Lexus had earlier showcased a UX small SUV concept at the Paris Motor show. According to our sister publication, Autocar UK, the carmaker is now working on a production model based on the concept.
This new SUV will replace the Lexus CT hatchback globally, which has been a slow seller. It will sit below the Lexus NX and the Lexus RX SUVs in the carmaker’s global line-up.
Patents have been filed for a range of variants under the UX name, including the UX200, UX250 and UX250h. The small numbers signify the nature of the engine, and are of a range similar to the CT200h.
The styling of the production UX is expected to be less extreme than the concept, but will still maintain the spindle grille and angular styling which Lexus has adopted with its current generation of cars. Like the concept, the engine range suggests both traditional internal combustion engines as well as a range-topping hybrid.
Lexus is readying its India entry which is scheduled to take place in March this year. The carmaker will bring in the ES300h sedan, the LX full-size SUV and the RX450h SUV.