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Is This Lexus' Answer to the BMW 1-Series?

Agent009 submitted on 09/27/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 12:14 PM
from: my.is

[43] user comments | category: Misc News

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Is This Lexus' Answer to the BMW 1-Series?

Back in early August 2005, Germany's Auto Motor und Sport broke the story that Lexus was planning a smaller-than-IS model, a 4-door hatchback labeled the Lexus BS. Their original article vaguely predicted 4 or 6-cylinder gasoline engines as well as a turbodiesel, all-wheel-drive and hybrid options and a launch date no sooner than the end of 2008.

Our initial inclination was to dismiss this story as wishful thinking or a far-flung rumo(u)r of shaky credibility. Then came another brief story (more of a short blurb, actually), containing more concrete information, from Germany's Automobilwoche, which is a German-language automotive industry periodical from the publishers of AutoWeek, Automotive News and Automotive News Europe. An English translation first appeared on the Just-Auto.com website and then spread throughout the Internet. Here's how it reads: "Lexus will launch a small car to compete with the BMW 1-series and Audi A3 Sportback in Europe from 2008, reported Automobilwoche. The Lexus BS will be based on the IS250 platform. At launch, engines will be a 2.5 litre V6 with 208 horsepower, and a 177 horsepower diesel with D-Cat technology (the IS250 and IS220d powerplants - Ed.), the newspaper said. A three litre six cylinder, 250 horsepower engine (the 3rd-gen GS300 engine - Ed.), and a hybrid version, will follow at a later date."

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00Vegas - 9/27/2007 12:24:17 PM

+2 Boost

Wow, lets hope for Lexus's sake that this isn't it... Have we not proved that American's don't dig on hatchbacks... Thus the new "1 seris" is no longer based on the principal design scheme of the 318ti? Love ya Lex but cmon...

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Airliner - 9/27/2007 12:37:34 PM

+3 Boost

‘00Vegas’ you might not care for hatchbacks and or wagons… but as far as “American’s Taste,” they are making a comeback.

Designer1 - 9/27/2007 2:05:37 PM

+3 Boost

Its not that Americans don't like hatchback, I do. But its the car itself, the 318 failed cause it was ugly, why didn't the VW Rabbit fail? its a hatchback too.

PintoRacer - 9/28/2007 1:16:43 AM

0 Boost

Yeah, maybe the Europeans would like this.

BMW4me4ever - 9/27/2007 12:29:55 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

you would have thought lexus learned from the IS300 sport cross, which didnt sell at all in the US. The 1-series in regards to space inside is about as big as the current IS250/350 ...I thought Lexus wasnt going to go to a lower model.

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1995e34 - 9/27/2007 2:55:14 PM

+2 Boost

the sport cross was cool. i really like that first IS. i wish it came as an altezza instead though. but thats fixable.

atomicbri - 9/27/2007 4:51:20 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

You all are not realizing the point of this Lexus... it will probably never make it here to the states. This is a shot at the Euro hatch segment. They are hoping to capitalize on what VW, Audi, BMW and Mercedes has in Europe, and that is stylish hatches that people like. So Lexus has decided to look into this segment as well to compete. I think Americans are kind of silly to not see how useful a hatch is. It is sporty and nicer to look at than most estates (or wagons) and can carry loads of crap or items u need... mine swallowed a 42" Plasma TV in its box with no issue. Gotta love that versatility... guess Lexus wants a piece of that market pie.

BimmerFan - 9/29/2007 10:41:43 AM

+1 Boost

My thoughts exactly...and spot on correct!

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no1listensanyway - 9/27/2007 12:44:06 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Is that a Yaris hatch?

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S4cabriofoxone - 9/27/2007 5:08:09 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

This is from bulldogz, one of the #1 perpetrators of saying that Audis are re-badged VWs.

S4cabriofoxone - 9/30/2007 11:59:08 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

"Tell me what Toyota would be mistaken for the LS, GS, IS, RX or SC?"

Do you really want me to?

Enough. I like Lexuses, I like Audis. Case closed.

kpaxx - 9/27/2007 1:03:04 PM

+1 Boost

Didn't Guigiaro design something like this for toyota years ago.....Yes it was called the Lexus Landau. Contracting Guigiaro to design cars for them was smart but some how down the line they lost it..

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z5605/Lexus_Landau/default.aspx

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MercedesKing - 9/27/2007 5:38:28 PM

+1 Boost

Looks kind of similar to the first generation RX.

EL34 - 9/27/2007 1:03:10 PM

-2 Boost

Oh goody, Toyota is bringing back the Tercel rebadged as a Lexus.

Mercy!

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david989 - 9/27/2007 1:07:37 PM

-5 Boost

Unlike BMW Lexus doesn't have terrible designs. This car already kills the 1 series in terms of looks (and reliability) and probably performance and sales too and fun factor.

