Lexus Mulls F-Badged Performance SUV

Toyota Motor Corp.’s Lexus unit is considering a performance variant of one of its SUV/crossover models.

The luxury brand is having “active” internal discussions about the potential for such a model, Cooper Ericksen, vice president for product planning and strategy, tells Motor1. If approved, the vehicle would be the first Lexus SUV or crossover to use the marquee’s “F” sub-brand designation.

Currently, only the RC coupe (pictured) and GS sedan offer full F variants. The LC coupe is expected to add a similar performance model soon.

Among the questions being debated is what form the vehicle should take. Ericksen says the options include a high-powered crossover-type vehicle or an off-road SUV.

If Lexus opts for off-road performance, possible candidates to get the F treatment include the body-on-frame GX and LX SUVs—both of which are overdue for an update. Such a vehicle would compete against rugged Land Rover models.

But Motor1 opines that an F-badged crossover is more likely. Lexus could upgrade either the NX, RX or UX to compete against Audi Sport, BMW M and Mercedes AMG variants in this growing niche.