Moving Forward: Nissan GT-R Sedan, SUV and Lexus LF-A Still in the Works
01-16-09, 01:30 PM
#1
Moving Forward: Nissan GT-R Sedan, SUV and Lexus LF-A Still in the Works
TOKYO — Japan's automotive industry is not impervious to the global economic crisis, and as a result, many future models, including the new Acura NSX, are being canceled or delayed. But on an upbeat note, however, at least a dozen new cars will see the light of day over the next few years.
Nissan has big plans for its award-winning GT-R supercar. In 2011, we can expect to see not one but two offshoots of the GT-R, namely a four-door Infiniti as well as a Porsche Cayenne-rivaling GT-R SUV, both dropped onto modified versions of the GT-R platform.
Honda plans to reveal an all-new two-door Beat, powered by an upgraded 800cc engine. First landing in showrooms in 1991, the front-wheel-drive Beat convertible was an instant hit. Honda also has not yet delayed its redesigned S2000 coupe, which is slated for a late 2011-early 2012 debut.
When the all-new NSX was canceled recently, observers in Japan immediately turned to Lexus's V10 LF-A. But as Toyota did not pull out of F1, the latest word from a colleague close to Lexus is that Japan's biggest carmaker still wants to bring its first true supercar to the market. But that won't happen for at least another 12 to 18 months, and when it does, it will be priced at the equivalent of about $340,000.
News out of Toyota City also reveals that the V6 Supra replacement is still in the pipeline and is set for an early 2011 debut.
To finish off this list of newcomers, an all-new 1.0-liter supercharged Nissan Micra and the electric-powered Mitsubishi i-MIEV are both slated for launch in July, while the all-new Subaru Legacy, seen in concept form in Detroit, is set for a May debut this year.
ffpower says: So the Suby-Toyo low cost, higher volume sports car is delayed but the bigger and more expensive Supra is on schedule? Okay, I am seriously confused now...
01-16-09, 02:38 PM
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An Edmund's speculation, which means nothing to me
01-16-09, 02:41 PM
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Damn that's great news. Hopeful! 
Finally a Supra + LF alive, not like Honda. At least one of my favorite manufacture going with the plan. Probably won't sell a lot when it come out, but still nice.
Finally a Supra + LF alive, not like Honda. At least one of my favorite manufacture going with the plan. Probably won't sell a lot when it come out, but still nice.
01-16-09, 04:56 PM
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If true, LF-A priced at the equivalent of about $340,000 = 
I don't know what kind of performances it needs to achieve to justify such a price for Lexus' first supercar ...
I don't know what kind of performances it needs to achieve to justify such a price for Lexus' first supercar ...
01-16-09, 06:01 PM
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I doubt Lexus will jump from it's $110,000 price ceiling to $340,000 regardless of how exclusive this car is. I doubt it would cost more than $175,000.
Taking bets now .......
so I can pay the deposit when it comes out lol
Taking bets now .......
so I can pay the deposit when it comes out lol
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01-18-09, 12:01 AM
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01-18-09, 07:46 AM
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I have to disagree, I think that GT-R sedan mockup looks like a$$ and just as bad if not worse than the Porsche Panamera.
01-18-09, 08:31 AM
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One one hand it only makes sense to share production money by making more versions of the GT-R. I've said since day one an Infiniti at least "coupe" version with more luxury simply makes sense. They already have the G37 coupe which is a Skyline, why not a GT-R coupe that is an Infiniti? It can only help with keeping Infiniti's image sporty.
On the other hand, Infiniti continues to be nothing much more than slightly nicer Nissans. I say slightly nicer b/c once you sit in the new Murano and Maxima, well, Infiniti interiors are not that much better. I thought they were going to try to seperate themselves more?
I have said from day one build it and they need to build it. A 4 door GT-R makes sense too.
As for the LF-A, the price seems to go up everytime
It seems it will be built. Is the hybrid version still coming? That maybe another reason why the wait is so long. That and they need a serious showing in F1.
On the other hand, Infiniti continues to be nothing much more than slightly nicer Nissans. I say slightly nicer b/c once you sit in the new Murano and Maxima, well, Infiniti interiors are not that much better. I thought they were going to try to seperate themselves more?
I have said from day one build it and they need to build it. A 4 door GT-R makes sense too.
As for the LF-A, the price seems to go up everytime
It seems it will be built. Is the hybrid version still coming? That maybe another reason why the wait is so long. That and they need a serious showing in F1.
01-18-09, 12:35 PM
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Lexus LF-A is such a nice looking super car, but $340k is just far too much money. Why can't Lexus make it with weaker performance for $100k?