Lexus UC the GR86 Hybrid that we didn't think we needed

[EAGLE5]

Is not an EV. No thanks.

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by Stigmaru

You guys believe in this report that Lexus is releasing a luxury hybrid version of the GR86 next year?

the question i still have is "what role does this vehicle fill?" there's nothing about the car that moving it upmarket would really accomplish. it's a pretty average touring car, it's too compact for luxury status, and even with hybridization, is really too 'raw' of a car to ever fit into lexus' lineup. it would take a ton of sound dampening to meet typical lexus quality standards, as well as an entirely revamped interior and exhaust system.

and all that extra work for maybe 1,000-2,000 sales tops, per year? last thread, no one really had any answers where the battery pack would even go on the car, even theoretically. not like there's a ton of useless space on these cars.

[wbradley]

No because Toyota is too intelligent to build a Cadillac Cimarron...

In reality the only thing Lexus could gain is the size to build off of. Things like NVH, convenience and maintaining the diminutive weight would be extremely challenging.

From their mainstream line, the 2010 SC was their last 2 seater, a V8 convertible specifically designed as a luxury vehicle.

Just buy an RC, it will be a better car.

[mazeroni]

Originally Posted by soundman98

the car never had bad sales. they never discounted it,, they never struggled to sell any of them, heck, they barely even discounted the financing on them. they sold every one that they built. but it is a lower volume sports car so the sales target was set way lower than as is typical for most mfg's these days. but it was never a struggle to sell.

i don't understand where this idea keeps coming from that the 86 was a sales flop.

I wouldn't say it is a sales flop. It is a niche product and it is hard to judge on its own. I assume that the project, overall, has been profitable, given the car feels like it had a low initial development buy-in and sustainable manufacturing costs thanks to being tied into an existing factory that builds at high volumes.

But it has had a very large drop in sales over the years. They went from a reported 18,327 sales in 2013, to 2,476 in 2020 - Nearly a 90% loss of sales volume in 7 years...

The 86 has also carried a $1,500 factory rebate for several model years - I don't remember when that started. The BRZ never had such a rebate, but you can find numerous threads and users reporting getting their cars at or below invoice.

At least from my perspective, I'm still shocked we got a Gen-II. But since it is here, and for as long as the Gunma Factory doesn't undergo some massive restructuring, I would expect it to continue to be made. But I would also expect it to get the axe at the first sign of trouble - economic or otherwise - unless they find ways to increase the volume and also profitability.

Originally Posted by soundman98

the question i still have is "what role does this vehicle fill?"

I've read that coupes are becoming increasingly popular with younger women and women are a growing market with Lexus, which is why the UX has been popular - they sold 17,581 in 2021, its best year. So the UC would be a stab at a different part of the Lexus buying segment that the RC and LC failed to nab. But I also agree that a UC could be a tough proposition given its underpinnings and overall lack of utility which I think is what "urbanites" want.

[Interceptor777]

If this Lexus is real, I don't see it staying in the same segment that the GR86/BRZ are in. There will be a lot of added weight, but also a lot of added power (I assume).

If anything, I think this might be Toyota's attempt at filling in the gap between the GR86 and Supra in hopes of competing with the 400Z.

[Stigmaru]

Originally Posted by Interceptor777

If this Lexus is real, I don't see it staying in the same segment that the GR86/BRZ are in. There will be a lot of added weight, but also a lot of added power (I assume).

If anything, I think this might be Toyota's attempt at filling in the gap between the GR86 and Supra in hopes of competing with the 400Z.

Might be Toyotas attempt to phase out the Supra and come out with a $40k luxury coupe to compete with the Nissan Z but in a more 4 quadrant demographic. Build off the gr86 chassis, with more damping and noise reduction, nicer interior, Lexus styling, turbo charge it and it will be very popular with the ladies. All of a sudden, the Subaru plants will keep pumping out these parts for us.

[Stonehorsw]

Regarding style, they would’ve to rework the complete car, not only the bumper. That back doesn’t scream urban car to me and even if you think it is Ok, there is not enough differentiation.

Not sure about Supra sales, but I do not see reason to phase-out that.

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by Interceptor777

If this Lexus is real, I don't see it staying in the same segment that the GR86/BRZ are in. There will be a lot of added weight, but also a lot of added power (I assume).

If anything, I think this might be Toyota's attempt at filling in the gap between the GR86 and Supra in hopes of competing with the 400Z.

Originally Posted by Stigmaru

Might be Toyotas attempt to phase out the Supra and come out with a $40k luxury coupe to compete with the Nissan Z but in a more 4 quadrant demographic. Build off the gr86 chassis, with more damping and noise reduction, nicer interior, Lexus styling, turbo charge it and it will be very popular with the ladies. All of a sudden, the Subaru plants will keep pumping out these parts for us.

Unlikely. The 4cylinder Supra already starts at $43k.

[tiger1964]

Hmm, if it's a really nice interior, eventually swap it into a BRZ...

Originally Posted by wbradley

No because Toyota is too intelligent to build a Cadillac Cimarron...

Perhaps, but the problem with the Cimmaron wasn't the concept (as a coupe or convertible, might have been hot with the divorcee and beach-retiree sets) but the execution (GM's J-car was just awful).