3rd Generation Lexus RX unveiled at LA 2008!

Lexus RX

Lexus has unveiled the new Lexus RX range at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show today. The RX will be offered with a two-model range, the RX350 with a regular 3.5 litre V6 engine and the RX450h also with a 3.5 litre V6, but running on the Atkinson cycle together with a hybrid electric system. In the UK, the RX will be offered exclusively as a hybrid.

The RX350’s 3.5 litre V6 engine puts out 275 horsepower, mated to a 6-speed transmission. Both front wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions are available, with the latter using an Active Torque Control AWD system that varies torque distribution according to driving conditions. Both this model and the hybrid version uses a new double-wishbone rear suspension for better control.

Lexus RX Remote TouchWhile current Lexus cars use a simple touch screen interface to access its in-car entertainment and navigation systems, with the new RX, Lexus now has its own iDrive/MMI-like system.

It uses a “Remote Touch” controller that’s supposed to be as natural to the driver’s hand as a computer’s mouse. Let’s see if the Japanese get it better than the Germans. The system also uses HDD-based storage.

The hybrid RX450h’s 3.5 litre Atkinson cycle engine together with its hybrid electric drive system has a combined output of 295 horsepower. To differentiate it from the regular combustion engine-only RX350, it has its own front grille and bumper design, hybrid badging, blue-trimmed Lexus logos, an optional 19 inch wheel design that’s exclusive to the RX450h, blue-tinted headlamps and taillamps and optional LED headlamps.

Lexus RX450hThe RX450h’s Lexus Hybrid Drive system has two new features – the first is an exhaust gas heat recovery system that reduces the time it takes for the engine to warm up. As only a sufficiently warmed up engine can do automatic stop and go smoothly, this reduces the time it takes for the start-stop feature to be activated. The second feature is a cooled exhaust recirculation system which reduces pumping losses, helping improve power and fuel economy.

Unlike the RX350’s mechanical all-wheel drive, the RX450h’s Lexus Hybrid Drive can allows it to function as an all-wheel drive via an electric motor powering the rear wheels. The rear motor also functions as a brake energy recovery device, which means brake energy recovery can be performed on all four wheels.

Lexus Malaysia Sdn Bhd has been known to bring in new Lexus products rather quickly into the market (partly thanks to the ease of bringing in a CBU model), and looking at how the second generation RX has been spoiled by all the grey market RX and Toyota Harriers running around being sold at a much cheaper price, you can expect the new RX to make a Malaysian debut very soon next year.

Look for a hi-res gallery of the new RX after the jump.

PHOTO GALLERY: Third Generation Lexus RX450h and RX350
Click thumbnails to view high resolution photo

[cpg_album:151]

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Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • MisterBenjo (Member) on Nov 20, 2008 at 10:42 pm

    Is it the same platform as previous generation?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • tokmoh (Member) on Nov 20, 2008 at 10:47 pm

    Oh God, not another SUV.

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  • ryan_foong80 (Member) on Nov 20, 2008 at 11:00 pm

    KIREI!!….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • csv (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 12:26 am

    sure see alot on the roads. parallel import, local distribute.

    wonder if it’s as gas guzzling as the previous version.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • AlexKhoo (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 12:42 am

    I think the current one still looks better. The new RX looks abit off?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • e-nabilll (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 1:03 am

    super interior…boring and safe exterior design…looks like thhose old toyota design rather than lexus

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • clover leaf (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 1:26 am

    “blue-tinted headlamps and taillamps and optional LED headlamps”
    this hybrid vehicle guarantee failed JPJ inspection.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • cyberx11 (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 8:05 am

    new Harrier ???

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  • zk9 (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 8:20 am

    Looks like a walrus

    http://www.discoverlife.org/IM/I_DL/0009/320/Odobenus_rosmarus,_Walrus,I_DL971.jpg

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • ALPINA Burkard Bovensiepen GMBH + Co. KG (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 8:53 am

    it looks a lot better than the japan brochure

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • lambov12 (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 9:20 am

    I quite like the RX …

    and it’s a HYBRID !! So it can save the polar caps ..

    Yippe !!!

    It seems Lexus copy the iDrive system from BMW …
    Just that they replace the BMW knob with something like a mouse ..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Xx- Ferrari -xX (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 10:49 am

    WELL INDEED ……

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • redwings (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 11:06 am

    I agreed with “e-nabilll”, apparently the RX350 goes backwards.. old toyota design,
    Nothing impress in the interior, bored dashboard….

    Mazda CX9 and CX7 got a better looks exteriorly..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • runpandarun (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 2:05 pm

    oh ma gad!

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  • runpandarun (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 2:06 pm

    speechless…utterly speechless

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • xavier_lert (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 2:45 pm

    it’s very hard to replicate the success of the previous model….just like nissan did wit Murano..they just destroy the work of art.. maybe they tryin so much…i bet the next few yrs it gonna be Mazda years..as CX9..CX7….Mazda6..now Mazda3……

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  • ALPINA Burkard Bovensiepen GMBH + Co. KG (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 2:49 pm

    lambov12 said,

    November 21, 2008 @ 9:20 am

    I quite like the RX …

    and it’s a HYBRID !! So it can save the polar caps ..

    Yippe !!!

    It seems Lexus copy the iDrive system from BMW …
    Just that they replace the BMW knob with something like a mouse ..
    ——————————-
    people are going to get irritated when they realise they can;t move the mouse

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • mitlanevo (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 4:51 pm

    ya, very soon, thousands of this new Lexus/Toyota will be cruising around Tmn Melawati… LOL~

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • japankiller (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 7:12 pm

    The front look near similar current Camry in Australia, Ugly…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • mystvearn (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 7:23 pm

    at least this time the design is looking better and much more similar to the IS250. Only problem is that the big american 3 are suffering right now becasue of too much SUV, toyota are quite bold to come out with this model. Only Honda managed a 1% increase in sales in US recently while other car makers have negative sales.

    But then again, this is for a niche market

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  • ALPINA Burkard Bovensiepen GMBH + Co. KG (Member) on Nov 22, 2008 at 10:22 am

    so who will be bringing in this car, LEXUS or the grey importers, i hope the grey importers get the ap’s , they sell it cheaper, stupid lexus only bring in the 3.5 version and so expensive

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  • raybrig85 (Member) on Nov 22, 2008 at 5:02 pm

    nt great at all…ugly n new murano is better look than this…

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  • charles27 (Member) on Nov 22, 2008 at 7:36 pm

    look bit better than the previous model that look old design.
    the line are more young.. and the meter are great.. but steering so ugly. haiz.

    hai.. hybrid model seem so nice.. but sure super expensive one laaa.
    get a LS460 lagi shock.. kakaka.

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  • Dell (Member) on Nov 22, 2008 at 8:20 pm

    i thought the new murano is bad, but the new harrier is worse and boring. I used harrier for quite some time, the fuel consumption is quite bad though. But i missed its smooth drive.

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  • kei9 (Member) on Nov 23, 2008 at 4:50 pm

    Looks mundane.

    Oh no..

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  • AM2 (Member) on Nov 23, 2008 at 9:47 pm

    Not that much better looking than the outgoing RX…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • ALPINA Burkard Bovensiepen GMBH + Co. KG (Member) on Nov 26, 2008 at 6:48 pm

    wheres the audi 15 when we need it

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  • rx350 on May 15, 2009 at 8:22 pm

    suitable drive style for old man, but youngman? the car interior n dashboard more it feel, but exterior lost than before….

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  • rx400 on May 15, 2009 at 8:23 pm

    like nice but not suitable for youngman, really………….!

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