Lexus Australia adds baby SUV to wanted list

AUSTRALIA has lined up for a production version of the Lexus UX Concept first shown at last October’s Paris Motor Show.

Lexus is yet to approve the UX, which would sit below the Toyota RAV4-based Lexus NX small SUV in the carmaker’s showroom, for production.

However, Lexus Australia chief executive Peter McGregor made it clear that he wanted Toyota’s luxury brand to have a vehicle in every growing segment of the market, including premium compact SUVs where the UX would compete.

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“If Lexus International decided to take a vehicle such as the UX Concept or something similar into production into a sub-Lexus NX market, we would certainly be putting our hand up and asking for that to be introduced into Australia,” McGregor said.

“We make our case known for every vehicle we need to be introduced into Australia.

“If we see a luxury market segment that exists and is growing that we don’t have a presence in, of course we are making that case to Lexus International that there is an opportunity that there are customers in this market segment that we are not satisfying.

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“And, of course, we would be asking for it in the fullness of time whenever that may be.”

If the UX does get built – and it appears likely – it will take on the Audi Q2, BMW X1, and Mini Countryman in the premium SUV segment when it arrives late next year or in 2019.

The UX will be based on the Toyota New Generation Architecture that will underpin every future transverse-engined Toyota and Lexus model and made its debut via the all-new Prius launched earlier last year.

However, the production version of the UX Concept is likely to be based on Toyota’s new C-HR small SUV, due on sale in Australia in February –the Toyota-badged car and the Lexus concept have similar dimensions, including a 2640mm wheelbase, and hidden rear door handles in the C-pillar.

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Lexus revealed that the UX’s design stems from Toyota’s ED2 design centre in France. The outlandish exterior styling (dubbed “inside out design”) becomes even more outrageous inside, though the final product is expected to tone down considerably.

Little else is known about Lexus’ sub-NX SUV, such as what badge it will carry, whether the C-HR’s new 1.2-litre turbo, 2.0-litre atmo, or 1.8-litre petrol-electric hybrid powertrains will be utilised, and whether the company will ditch the slow-selling and poorly received CT200h hatchback for the more modern crossover.

Lexus is expected to announce its plans for the UX Concept in the coming months.