Toyota ’s luxury Lexus brand has been on the backslide this year, which promises to impact the future of the brand’s lineup. Performance models will likely be put on hold, with an emphasis on fuel-efficient vehicles in the near future.
The first two casualties of the new way of thinking at Lexus will likely be its two most promising performance models – the GS-F and the LF-A. The GS-F is a high-performance version of Lexus’ GS sports sedan, and was intended to take on the heavy-hitters in the segment, such as BMW ’s M5. However, worsening economic conditions and rising fuel prices have put the program on hold, with the future of the GS-F in the air.
The LF-A has also been delayed, with its launch date now likely moved back to the spring of 2010. Economic conditions are also partly to blame for the LF-A’s delay, but cars like the Nissan GT-R and Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 are also responsible for the delay. The GT-R and ZR1 have lapped the famed Nürburgring in under 7 minutes 30 seconds, a target Lexus engineers have yet to eclipse with the LF-A.
While performance may be at the backburner at Lexus, the company is expected to launch coupe and convertible versions of its entry-level IS sedan. According to Automotive News, Lexus has trademarked the IS 250C, IS 300C and IS 350C – indicating three new models are just around the corner.
Rising fuel prices also has Lexus considering the launch of a small crossover in the U.S. market. The luxury marque will soon launch a Toyota RAV4 -based crossover in Europe and Japan, with sales now possible for the U.S. by 2013.
A Lexus-badged Prius model is still a go, with the new model hitting dealerships in 2010 as a 2011 model.
