2022 Lexus LQ will be the brand’s flagship SUV

KUALA LUMPUR: The Lexus LF-1 Limitless concept displayed at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, has gone under the production and will come up on the roads as Lexus LQ SUV. Earlier, the idea was known to be the next generation of LX, but as per the report of Car and Driver, the production version of the concept model will be the flagship SUV of Lexus and will sit above the long-running LX.  

Currently, the top models of Toyota’s premium division include LS sedan and LC coupe, which means the high-end SUV segment was still lacking. But now, the luxury carmaker will have an SUV model on offer for affluent shoppers. The firm has already taken the rights to use the “LQ” moniker.

As per the report, it will share the key structural elements with the Lexus LS sedan. Under the hood also, it will adopt drivetrains from LS, including a twin-turbo V-6 engine producing 416 PS of power and a hybrid unit generating 354 PS. It may also have an F performance version powered by a twin-turbo V-8, capable of generating more than 600 PS. Lexus says it has “potential to shape the future of a flagship luxury crossover,”

The concept model features a “molten katana” design language. It is heavy on sculpturing and highlights the playful surfaces in the copper/gold finish. 

After hitting the Lexus showrooms sometime in 2022, it will lock horns with luxury SUVs offered by other auto giants like BMW, Audi, Range Rover, Mercedes, and Porsche. The base version is expected to be priced around $80,000 (RM 350,038) while the top variant can cost about $100,000 (RM 437,507).

Also read: Lexus first PHEV to be based on Toyota RAV4 Prime