In the Spirit of the original Future of Lexus discussion thread (2013-2015), here is a new place holder for 2016.

**Please keep in mind much of this will be subjective opinions so let's keep it civil

Good topics for conversation:

• LC500 / LC500h / LC F
• 5th generation LS
• LF-FC
• LF-SA
• LF-C2
• Future powertrains (ex. forced induction, 10-Speed Auto, hydrogen)
• New models / varients (ex. TX, CT sedan)
• Will the RX finally get a third row?
• Will there be a LFA II?
• Will the SC ever return?
• Will there be an RC C?
• How long will the IS F be on hiatus? (FI V6 or V8??)
• How many years away are we from the first Lexus 'F' badged car that is also 'h' badged

 

Some recent concepts to refresh everyone's memory

 

I am wondering how many new SUVs will Lexus get.

CTx?
TX?
C-HR based?

Anything else I am missing?

I expect many manufacturers to delay their future cars that are not important to the brand and kill off some (like coupes that dont sell well), until gas prices double at minimum.

Everyone is going to offer every kind of SUV and Truck possible.

 

I have been waiting for them to implement a DCT with a torque vectoring AWD system

Based on the products we have been seeing, the only shot of it would be on the LC-F

 

How about an AWD option for the ES? Even the Hybrid version drives only the front wheels.

 

Yeah the competition won't stand still. Audi, BMW, Lincoln, Jeep, with the Q8, X7, Aviator and Grand Wagoner respectively are some potential future 7-8 seaters Lexus will need to address. Whether they do that with an RX third row, TX and/or GX is anyone's guess. Have we seen any mules?

The current Lexus AWD on the RWD platforms are biased 30:70 split up to 50:50. I think the AWD needs to be redesigned though to remove that little hump that impedes the drivers foot. It's also silly to think the 2.0T in the IS200t, RC200t, and GS200t cannot be equipped with it. They had to detune a 3.5L V6 on the IS300 and ruin their nomenclature just to have a similar horsepower and price point alternative to the RWD only IS200t.

Yeah it would be nice to see the F version of the LC get something other than the 10AT.

On a similar light, iirc I read that the new Focus RS uses the same TVD found on the RC F

While I'd like to see an AWD option too, that would likely be another strike against the GS. One option for them to coexist would be to position the ES similar to that of an A6, and the GS like an A7.

 

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.

 

Future is looking very bright. The LC is a home run in my book. Can't wait for the new power trains as well - they are long overdue! Hopefully Lexus brings more engine options this time around... The Germans are very good at that.

 

The LC is a great step in the right direction. What I'd personally be interested in is an IS-F or a CT sedan. A new SC would also be interesting, if it can slot nicely between the RC and LC.
Anyone know when the IS facelift is projected to happen?

 

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.

 

IS facelift this year?

SC likely wont happen for a while due to gas prices killing coupes and they have LC for their halo coupe.

CT Sedan likely will come... that wont be too far off, new CT should be at least shown by the end of the year.

 

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...

 

Hope they make a 2+2 four-door coupe. An A7 or CLS fighter with great lines.

 

So when does the LC500 start hitting showrooms?

 

CT with turbos a trunk and AWD?