Lexus hatchback on the way?

scionlife · Joined: 10 Apr 2003 Posts: 4137 Location: scionlife.com

http://www.auto-motor-sport.de/d/87234

Its all in German, but here is a rough translation thanks to Google:

Quote:
Since all Topmarken expands downward, there are also with Lexus considerations to a new basis model in the compact class. Model is the space concept of Mercedes with A less here and UC-lets, but the sporty Riege around BMW with the 1er and AUDI with the A3 sport-bake. Planned internally a Sporthatch of compact cars mentioned. It could the contraction BS carry and is on the shortened platform of the new IS be based, which would mean as with the 1er-BMW rear-wheel drive.

The BS is laid out as Viertuerer with Hecklappe, whereby the grasps for the two fondtueren are integrated as with Alfa Romeo like that in the frameworks that the car works at first sight coupéhaft like a Zweituerer. As engines Vierzylinder Benziner and turbo-Diesel as well as a Otto-V6 are intended - in each case coupled at six-course switching or automatic transmission. All-wheel drive should be later just as available as a hybrid version than top model. Earliest introduction date: At the end of of 2008.

Charade_Detomasso · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 227

Lexus is expanding and moving upmarket..... I dont think its gonna go there.

scionlife · Joined: 10 Apr 2003 Posts: 4137 Location: scionlife.com

Hmmm.... interesting. It seems that Toyota uses the European marques as their target... since the inception of the brand (target: Mercedes) to the present (target: BMW).

Mercedes brought out the hatchback C-class, BMW brought out the hatchback 3-series, Audi just released the new A3 hatch to the US market, Acura has the RSX (still an upscale branding of Honda)... so it seems illogical that Lexus has waited THIS long to release a hot hatch.

I think that the older IS300 filled the slot that a hatch might need, but now that the new IS250/IS350 has "grown up" I think that there is definitely a market for a small, luxury/sport Lexus hatch. ESPECIALLY if it is RWD!

Charade_Detomasso · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 227

This is the opposite to where Lexus is going. They dont have to mimic these brands anymore (though every body seems to think they are rather than that they are using them as certain though out benchmarks) because the have their own identity. Lexus is expanding world wide and catering to a specific market. They dont need to make smaller cars, or hatch backs unlike audi/BMW/Mercedes casue they already have TOYOTA to cater to that market. Further more, the hatchback thing is so much more of a euro trend as the majority of you Americans (xA, Gti, mazda3 owners etc excluded) dont seem to like hatchbacks and hence, the lack of them in your market, which=Lexus' biggest market, which= no IS350 hatch for you even IF (however unlikely) Lexus produces it. Closest anything will come to this is an IS coupe and the toyota Yaris, 2007 Corolla (if it even come out hatch in the US) and.....well maybe an xA replacement

scionlife · Joined: 10 Apr 2003 Posts: 4137 Location: scionlife.com

But each brand carries it's own character... Scion is economical and edgy, Toyota is conservative and reliable, Lexus is sporty and luxurious. Each new generation of cars reinforces those core characteristics... how would a sport/luxury hatch that is RWD and $30,000+ compete with a FWD Scion priced under $20,000? It seems to me they are two completely different markets.

So where do you think Lexus IS going? I mean, they are part of the Toyota family, but their connection to Toyota is generally kept very hush-hush on the surface. Many of the general public aren't even aware that Lexus is made by Toyota. The Lexus dealerships will want a steady influx of new customers or else their median buyer will keep getting older... and older... and older until they don't have buyers any more.

When you tC owners outgrow your coupe and want to step up to something else Toyota will want to keep you in the family... maybe there will be a new MR2 or Supra by then, but maybe that is too sporty.... an IS coupe or hatch seems to be the perfect solution to me.

Charade_Detomasso · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 227

Charade_Detomasso · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 227

Coupe yes, Hatch no...I never said the market for each marquee is the same (otherwise they wouldnt need three separate brands), or that they compete.
Again I say
1) Lexus does not need to expand downward
2) The American Market does not appreciate the hatch, you and I plus most web forum members (read.....enthusiast) put together dont even come close to making market majority or even 50% for that matter, so the perfect solution for you, or me or what some german website reports is the latest rumor, might not be in the making or even considered by Lexus.
3)The IS sport sedan (and foregranted Coupe, and possible convertible) will cater to the younger crowd, as will the RX SUV.

