Would a LX570 S sell in the states?

[TeCKis300]

Australia gets a new LX 570 S variant in their market. I've seen markets in Russia and Middle East get special variants too. So you know Lexus already has the investment already sunk in these and it would be easy to brand them here as say a Lexus LX-F.

Would such things be viable in the states? Lexus obviously thinks not, as they don't offer it.

https://www.carscoops.com/2018/10/l...-australia-with-whopping-au168089-base-price/

EDIT, adding pics:

 

[M1911]

Yuck.

 

[KLF]

Price converts to about $120K. Yikes. Must be some sort of tariff in OZ?

 

[Markuson]

Wow. That’s gotta be the worst approach angle I’ve ever seen on a 4x4...

I guess if you only drive on train tracks...?

 

[highrock95]

The person that buys/drives this is not someone that likely cares what it can (or in this case can't) do off pavement.

Personally, I like the looks.....but I would never buy it as I do need something that can handle some off road bits.

 

[GordJ]

Wow. That’s gotta be the worst approach angle I’ve ever seen on a 4x4...

Really?

 

[Markuson]

Really?

OK. Equally horrible next to the
sometimes-FWD Escalade...

 

[GordJ]

OK. Equally horrible next to the
sometimes-FWD Escalade...

Agreed with the horrible description. I think the LX might be even uglier than the Caddy and I am one who likes the spindle usually. But I guess it was inevitable that someone would copy the Stormtrooper helmets.

 

[TeCKis300]

I don't expect the LC contingent to get or understand this. Obviously not targetted at that audience. Versus something like a LC TRD Pro. This is not exactly my cup of tea either, but it fits the mold of a LX-F.

This one has a bit of performance susbstance too -

Complementing these sporty parts is a front performance damper that’s said to improve body rigidity and steering stability.

Wonder what they do that with. AHC already has a secondary spring rate function. Wonder if they fitted a higher rate spring/damper/globe?

Really?

Hahah, so true.

 

[SQRRRL]

I think it looks RAD. Would I buy one? No. All kinds of LC/LX lovers in the world.

 

[mark71]

I'd buy it if it came with a supercharger!

 

[c4xplsv]

It would sell all day if supercharged - not to the mud crowd per say, but the crowd that buys a SC Range Rover, X6M, Porsche SUV, or AMG SUV. Without supercharging (or more HP - however you get it) it just doesn’t carry the firepower to compete in that price range or expectations for that crowd.

Of course an ISF would sell all day too, but Lexus hasn’t touched that trim since the 2IS. Instead they come out with the RC which really didn’t appeal to anyone and looks like 3 cars slpiced together. It doesn’t sell well and depreciates quickly. I digress...

 

[M1911]

I disagree.

High performance crossovers are not just fast in a straight line — they also handle well. With enough power, an LX570 can be fast. But it will never handle as well as a BMW X5/6, a Porsche Cayenne, or a GLE 63. The LX is, and always will be, a 6,000 lb, body-on-frame, solid-rear-axle truck. 20” wheels and a supercharger won’t reduce the unstrung weight, or change the soft body mounts, or the long-travel suspension.

Adding a supercharger would not let the LX effectively compete with performance crossovers.

 

[c4xplsv]

No, I agree 100% the handling performance statement. My point was at that price point, those are the vehicles they would be competing with. The competition is $130-$150k and you’d need more than 383hp to get anyone to buy it for $120k+.

 

[Markuson]

Once upon a time, body-on-frame sports cars made sense...

I do think Toyota might want to consider a TRULY sporty, performance SUV...but basing it on the LC/LX would be pretty silly. It means dealing with totally unnecessary weight, giving it a (literally) massive handicap to overcome at its core.

 

[TeCKis300]

From another perspective, this vehicle would tick the boxes for me. The styling is a bit over the top. But it is cohesive.

Handling in an SUV is a bit of a funny thing for me. Would I want 10/10ths or even 8/10ths sharpness and competency? These are just not the vehicles I look for that from, whether an BMW X5/6 or Cayenne. It'd be fun for a bit of novelty, and then it's a don't care anymore. To drive at that level would beat the hell out of tires and brakes, manhandling that kind of mass. Not satisfying in other words to hustle an SUV, like I would my 650hp coilovered 911. And those other vehicles have no hope of any real off-roading capability.

What I really want is real world competency and capability. With enough body control, poise, and front end traction to drive quickly.

For this, I find the LX with AHC to be hugely competent. Even on tight secondary mountain roads and switchbacks. Having recently driven 30 miles in the Idyllwild countryside, without the wife, I pressed the car pretty hard. With lots of camping gear in the back. Tons of high speed 2nd gear sweepers, both increasing and decreasing radius, with lots of elevation changes. AHC just rocks. Great great damping and body control. Very little nose dive and flatter cornering than any 6200++lb off-road capable rig should. In sport, the dampers were just a bit too firm and skittish over the bumpy road I was on, with lots of expansion joints. In normal damping, they just absorbed the road imperfections, yet still kept the truck poised. Soaking up huge imperfections, not perturbing the body, yet cornering flat. Interestingly, my 100-series LX470 AHC never had this type of roll resistance! I was surprised by the front end traction, probably with my 305s. I can get them to push if I really wanted to, but again, 8/10ths+ on the street is just not reasonable. Not a lot of steering feedback which is okay as it's a huge linebacker with some moves. Was I still having fun, yes! Was I going fast, heck yes. You can ask all the cars I passed with a large SUV bearing down on them, and them giving me room to pass quickly.

Intrigued what a LX570 S with front end damper changes offers. But then I'm not really looking for that next level either.

 

[04UZJ100]

It would absolutely sell. Have you seen the marketing of their LS? Young(er), extremely good looking couple pulling up to a modern house.

Look at who is driving the LXs in that picture.....

I’d drive one over a Range Rover any day.

 

[TheDough]

I work at a Lexus dealer and Lexus recently informed us this will be available in the US for the 2019 Model year. It will be called the LX 570 Inspiration series. Mainly cosmetic enhancements over a fully loaded LX 570. It will be introduced at the LA auto show later this month. MSRP $100,420. I think we will sell some of these in NYC.

 

[lowenbrau]

This is a good thread. I wondered the same thing when I saw the Aussie press release. It seems like a big premium for a fancy grill and a pair of upgraded shocks but I'm glad there is a market. As long as folks keep buying these things new, guys like me will be able to buy them used. That approach angle will be solved by the aftermarket.

The price seems incredible but they are selling Carol Shelby F150s around here at the same price as quick as they can get them in the showroom.

 

[Markuson]

I’d be chopping that bumper off for steel anyway... But I don’t think they are going after the Mud crowd...