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Report: Lexus will likely become a hybrid-only brand

Star submitted on 10/09/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 1:31 PM
from: www.motorauthority.com

[29] user comments | category: Spy News

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Report: Lexus will likely become a hybrid-only brand

Already known as the luxury segment’s “greenest” brand, Lexus is reportedly looking to build upon this reputation by moving to a completely hybrid lineup in the medium to long term. The statements were made by Toyota managing officer Toshio Furutani to Japan’s Nikkei business daily and indicate the company will fast-track development of future hybrid models.

The information backs up statements previously made by Lexus executives in Europe and Australia about the future of the brand as it expands out of the North American market.

Lexus already sells three hybrid models, the LS 600h, the GS 450h and the RX 400h crossover. We’ve already had confirmation that Lexus will show a dedicated hybrid vehicle based on the Prius at next year's Detroit Auto Show and the new-generation RX crossover with a hybrid variant is expected to debut sometime within the next year as well.

That still leaves a number of models in the carmaker's portfolio with no hybrid powertrains such as the IS, GX, LX, and the ES, all of which are likely to go hybrid only when updated models are released. With the SC nearing the end of production, it’s expected a possible brand new model could be a luxury hybrid convertible, although Lexus hasn’t decided whether it till revive the SC badge.

Another option on the table is a small hatchback to compete with the BMW 1-series and Audi A3. Such a vehicle would best be served with a plug-in hybrid powertrain for regular city use. Toyota is already testing plug-in versions of the Prius and expects to release it in 2010.

The GS 450h has already shown what a “performance” hybrid is capable of doing, so Lexus may also decide to expand the technology to future ‘F’ branded models. With 100% of torque instantaneously available from the electric motor, hybrid performance could put an end to the old saying “there’s no replacement for displacement.” One of the first F hybrids could be the upcoming LF-A supercar, which is expected to be available with a petrol-electric option.

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StarSearch - 10/9/2008 4:37:20 PM

+9 Boost

wait, you belittle Asian companies as 2nd tier "Jap crap", but now you submit posts about them as if you actually care??

AutoSpies credibility in freefall...........

reply to this comment

Star - 10/10/2008 9:36:23 AM

0 Boost

I'm a car guy. I post news about cars in general regardless of what I think about the subject. It's called CLASS...something you never exhibited.

StarSearch - 10/10/2008 3:44:05 PM

0 Boost

hahaha!!! You think calling people poor, gay or uneducated makes you classy??!!

Buddy, your credibility and admiration from everyone else here is so low, snakes are pissing on you.

david999 - 10/9/2008 5:15:42 PM

+1 Boost

Good news from one of the best marques in the world.

reply to this comment

enthusiastx11 - 10/9/2008 7:28:12 PM

0 Boost

dumb news from a respected marque in the US that is largely irrelevant in the rest of the world.

hao420 - 10/10/2008 1:00:29 AM

-1 Boost

Right,and the LX's hybird..

reply to this comment

enthusiastx11 - 10/9/2008 7:27:28 PM

-1 Boost

this is the dumbest thing i've heard today.

lexus "hybrids" are a joke. two of them (LS600 and GS450) sell only in TINY volumes.

there are only so many suckers out there...and it would be devastating to the brand to go hybrid-only.

so what happens to the IS-F and the big V8 engines in the LS?

reply to this comment

Hyundai - 10/9/2008 7:28:41 PM

+1 Boost

Hard to say considering it takes forever over there to make even the slightest changes (IS coupe took forever even though it is an IS sedan with two less doors).

reply to this comment

Yakamoto - 10/18/2008 10:36:09 AM

0 Boost

they may take longer but you can't rush PERFECTION.

hence their motto: "The PASSIONATE pursuit of PERFECTION."

adamsaf723 - 10/9/2008 7:47:48 PM

+5 Boost

I call bullshit on this whole article.

1. None of Lexus' hybrids with the exception of the RX (and just barely) are designed for any fuel savings.

2. The dedicated Lexus hybrid is not going to be based on any Toyota or Lexus car to date. It will be sized between the ES and the IS and will have design schemes from both. Lexus is only claiming the MPG to be about 38, far from the Prius' 45-60+.

