Lexus is rumored introduce a small crossover at the Geneva International Motor Show in March. The upcoming vehicle will be based on the UX Concept, which the luxury automaker introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 2016.
Though Lexus has not officially confirmed the speculated launch, Lexus International executive vice president Yoshihiro Sawa already previously revealed plans to put the UX Concept into production.
"Please expect UX, it's not so far away," he told Motoring at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.
Then, at the Los Angeles Auto Show last December, Lexus general manager Jeff Bracken revealed that the company was discussing the UX's potential launch in the United States.
"It's something that our consumers are looking for. Our dealers are all over us to produce that concept vehicle. We are in the process of helping our company understand what we're leaving on the table. So it's laser focused and stay tuned," he said.
The UX is expected to replace the CT200h, a hybrid hatchback that Lexus discontinued in the United States last year. Upon launch, the subcompact crossover will sit below the NX compact crossover and will serve as the luxury automaker's entry-level model.
In terms of design, the production-spec UX will be a somewhat toned-down version of the UX Concept. This is understandable as the latter was introduced with a very aggressive and avant-garde design. Nevertheless, the production model will likely have the same dimensions — 173.2 inches long, 74.8 inches wide and 59.8 inches tall with a wheelbase measuring at 103.9 inches.
These dimensions mean that the UX will compete with vehicles like the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Despite not having a confirmed launch yet, Lexus has already registered the names UX 200, UX 250 and UX 250h with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This suggests that the UX will be offered with 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines as well as a hybrid powertrain.
