Lexus has announced the start of sales of its new RX in Japan. The fourth-generation RX will be available there in two variants, the RX 450h hybrid and the RX 200t, which replaces the old RX 270. The latter uses a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine that was first seen in the Lexus NX last year, and now available in the IS sedan, facelifted GS sedan and RC coupe.
The direct-injection 8AR-FTS utilises a twin-scroll turbocharger and Dual VVT-iW (Dual Variable Valve Timing-intelligent Wide) for maximum torque at low revs. In the NX, it does 235 hp at 5,600 rpm and 350 Nm of torque from 1,650 to 4,000 rpm. The motor is paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox.
The RX 450h’s hybrid system combines a 3.5 litre V6 engine (now with D-4S direct injection) with an electric motor. Thanks to advances such as cylinder heads with enhanced exhaust gas cooling, the hybrid RX boasts fuel economy of 18.8 km/l in the local JC08 test cycle, which is the best in class, Lexus claims.
Both the 200t and 450h can be had in FWD and AWD forms, and an F Sport package with Adaptive Variable Suspension and more aggressive styling is available. The RX 450h F Sport adds on an electric active stabiliser system to reduce roll. Japanese prices are from 4,950,000 yen (RM176,778) for a RX 200t FWD to 7,425,000 yen (RM265,229) for the RX 450h AWD F Sport.
The latest RX made its debut at the 2015 New York International Auto Show in April 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.
Chief engineer Takayuki Katsuda said that his team aimed for better ride and handling, as well as more power and fuel efficiency for its SUV. The challenge was to build a breakthrough RX, yet one that’s true to the RX lineage. See videos of the CE and chief designer explaining their creation here.
The best-selling model in Lexus’ 26-year history is also coming to Malaysia. Very soon, in fact. Sources from UMW Toyota Motor say that the new RX will be launched here in the final quarter of the year, which means anytime in the small window from now till the end of the year.
Separately, Lexus Malaysia has also confirmed that the mega-sized (it fights the jumbo Infiniti QX80), mega-engined (5.7 litre V8) LX 570 facelift will be coming in Q4 2015 – more on that beast here.
Lexus RX at GIIAS 2015
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A handsome and menacing looking machine… Somehow more proportionate compared to the NX…
You won’t go wrong with sushi cars, everyone knew it.
I am getting my 4th Lexus next month, very likely this RX will be my 5th Lexus next year.
We can’t even buy a recond Toyota [email protected]. lol
I find this new RX to be very attractive, especially in its non F-Sport trim. The interior looks really luxurious n the materials look expensive too. Overall, it’s a nice car which should continue to lay lots of golden eggs for Lexus.
Nice. I hope the MYR would be favorable when the sticker price comes out.
Another expensive toyota
Bloody Lexus, finally admit that they got it wrong. From the turbo charged engine to the floating center display..all these were pioneered by the Germans which still makes them the best, bar none
And there are some who dont realise their ‘japanese cars are better’ because the japanese watched and learned from conti makers.
Interior looks dated like old volswagens and cheap plastics like proton
Heh. Cheap feeling car sold at high prices.
I thought the IS’ design (and I think its a good looking car) was pretty adventurous for Toyota/Lexus. But the new RX is really pushing it to the level of being over-done. In my opinion, a car for more matured audience such as the RX should be a bit more restrained.
Don’t see any bit of Conti feel, just another dull and damn cheaps cake sushi like in Sushi King.
Too many sharp angles, too similar to NX, same engines, and possibly grow too big (never heard people complaining about Harrier size before). A product that doesn’t inspire.