Lexus' Future Flight Plan

The production version of Lexus' LF-A concept should be arriving in 2008.
Lexus will continue to expand its lineup despite internal concerns that rising volume may harm its true-luxury status.

Executives say that as long as Lexus does not venture below $30,000, its vehicles will be perceived as luxury, no matter what the sales volume is.

As a result, expect variants of existing nameplates, such as coupe and convertible versions of the IS sedan, as well as additions such as a performance sports car and a large car-based crossover.

IS: The high performance 2008 IS-F sedan, with a 425-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 and Brembo brakes, arrives late this year. A coupe will be added in mid-2008 as a 2009 model. But the convertible has been pushed back to the summer of 2009 because the plan now is to engineer a hardtop convertible instead of a ragtop.

ES: A hybrid will be added for the 2009 model year. A freshening is planned for the 2010 model year; a redesign is scheduled for the 2012 model year.

GS: No major platform changes are brewing, although the V-6 engine gets bored out to 3.5 liters for the 2008 model year.

LS 460: A hybrid model arrives in dealerships at the end of August or in early September.

SC 430: A redesign is planned for the 2009 model year. Expect a substantial weight loss. The engine gets an increase in displacement, to 4.6 liters.

LF-1: The supercar inspired by the LF-A concept will arrive next spring. It is meant to celebrate Toyota's 70th anniversary as well as its Formula 1 presence, hence the "F-1" part of the name.

A V-10 engine, generating at least 500 hp, will deliver power to an all-wheel-drive setup. Expect an unveiling at the Tokyo motor show in October, if not at the Japan Formula 1 race in September.

Hybrid: Lexus will get its own dedicated hybrid model in a configuration and design different from the Toyota Prius. It is likely to arrive as a 2012 model. One proposal is a small crossover that would be only for Japan and Europe in its first phase.

RAV4: A Lexus version of the RAV4 is planned for Japan and Europe. U.S. marketers likely will turn it down because they don't want vehicles priced under $30,000.

Lexus does not want to chase the BMW X3, Volvo XC60 and Acura RD-X. But there is a contingency plan if the segment takes off.

RX 350: A redesign comes in early 2009 as a 2010 model. Expect a slight increase in size.

GX 470: The assembly line twin of the Toyota 4Runner gets a redesign in the fall of 2009. A six-speed automatic transmission may be added.

JX 470: The long-awaited seven-seat crossover arrives as a 2009 model.

The project name is VX, and it comes off the GS sedan platform. For styling hints, look to the Lexus LF-X (formerly HPX) concept car, which had a 116-inch wheelbase, was 194 inches long and had room for three rows of seats.

Power may come from a 4.7-liter V-8, although a 3.5-liter V-6 also might be offered. The vehicle would line up against the Infiniti FX35 and FX45.

LX 470: The redesigned version due next spring stays on the Land Cruiser platform with a 5.7-liter V-8 engine made in Japan. Reports that it would switch to the Toyota Sequoia platform are unfounded.

By MARK RECHTIN | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS