Lexus Reportedly Gives up on Drop-Top, Focuses on 3-Row SUV

Apparently Lexus needs a three-row SUV more than it needs a convertible version of the RC. The latter was originally intended to go into production and look a lot like the LF-C2 concept, but now it seems they’ve had an internal revolt and are using the next LS platform to underpin a Mercedes GL rival.

This means it will be very far removed from the Toyota Land Cruiser-based GX (pictured), though it could take its name if that model is discontinued by 2018 – that’s when this new SUV is expected to hit the market. Being based on a rwd platform will make it much more similar to its German rivals, and therefor draw in prospective owners from the same buyer base.

MotorTrend reports that the move was not supported by the entire staff, stating that “some inside Lexus are furious over the decision.”

That’s supposedly partly due to the fact that the RC was originally conceived to be topless as well – one of the reasons it’s heavier than its direct rival, the BMW 4-Series. It uses the strengthened center section from the IS convertible and should retain rigidity without its roof.