3. If Lexus even does the LF-A, which as time goes on, it is looking more and more skeptical, it will not be based on a hybrid platform. It will have a big, meaty, V10, will be $250,000-300,000 and will be on all carbon fiber body.

You are an idiot, and this article was a waste of time.

reply to this comment

david999 - 10/9/2008 8:53:36 PM

+3 Boost

"there are only so many suckers out there...and it would be devastating to the brand to go hybrid-only"
What are you smoking? More power with less emissions is "devistating to the brand"?
Get a grip you dope.

reply to this comment

enthusiastx11 - 10/9/2008 10:40:11 PM

-6 Boost

first, learn to spell.

second, re: "more power with less emissions" is pointless because lexus hybrids are mediocre at both. it's called trying to be all things to all people...and failing.

WorldofLuxury - 10/9/2008 9:44:25 PM

-1 Boost

This is feasibly true, actually...but mind you all that this news is relevant to specifically Japan and European countries. Hybrid vehicles are what keeps Lexus advertised and running in those markets. The technology is the reason to buy Lexus in countries where there are enough brands selling a far greater variety of models.

So yeah...if Lexus can master their hybrid machines to capabilities beyond imaginable, they might have a chance of recognition and finally, good business in the foreign countries.

reply to this comment

Styles79 - 10/10/2008 1:55:47 AM

+1 Boost

"Lexus" isn't sold in Japan, in Japan the models that are sold overseas as Lexus are sold as Toyota models....

Styles79 - 10/10/2008 11:48:40 PM

+1 Boost

I stand corrected..... it seems completely counter intuitive for them to do that. There aren't the historic hang-ups attached to the brand there.... I wonder how that's going for them?

Star - 10/9/2008 10:01:13 PM

-1 Boost

It appears that Lexus finally accepts defeat and is ready to concentrate on making electric carts from now on. We can only hope that other Japanese econobox makers will follow.

reply to this comment

sector - 10/9/2008 11:40:50 PM

+1 Boost

So having the balls to be forward thinking and fully embracing the path to energy independence by slowly weaning us away from a dying breed of tech that is already 200 hundred years old is accepting defeat?

Man, get yo a$$ back in school, you shouldn't have dropped out so quickly...

StickShiftCamry - 10/10/2008 12:15:14 AM

+1 Boost

New ES AWD Hybrid will be A6 killer. ES is already faster than 6 Cyl. A6.

reply to this comment

synx - 10/10/2008 1:27:37 AM

+2 Boost

"Already known as the luxury segment’s “greenest” brand,"

since when?

reply to this comment

Agent009 - 10/10/2008 8:29:40 AMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

They are synonymous with Hybrid. However that doesn't dictate green by any means.

Styles79 - 10/10/2008 1:37:42 AM

-2 Boost

I think that you will find that this is a very smart move. The days of oil are numbered. The internal combustion engine is a triumph of development over concept, and it's time is drawing to an end. By stepping up to hybrid (which isn't the final answer) Lexus are taking a step that will help them exploit a niche and lead in further technologies. Hybrid is limited and is just a stepping stone to the next move. If you don't think that Toyota is looking a long, long way ahead you are kidding yourself......

reply to this comment

E36er - 10/10/2008 1:00:48 PM

-3 Boost

As much as I don't like Lexus I have to concede that this is a smart move.

reply to this comment

JMB1013 - 10/10/2008 8:47:40 PM

+1 Boost

good, now they can talk about an LF-A hybrid for multiple years and how it could theoretically run a 7:00 lap around the ring that ultimately leads nowhere

reply to this comment

huu76 - 10/11/2008 12:50:49 AM

-1 Boost

Hybrid tech will be the one constant in automobiles, no matter what fuel is being used (in the end they'll all generate electricity for motors). Even hydrogen cars are hybrids, unless its the useless 7-series which gives you 4mpg instead of a normal 40+mpg.

An ES300h would sell like faster than a BMW lease.

Going hybrid would allow Lexus and Toyota to make solar panels standard and add an additional selling point for hybrids. Why buy what the sun gives you for free?

reply to this comment

QuantumMatrix - 10/11/2008 8:27:47 AM

+1 Boost

Lexus hybrids have done nothing to improve fuel economy on their models. All they have used the hybrid technology for is to increase HP. So much for being Green..

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