Lexus Considers Offering 7-Seat Crossover
Whether you’re transporting a small group or a large family, today’s seven passenger vehicle is a more viable option than it ever has been in the past. Here at Lexus of Highland Park, we understand the large appeal of a vehicle that seats seven people while still looking luxurious and classy.
Many auto makers are loading their vehicles up with a wealth of features and cornerstone innovations like high performance engines, dynamic safety options, and even greater fuel efficiency. The added advantage of buying a 7-passenger crossover is that they’re more flexible than the average sport utility vehicle.
While some may have thought large cars were dying a slow death, 7 seaters are still very much in demand.
One of the things that make 7-passenger vehicles so desirable is the amount of room an extra row of seating can offer, which on average, is about 65 cubic feet of space when the third row seat is not in use.
In fact, at one of the 2014 New York Auto Show, the Division chief at Lexus, Jeff Bracken, looks forward to the increase in sales that could potentially come from a 7-passenger crossover vehicle. “Third- row seating is the No. 1 issue we hear from dealers.” We feel like we’re missing a 35,000-units-a-year opportunity.” We’re working hard to rectify that.”
So just what would a 7 seat crossover Lexus look like?
Think HPX Concept. Back in 2003, Lexus debuted its version of the third row seat crossover at the New York Auto Show. But, plans for a production CUV were put on the back burner until the economy improved. It’s likely that today’s HPX model could be based on the concept that was introduced over a decade ago.
A combination of the versatility and performance would offer an accurate description of this CUV, especially since the acronym HPX is borrowed from the phrase high performance crossover.
This new Lexus would largely resemble its cousin, the Toyota Highland, though many speculate that it could also be built on the same platform as the GX 460, a traditional mid-size SUV that seats seven passengers, which does as well off-road, as it does cruising around town. The GX is powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine and offers 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque.
If it’s anything like the concept version revealed in 2003, then it could offer a 300 horsepower, 4.3 liter V8 engine that delivers high performance, while still maintaining its Lexus roots.
Right now, it’s not clear whether this Lexus would sport front wheel or rear wheel drive, but according to Braken, prospects for a 7-passenger crossover seem to be more likely somewhere around 2016-2017.
Whenever it makes its appearance at Lexus of Highland Park, the third row seater will definitely find its niche. Thing of the possibilities if you had an extra row of seating in your Lexus!
