blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

OMG Auto-correct! I meant the car was slowed down by traffic...

GS69

http://www.autonews.com/article/2018...tail-lamp-fins

Lexus will debut UX crossover with tail lamp fins

February 20, 2018 @ 5:09 am

Hans Greimel

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A UX teaser shot of the vehicle from the rear shows a low and wide stance with tail lamps that are connected by a thin line and flair up along the sides. They appear to protrude skyward like fins.

TOKYO – Lexus taking its long-anticipated plunge in the premium small crossover segment with the debut of the UX at the Geneva auto show on March 6.

Lexus confirmed the Geneva debut in a statement on Tuesday outlining its show plans



While Lexus gave no further details, a spokesman for its parent Toyota Motor said the vehicle is the production version of the UX Concept shown at the 2016 Paris auto show.

It will get a more toned-down design than the aggressive-looking UX Concept, which had heavy creasing, bold blister fenders, angular wheel wells and a massive mesh version of the brand’s trademark spindle grille.

The UX is expected to be based off the Toyota C-HR subcompact crossover, which is built on Toyota's TNGA modular platform that also underpins the Prius.

Powertrain details for the UX concept are still under wraps, but the production version could use at least one of the three available globally in the C-HR: a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder in the U.S. and a hybrid powertrain or a 1.2-liter turbo four cylinder available outside the U.S.

All-wheel-drive is also a possibility.
The UX nameplate helps round out the Lexus lineup with a crossover-styled vehicle at the small end of the spectrum as customers flock to crossovers of all stripes.

The production UX will be a toned down version of the UX concept.

The Lexus NX was the top-selling compact premium crossover in the U.S. last year, and the RX topped the premium midsize ranking. There is little competition in the luxury small segment outside the Infiniti QX30. But mass market subcompact crossover sales in the U.S. surged 14 percent last year, despite the overall market’s slump.

Lexus executives have long wanted to tap that demand.



In Europe, Lexus hopes the UX will help the brand to counter German automakers' domination of the premium small crossover segment with models such as the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA.

Lexus sold 45,098 cars in Europe last year, up 1.5 percent, of which almost 20,000 were the NX, according to figures from JATO Dynamics.

spwolf

it is going to look similar to crazy concept... It would be interesting if we find out about engines, 250h should be all new development.

situman

Please dont make it mediocre by putting any of the 3 weak engines in there. At a minimum, shove the 2.5L Hybrid in there. I think Toyota has a turbo 1.5L or 1.6L somewhere in the international market. Putting in the NA 2L or the Prius drivetrain in there is just a dumb move. Nobody wants a slow expensive small SUV. Well there's always that 1 guy/gal...

spwolf

there will be 200, 250 and 250h... i guess US market will get 250h which should be around 170hp hybrid and 2.5l which should be as in Camry, so over 200hp.

speedkar9

Looking forward to the debut.
I hope they don't make the same mistakes as the C-HR and suffocate a good design with poor packaging and marketing (i.e. no AWD, limited trim levels, small backup camera, infotainment, one weak engine choice, etc).

macmaster

My wife's CT lease is almost up and we were looking at Lexus and Toyota dealerships last weekend for replacements. The C-HR happened to catch her eye. She drove it and really liked it. I think it might be our next car. But she wishes it were a hybrid. Then we went to Lexus and the guy told us about the UX. We got really excited. It fits the bill. However, I'm not sure we can wait that long.

In the end I wouldnt have a problem getting the CHR. The interior of the CHR is quite nice for a Toyota and it does feel a bit like a Lexus with some of the leather trimming. I'm a Prius guy and after I learned it was built on a Prius platform, it made sense why we were drawn to it. It's got some Prius DNA after all. Funny thing is the salesman said he's NEVER sold one. Pretty sure we could get a crazy deal.

Can't wait to see the UX debut though. Do they post pricing info at that time too?

situman

This being below the NX and how Lexus and Toyota loves to neuter the lower end models to protect the higher class models, I fear the Prius system will be shoved in there.

praveenc

evident

any luck on improvements to that 4cyl turbo?

JessePS

Price wise I think it will start maybe around C$34k to cut the competition off at the knees or be around C$38k which is around the starting price of the competition.
I am looking forward to seeing the end result and the ground clearance.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Those taillight fins are cool.

corradoMR2

Hmm.... the rear looks too slab-faced like the Rav4 and lost much of its sexy rear sculpting from the concept.

Reserving final judgment until the reveal in a couple weeks!

Mr. Burns

Sexy sculpting costs money. This is why concepts previewing production cars are pointless.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

amen to that.

all concepts do generally is make the production vehicle feel like a let down.