Not one to be outshined, Lexus appears to be ready to step up its game against rival brands such as Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz by entering the high-performance SUV market. Reports suggest that Lexus will introduce a new flagship SUV named LQ in the near future to compete with its German counterparts.
According to Car and Driver, the Lexus LQ is expected to share structural components with the company’s top-of-the-line sedan, the LS, indicating a potential utilization of the rear-wheel-drive TNGA-L platform. The power for LQ will reportedly be derived from LS engines, which include a standard 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 416 horsepower and an optional hybrid system combining a 3.5-liter V6 with twin electric motors for a total output of 354 horsepower.
There are speculations suggesting that Lexus may introduce a high-performance F variant featuring a twin-turbo V8 engine with over 600 horsepower. This echoes past rumors from 2018, hinting at a powerful twin-turbo V8 SUV from Lexus aimed at outperforming the 641-horsepower Lamborghini Urus while maintaining a competitive price point. The previous rumor also mentioned a base model with a similarly configured twin-turbo V6, potentially tuned to generate 424 horsepower and the possibility of a hybrid option.
It is worth noting that these rumors may not align completely in terms of details. While the 2018 speculation projected a price tag of $150,000 for the LQ F trim, sources like Car and Driver suggest that the price range for LQ might not exceed six figures. Although the original plan was to unveil the model in 2020, challenges such as the pandemic’s impact on the automotive industry could potentially lead to a delay in the launch for more favorable economic conditions. If and when the LQ is released, it is expected to be available in the United States, as indicated by Toyota, Lexus’s parent company, holding trademark registrations for the “LQ” name in several countries, including Canada, China, France, and the United States.
When approached for comment, Lexus declined to provide any information on this topic.
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