Lexus UC? Any merit to this Lexus twins (triplets?) rumor?
 

https://lexusenthusiast.com/forums/t...wertrain.6395/

The japanese rumor link is in the first post.

I know ive heard some rumblings of a possible Lexus version in the past but i dont think it really made any sense nor was it an actual rumor, just some person thinking Lexus could/should make its own version or something to that effect.

But now it MIGHT have legs? WTF?
How much sense does this even make?
Why does Lexus need something in this segment...?

So Lexus...Toyota's Luxury arm, will attempt to make a Luxury sports car out of a non-luxury relatively cheap economy level sports car built by a non-luxury make in Subaru.....

This is Chevy Cavalier/Cadillac Cimarron, Toyota Prius/Lexus HS and Toyota iQ/Aston Martin Cygnet, or even Subaru Impreza/Saab 9-2X level of nonsense.

Regardless of the rumor, depending on the price this might be attractive. A few 1000 more for a premium interior, sound deadening, and a better dealership experience? might be worth it.

I'm responding with BS and have no knowledge of anything and it is unlikely to happen anyway but here goes.

But now it MIGHT have legs? WTF?

Perhaps Toyota has found that the 86 GT simply wasn't luxurious enough. Like there is a market of people shopping the 86 who found it is just too aggressive. But they would spend $35~40K for a more luxurious version of the 86 with a Lexus badge.

Why does Lexus need something in this segment...?

The RC is dead soon. The LC will be gone soon after that. There is still demand for coupes and entry luxury though. Maybe they could sell it as a city car like the UX, but in a different segment.

How much sense does this even make?

A lot of sense if Lexus doesn't have to invest a lot into updates or changes. Cover everything with leather, put in a higher-end touchscreen, update the graphics on the dashboard, make adjustable dapeners standard, and just go through and finish the car with nicer materials. The R&D has been paid for already. At this point it is just profit. The added margins would also help to make the case for keeping the 86 and BRZ around.

If somehow they could work in a hybrid system, all the better. But I'm unsure if the platform has those capabilities.

Which leads to the question: Why not use the Supra? For the Supra, they would probably have to spend too much, it would cost too much for the available market, and maybe BMW would just say no since they have the 4-Series and Z4 already.

Wow that spy shot makes this rumor even more convincing. Interesting.

I think that's the crux of the problem - I doubt Lexus will let Subaru build a version for them, as they would want not only more premium interior but also more premium ride which would require changes to suspension and adding dampeners, isolators, etc. to the chassis.
Nobody would be fooled by an hourglass bumper and some extra leather bits in the interior.

The Lexus version is powered by a turbo V6.

I would agree. They could do a quick rewrap like the Subaru Impreza > Saab 9-2X situation but then all you'd end up with is a nicer version of the same car.

I'd think they'd have to go Aston Martin Cygnet which was almost a completely redone interior and some exterior to make a toyota iQ feel like an Aston Martin. And it pretty much cost more than twice as much as an iQ for just a pampered iQ....
I dont think luxifying a twin will garner a price increase to that extent but would it even be a reasonable enough price increase to justify its existence?

Yeah I was ready to call BS but if that spy shot is real that changes things

I have a Lexus "Land Cruiser" hundy... an LX470. Absolutely LOVE it. Lexus "experience" and "dealership experience" doesn't enter into it AT ALL. It's as capable as a Land Cruiser, only really quiet and even more comfortable.

If there was a Lexus version of my FRS, with a MANUAL transmission, I'd be all over it, just for the increase in cabin quietness.

The LX470 knocks it out of the park because it maintains the capabilities of a Land Cruiser. If, and I know it's probably a total pipe dream, Lexus does do a "triplet" version of the FRS/BRZ/86, and it maintains at least 98% of the capabilities of the current iterations, AND IS AVAILABLE IN MANUAL (I'm glaring at YOU, new Supra), I'd be in instantly.

These cars are based on the same platform. It is doable.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...8-06%29_01.jpg
https://cars.usnews.com/pics/size/77..._dashboard.jpg
https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/...e_1200x630.png
https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims3/GL...-ux-250h-1.jpg

That spy shot was posted somewhere here months ago.

I was going to mention that too. I thought it was just he testing team having fun with the camo tape.

Stop. Just. Stop.