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Lexus flagship SUV, a true three-row crossover and an EV on the way, dealer says

Lexus is working to update its mostly dormant portfolio with new cars to populate currently unfilled segments. These will include a full electric vehicle, a true three-row crossover, and a flagship SUV. Many existing models will be getting updates as well, along with a new infotainment system. The agenda was outlined by the chairman of the Lexus National Dealer Advisory Council, John Iacono, in an interview with Automotive News. It very much reads like someone trying to show how much they know by spilling the beans on random bits of info they've heard (it's definitely not anything approaching official information from a company executive), so we'll take most of it with a fistfull of salt. Still, there's plenty here that certainly makes sense given the state of the current Lexus lineup.  Iacono says that Lexus has not been quick enough to fill new segments in the last two years. It was "only the service that kept people coming back," he says. Customers turned elsewhere because they couldn't find what they wanted in the Lexus lineup, even though the cars are "bulletproof." What those customers wanted, he says, included a three-row crossover. A couple of year ago, dealers rejoiced when the RX was stretched to accommodate a third row (pictured below), but it was only a stopgap to keep dealers happy. Iacono said this people-mover will arrive "relatively soon," likely referring to the luxury crossover set to be introduced this year. Lexus doesn't want to deviate from RX's philosophy because it's the brand's most successful product. Lexus does sell two other three-row vehicles, but the GX and LX are traditional body-on-frame SUVs derived from off-road-oriented Toyotas.  View 20 Photos Speaking of the LX, Lexus will soon be producing an SUV that Iacono believes will become the marque's flagship. The halo car crown will no longer be worn by the luxurious LS sedan or flashy LC grand tourer coupe. Instead, Iacono described this SUV as a niche off-roader that won't sell at high volumes, but will serve as a must-have item that makes the brand cool. To us, that sounds a lot like the previously reported Lexus-badged version of the next-generation Land Cruiser. Curiously, Iacono later refers to upcoming refreshes of the GX and LX, so perhaps the new flag-bearer will be called something else. Or, again, perhaps the chairman of the Lexus National Dealer Advisory Council just doesn't know as much as he lets on in this lengthy interview.

Toyota Camry, Lexus RX to get aluminum parts

Ah, aluminum. The lightweight, strong material has long held a following within the premium ranks, but as Ford prepares to launch an aluminum F-150, the material is gaining acceptance among more mainstream automakers. Toyota is one such brand, with a new report indicating that the Japanese giant will add aluminum bits and bobs to some of its upcoming vehicles.
These won't be full, aluminum-intensive treatments like the F-150, however. Automotive News reports that an aluminum hood and liftgate will be coming to the 2016 Lexus RX, and following that, the Camry will get a bonnet built from Element 13 for model year 2018.
As AN points out, Toyota is no stranger to aluminum, using it in Japanese-built models like the Prius and Scion FR-S. The RX and Camry, though, will mark the first time the company's North American factories will use the material, and they'll do so on a significantly larger scale, owing to the higher volumes that the Camry and RX represent.

New Lexus ES will debut at Shanghai Motor Show

Lexus will debut a new version of its ES sedan at the Shanghai Motor Show later this month. Don't expect it to be a total redesign, however – with the sixth-generation ES having just gone on sale in late 2012, we only anticipate a mid-cycle refresh. That's the impression we get from the teaser image above, too. The most prominent change is the reshaping of the headlamps with an LED swoosh, the overall shape of the fascia is very similar to that of the current car. The grille looks to be a bit more angular and pronounced, perhaps indicating the inclusion of an F Sport trim – something the ES currently does not have. The ES holds a unique position in the Lexus lineup. It's the only of the automaker's sedans not to be based on rear-wheel-drive architecture – the ES uses a version of the fullsize Toyota Avalon platform. That said, the ES is hugely important, with some 1.7 million examples being sold globally over the past 25 years. We'll know more when the ES officially bows in the not-too-distant future. Related Video: THE NEW LEXUS ES TO MAKE ITS GLOBAL DEBUT AT AUTO SHANGHAI 2015 BEIJING – April 10, 2015 - The new Lexus ES luxury sedan will make its global debut at Auto Shanghai 2015 on April 20, 2015. The Lexus ES established a unique and important position in the luxury sedan segment with its elegant styling, extraordinary quality, and Lexus' best-in-class service when it was introduced in 1989. More than 1.7 million units have been sold globally over the past 25 years. The new Lexus ES maintains its classical elegance while conveying a more dynamic experience and luxurious craftsmanship. The ES will be on display April 22-29, 2015 at the Lexus booth in Hall 7.1 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center at Auto Shanghai 2015.