Lexus To Debut Prius Spinoff At Detroit Auto Show

Lexus will launch a small Prius-based hybrid hatch at next January’s Detroit motorshow, Autocar has learnt from sources in Japan.

The new model is known internally as SAI but will be renamed before it goes on sale and will be based on the next generation Prius, also being shown for the first time in Detroit. The Lexus though will be a plusher, more comfort orientated model with unique and sleeker styling.

According to company sources it will bear some similarities to Toyota’s Concept X shown at the Geneva motor show last March. Most commentators wrongly believed this heralded the design of the next Prius but our sources indicated that it was really designed to showcase themes for the junior Lexus hybrid.

 

Peyton18 - 8/4/2008 10:42:39 AM

+2 Boost

First new lexus news in...years?

silver1 - 8/4/2008 10:51:24 AM

-2 Boost

lexus is-f, lexus LF-A, lexus-LX 470, lexus LS 650-h

mitchatlexusofmarin - 8/4/2008 1:18:25 PM

+3 Boost

650H? What's that?

komododave - 8/4/2008 1:42:01 PM

+1 Boost

The LF-A isn't out yet, and the IS-F and LS600H are option packages or trim levels on already established cars.

silver1 - 8/4/2008 2:56:46 PM

-4 Boost

"komododave"

I stated the LS 650h, not the LS-600.....which are 2 totally different cars. And the question was "new lexus news in years"

"mitchatlexusofmarin"

The Lexus LS-650h is the World's first V12 hybrid thats going to compete against the S600 and Bentley.

JRobUSC - 8/5/2008 9:01:44 AM

+2 Boost

oh, so it's a fictitious vehicle, like the LF-A you also mentioned. I see, that clears that right up then. When people discuss new vehicles I didn't know completely non-existant ones counted, I'll have to remember that for next time.

AgentOrange - 8/4/2008 10:52:48 AM

+3 Boost

Sleeker styling than the Prius??
Didn't think that was possible.. ;)

answer - 8/4/2008 11:30:57 AM

+1 Boost

I would be cool if the interior of this echoed the design of the people mover things in the Minority Report movie. (I mean the vehicles that became part of the living space, not the Lexus sports car thing)

Maverick2020 - 8/4/2008 11:38:28 AM

+4 Boost

It probably makes sense for Lexus to have a up-level Prius in the stable. If they execute it right, it could be a big success.

EL34 - 8/4/2008 1:03:28 PM

-6 Boost

OMG, another chick mobile from ToyLex.

_43LE - 8/4/2008 1:59:15 PM

+5 Boost

OMG, another bitchy-chicky comment from EL34.

EL34 - 8/4/2008 5:15:44 PM

-1 Boost

What are you talking about?

It looks like another stupid van.

Van drivers are the worst on the road!

sector - 8/4/2008 1:07:00 PM

-4 Boost

Wow, the future is now :) thank you Lexus.

JRobUSC - 8/5/2008 9:02:56 AM

+2 Boost

my God, your troll-ness knows no bounds.

Sarcastic1 - 8/4/2008 1:17:02 PM

+3 Boost

Great concept with a nicer version of the Prius, but does anyone other than Stevie Wonder find this a good looking car? I'm embarrassed to step out of a Prius now and it doesn't seem as though Toyota has made any greater strides to please the more shallow consumer.

WorldofLuxury - 8/4/2008 7:18:21 PM

-1 Boost

I AGREE! This is one hell of an awesome Prius concept.
The Lexus LF-Xh is awesome as well!

If Toyota has so much money, why not put a little effort in making this car possible in the real world!

91z4me - 8/4/2008 1:35:31 PM

+1 Boost

It is interesting to see people glorify what is essentially a rebadged Toyota which may water down the Lexus brand. Sure the Prius is a huge marketing positive but what people need to ask themselves is: does this represent what Lexus is or wants to be?

silver1 - 8/4/2008 3:36:09 PM

0 Boost

It is interesting to see people glorify what is essentially a rebadged Smart and Mini Cooper which may water down the Mercedes & BMW brand. Sure the Smart and Mini Cooper is a hugh marketing positive but what people need to ask themselves is: does this represent what Mercedes and BMW os or wants to be?

91z4me - 8/4/2008 6:38:40 PM

0 Boost

I agree w/ Smart and the low end European Mercedes models but Mini is its own brand. It has it's own unique platform separate from all BMW models so far, the 'suv' thingy may change that. By and large people don't know Mini is related to BMW.

silver1 - 8/4/2008 11:49:16 PM

-1 Boost

You are very dumb. Mini Cooper is located at the BMW dealership. Most people by Mini be because it's made by BMW

JRobUSC - 8/5/2008 10:53:04 AM

+2 Boost

^ no, you're very dumb. Most people buy Mini's because they're Mini's. Plus "owned by" and "made by" are not the same thing. Unless, of course, you're willing to admit Lexus's are "made by" Toyota, and not by Lexus. Are you? Because that would be a first for a Lexus troll.

Please please please admit that, it would make my day.

carguy68 - 8/4/2008 2:55:13 PM

0 Boost

wow what an ungly mofo!!

quizz - 8/4/2008 5:05:58 PM

+3 Boost

It has to be better looking than the Prius to succeed - consumers at this end of the $$ spectrum expect a bit more in return for $35K.

xj13 - 8/4/2008 7:09:35 PM

-1 Boost

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

enthusiastx11 - 8/4/2008 9:32:18 PM

-2 Boost

wow that's frightening.

ryansf - 8/5/2008 6:35:46 AM

+2 Boost

I'm confused because the exact same car as pictured was shown last week at the British Motorshow...

Dr550 - 8/6/2008 4:17:18 AM

0 Boost

This car is plain ugly. The front lights/hood look silly. Lexus will probably put some wood inlays to soften the inside.