Dear 001,

Although there is no need for a Maybach killer...the Maybach is dead on its own, one company is looking to upstage it with a car that does more for less.

And who do you think that company would be?

LEXUS!

As we speak, a long wheelbase beauty with a 400HP Hybrid V12 engine is in development, that will get 30MPG.

It will have all-wheel drive and get this...a street price BELOW $100K!

As you predicted, Lexus' goal for world automotive domination in 5 years, are proceeding according to plan...

H. Chow

Source: Auto Spies

 

dunno, i won't believe it until i see it... specially from auto spies

 

But it's VERY VERY possible (reasonable at least)

 

Hopefully the V12 is the F1-dervied engine they had laying around and hopefully it will drive the rear wheels with electric handling the front wheels. This sounds awesome. I can't wait to see it!!



Very much in line with Lexus wanting range-wide hybrid by 2010 and wanting to move the brand more sporty/more to offer.

 

I don't think it'll be a Maybach competittor though. Maybach buyers don't want value, they want to spend $350K on a car that few people can afford. But it'll definately be a threat to the S500/S600, 745/760 etc.

 

Yeah, that dude is more excited than us. No it won't be a Maybach competitior. But if the LS 430 can combine the goodness of the 745 and S class 20k less, than this new 100k car will simply be incredible I am sure.

I am just SO HAPPY Lexus is not going downmarket and going UPMARKET! Give me something to aspire too, not something I say "wish that came out 10 years ago".

 

One of these days... maybe in 30 years I'll be able to afford one. lol

 

w0rd up. I can only hope that cars will still be driveable and worth driving when I'm able to afford "nice" ones.

 

Looking foreward to see what they come up with.

 

oh yeah, of course, sorry if i didn't put it right. it's definitely possible, and from what they are doing with the new GS i can sorta predit the power change on the new LS (or therefore replacement).

but just like others said, i don't think lexus will try the maybach level. i am sure lexus wants to compete with the s600 and the 760, which they are very capable of. but higher class than that, it's probably not what lexus would want to persue right now

 

I just hope to god it dosn't look like the new lex concepts. Hopefully its tastefull like the 04 LS's.

 

It'll probably have styling cues from the LF-S. Personally, I'm glad they are getting away from the boxy design.

 

well if anyone could definitely put such a vehicle together that exudes premium quality at a super competitive price point, it is the Japanese.

 

Yeah , but Lexus need to make the rear leg room much much longer so it can fit the name "Mega Sedan" like the S class.