If Lexus Is Really Killing The V8 IS, Why Did They Apply For A Trademark On The IS500 Nameplate?

TT 3.5L V6 with 500 hp

Lexus is beyond clueless in their market position and marketing at the moment. They are mired "let's do what the Germans are doing and do it 75% as well and with added ugly blandness" rather than being a truly compelling alternative.

Now this right here, is more sensible as a statement.

If Lexus Is Really Killing The V8 IS, Why Did They Apply For A Trademark On The IS500 Nameplate?

The question does not and should not assume the car will have a V8 .... But ... should assume an ugly grill in order to compete with BMW

They do seem to have the same identity crisis Cadillac. We're luxury. No, wait, we're performance. No, we're luxury again, AND performance. Alpha-numeric names with changing meaning should help.

The LQ cannot come fast enough.

The IS should have been axed.

The GX, LX, LC, and LS cannot be axed fast enough.

The RX and NX cannot be redone fast enough.

An LE and an RE (Model 3/Y competitors) cannot happen fast enough.

Lexus is rudderless at the moment.

There is no Lexus LQ coming you idiot (facepalm). Unlike this full length nomenclature "IS 500" trademark filing, the 2018 LQ trademark filing by Toyota was for a Tokyo Motor Show concept shown in October 2019.

Lexus LQ was a small rumour mill on some websites in 2018-19. It's not a real Lexus vehicle name, as LF-1 is not LQ in production form. LQ utterly bastardizes Lexus "X" nomenclature. Use some f*cking sense!

You don't know a lick about automotive product planning nor the industry side of things at all, outside of selling some cars and buying a few toys, to even spew the nonsense you have said above.

Please stick to showroom/garage discussion and avoid discussing anything that involves product development. Jay Leno knows his place, perhaps you should too. He doesn't make insipid speculation.

Or, go buy or start your own volume assembly car company, if you do not have the academic accreditation to work for one as a professional.

Too often I can't help but think MD will do much better in China than here

There most decidedly is an LQ. It's widely reported and also discussed by Lexus. There's this thing called Google, go use it. The LF1 Limitless concept is heading to production as the LQ.

The new full sized crossover based on the LF-1 is coming regardless of what it is called.
It is tall LS and will be a better range-topper than the LS.
Lexus needs to upgrade their drivetrains too.
They are trailing the industry.

Lexus is still under a change of guard, despite Akio Toyoda's questionable leadership over the whole organization.

Koji Sato's influence as head of Lexus needs more time to make an effect, as he's only been at it 181 days.

Nothing until 2024 model year will be his influence. Nothing MY2020-22, except Lexus LC is connected to Koji Sato.

Dishonorable Yoshihiro Sawa ran Lexus brand from 2017 until December 31, 2019. This facelift is a result of his decision-making and the lack of effort regarding GS.