New Lexus LX Flagship SUV Expected in 2009
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From: scionlife.com
New Lexus LX Flagship SUV Expected in 2009
This just out. Looks like this year will be the final year for the LX470, but in 2009 a new Lexus-specific LX should be released.
From a carspyshots.net member's friend's translation of a Japanese article...
FTX Concept
From a carspyshots.net member's friend's translation of a Japanese article...
Toyota's next-generation Land Cruiser 130-series will be here shortly. As this is the company's top-of-the-range flagship 4x4 model, the new arrival has been a much-kept secret, but now information has been leaked and revealed.
As most of us should already know, the styling is going to be more aggressive and even more robust. Styling clues from the FTX concept vehicle (shown at the Detroit Auto Show) will heavily influence the new design. The Land Cruiser will also grow significantly in every dimension. The 4x4 is said to be longer, wider and sit lower. The height of the body will remain largely unchanged, but it is said that the SUV will sit lower than normal to give a more stable ride and brilliant on-road manners. This system is also a part of Gen-2 active height control and TEMS suspension system, which give the suspension even more travel for off-road usage.
The Land Cruiser 130-series will also be available with a new line-up of engines. There will be 4.5L V8 32v Twin Turbo D-4D common-rail diesel that develops 306hp and turns out almost a whopping 600nm of torque. This engine will replace the six-cylinder diesel available in the current Cruiser. The current gasoline engine will be replaced with a 5.0L V8 VVT-I that develops 335bhp. Torque figures are not yet confirmed for the gas engine, but should be similar to the diesel. To tune things down a bit Toyota is going to also give the 2007 Cruiser the same VVT-I 4.0L V6 240hp gasoline engine used in both the Prado and FJ Cruiser. The engines will also be mated to either a six-speed manual gearbox or a silky-smooth 6-speed Tiptronic gearbox borrowed from the Phaeton and Touareg. The Tiptronic box will be standard on diesel and V8 gasoline engines, and optional on the V6 model.
It has been rumored that Toyota is going to launch it 2007 LX550 in the US with a 5.5 liter V8 engine. This is not true! Toyota was going to introduce the new LX500 in the US, which has the same engine as the Land Cruiser 130. The last minute decision by Toyota Motor Company was that after 2007 they will discontinue the LX range from North America and sell the LX500 in Japan with a new Name: Cygnus 500 and the Land Cruiser will remain as the only Japanese-built full-sized SUV in the US.
A head spokesmen, Akio Lya, at Toyota Motor Company said, "This is a bold decision that Toyota and Lexus are taking but we just couldn't keep both of them together in North America. We have been forced to drop the LX as we are planning to create completely different designs for upcoming Toyota and Lexus models. Following the year 2007 the new Land Cruiser 130 will also be available in Japan in its twin Lexus form. The Japanese market is completely different from the US and Europe and having two virtually-identical models are acceptable. The Toyota brand is known globally and has built up such as strong reputation that the name Land Cruiser is a legend and will live on. The Land Cruiser offered to the North American Market is going to be more luxurious and so much more desirable to those customers. We at Toyota Motor Company have made the right decision and will offer the Lexus LX again 2009 with a different design and totally different looks, which will stand apart from the Land Cruiser range"
This article has been edited for clarity -- admin
As most of us should already know, the styling is going to be more aggressive and even more robust. Styling clues from the FTX concept vehicle (shown at the Detroit Auto Show) will heavily influence the new design. The Land Cruiser will also grow significantly in every dimension. The 4x4 is said to be longer, wider and sit lower. The height of the body will remain largely unchanged, but it is said that the SUV will sit lower than normal to give a more stable ride and brilliant on-road manners. This system is also a part of Gen-2 active height control and TEMS suspension system, which give the suspension even more travel for off-road usage.
The Land Cruiser 130-series will also be available with a new line-up of engines. There will be 4.5L V8 32v Twin Turbo D-4D common-rail diesel that develops 306hp and turns out almost a whopping 600nm of torque. This engine will replace the six-cylinder diesel available in the current Cruiser. The current gasoline engine will be replaced with a 5.0L V8 VVT-I that develops 335bhp. Torque figures are not yet confirmed for the gas engine, but should be similar to the diesel. To tune things down a bit Toyota is going to also give the 2007 Cruiser the same VVT-I 4.0L V6 240hp gasoline engine used in both the Prado and FJ Cruiser. The engines will also be mated to either a six-speed manual gearbox or a silky-smooth 6-speed Tiptronic gearbox borrowed from the Phaeton and Touareg. The Tiptronic box will be standard on diesel and V8 gasoline engines, and optional on the V6 model.
It has been rumored that Toyota is going to launch it 2007 LX550 in the US with a 5.5 liter V8 engine. This is not true! Toyota was going to introduce the new LX500 in the US, which has the same engine as the Land Cruiser 130. The last minute decision by Toyota Motor Company was that after 2007 they will discontinue the LX range from North America and sell the LX500 in Japan with a new Name: Cygnus 500 and the Land Cruiser will remain as the only Japanese-built full-sized SUV in the US.
