The Lexus RX is the best-selling model in the brand’s 26-year history, and with global sales of more than 2.1 million units so far, the mid-size SUV represents three out of ten vehicles ever sold by Lexus. Just imagine the size of the task and the pressure faced by the two men that were most responsible for the new version.
The new RX made its world debut at the New York show earlier this year. Now that it has smaller sibling NX to take care of the compact SUV market, the RX has been given freedom to grow – its wheelbase is up by 50 mm to make 2,789 mm. The exterior is as you’d expect from a modern Lexus – spindle grille, super sharp and edgy.
Project chief designer Gen Ikeda says that the new RX’s design concept was “Seductive Strength” and the SUV has bolder proportions via the increased wheelbase and bigger wheel size. The man with the pen says that it has “unmatched presence” – do you agree? Watch the videos and decide.
In NYC, the RX was revealed with a 3.5 litre V6 engine (RX 350) and a 3.5 litre V6 mated to a hybrid drive system for the RX 450h. Both deliver 300 hp. Last month in Shanghai, Lexus announced the RX 200t which replaces the RX 270. Adopting the latest 2.0 litre turbo unit from the NX, the entry engine for the RX makes 235 hp and 350 Nm, comfortably outgunning the old 2.7 litre four-pot’s 185 hp/252 Nm.
According to chief engineer Takayuki Katsuda, Lexus aimed for better ride and handling, as well as more power and fuel efficiency for its SUV. He said that the challenge was to bulid a breakthrough RX, yet one that’s true to the RX lineage.
“When we showed a preview to our dealers around the world, they agreed that ‘it has changed so much, yet it’s definitely an RX’ This is the greatest compliment that i could ever receive,” he said. “I believe this new RX will not only surprise new customers, but will also delight and satisfy our loyal customers, whose high expectations will be met by many new innovations.”
This one will be coming to Malaysia in the near future, and it’ll be an easier sell too, with the 2.0 turbo.
Lexus RX 450h
Lexus RX 350 F Sport
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Lexus is the ultimate in Luxury Car.
Even Beemers and Benz fall behind
But Audi beat all 3.
Very stupid people pay RM400k for a Toyota in disguise. Would you pay RM20k for a Casio that puts the words” Rolex Casio” on it?
Say no to sushi
airbags kill
So misguided…Ford and BMW use Takata’s airbags also. Plus, they’re recalling them all for a reason, you know? They’re gonna fix it? Understand?
I think with so many sharp lines on the metal skin, it feels like the word “elegant” cannot be applied to the exterior of the RX anymore. It looks like a sort of brutal, futuristic aggression, definitely not out of place when transforming into a Decepticon bot.
The interior, however, looks absolutely elegant.
The germans are utilizing modular components sharing which is evident on their dashboards except their flagships may get bespoke items….
But from what i can see, lexus dashboards looks more bespoke, even the nx has dat aluminum centerpiece to house all d controls
All same one, designers are so lazy without ideas, eat all day and busy with the smartphones instead of working
They have to be sacked
All the same face and interior.
Ugly darth vader car
Boooooo. My Range Rover Evoque still looks better than this cheap look RX.
Just wait till your Evoque kuai tai in the middle of the road.
That will make you feel like a sorhai tai lan ngong
Your son saga the best.