As for where lexus is going, the answer is simple. Expanding globally. They dont hve to worry too much about what age people buy their cars, as usually the people who buy luxury marquees are the ones who can afford to (even if they are buying an IS sport coupe for their just off to college son, or yuppies who are struggling {or not} to make the payment on their first car). Toyota's philosophy is that once someone is in the toyota family, they would want to stay there, hence the Scion brand for grooming Gen Y. Furthermore, the Scion owner that grows out of his coupe might not necessarily need to get another 2 door vehicle...... The IS already has a median buyer age of about 29, so going down market is the last thing lexus wants or needs to do...

Charade_Detomasso · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 227

Hmmm.... looks like if i was wrong to some extent. Seems like the european market will get a lexus hatch after all..... Still doesnt say any thing for the US though

Quote: FRANKFURT — Lexus is planning to launch its smallest car yet — a compact hatchback to compete with the BMW 1 Series, Mercedes A-Class and Audi A3 Sportback.

The move will pitch Lexus into a fast-growing sector of the European market when the car, said to be called Lexus BS, is launched in 2008. But it's not certain that the car will be launched in the U.S. market. Mercedes and BMW have both resisted launching their smallest models in North America, blaming the weak dollar, although Audi looks set to launch the A3 Sportback next year.

German newspaper Automobilwoche said the BS will be based on the BMW 3 Series-size Lexus IS 250 platform. At launch, engines will be a 2.5-liter V6 with 208 horsepower, and a 177-hp diesel. A 250-hp, 3.0-liter V6 and a hybrid version will follow at a later date.

What this means to you: Much depends on the currency exchange situation before these compact luxury cars are sold in the U.S. market. But a lot can happen between now and 2008, and you can bet the car companies are hoping the dollar gains some strength. Someone ought to tell them what "BS" means before they name the car!

link > http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=108338

Real BS :rofl:

THE_DON · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 2125 Location: Los Angeles

Lexus BS

Obvioulsy that name would never fly in the states.

:doh:

-THE DON

x_rayted711 · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 785 Location: Louisiana

They already had a hatchback wagon type thing. It was an IS300 that looked like a Matrix. 4-doors with a lift hatch wagon type rear door.

Charade_Detomasso · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 227

A hatch and a wagon are two different types of cars. And as you can see, the wagon didnt do too well in the US. Maybe if MB sees success with their R class you guys might see a return?

x_rayted711 · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 785 Location: Louisiana

Well, I didn't consider my Matrix XRS a 'wagon' by any means...and didn't consider the IS300 a wagon either...The pics above are kind of a redesigned version of what they had before. I mean, in MY opinion anyway, but I've been wrong before...LOL.

The one I'm talking about is the IS300 Sport Cross. It is a little longer than the one shown above, so maybe they DID consider it a 'wagon'. Who knows!

Charade_Detomasso · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 227

yup, that they did, just like the Altezza Gita was the wagon version of the JDM Altezza

x_rayted711 · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 785 Location: Louisiana

But is it a 'wagon' or a 'hatch'? One of the above posts suggested that they are different...And I agree...but don't agree that the Sport Cross is really a wagon...or that my XRS was either. But What makes this NEW one NOT a wagon? Can someone clarify?

pinoyfitness · Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 216 Location: Texas

I finally saw the new IS 350 today and I love the way it looks. I think it only looks good in Sedan & coupe, definitely not a hatch.

Charade_Detomasso · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 227

Quote: But is it a 'wagon' or a 'hatch'? One of the above posts suggested that they are different...And I agree...but don't agree that the Sport Cross is really a wagon...or that my XRS was either. But What makes this NEW one NOT a wagon? Can someone clarify? NOT a wagon, cause its to compete in the same segment as the BMW 1 series and Audi A3.... Hatch

x_rayted711 · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 785 Location: Louisiana

^^^^which one are you talking about? the IS300? The matrix? The new Lexus?

Charade_Detomasso · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 227

The new lexus