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Airliner - 9/27/2007 1:53:06 PM

+4 Boost

You go boy... ain't no one stoppin' ya from dreaming BIG!! Get your head out of the clouds 'david989', who knows if Lexus will even build this. Just let it go, if and when this Lexus arrives, we will see he numbers. BMW & Audi have been in this segment for years and are killers in it.

BMW4me4ever - 9/27/2007 1:12:07 PMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

david .. were you not the one that said that " Lexus would never cheapen their brand by going to a lower priced model, unlike the cheap and crappy German cars" .. What tune are you singing now? Contradiction at its best. In regards to kills the 1-series, Lexus already had a 5-door hatch and it failed miserably. It was known as the IS300 Sport Cross. idiot

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david989 - 9/27/2007 1:20:26 PM

-2 Boost

The IS300 Cross was a big success for Lexus. That car made BMW piss in their pants.

Airliner - 9/27/2007 1:55:13 PM

+3 Boost

Wow 'daivd989' you really have your facts straight huh... Don't get me wrong... I liked the IS300 Sport Wagon... but it was no success story. If it had been, Lexus would not have discontinued it.

jimmyjump - 9/27/2007 2:17:31 PM

+3 Boost

Yep, so succesfull it there is not a hatch option on the new IS line...

Dont get me wrong I like Lexus and they are doing only what must be done and that is compete and they will compete well.

Plus the article says it will compete in europe.

Just stick a toe in and see how the water feels before you take the plunge...

SoSnootySo - 9/27/2007 1:27:03 PM

-1 Boost

the concept looks nice.

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EL34 - 9/27/2007 2:39:25 PM

-2 Boost

You know what they say,

Monkey see, monkey do and that what Lexus do!

EL34
Irvine, Calif Real Estate Agent of the Year!

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answer - 9/27/2007 5:12:04 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Shouldn't you be focusing on your duties as mayor of Crazytown instead of coming here and trying to be funny?

MercedesKing - 9/27/2007 5:35:01 PM

+1 Boost

Did you get a nice, shiny sticker?

printhan - 9/27/2007 2:51:56 PM

0 Boost

dere v go again.
if u buy a lexus, u can be a great follower

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JUGNU - 9/27/2007 4:25:41 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

this is just a poor rendition.Don't start once again haters.

JUGNU

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S4cabriofoxone - 9/27/2007 5:11:15 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I don't think this is a bad impression of what it would look like, but they simply cannot bring a car to the market called the BS. How about HS? For hatch?

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lexusis350 - 9/27/2007 6:26:52 PM

0 Boost

I think that the 'H' should be the second letter. Like SH or something. It would make more sense that way. Every Lexus model (except the SUVs) stands for something. The IS is Intelligent Sport, the GS is Grand Sport, the LS is Luxury Sedan, the SC is Sport Coupe, etc. This one should be Small Hatch or something along those lines.

MercedesKing - 9/27/2007 8:06:40 PM

+2 Boost

I'd prefer LH or XH.

lexusis350 - 9/27/2007 10:51:08 PM

+1 Boost

Yeah. Mine was just an idea. Yours sound better, though.

S4cabriofoxone - 9/27/2007 11:46:46 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I don't know, none of these sound especially good. They don't roll off the tongue like "LS" or "RX." How about... IX? That sounds better. It wouldn't be an SUV, but it would be a hatch, which is close to a crossover (RX).

Kinger - 10/3/2007 6:06:01 AM

+1 Boost

Weren't they planning on calling it BS? That's not a joke by the way I actually remember reading that somewhere.

lexusis350 - 9/27/2007 6:23:21 PM

+2 Boost

I've never been a fan of hatchbacks (except for the Audi A3), but this isn't that bad.

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sixmilie - 9/27/2007 8:37:52 PM

+1 Boost

This is a definite triple L as in Lame and lethargic and a total Loser.Lexus is way off.I personally don't understand how Lexus and Bmw's are even comparible.Lexus designs are totaly soft, feminine and weak,,total chic mobiles.This design looks old already.Kind of a IS hatch .Just my opinion but this is trash.

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MercedesKing - 9/27/2007 11:16:06 PM

+3 Boost

...that wasn't expressed in an unintentionally vapid way at all.

pchera01 - 9/28/2007 2:21:46 AM

+1 Boost

doesn't look like corolla

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pchera01 - 9/28/2007 2:21:46 AM

+1 Boost

doesn't look like corolla

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M53R - 9/28/2007 3:06:17 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Did you people notice that david989 is just a joke?! Dont reply to him!

Anyways if they wanted to produce this, they should at least not call it BS... Not a bad idea to enter the market.

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