Stretched Lexus RX Under Consideration as Seven Seater
Lexus is mulling over a few options in order to add a seven-seater crossover to its lineup.
One of those options is to stretch the current Lexus RX model to accommodate three rows, as the company has put a focus on expanding its three-row offerings as soon as possible. Currently, the Lexus GX 460 is a seven-seater SUV, but employs a body-on-frame build that has a trucklike ride. According to Lexus Division chief Jeff Bracken, third-row seating is the number-one issue the brand hears from its dealers, and Lexus feels like its missing a 35,000-units-a-year opportunity.
SEE ALSO: Lexus RX 350 and 450h ‘Updated’ for 2015
The Lexus RX shares its platform with the Toyota Highlander, which received a through redesign this year. The new Lexus RX however won’t arrive until late 2015 in order to let the new NX find its place in the marketplace. For over a decade, Lexus has been considering a seven-seater crossover model, but it has been put on the backburner until now. The company hopes to bring such a vehicle to market in 2016 or 2017 and isn’t bothered even “if it steps on RX.”
The new car is likely to be called the Lexus TX.
GALLERY: 2015 Lexus RX
[Source: Automotive News]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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