A head spokesmen, Akio Lya, at Toyota Motor Company said, "This is a bold decision that Toyota and Lexus are taking but we just couldn't keep both of them together in North America. We have been forced to drop the LX as we are planning to create completely different designs for upcoming Toyota and Lexus models. Following the year 2007 the new Land Cruiser 130 will also be available in Japan in its twin Lexus form. The Japanese market is completely different from the US and Europe and having two virtually-identical models are acceptable. The Toyota brand is known globally and has built up such as strong reputation that the name Land Cruiser is a legend and will live on. The Land Cruiser offered to the North American Market is going to be more luxurious and so much more desirable to those customers. We at Toyota Motor Company have made the right decision and will offer the Lexus LX again 2009 with a different design and totally different looks, which will stand apart from the Land Cruiser range"
This article has been edited for clarity -- admin
FTX Concept
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Aww, I'm gonna miss the twins! 
I prefer the LX though. The LC costs too much. Why can't the american market be like the japanese market?? The Chevy and GMC Suburban worked didn't it?
I prefer the LX though. The LC costs too much. Why can't the american market be like the japanese market?? The Chevy and GMC Suburban worked didn't it?
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You are citing GM as a REASON to continue? Hehe... one of the reasons that GM is doing so poorly is because of the overuse of badge engineering. It assumes that the buyer is a moron and can't deduce that they are just slapping different names onto cars to make it look like they have more options.
Sure, Toyota has badge-engineered before, and will probably do it again, but not as blatantly. At least the Matrix and Vibe look fairly different. But the LX and LC looked nearly identical.
Also, you have to look at the price that Toyota pays for each different model in the way of advertising, dealer training and support, and warranty and post-sale costs. It might make sense for a hih-volume model, but for one that is selling merely hundreds per month I don't see how it could pencil out. ...and apparently neither could Toyota.
Last note... I think Lexus buyers were feeling cheated. They were getting essentially the same truck but with an "L" on the nose... for a few thousand more. I think its a really good move to return the LC to off-road duty and push the LX more upper-class to golf-bag and shopping duty.
Sure, Toyota has badge-engineered before, and will probably do it again, but not as blatantly. At least the Matrix and Vibe look fairly different. But the LX and LC looked nearly identical.
Also, you have to look at the price that Toyota pays for each different model in the way of advertising, dealer training and support, and warranty and post-sale costs. It might make sense for a hih-volume model, but for one that is selling merely hundreds per month I don't see how it could pencil out. ...and apparently neither could Toyota.
Last note... I think Lexus buyers were feeling cheated. They were getting essentially the same truck but with an "L" on the nose... for a few thousand more. I think its a really good move to return the LC to off-road duty and push the LX more upper-class to golf-bag and shopping duty.
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Originally Posted by scionlife
I think its a really good move to return the LC to off-road duty and push the LX more upper-class to golf-bag and shopping duty.
Hopefully performance can live up to the name & styling can live up to performance.
(my opinion - Trucks/SUVs from Toyota always seem to be a too little plain
I hope they make a change for the better in terms of rearend styling).On another note, I think everybody can agree we'd love to see the LC/LX mobile command center
come to life. =)
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Ok, all fine and dandy. So what about the GX? Hope it keeps its off road pedigree and hope whenever they decide to bring back the LX that it does too.....just looking significantly different than the LC. No poser mobile thank you, if you are gonna look like a Jeep, please work like one.
oh, what about the 5.7L from the new Tundra? where does that engine go? Looking forward to this alleged 4.5 twin turbo diesel tho
oh, what about the 5.7L from the new Tundra? where does that engine go? Looking forward to this alleged 4.5 twin turbo diesel tho
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I don't know if I would call the QX56 a road legal tank... its the same size as tne Nissan Armada, it just looks ugly like a tank. There are bigger vehicles out there (Suburban/Excursion).
But, yeah... they will have to bring out something big and burly. I don't see Lexus going for that brute strength look, though... I bet it will be something a little more refined.
But, yeah... they will have to bring out something big and burly. I don't see Lexus going for that brute strength look, though... I bet it will be something a little more refined.
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One thing I mentioned in the JX section I hope Lexus makes a Limited Edition LX for 2009/10, with some nifty stuff from the LS460 L. Would be nice to see a high-end SUV. Thats my two cents.
Also I hope to see a high-end hybrid also.
*Starts to count down*
Also I hope to see a high-end hybrid also.
*Starts to count down*
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Yeah, there is definitely some room for limited-availability a $100,000 SUV up there... at least in limited numbers. Screw those Escalades, Hummers and Range Rovers, the Lexus should be the new bad boy on the block!
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Yes, the FTX was the concept from a couple of years ago for the new Tundra. The new truck was designed from the concept, only a little more realistically for production reasons.
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One thing Lexus wont have to deal with the Hummer H1 anymore, GM planning to stop production or already has stopped production on the H1, the H2 and H3 are just toys. Cadillac Escalade is wtv. Only thing Lexus has to worry about is BMW and Mercedes pretty much.
Hopefully we can see a concept or something at a car show in 2007.
Hopefully we can see a concept or something at a car show in 2007.
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