Future of Lexus discussion 2016
#16
Lexus Champion
And I assume you are looking for a mechanical torque-vectoring system because it could easily be done with the ABS by braking an inside wheel.
Do you want both DCT and torque-vectoring together? They could do them separately.
Toyota could add eAWD to the ESh with an electric motor driving the rear wheels but we would likely not see that until the next generation ES comes out in 2 or 3 years time.
F versions of every single model in the line; from the CT to the LX and Audi and Mercedes are doing well with their A3 Sedan and CLA, respectively and BMW is about to join the game with a sedan version of the 1-series, so Lexus should make a sedan version of the CT as well.
#18
now that scion is dead i say toyota start a new sports car division, (Tolexion?) aimed at more serious sports cars. scion was just dumb as an idea, the only desirable one was the FR-S which is just a BRZ/GT-86. Having an LS has made me think that lexus should just focus on the luxury and not make these sporty cars with such low profile tires. i hope the new LS stays as an S class competitor. they obviously want to change their image to appeal to more young and 'hip' people, but i think it's still possible to make a cool yet soft luxury cruiser.
i would love to see more sporty cars from toyota, but these cars are all gonna be ruined by the extra weight from all that luxury they're carrying around. leave lexus to luxury, and if you want to make the cars faster than please go right ahead but leave them soft and not meant to corner as flat as possible. america has big, open roads and having 275/15-28 tires and stiff suspension is gonna ruin that. the LC500 does look sick, and i obviously i haven't driven one but it doesn't look like something you'd want to take really long trips in.
i would love to see more sporty cars from toyota, but these cars are all gonna be ruined by the extra weight from all that luxury they're carrying around. leave lexus to luxury, and if you want to make the cars faster than please go right ahead but leave them soft and not meant to corner as flat as possible. america has big, open roads and having 275/15-28 tires and stiff suspension is gonna ruin that. the LC500 does look sick, and i obviously i haven't driven one but it doesn't look like something you'd want to take really long trips in.
I think the focus for the next IS, RC, and GS will be a weight reduction coupled with with new powertrains. Should be some very competitive '18 and '19 models.
Infiniti's 3.0TT is just another reason to get a 350 replacement to the front lines. 306-311hp/277-280lbft is stout for 3.5L's, but the new norm has comparative vehicles treading 330-340hp.
In my humble opinion they need...
Smooth and powerful 4-cylinder, V6 and V8 diesels (Diesels will always beat hybrids, not matter how hard you try to argue, moan and throw whatever tantrum, the truth is: diesel > hybrid. Plain and simple), F versions of every single model in the line; from the CT to the LX and Audi and Mercedes are doing well with their A3 Sedan and CLA, respectively and BMW is about to join the game with a sedan version of the 1-series, so Lexus should make a sedan version of the CT as well.
Smooth and powerful 4-cylinder, V6 and V8 diesels (Diesels will always beat hybrids, not matter how hard you try to argue, moan and throw whatever tantrum, the truth is: diesel > hybrid. Plain and simple), F versions of every single model in the line; from the CT to the LX and Audi and Mercedes are doing well with their A3 Sedan and CLA, respectively and BMW is about to join the game with a sedan version of the 1-series, so Lexus should make a sedan version of the CT as well.
Lexus hybrids are some of the best in the business when it comes to luxury hybrids, quiet, refined. I just wish they offered PHEV options.
Diesel is cool too with the uber amounts of torque but like a hybrid, its just another alternative. There is no right answer.
I think they programmed 10AT from the start to be a bit rougher, to provide feel similar to DCTs and is faster than current 8AT in RC-F... so sport wise, they dont need anything else. But I do remember year ago some report mentioning DCT's for Toyota.
As to the mules, we have seen CTx mule long time ago... that might come first. Not sure if we would noticed TX mule, it is going to be RX based so we would think it is RX mule :-).
Two new SUVs for the Lexus will make most impact sales wise...
As to the mules, we have seen CTx mule long time ago... that might come first. Not sure if we would noticed TX mule, it is going to be RX based so we would think it is RX mule :-).
Two new SUVs for the Lexus will make most impact sales wise...
#19
Of course Lexus could just make a new model. I vote FS
Early 2017 as a MY18
CT200t sedan?
Toyota could add eAWD to the ESh with an electric motor driving the rear wheels but we would likely not see that until the next generation ES comes out in 2 or 3 years time.
I believe that hybrids are the way to go; they just need to improve battery capacity, which will allow for the use of stronger electric motors and allow the car to run in EV mode for longer. Diesels are terribly dirty technology that require a lot of extra add-ons to make them clean, and for those who have breathing problems (members of my family have asthma) diesels are absolutely terrible. European cities (like Paris and London) are now questioning their support of diesel cars for the past few years. If you have vacationed there, you really come to appreciate the much-cleaner air of North American cities.
