to launch its smallest car yet — a compact hatchback to compete with the BMW 1 Series, Mercedes A-Class and Audi A3 Sportback.

The move will pitch Lexus into a fast-growing sector of the European market when the car, said to be called Lexus BS, is launched in 2008. But it's not certain that the car will be launched in the U.S. market. Mercedes and BMW have both resisted launching their smallest models in North America, blaming the weak dollar, although Audi looks set to launch the A3 Sportback next year.

German newspaper Automobilwoche said the BS will be based on the BMW 3 Series-size Lexus IS 250 platform. At launch, engines will be a 2.5-liter V6 with 208 horsepower, and a 177-hp diesel. A 250-hp, 3.0-liter V6 and a hybrid version will follow at a later date.

What this means to you: Much depends on the currency exchange situation before these compact luxury cars are sold in the U.S. market. But a lot can happen between now and 2008, and you can bet the car companies are hoping the dollar gains some strength. Someone ought to tell them what "BS" means before they name the car!

GFerg

How old is this?? The A3 was already luanched in the US.

Well if Lexus wants to be truely successful in Europe, then this could possibly be a good option for them. This segment is becoming pretty big in Europe. Even Volvo is getting in on the act next year the C30. I say go ahead as long as it doesnt come to the US(and BS certainly wouldnt work here in the US or even certain parts of Europe where some speak English). Lexus needs to become a world player, while catering to specific markets as well.


Could this be a sign of the 3.0L in the GS seeing use in the future?? Maybe becoming IS300/350?? Just thinking out loud.

SC400-V8

iTrader: (1)

Oh god, i most certainly hope not.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

man, i hope it's not true. why would lexus care about that category now?!

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

Let Lexus sell it in Europe. God forbid something like that arrives in U.S. soil; for the same reason why BMW doesn't sell the 1-Series here.

Maybe it should not sell under Lexus' name. Perhaps it should be called the Lexi Kooper?

XeroK00L

So this report I posted 4 months ago may just not be all BS after all?

I guess if it's what it'll take for Lexus to set its foothold in Europe, do it, but just don't bring it here. Just look at how poorly the A3 is selling here right now.

encore888

They have to call it CS or something, NOT BS. Lexus is not that stupid.

And, it might be good to sell this only in Europe....if it looks like this (from XeroKOOL's thread), then it might be great!

picus

What can I say - I like hatches. That concept looks awesome.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

if anything i prefer wagon more

tuddy

just the name BS..it doesnt have that lexus sound...i really hope they dont go that route

encore888

Would it even be an 'S' because it's not a sedan (LS = Luxury Sedan)...although the IS Sportcross seemed to still keep the 'S' (plus IS = Intelligent Sport).

Going through the alphabet, I think these sound good for future Lexus models:

CS
JS
RS
VS
YS

XeroK00L

Well the Sportcross was just an IS variant so I guess it was OK for it to keep the name, but since the hatchback is gonna be a more distinctive model, it probably can use its own letter. How does IH (I-Hatch?) sound?

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

BS? Ah, no.

CS? Ah, no!

I'd guess 2nd letter is 'X' to go with RX, GX, LX.

Maybe EX, entry crossover/SUV fitting with GX/GS and LX/LS.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

I don't think the "BS" does not fall into the "Intelligent", "Executive", "Grand", or "Luxury" categories. Perhaps the "Rally" category, so intead of RX, this should be the RS?

And what the heck does the "B" stand for?!?

jrock65

Does IS really stand for Intelligent Sport?

Hope not, that's one of the stupidest acronyms I've ever heard.