[sunishsamuel]

Did Lexus start selling their cars ? Or just one of those imports waiting for registration ? Spotted this one today morning.

[316kmph]

Lexus will finally launch the 5th Gen LS at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit after a 11 year gap!

http://m.autocarindia.com/Article.as...&fromNewsdog=1

Going by the GS, the LS must be a very competent contender in all aspects including driving dynamics.

Would be interesting to see when this would join the Indian showrooms. While ACI says that would happen by 2018, however I expect end 2017 launch.

[RavenAvi]

More details have been revealed ahead of Lexus India's March 2017 launch.

- About 50 to 60 Lexus cars have been brought into India till now, which will be used to garner interest within dealer principals first.

- Potential customers are being contacted and test drives for the cars have begun.

- Lexus will launch two hybrid cars, the RX450h and the ES300h, in March 2017. Both cars are direct imports (CBUs). The RX450h will be priced at over Rs. 90 lakhs (ex-showroom), while the ES 300h will cost around Rs. 60 lakhs (ex-showroom).

- March will also see the launch of Lexus dealerships in India. There will be four showrooms in the beginning - 1 in Mumbai, 1 in Bengaluru and two in Delhi. Preference is given to those who currently have existing Toyota dealerships. But Lexus dealerships will be set up separately.

- Lexus and Toyota will share the same service network, although there will be a separate bay altogether for servicing Lexus cars.

- The LX450 diesel, LX 570 petrol and the NX will be coming to India by the end-2017. The LS600h is expected to be here by January 2018.

- The RC F sports car will not be coming to India.

- Bookings are currently underway at selected Toyota dealerships.

NDTV Auto

[speedmiester]

Saw a Lexus RX450 near Bannerghatta Main road today evening with Nandi Toyota dealer plates.
Couldn't click a pic as I was driving. From behind I had it confused with Hyundia Santa Fe.
Looks like the launch is nearing.

[dZired]

Rumour: Lexus might launch F Performance range in India

The Lexus brand is expected to launch in India in the first half of this year. The Japanese luxury car maker will initially be launching two models in the country: the RX450h and the ES300h. Media reports now suggest that along with the regular models, Lexus might also launch its F Performance vehicle range in India.

Lexus' F Performance division is a dedicated arm that develops high-performance versions of regular Lexus cars. It was also responsible for the Lexus LFA sports car. The F Performance range includes two types of juiced-up vehicles. The F range of vehicles get a high-performance engine setup, spruced up power & torque outputs and some visual enhancements, while models which only get handling updates and cosmetic kits come under the F Sport moniker.

In India, the F Performance division is expected to debut with an F Sport variant of the RX450h. Changes on the F Sport model will include active stabiliser system, adaptive variable suspension and a new top-end Sport S+ drive model. There will be some cosmetic tweaks as well, including a mesh grille with the F Sport badge, redesigned bumpers and larger alloys.

Source: Autocar India

Link to Team-BHP News

[iFuel]

I've been seeing this RX450 in my office premises in Gurgaon. It carries a HR registered plate, white in color. Looks gorgeous if you ask me. Not sure if it is an import or not, now that I saw this thread I had first seen it 2 months back. And today it was driving in front of me in the office parking.

[mijnoirhammer67]

I read somewhere that the RC F coupe will be the first to launch in its carbon body variant. Thats effectively their fastest RC F and the article also estimated a 3 Cr price which is absolutely nuts. This car is worth less than 1 cr let alone 3 crs. Even with the import duty and taxes it should come way under 1.5 cr. I do hope that news article was wrong, cant seem to find it now. Nonetheless, if priced under the crore mark it'll grace alot of homes. But if priced at 1.2 which i honestly think is where they'll park it, I wouldn't pick it over any of the M's. Heck, Id even pick the M2 before the RCF. Only way i see Lexus really taking off is with local production. Or else if they do a Jeep, imma just LOL at them. Great potential with Lexus but the management needs to price it better. The X3 equivalent RX450 is going for over 70-80 lakhs which puts it in the X5 territory and OTR its closer to the GLS than the X5. Money hungry all of them.

Its a shame if these prices dont come down, they'll only sell small numbers.

[Turbanator]

Pricing for Lexus

From a reliable contact, Ex-Showroom Delhi

RX450h Luxury 1,07
F Sport 1,09

ES 300 H Luxury 55,27

Remember - VAT in Delhi on Hybrid is far lower so prices at other places will be 7-10 % High

I think ES at these prices may become a worthy competitor to 5 series & E Class especially in Delhi-NCR market

Similarly, F-Sport can compete with Porsche Cayenne, I think at these prices Lexus does stand a chance to compete in niche segment surely. But LX is still beyond 2 Crore as there is no Hybrid variant.

[volkman10]

Lexus India launch on March 24, 2017; bookings open.

The first models to be launched will be the RX450h and LX450d SUVs and the ES300h sedan. Initially, all three models will be fully imported from Japan via the CBU route. The carmaker is currently gearing up for local assembly in India, but that will commence later.

Link

[aravind.anand]

I saw this about two weeks ago, here in Chennai. Looked massive, and had presence, but still reminded me of the Fortuner.



We all know that the Lexus is one of the most reliable luxury brands. If only this looked more mature, (lesser like the Predator ) it could challenge the Germans here.

[Turbanator]

it could challenge the Germans here

Challenge but how? They are about twice as expensive as any other German car they compete elsewhere worldwide, except for hybrid prices in Delhi.

LX is priced at 2 Cr plus but Yes there are customers even at this price and I understand the initial lot has already been sold.

Here are some better pictures

[AB@TVMBHP]

Have they started the sales of the LX 570d before launch? A black one was sold in Trivandrum 2 weeks back. Or did they do a soft launch unofficially?

[Turbanator]

A black one was sold in Trivandrum 2 weeks back

Must be Dealership owners. Toyota Dealership owners were Offered at special prices.

[volkman10]

Toyota owned luxury brand Lexus coming to India on March 24

Lexus RX450H hybrid SUV might be the first product to be launched in the country, and will be available as a Completely Built Unit (CBU).

the company has already imported about 75-80 cars to garner interest within the dealer community, and in all possibility test drives to potential customers have also begun.

The company is also planning to open four dealerships, as of now, with showrooms in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

link

[dZired]

Lexus has started offering test drives to potential customers in India. BHPian V.Narayan recently took a test drive of the ES300h (related post).

As per earlier reports, the brand is expected to officially make its Indian debut on March 24, 2017.

Link to Team-BHP News