F versions for every single model -- even FWD-based, comfortable models like the CTh, ES, RX and NX? Would that not dilute the image of the F?
I believe that hybrids are the way to go; they just need to improve battery capacity, which will allow for the use of stronger electric motors and allow the car to run in EV mode for longer. Diesels are terribly dirty technology that require a lot of extra add-ons to make them clean, and for those who have breathing problems (members of my family have asthma) diesels are absolutely terrible. European cities (like Paris and London) are now questioning their support of diesel cars for the past few years. If you have vacationed there, you really come to appreciate the much-cleaner air of North American cities.
F versions for every single model -- even FWD-based, comfortable models like the CTh, ES, RX and NX? Would that not dilute the image of the F?
Yeah I want to see longer EV range.
I'd rather keep F focused on core RWD models myself.
Different vehicle but the Ford Focus DCT suffers the same clunky nature.
Last edited by Hoovey689; 02-05-16 at 09:30 AM.
#20
Instructor
I want to know when the GX will be redesigned. Will it be called TX? We need a 3row crossover SUV. We could lease a German brand, but prefer buying a Lexus. What's taking Lexus so long to hatch a 3row crossover to compete against Q7 and GLS?
#21
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While PDK is a true dual clutch, I think they sacrifice the shifting time for smoothness. GT-R DCT is a tard more brutal, but it's second to none in shifting time. Though if you compare PDK to MB DCT, it's not as smooth as MB DCT at all because MB DCT is an automatics with wet clutch pack.
#23
thats just because it was prototype... design wise, not only it is faster than 8AT in RC-F (which is really fast), it also is programmed to be not as smooth so you can feel the changes. Final tuning will come by the end of the year, but this is their goal.
#24
What are the chances the CT powertrain will be different than the Prius? For some reason I'm still convinced that if a heavier ES300h with its 2.5L I4 (200 total system power) can get 40mpg, like the lighter CT's 1.8L I4 (134 total system power), then they should be able to make a CT300h with 45mpg
I dont think it will get 2.5l hybrid, but they can do many other things:
a. Give it D4-S - which is 8% more power and better MPG as well. 10hp more would be felt especially since it is throughout the range not just at the top.
b. give it slightly larger lion battery that can output more hp.Lets say +10hp max output would be possible.
c. Combination of both :-).
That would likely give next gen CT200h 0-60 in 8s vs current 10s, which would be nice.
They could also use small turbo instead of 1.8l... that would make it much more refined since it could go at 1600rpm forever instead of having to go to 5000rpm when overtaking.. it would be a lot faster too since max torque comes so low (their new 1.2l turbo). But ultimate MPG will be less and of course it would cost even more than today.
#26
Lexus Fanatic
Why do you need a 3 row cross over when the BOF GX460 will do just fine, and will probably last longer too?
#28
Lexus Champion
Because a car-based / crossover utility vehicle is easier to get into compared with a body-on-frame utility vehicle, for my rather petite wife, my young son and my aging parents.
Because my wife would be intimidated about driving a truck.
Because a car-based, FWD-based UV is more space-efficient than a truck-based UV. The crossover will be lighter than the truck and smaller than the equivalent truck. The crossover (especially if I can get a hybrid model at a price I can afford) will be much more fuel efficient than the truck.
Because I do not need a truck and would much rather drive something I need than something I do not.
#29
Lexus Fanatic
Because I rather drive a car rather than drive a truck.
Because a car-based / crossover utility vehicle is easier to get into compared with a body-on-frame utility vehicle, for my rather petite wife, my young son and my aging parents.
Because my wife would be intimidated about driving a truck.
Because a car-based, FWD-based UV is more space-efficient than a truck-based UV. The crossover will be lighter than the truck and smaller than the equivalent truck. The crossover (especially if I can get a hybrid model at a price I can afford) will be much more fuel efficient than the truck.
Because I do not need a truck and would much rather drive something I need than something I do not.
Because a car-based / crossover utility vehicle is easier to get into compared with a body-on-frame utility vehicle, for my rather petite wife, my young son and my aging parents.
Because my wife would be intimidated about driving a truck.
Because a car-based, FWD-based UV is more space-efficient than a truck-based UV. The crossover will be lighter than the truck and smaller than the equivalent truck. The crossover (especially if I can get a hybrid model at a price I can afford) will be much more fuel efficient than the truck.
Because I do not need a truck and would much rather drive something I need than something I do not.
Then how about a Toyota Sienna minivan?
#30
Pretty lame that what Lexus offers is based on a 10 year old car and soon to be discontinued.