Details on Lexus's plans to renew its range

Lexus is not doing very well in US sales, given the latest figures showing a 25% drop in July compared with the same month last year. As we already know, SUVs are largely to blame now that buyers are moving to smaller, more economical models, but it is also true that some Lexus models such as the GS are starting to look old compared with the competition.

To solve this problem, Toyota’s luxury division plans to update many of its models and add some new ones, as well as eliminate others. The first will be the new generation of the RX, which will go on sale in early 2009 as the 2010 RX. It will include new hybrid versions, since Toyota has patented the RX430h, RX440h and RX450h according to Automotive News, and it may offer a third row of seats.

In 2010 it is the turn of the much-anticipated LF-A, which we already saw in London, a supercar with a 500 hp V10 engine that will cost more than 100,000 euros, and which aims to take on German rivals. Shortly after its launch it will be followed by its corresponding convertible version.

At the end of that same year, Lexus intends to produce its first in-house hybrid vehicle, which will possibly use the new-generation Prius platform, with a 1.4 petrol engine together with the updated Hybrid Synergy Drive from Toyota. Also for those months, the IS will receive coupé and convertible variants.

The following year, in 2011, the Toyota Camry is due for renewal, so the corresponding Lexus, the ES, will do the same. In addition, the new generation of the GS will arrive, which will not have a high-performance version as might be expected, since Lexus prefers to see whether the economy has improved by then.

Those that unfortunately do not seem to have a future are the SC430 and GX470, because their sales have dropped dramatically. Lastly, Lexus is expected to make a model based on the Toyota RAV4, aimed at Japan and Europe, although if the new preferences of American customers continue to firm up, it will probably end up reaching there too.

Via | Motor Authority